Gone Bloggin’

Water Studies Continue...

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:20:59 -0500

Merry Christmas

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:35:17 -0600

Winter has arrived

Sat, 5 Dec 2009 22:32:40 -0600

Every little bit...

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:04:38 -0600

Governor signs bill banning phosphorus from dish detergents
Nov 12, 2009 - Wisconsin Association of Lakes is pleased to announce that the State of Wisconsin today took another important step in controlling nutrient pollution in Wisconsin’s waters, as Governor Jim Doyle signed legislation prohibiting the use of phosphorus in dishwasher soaps.We wanted to take a moment to say "thanks" for your support of us, which helped make this law possible.

The bill (AB 281) was passed by the Assembly in June and the Senate in October and is the second in a series of legislative initiatives to improve water quality. Earlier this session, Wisconsin Association of Lakes and others led efforts in which the Legislature established a ban on the use of phosphorus compounds in lawn fertilizer and these efforts extended to the dish soap ban.

“This new law banning phosphorus in household dishwasher detergents is one more important step to protecting and restoring our lakes so they may continue to be enjoyed by all,” said Karen von Huene, Wisconsin Association of Lakes Executive Director. “We are proud as an organization to have again been at the forefront of this important issue and thank the legislature and Governor for understanding how crucial it is to the health of Wisconsin’s waters.”

A 1970’s Wisconsin law prohibited the sale or use of most cleaning products containing more than 0.5 percent phosphorus by weight, but made an exception allowing dishwashing detergents with as much as 8.7 percent phosphorus. The new law eliminates that exception and limits dishwashing detergents to the same low phosphorus level permitted in other cleaning products beginning in June of 2010.

Our member lake organizations, individuals and corporations have long supported measures to remove phosphorus from the runoff flowing into our waters. Nutrients like phosphorus are degrading 90% of Wisconsin’s inland lakes, causing smelly algae blooms, fish kills, and declining water quality.

Enactment of this new law enhances Wisconsin’s status as a national leader and model for other states in preventing phosphorus in runoff from contaminating its waters.
And don't worry, we'll keep working for more ways to protect Wisconsin's lakes.

Beautiful Day

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:57:47 -0600

It was a beautiful fall day in Chetek yesterday. Nothing new to report. I thought I’d try posting a couple shots from the dock to see how that works.

Day one

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 15:06:05 -0600

Here’s an article from the Chetek Alert the other day. We are trying to get money to keep the lake clean and healthy. Their has been an ongoing series of articles that I will try to keep posted on this site. I think I have some older ones that I can dig up for future postings. If you would like to become a member of the Chetek Lakes Protection Association let me know and I”ll get you the info. it’s only $10.00 a year and they keep you up to date on all the lake news.

Meeting clarifies why lake study wasn't funded

November 04, 2009

Experts from all over the state met last Wednesday in Eau Claire to explain why a study of phosphorus in the Chetek chain hadn't been funded by a Department of Natural Resources grant.
Although Chetek Lakes Protection Association members were told a perceived lack of community support was a deciding factor, there was no evidence the DNR doubted citizen concern or the severity of the problem.

"We all agree there's a problem. We designated the lakes [as impaired]," said Carroll Schaal, the lakes team leader for the DNR's Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection in Madison.

The CLPA's grant application, including a request for $200,000, was rejected before the organization's annual August meeting. The proposal received 16 out of 33 potential points.

CLPA President John Plaza and Barr Engineering senior biologist Meg Rattei called the meeting of county, regional, state and local experts to find out why the proposal scored so low and to find ways to move forward.

Discussion focused on scaling back the project to make it more palatable to taxpayers. Instead of the $580,000 phosphorus study presented at the CLPA meeting, officials wanted to see a more focused, more economical approach to improving water quality.

"It's a lot of money that nobody has," said Tim Asplund, a water resources management specialist from the Madison DNR office.

Where water quality is concerned, there are no quick fixes, everyone agreed.
Instead, officials wanted to instill a "We're doing this for our grandchildren" mentality. The long-term goal of improving quality in the chain confronts centuries of internal loading and would "not be fixed in a dozen years," said Kathy Bartilson, basin supervisor in the water management program for the Northern region.

Bartilson, who works out of the Spooner office, also mentioned she is responsible for answering letters on local water quality addressed to Gov. Jim Doyle and other state officials.

Discussion focused primarily on how to turn the large-scale study into a series of small, finely tuned steps funded by smaller grants. Suggestions from officials included:

* Extrapolating information. Since the lakes share many qualities, U.S. Geological Survey research hydrologist Dale Robertson suggested the project be narrowed to intensive study of one lake (he mentioned Prairie Lake) and the data used to guide improvement of all the lakes;

* Matching the grant program to the desired task. There was general agreement that the type of grant the CLPA sought was designed more for earth-moving projects;

* Starting with "a whole lot more planning," as Schaal put it;

* Examining more closely the role of internal loading in the lakes. New studies coming out suggest it is of greater importance than previously thought, and officials wanted to see more monitoring;

* Getting paperwork/proposals in before the deadline. Despite correspondence from the Spooner office, pre-proposal paperwork was not submitted;

* Fixing discrepancies in findings from the 1996 study and information presented in the proposal;

* Defining and planning the project before looking for applicable grant programs.

Bartilson suggested the CLPA focus on monitoring, education and implementation of three short-term goals in the immediate future. Asplund commented that a couple of sit-down meetings could help the organization align their goals with the DNR's objectives.

"I think the CLPA just wants to see some action," commented CLPA Vice President Jack Schnell.

Water quality is an issue in lakes throughout the state, and the threat of toxicity is spurring establishment of safe nutrient levels. Schaal said he expects to see the state create criteria for nutrient levels and enact it through administrative rule.