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December 2009 Page 1

W i s co n s i n DNR
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 2300 N Dr ML King Jr. Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53212 Phone: (414) 263-8625 E-mail: benjamin.uvaas@wisconsin.gov

4 T H A N N UA L S T U R G E O N R E L E A S E AT R I VE RED G E NAT UR E CE NT E R

M ILWAU KE E AOC U PDATE

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

UW-Extension
University of Wisconsin Extension 9501 W. Watertown Plank Road Wauwatosa, WI 53226 Phone: (414) 256-4632 Email: gail.overholt@ces.uwex.edu

AOC Extended KK Sediment Removal We All Live on the Water Signage Campaign Delisting Report Update SWWT Initiative Ephemeral Ponds Project Rain Garden Challenge
October 3rd marked the fourth release of juvenile sturgeon into the waters of the Milwaukee River. The event took place at Riveredge Nature Center starting at 1:00pm. Events of the day included a live reptile and amphibian presentation, T-shirt decoration, and activities for children, all in addition to the sturgeon release at 2:30pm. Special for this year, Billy Daniels of the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe blessed the sturgeon before their release. In the past, sturgeon have served as an important food source and spiritual symbol for many Native American Tribes. However, sturgeon numbers have decline dramatically since the mid 1800s. Overfishing, loss of available spawning habitat, and decades of being labeled a nuisance fish by fisherman have all been factors in the decline. This years release is part of a twenty-five year program to return sturgeon to Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee River. Sturgeon raised at the innovative rearing facility imprint on the Milwaukee river, and will hopefully return in 15-25 years to spawn. One very popular activity at the release is sponsoring a sturgeon. With a small donation, individuals are given the opportunity to hand release their own sturgeon into the river. Each sturgeon is PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) tagged. The PIT tag allows for fisheries biologists to track sturgeon movements, and gives sponsors a chance to learn the fate of the fish they released. To request more information to become a sponsor of next years event, go to www.riveredge.us or call 262-375-2715. If you plan to sponsor a sturgeon please call or go online for registration information.

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A R E A O F C O N C E R N B O U N DA R I E S EXTENDED
On July 18, 2008, the EPA formally expanded the geographic boundaries for the Milwaukee Area of Concern (AOC). Evidence showing contributions of toxic substances from upstream sources has accumulated since the boundaries were originally drawn in 1980. This change more accurately reflects ecosystem impacts connected with the beneficial use degradation described in the Milwaukee Remedial Action Plan and subsequent documents. Specific expansions include: ~Cedar Creek downstream from Bridge Road to confluence with Milwaukee River. This addition encompasses the entire Cedar Creek Superfund Site, which contributes sediments contaminated with PCBs to the Milwaukee River. ~Milwaukee River and Lincoln Creek from confluence with Cedar Creek to North Avenue Dam. This addition includes the portion of the Milwaukee River influenced by contami-

Sturgeon raised at the innovative rearing facility imprint on the Milwaukee river, and will hopefully return in 15-25 years to spawn.

3 3-4 5 2 6 7 8

Spawning Reef Emmber Lane Restoration Project Citizen-Based Monitoring Update Milwaukee River Fish Passage $475M to Restore the Sturgeon Release

10

11 12

nated sediments from Lincoln Creek and Cedar Creek. This also includes a large deposit of contaminated sediments located upstream from the Estabrook Park Dam. ~ Little Menomonee River from Brown Deer Road to confluence with Menomonee

River, and Menomonee River downstream from confluence with Little Menomonee River to 35th Street. The Little Menomonee River contains the Moss American Superfund Site, which potentially contributes contaminated sediments to the Menomonee River.

DREDGING COMPLETE

ON
BY

KINNICKINNIC RIVER
MATT AHO AND BEN UVAAS,WDNR 2008, dredging began in the Spring of 2009. The project removed about 170,000 cubic yards of sediment contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). There were an estimated 1,200 lbs of PCBs and 13,000 lbs PAHs in the sediment that was removed, according to the EPA. The removal was conducted between Becher Street and Kinnickinnic Avenue (continued on page 2)

All graphics from www.riveredge.us Photo of young sturgeon by Brian J. Torreano 2009

The final phase of the Kinnickinnic River contaminated sediment removal is finally complete. After completion of a special cell for Kinnickinnic River sediment and construction of shoreline stabilization features within the project area in the Fall of

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W E A L L L I V E O N T H E W AT E R S I G N C A M PA I G N
In 2006-07, four Lake Michigan basin-based partnerships came together to create a We All Live On The Water campaign. The campaign seeks to reinforce the sense of community and personal responsibility when it comes to protecting water quality. This is accomplished by encouraging citizens to notify the WDNR when water quality violations, like illegal discharges, appear suspect. The geographic location served included all of the coastal counties and attached watersheds from the Illinois border to the top of Door County. In each of the four organizations territory, 60 signs were placed throughout the basin in County and State Parks and Natural Areas alongside strategic trails and waterways. The Milwaukee River Basin Partnership which covers Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and parts of Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties, also placed 60 signs throughout the basin. Brochures and a website were also created
(www.lakemichiganpartners.org)

$475M

TO

RESTORE
Chequamegon Bay & Bad River Why has the Milwaukee River Basin been prioritized? Its because of the large number of projects that are currently planned that encompass all of the five focus areas.

THE

GR E AT L AKE S

BY GAIL EPPING OVEHROLT, UW-EXTENSION Just as we brace ourselves to face the challenges of Asian Carp and Phragmites, as the Department of Natural Resources prepares for the first diversion application since the Great Lakes Compact was signed and as businesses, non-profits and government agencies face layoffs and furloughs, President Obama and Congress are sending $475M to the Great Lakes for restoration. Half of that money will be disbursed through EPA and the Great Lakes National Program Office. This effort, also known as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), targets the most significant environmental problems in the Great Lakes. The grant money will support programs and projects strategically to address the following five focus areas: Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern Invasive Species Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution Habitat and Wildlife Protection and Restoration Accountability, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication, and Partnerships In addition, priority will be given to these geographic focus areas: Milwaukee River Basin

organizations, and several private donors contributed to the sign installation and maintenance program. These donors included the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Foundation, Baird Associates, Jo Spear & Associates, Ayres Associates, and River Revitalization Foundation. For more information, contact Gail Epping Overholt at (414) 256-4632.

We All Live on the Water Sign

as part of this project. Funding came primarily from the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program. Additional funding was raised through donated time of the partner

DREDGING ON
on the south side of Milwaukee. The dredged sediment disposal site is the Jones Island Confined Disposal Facility operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Historically, the project area was designed to accommodate navigation traffic with a depth of 21 feet. Due to a decline in commercial navigation traffic, routine dredging had ceased by the 1940s. A survey in 1980 yielded water depths in most of the area at 0-10 feet. The accumulated sediment is contaminated as a result of evolving urban growth and development and lack of regulations before the mid 1970s. PCBs and PAHs are the primary targeted contaminants. A 2002 sediment assessment, funded by an USEPAGreat Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO) grant, defined the extent of contamination in the project area. Over the

There are an estimated 1,200 lbs of PCBs and 13,000 lbs PAHs in the sediment being removed

course of the project a partnership has been established among federal and local government agencies and riparian property owners adjacent to the area. The WDNR, with tremendous support from USEPA-Great Lakes National Program Office, USACE, Port of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, and the Kinnickinnic River Business Improvement District worked on the final engineering design to further define the restoration specifications. Resulting is approximately and 80 navigational channel, about 20-24 deep with sides sloped 11 below the Lake Michigan Chart Datum. Sediment removal near the 1st street bridge was completed in October 2009. For more information, visit:: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/ wm/sms/kkriver/

KK RIVER

YES! All of our work is paying offliterally! There are many other criteria that are not listed here and the devil is in the details, but this is a good start. US EPA hosted a Stakeholder meeting in July to solicit ideas and feedback on how to make the GLRI effective in addressing problems affecting the Great Lakes. One of the takeaways from those meetings was that Education and Outreach was a key focus that was missing from the GLRI. EPA has now included Education as a key component based on public input. Many groups and individuals have been strategizing here in Wisconsin and in the Milwaukee River Basin to identify programs and projects that fit the bill and are now furiously working to collaborate to make the funding come our way. EPAs request for proposals was sent out on November 23 and submissions are due

Abandoned vessel (E Gillan) mired in KK sediment. Source: WI DNR

January 29, 2010, noon CST. Selections and awards are expected to be made between March and June 2010, though these are subject to change. EPA expects that approximately $120 million will be awarded under this RFP ...with approximately $6.5 million of this amount to be Office of Great Lakes awarded by the (608) 266-1956 U.S. Fish and Wildstephen.galarneau@wisconsin.gov life Service. Prokate.barrett@wisconsin.gov ject periods are kimberly.walz@wisconsin.gov generally expected to range (Source: Great Lakes Information Network) from one to three years, except for the programs providing for fiveyear project periods. (US EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Request for Proposals, November 23, 2009). The DNRs Office of Great Lakes staff, Steve Galarneau, Kate Barrett and Kim Walz, are here to assist Wisconsins agencies and organizations by giving suggestions for strengthening proposals, looking for opportunities to collaborate and help connect grant writers working on similar projects, and by identifying statewide project opportunities.

Commercial fishing vessel leaves KK pier. Source: WI DNR

Fox River & Green Bay

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M I L WA U K E E R I V E R W A T E R S H E D FISH PASSAGE
BY KATHERINE DISTERHAFT , OZAUKEE COUNTY Reviving our WaterwaysConnecting Communities Native fish have limited swimming and jumping capabilities to negotiate barriers and unnaturally magnified river currents. This prompted Ozaukee County to apply for and receive $4.7M from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to restore fish passage in the Milwaukee River Watershed. One of the Programs next steps is bringing together different Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), schools, and universities to discuss how different groups and agencies can assist the program and work together to ensure its success in the next year and beyond.

DELISTING REPORT AND GREAT LAKES R E S T O R A T I O N I N I T A T I V E U P DA T E

The Final Milwaukee Remedial Action Plan Delisting Report has been submitted to the EPA. Official comments are forthcoming. This report is the second of the five Wisconsin AOC delisting reports to be submitted. Though labeled as final, the report is intended to be a starting point to generate further study and discussion. Great Lakes wide, three areas of concern have been delisted, only one of which is located in the United States. Congress is expected to provide $475 million to help bolster the remediation effort in what the Obama administration is calling the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). Major spending includes $147 million designated for cleaning up contaminated sediments and $105 million for habitat restoration. Also notable, $65 million will go towards monitoring and accountability of the projects. Specific goals for the program include removing 1 million cubic yards of contaminated sediment and restoring 23,000 acres of coastal, wetland, shoreline, and upland habitat. See page 11 for more information about the GLRI.

(Source: Ozaukee County)

S OUT HEAST WI SCO NSI N W ATER SHEDS T RU ST SW EET W AT ER T RU ST

According to Will Wawrzyn, Fisheries Biologist with the WI DNR, The Department is trying to manage for sustainable fish communities and removing or modifying barriers such as these will provide many species access to historical spawning and rearing habitats. The goal is to enable resident river fish and Lake Michigan fish to have access to these critical habitats. Enabling fish passage is an important element to restoring Walleye and Lake Sturgeon to the Milwaukee River and near shore waters of Lake Michigan. The Fish Passage Program plans to remove more than 100 barriers before December 2010. If you or a representative of your NGO, university, agency, organization or school is unable to attend the meeting, or would like to learn more and get involved, check the website or contact Katherine Disterhaft at kdisterhaft@co.ozaukee.wi.us for more information about the program, the upcoming meeting, and other opportunities. The Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust (SWWT), also known as the Sweet Water Trust is a non-profit umbrella agency uniting independent units of government, nonprofits, agencies, organizations and members of the general public in a common effort to achieve healthy and sustainable water resources throughout the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds. Origin In autumn of 2007 a Water Policy advisory group assembled and facilitated by Dr. Nancy Frank, UWM Department of Urban Planning developed a mission, primary purposes, and goals for the Trust. On May 7, 2008 at the first meeting of SWWTs Executive Steering Council the goals were approved. The Brico Fund supported this effort. Organization The Sweet Water Trust is organized under four committees and their subcommittees. The Executive Steering Council oversees the business plan and secures funds for the entire organization. The Science Committee, in conjunction with the newly formed habitat sub-committee, was put into place to ensure that SWWT restoration plans are consistent with good science and that habitat is not overlooked during the watershed restoration process. The Policy and Legal Committee looks at emerging permitting and enforcement policies that may improve water quality. Present work groups include pollutant trading and watershed based Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permitting. Lastly, two watershed action teams (WATs) have been created for the Kinnickinnic and Menomonee River Watersheds to provide review and input on watershed restoration plans that are expected to be finalized in February 2010. The plans are being developed by a team of consultants hired by MMSD. The Habitat Sub-committee was created by request of the WATs in their review of the plans. The WATs are also charged to be the on-the-ground implementers of the watershed restoration plans. Both WATs are recruiting community groups, individuals, municipalities, and businesses to become members of the WATs. For more information about the Watershed Action Teams contact Gail Epping Overholt, UW-Extension at (414) 2564632. Five Primary Purposes Achieve water resource goals and objectives through innovative and sustainable practices Improve water quality in the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds, supporting a healthy regional economy and improving quality of life Test and then implement innovative approaches and practices that will achieve improvements in water resources in a costeffective way (continued on page 4)

December 9, 2009 10 a.m. to Noon Ozaukee County Administrative Building - Port Washington

Please come:

The meeting goals are to discuss program details and establish working groups. Organizational events and work days that all interested parties can participate in are anticipated to follow. For those of you who are not as familiar with the Milwaukee River Fish Passage Program visit the County website at:
http://www.co.ozaukee.wi.us/Pla nningParks/PlanningParks_Fish_ Passage.htm.

Barriers to fish passage are generally classified into three categories: Conservation Corps projects such as debris, public works projects such as perched or ineffective culverts and crossing, and dams. These barriers make if difficult if not impossible for some fish to migrate upstream or move fully within their resident stream. Such passage is often critical for spawning, rearing, and/or survival.

...to achieve healthy and sustainable water resources throughout the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds

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SWWT TRUST (CONTINUED

Build partnerships and enhance collaborative decision-making and joint project implementation, engaging government, business, the building industry, agriculture, environmental, and other stakeholder organizations to obtain broad agreement and recommend where to invest funds to get the greatest benefit Increase the regions success in attracting new funding and leverage existing funding for water quality and water resource improvements

FROM P.

3)

CITIZEN BASED MONITORING M I L WA U K E E R I V E R B A S I N

BY CHERYL NENN, MILWAUKEE RIVERKEEPER Milwaukee Riverkeeper (formerly Friends of Milwaukees Rivers) is working toward a goal of establishing a watershed-wide network of trained citizen volunteers who are monitoring streams and rivers, and who collect the information in a consistent and useable format. In 2005, they assessed the status of past citizen monitoring activities within the watershed, and structured their citizen monitoring program in line with DNRs overall citizen monitoring strategy. Riverkeepers Level I program (or Water Action Volunteers program) is designed for beginning monitors with little to no experience in water quality monitoring, while the Level II program is for volunteers who have monitored at Level I for at least one year or have some prior experience. In 2006 12 advanced water quality monitors (DNR Level II) and 33 Level I or Water Action Volunteers (WAV) were trained. In 2007 8 additional advanced volunteers and 14 WAV volunteers received training. In 2008 six Level II volunteers and 21 WAV volunteers received training. In 2009 14 Level II volunteers and 25 WAV volunteers received training. Since 2006 over 40 Level II and 93 Level I or WAV volunteers received training through the Milwaukee Riverkeeper Program. Level II volunteers monitor water quality using DNR equipment and protocols, and monitor pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), turbidity, and temperature (using automated thermistors). Level I volunteers measure DO, temperature, turbidity, flow, and macroinvertebrates (and do periodic stream assessments). Volunteers monitor on at least a monthly basis, and data is entered into either the DNR SWIMS or WAV databases. Milwaukee Riverkeeper hopes to continue expanding citizen based water quality monitoring in the Milwaukee River Basin. They also hope to identify areas where water quality data gaps or needs exist, and to place citizen volunteers in the field to fill these needs. They expect to start citizen monitoring for bacteria and other water quality parameters in targeted areas, and to continue to use citizen volunteers to help recognize questionable practices, erosion control violations, illicit discharges, etc. Ultimately, the goal is to build on the DNRs efforts to improve the quality and quantity of citizencollected data that is used to monitor the health of our waterways. SUMMARY Since 2006, 40 Level II volunteers monitoring 50 sites Since 2006, 93 WAV volunteers monitoring 60 sites (not all currently active) 30 thermistors deployed in 2009 to measure stream temperature in hourly increments. Rough temperature data suggests several potential streams for coldwater trout introductions that are being monitored (Mole Creek, Riveredge Creek, Nichols Creek, Pigeon Creek).

IN THE

Joyce Foundation Grant The Sweet Water Trust (SWWT) received a major boost in its campaign to improve water quality in the Milwaukee River Basin with a three year $1.9 M grant from the Joyce Foundation. The grant supports seven state and local environmental groups and the SWWT to develop projects that will produce measurable improvements in water quality and habitat starting with the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds.

December 7 for review. All interested stakeholders are invited to review the plans. Comments are due to the technical team January 8, 2010. (See the website for details on how to submit your comments.) This work effort will produce adaptive, phased watershed restoration plans for the Kinnickinnic River Watershed and the Menomonee River Watershed, which will contain the following: An implementation plan focused on activities that should take place in the near term to meet long -term water quality goals; A collaborative stakeholder involvement effort that will be based upon SWWT policy and procedures; Potential additional targeted efforts on green infrastructure, pollutant trading, and social science measures; Consideration of sustainability in the development of the Plans. This effort builds upon the sound science, extensive data and alternatives analysis of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District 2020 Facilities Plan and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commissions Regional Water Quality Management Plan Update the combined effort known as the Water Quality Initiative (WQI) which ended in 2007. Contact SWWT More information about upcoming events and how you can get involved with SWWT can be found at www.swwtwater.org .

Mini Grant Program

The Southeast Wisconsin Watersheds Trust (SWWT) and the Milwaukee River Basin Partnership announce the recipients of a Mini Grant Program. Twenty one applicants applied for funding with a total of nearly $33,000 requested. Thirteen recipients whose proposals were chosen to receive funding will be awarded a total of $17,224.00. Awards ranged from $400 to $2,000. Successful proposals demonstrated an ability to implement the goals and objectives of the sponsoring organizations. The goal of the Mini Grant Program is to support local activities that will teach citizens about water quality issues, enhance conservation, and improve water quality in the Milwaukee River Watershed. Common grant awards include rain garden plantings on school grounds with a strong educational component.

Watersheds of immediate interest to SWWT (source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Watershed Restoration Plans represent the first step in the implementation of truly science-based watershed improvement efforts.

The scenic Milwaukee River State of the Watershed Restoration Plans The Watershed Restoration Plans represent the first step in the implementation of truly science-based watershed improvement efforts. The Trust is currently supporting the development of watershed restoration plans for the Kinnickinnic River and the Menomonee River, but hopes to develop plans for each of the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds in the future. The draft plans will be posted on the SWWT website

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EMMBER LANE ACCESS AND RIVER RESTORATION DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

BY CHERYL NENN, MILWAUKEE RIVERKEEPER The Emmber Lane River Access and Restoration Demonstration Project provides a unique urban restoration opportunity for the Menomonee River to improve water quality, aesthetic beauty, and aquatic wildlife habitat while providing recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities for Milwaukee residents. The upstream side of the Emmber Lane Bridge in the City of Milwaukee forms a sharp angle with the Menomonee Rivers northern bank creating a corner that accumulates with garbage and sediment and creates little value for wildlife or human communities alike. This portion of the Menomonee River is within the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern, which has beneficial use impairments for degradation of aesthetics and loss of fish and wildlife habitat. Past efforts to clean -up and restore this area have been unsuccessful. A partnership of Milwaukee Riverkeeper, the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin DNR, the Harbor Commission, Menomonee Valley Partners, the Menomonee Valley Business Improvement District, and Menomonee Valley businesses such as Cargill and Sigma Environmental will design a permanent solution to minimize accumulation of garbage and debris in this corner, improve fish and wildlife habitat, improve water quality, provide river access, and create educational opportunities. With the help of Marquette University students, a preliminary design alternative was developed, which has been subsequently amended to include a stationary riverwalk or boardwalk (cantilevered off the Emmber Lane Bridge) with a viewing platform, as well as an attached floating pier and ramp for the purposes of launching canoes/kayaks as well as for fishing and educational purposes. There is a separate trash barrier that was installed in Spring 2009, which consists of a floating pipe to minimize garbage accumulation in the corner. The project also consists of building a transition between the riverwalk/floating pier and the land through creation of a small upland park. This park will include a trail to accommodate ADA access to the viewing platform, a transition between the park and the pier that does not put any load onto an aging seawall, and also upland native plantings. The public will be able to park at the adjacent Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful parking lot to access the park and pier, and bikers can access the area via the Hank Aaron State Trail. Construction of the second phase of this project, which includes the riverwalk, pier, and path systems, should be complete by the end of 2009. Planting of the upland park will continue through spring 2010. This project will complement other work being done in the west end of the Menomonee Valley, as well as tie into the new Hank Aaron State Trail and Milwaukee Urban Water Trail. The project serves as a demonstration project for how to restore ecological function, manage floatable trash, and provide community assets in similar engineered, modified portions of our urban waterways in Milwaukee and beyond. The project budget was $275,000. The City of Milwaukee received a $100,000 Wisconsin Coastal Management Grant for this project, and matched that amount in their 2008 budget at $100,000. Milwaukee Riverkeeper received financial support from the Potawatomi Community Foundation for $7,500, from the We Energies Foundation for $10,000 and $5,000 was provided by both Cargill and the Menomonee Valley Business Improvement District. WDNR dedicated $5,000 from their Environmental Damage Compensation fund toward this project as well. In-kind support was provided by several partners as well the City of Milwaukee, Marquette University, Sigma Environmental, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Menomonee Valley Partners, the Department of Natural Resources, the Harbor Commission and the citys consultantsSigma Environmental and Engberg Anderson.

WISCONSIN EPHEMERAL POND P RO J E C T

B
Y

A I L

P P I N G

V E R H O L T

, UW E

X T E N S I O N

Nature centers, universities, and county staff as well as local organizations like the Friends of the Cedarburg Bog entered into an exciting venture in the spring of 2008 when they joined with the University of Wisconsin Extension and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) in a new Citizen Science Monitoring initiative the Wisconsin Ephemeral Pond Project, or WEPP. Ephemeral ponds are small wetlands that dry periodically and support many species not found elsewhere. Theyre among the least understood, and the most at risk, wetland types. WEPPs main goals are to improve methods for mapping ephemeral ponds and to inventory mapped ephemeral ponds in Wisconsin to increase understanding of their ecological importance and to support their conservation. The first step in protecting and conserving these wetlands is knowing where they are, says Joanne Kline, an Environmental Analysis and Review Specialist with WDNR. Citizen monitors play a crucial role allowing us to expand the number of ponds we can field check. This will aid the WDNR in identification and management of these unique wetlands. With the help of a grant from the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, WEPP had its start in the Wisconsin counties along southern Lake Michigan. Joining more than 72 citizens from Kenosha to Sheboygan Counties, volunteers participated in a 2-day training program in ephemeral pond ecology and inventory methods. Some of the volunteers examined physical features like water depth and pond size as

the season progresses. Others recorded observations of key ephemeral pond indicator species like fairy shrimp and wood frogs. This information is helping to understand the different types of ephemeral ponds and their significance in the landscape. Knowledge about these systems in Wisconsin is limited and this effort broadens the knowledge base leading to a deeper understanding and eventual protection of these special places. Due to their ephemeral nature, these ponds often go unappreciated as the extremely diverse and ecologically vital places they are. The ponds are to the forest what a coral reef is to the ocean. Unfortunately, they sometimes are drained or filled in and built upon. Some ponds will be dug deeper and converted to permanent fish ponds not so great for amphibians! The volunteers who dedicated their efforts and time during the spring and summer of 2008 and 2009 monitoring ephemeral ponds reap the rewards by honing their skills and expanding their world view to include fairy shrimp, skunk cabbage and maybe even an elusive Blandings turtle. Just a snapshot of the results of the first years efforts: By working together, committed citizens, non-profit partners, and staff from local and state agencies field checked a total of 422 sites mapped as potential ephemeral ponds. Of the 368 sites with enough information to evaluate map accuracy, 245, or 67%, were verified as correctly mapped ephemeral ponds, and 14%

detected mapping errors. The results show that the mapping is feasible and finding the errors will improve the mapping method. Data analysis is being completed for the 2009 season. Another WEPP goal is to build a self-sustaining network of local Partners to recruit, train and support citizen scientists to participate in this program. If you or your organization enjoy exploring wetlands and want to learn about and contribute to ephemeral pond conservation, contact Gail Epping Overholt, UW-Extension Basin Educator at (608) 2564632 or email her at gail.overholt@ces.uwex.edu.

This project will serve as a demonstration project for how to restore ecological function, manage floatable trash, and provide community assets in similar engineered, modified portions of our urban waterways in Milwaukee and beyond.

Ephemeral ponds are small wetlands that dry periodically and support many species not found elsewhere. Theyre among the least understood, and the most at risk, wetland types

Ephemeral Pond. Source: Joanne Kline - WDNR

(Source: Cheryl Nenn)

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C OLLEGIATE RAIN GARDEN CHALLENGE

Stormwater and the pollutants associated with it have been recognized through the Milwaukee Estuary Remedial Action Plan process as major contributors to beneficial use impairments throughout the Milwaukee River Basin. Polluted storm water runoff is the greatest threat to our regions water resources. of applying good stormwater management practices to their campuses. Targeting local universities provides educational opportunities to students and encourages environmental stewardship in the neighborhoods in which the universities are situated. Primary goals of the Collegiate Challenge included: ~ Reduce stormwater runoff quantities to public storm sewer systems and improve water quality; ~ Provide educational opportunities for students, faculty, staff, & residents about innovative stormwater management techniques; ~ Highly-visible examples of good environmental stewardship will increase community awareness and inspire decisionmakers to promote similar projects and paved areas that would normally enter already burdened systems. Many of the gardens were designed, implemented, and maintained by students and have acted as a catalyst for new student environmental organizations. Educators are using the gardens as a hands-on learning tool within their curriculum, and each garden design incorporates educational signage. Most gardens are located in highly visible areas to promote public interaction. These gardens are a proactive approach to addressing water quality issues in our region through establishing partnerships, promoting environmental stewardship, and educating both young professionals and the public.

M I L WAU K E E R I V E R F I S H S PAW N I N G H A B I T AT R E H A B I L I T AT I O N P R O J E C T
Water quality along the lower Milwaukee River and Milwaukee River Estuary has steadily improved since 1997. Two of the most notable and visible water resource management projects responsible for these improvements include the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage Districts Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Program and the City of Milwaukees abandonment of the 150-year old North Avenue dam. Although water quality is now capable of supporting a more diverse fish and aquatic life community, critical fish spawning habitat in the estuary is limited. Beginning in the early 1900's, river and corridor fish and other aquatic life habitat was severely modified by dredging and filling to accommodate commercial shipping. Prior to dredging, a large riffle complex was located at the upstream limits of the estuary and coincidentally, the location of the former North Avenue Dam. The goal of the project was to re-create a portion of the Milwaukee River Estuarys historic native potadromous fish spawning habitat After a detailed design and review process, the project was designed as one large reef totaling approximately 26,050 SF (0.6 acre); using 1,675 tons of 3-in to 10-in alluvial stone; placed at an average thickness of 1-ft. Short-term Lake Michigan seiche events result in portions (typically less than 20% of the constructed reef) undergoing short-term (hourly and daily) periods of water loss and reef exposure to the air. In recognition of these hydrologic variations, it was decided early on in the planning stages to construct the reef to accommodate as near to possible the long-term average lake and estuary water elevations as opposed to short-term variations. The reef design was based around the spawning preferences of walleye fish species. Walleye was selected for its historic importance to the Milwaukee estuary fishery, and the similarities between its spawning preferences and that of many other native Wisconsin fishes.

The Milwaukee River Revitalization Council and the Milwaukee River Basin Partnership, with funding from the Great Lakes National Program Office, demonstrated the merits of rain gardens with a number of pilot projects throughout the Milwaukee Metro area.

Exposed as-built reef during outflow of Milwaukee River. Source: Will Wawrzyn, WDNR

In-stream construction commenced on October 9, 2006 and was completed on October 19, 2006. Funding sources and budget sources included USEPA 319 Grant $30,000; USEPA

Rain Gardens at Alverno College. Source: Matt Aho

Rain gardens are one attractive option to curbing this type of pollution. Rain gardens are landscaped depressions adapted to treat storm water runoff from a developed site such as a parking lot or roof. Rain gardens use the same pollutant removal mechanisms that operate in wetland or wooded ecosystems. In addition to improving the water quality of storm water, rain gardens retain storm water that would otherwise enter municipal storm sewer systems, thus dealing with quantity issues as well. The Milwaukee River Revitalization Council (Council) and the Milwaukee River Basin Partnership (Partnership), with funding from the Great Lakes National Program Office, demonstrated the merits of rain gardens with a number of pilot projects throughout the Milwaukee Metro area. The Council and Partnership presented Milwaukee area universities with the challenge

Five uniSignage at Mount Mary College. versities agreed Source: Matt Aho to the friendly challenge: Marquette University, Mount Mary College, Alverno College, Wisconsin Lutheran College, and the University of WisconsinMilwaukee (through support from WDNRs environmental damage compensation fund). Each school incorporated students into all phases of the project, from initial site selection, implementation, and final monitoring. In August 2007, the final rain garden was constructed. These innovative designs are placed in strategic areas, capturing runoff from roofs
Students and Professors constructing the UW-Milwaukee Rain Garden. Source: Jim Wasley

GLNPO Grant via National Fish and Wildlife Foundation $60,000; USFWS Grant $15,000; Walleyes for Tomorrow (gift) $15,000 or Total of $114,460. To date, no walleye reproduction has been documented on the reef. Eggs have been laid in the reef, but have not been identified. In addition to walleye, other Wisconsin natives that might use the spawning reef include white suckers and redhorse. In October, sampling for young-of-year walleye continued again, and hopefully continued monitoring will indicate spawning use by walleye.

To date, no walleye reproduction has been documented on the reef. ...hopefully continued monitoring will indicate spawning use by walleye.

Newly reconstructed North Avenue Dam prior to dredging for commercial navigation (circa. 1876). Note riffle and coarse bed material. Source: Will Wawrzyn, WDNR