June 8, 2009

THE SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN WATERSHEDS TRUSTs NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS COLLABORATION TO RESTORE THE WATERSHEDS IN SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN
Goal: The overall goal of this project is to work with the Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust (SWWT) collaboration to make significant improvements in water quality, esthetics and habitat in the Southeastern Wisconsin watersheds and move us forward toward the primary goals of the Clean Water Act--fishable, swimmable waters.

Activity 1. A. Monitoring
Participating organizations: Milwaukee Riverkeeper, River Alliance of Wisconsin Objectives: 1. Improve quality and quantity of data collected by both citizens and agencies to inform decision-making by the SWWT collaborative. 2. Ensure a sound, scientific basis for the development, refinement and implementation of the watershed restoration plans (WRP) 3. Measure the effectiveness of implementation efforts 4. Engage the community, including non-traditional community members, in evaluating improvements in water quality, aesthetics, and habitat. Tasks: 1. Develop and implement a unified water quality monitoring plan and system for Southeast Wisconsin watersheds. 2. Provide sufficient support to Citizen-based Stream Monitoring to sustain and expand the program and to assure the quality of data collected. 3. Build flexibility into Citizen-based Stream Monitoring so that volunteers are collecting significant information at locations where it is most needed to develop and implement WRPs. 4. Obtain financial resources necessary to maintain and grow an effective program for citizen stream monitors. Measurable outcomes: Citizen-collected data used in the development of WRPs for the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds. (12/31/09) Report options to the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watershed Action Teams (WAT) and Science Committee for measuring progress towards compliance of water quality goals and water resource improvements.(4/30/10) Recruit, train, and equip sufficient numbers of volunteer stream monitors to cover the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds.(4/30/10) Financial resources available for equipment for citizen monitoring and additional staff to sustain and expand program. (4/30/10)

June 8, 2009 Guidance in place outlining options for measuring progress towards compliance of water quality goals and water resource improvements. (4/30/11) Gap analysis report written that identifies challenges and obstacles to creating water monitoring system for Southeast Wisconsin watersheds. (4/30/11) Recruit, train, and equip sufficient numbers of volunteer stream monitors to cover the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds. (4/30/11) Citizen-collected data used in the implementation of WRPs for the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds. (4/30/11) Financial resources available for equipment for citizen monitoring and additional staff to sustain and expand program. (4/30/11) Water quality monitoring plan created for SWWT watersheds, and informs: 1.) development and implementation of WRPs, and 2.) water quality outreach tools. (4/30/12) Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watershed WATs use monitoring plan to engage community in the process to implement WRPs. (4/30/12) Recruit, train, and equip sufficient numbers of volunteer stream monitors to cover the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds. (4/30/12) Citizen-collected data used in the implementation of WRPs for the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds. (4/30/12) Financial resources available for equipment for citizen monitoring and additional staff to sustain and expand program. (4/30/12)

Milestones: Monitoring activities in Southeast Wisconsin watersheds are identified, mapped, and communicated to the Watershed Action Teams (WATs) and Science Committee. (4/30/10) Complete white paper on challenges to creating a systematic water quality monitoring plan for SWWT watersheds and recommendations for addressing these challenges. (4/30/10) Create summary of citizen-collected data for Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds. (4/30/10) Create a Quality Assurance Project Plan for citizen monitoring activities. (4/30/10) Draft water quality monitoring plan completed for Southeast Wisconsin watersheds. (4/30/11) Create summary of citizen-collected data for Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds. (4/30/11) Monitoring component of outreach incorporated into water quality outreach tool. (4/30/12) Ongoing monitoring activities in the third selected watershed are identified, mapped, and communicated to the WATs and Science Committee. (4/30/12) Create summary of citizen-collected data for Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds. (4/30/12)

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Activity 1. B. Modeling and Science Work

Participating organizations: River Alliance of Wisconsin, Clean Wisconsin, and Milwaukee Riverkeepertm Objectives: 1. Watershed Restoration Plans informed by scientifically sound modeling results, fieldcollected data, and analysis. 2. Measuring the effects of implementation activities informed by scientifically sound monitoring results, field-collected data, and analysis. 3. Collaboration between non-governmental organizations (NGO), academics, consulting and practicing science experts, and interested members of the public on scientific dimensions of SWWTs work. 4. Identifying and eliminating illicit discharges to reduce the bacterial pollution in target watersheds to target levels. 5. Building relationships and generating the necessary resources to eliminate illicit discharges. Tasks: 1. Help refine modeling and data analysis for the Watershed Restoration Plans (WRPs) 2. Ensure existing and any necessary new data are brought to bear on the WRP processes. 3. Participate actively in the SWWT Science Committee. 4. Communicate and coordinate between the Science Committee and the Watershed Action Teams (WAT). 5. Stormwater outfall bacteria/pathogen sampling to identify the most problematic outfalls requiring further analysis. 6. Partner with municipalities and other government agencies to implement actions to eliminate illicit discharges in targeted locations within target watersheds. 7. Develop and implement a strategy to attract the financial and institutional resources that are necessary to eliminate targeted illicit discharges. Measurable outcomes: A scientifically sound assessment of current water quality problems in the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds as part of the WRPs for each watershed. (12/31/09) A targeted plan for the elimination of illicit discharges in the 8-mile section of the lower Menomonee River Watershed and several of its tributaries currently part of a Milwaukee Riverkeeper pilot project, to become a part of the Menomonee River Watershed Restoration Plan. (8/31/10) Decisions reflecting NGO / public interest input on questions of a scientific nature that may come before SWWT (e.g., whether and how to incorporate consideration of Waukeshas Great Lakes diversion return flow proposal into watershed analysis done in the name of SWWT). (Ongoing)

June 8, 2009 A scientifically sound assessment of current water quality problems in the third (and possibly fourth) watersheds targeted by the SWWT effort, as part of the WRP for each watershed. (4/30/12) Targeted plans for the elimination of illicit discharges in priority areas of the rest of the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds and possibly one or more additional watersheds chosen to be next in line for Watershed Restoration Planning processes under the SWWT banner. (4/30/12)

Milestones: A report by the NGOs for the SWWT Executive Steering Council assessing the status of modeling and data analysis vis--vis the WRPs for the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds. (12/31/09) Documentation of the targeted plan for the elimination of illicit discharges in the pilot project area in the lower Menomonee River Watershed as well as other identified bacterial hot spots in the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds. (8/31/10) A report by the NGOs for the SWWT Executive Steering Council assessing, the status of modeling and data analysis vis--vis the WRPs for the third and fourth watersheds targeted by the SWWT effort. (4/30/12)

Activity 2. Participate in the Development and Implementation of Watershed Restoration Plans

Participating organizations: Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Clean Wisconsin, River Alliance of Wisconsin, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, River Revitalization Foundation, Sixteenth Street Community Health Center Objective: Utilize non-governmental organization (NGO) expertise, capacity and constituent base to ensure that non-traditional and traditional participants are engaged in the Watershed Restoration Planning (WRP) process and that innovative, cost effective approaches are taken to improve water resources. Tasks: 1. Provide the necessary leadership, ongoing structure/organization and capacity for the Kinnickinnic and Menomonee Watershed Action Teams (WAT) (e.g. agenda setting, meeting facilitation, integration with SWWT Committees and MMSD consultants). 2. Identify and recruit key stakeholders and nontraditional participants and ensure their active participation in Kinnickinnic and Menomonee WAT meetings and activities. 3. Work with other SWWT Committees and their members to develop and deliver information that improves WAT members understanding of existing conditions and sitespecific water quality goals and targets within the Kinnickinnic and Menomonee River Watersheds. 4. Provide leadership and capacity to identify, refine and implement a suite of priority actions within WRPs to achieve measurable water quality and water resource goals and targets, including activities that highlight stormwater as an amenity for local communities

June 8, 2009 as well as activities that serve to implement the Menomonee River Land Protection Plan. Integrate American Rivers work within the Kinnickinnic River WRP. 5. Work with other SWWT Committees and their members to develop and implement a strategy to attract the financial and institutional resources that are necessary to implement the priority actions identified in the WRPs. 6. Develop and provide information for incorporation into the SWWT Communication & Outreach Strategy (See Activity #4) regarding the progress, successes and lessons learned as the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River WRPs are implemented. 7. Provide strategic input to SWWT Executive Steering Council to inform the selection of a third watershed and assist in the development of the WRP for that watershed. Measurable outcomes: Active WAT membership that represents broad public, private and nonprofit sector interests and grassroots participation from across each watershed. (4/30/10) Watershed Restoration Plans for the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds that identify innovative and cost-effective priority actions to generate water quality improvements. Work of American Rivers is integrated within the Kinnickinnic River WRP. (12/31/09) Implementation strategies for each of the priority actions that identify preliminary costs, likely funding sources, key partners and timelines for implementation. (8/31/10) Initial priority actions that have been implemented in each watershed and case study/project summaries for each that communicate the intent and results of each project. (4/30/12) Fully functioning communication plan that actively disseminates progress, successes and lessons learned from the Kinnickinnic and Menomonee WATs. (11/30/10) Milestones: List of priority WAT participants and recruitment strategy. (11/30/09) DRAFT WRP documents from MMSD-supported consultant team. (8/31/09) Final WRP documents from MMSD-supported consultant team. (12/31/09) Update on implementation strategy for priority actions. (4/30/10) Begin implementation of selected BMPs to address actions called for in the strategy. (8/31/10)

Activity 3. Legal and Policy Implementation of the Watershed Restoration Plans

Participating organizations: Midwest Environmental Advocates, Sixteenth Street Community Health Center and Clean Wisconsin Objectives: 1. Identify and advance effective and innovative policies and legal tools that will result in watershed restoration. 2. Engage key stakeholders through the SWWT Policy Committee in the Watershed Restoration Planning process and, ultimately, at the Executive Steering Council to choose 5

June 8, 2009 legal/policy approaches best suited to bringing about the improved water quality and water resources goals of the overall SWWT effort. Tasks: 1. Convene the SWWT Policy Committee and its working groups and coordinate with the SWWT Executive Steering Council Chair the Water Quality Trading Working Group. Analyze watershed permitting and water quality trading in depth; 2. Analyze and advise the SWWT Executive Steering Council on the sufficiency of watershed restoration plans (WRP) to remove the portions of SWWT target waterways listed on the Wisconsin DNR / USEPA 303(d) (impaired waters) list. 3. Review and analyze current and potential new policies for implementing the WRPs and refine the legal and policy options memo to serve as a tool to support the creation and implementation of the WRPs. 4. Integrate the work of the Policy Committee and the Watershed Action Teams (WAT). Ensure that public input helps shape the legal vehicle(s) chosen to implement the WRPs for the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers and one or two other watersheds. 5. Educate and advocate for necessary state-level policy changes, if/as needed. Measurable outcomes: A report on the analysis of the sufficiency of the WRPs to remove the portions of SWWT target waterways listed on the 303(d) list and press for changes in approach, if any are necessary, to stay consistent with the goal of removing waters from the 303(d) list. (Those changes may play out in future WRPs more so than in the first iterations of those for the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River.) (12/31/09) In-depth analysis of specific potential policy/legal tools, including watershed permits and water quality trading and possibly others (through Policy Committee working groups, as needed.) (12/31/09) o To yield updates to the policy/legal options memo and presentations to the Policy Committee, Executive Steering Council, and Watershed Action Teams. o General consensus with WDNR regional and statewide staff on the potential applicability of the chosen tools in the Southeastern Wisconsin context Facilitated decision-making on appropriate policy/legal tools for each WRP (Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River and later, others). (Post Watershed Restoration Plan completion during 2010) o To yield conceptual frameworks for how chosen approaches will be implemented in each watershed Education of the general public and stakeholders on the chosen policy/legal tools in the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River WRPs. (12/31/10) State-level and/or regional-level policy change, if/as needed. (Timeline will be determined by issue and complexity) Repeat the last 3 steps vis--vis the third and fourth SWWT watersheds targeted for WRPs.

Milestones: 6

June 8, 2009 A report for the SWWT Executive Steering Council analyzing the sufficiency of WRPs to remove the portions of SWWT target waterways listed on the 303(d) list. (12/31/09) Documentation of the Policy Committees in-depth analysis of specific potential policy/legal tools, including watershed permits and water quality trading and possibly others, either in specific white papers on each tool/approach or via updates to those sections of the policy memo (at a minimum, there will be a set of generally agreed-upon principles from each Policy Committee working group on each of these two tools). (12/31/09) Completed WRPs for the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds. (12/31/09) Decided-upon specific recommendations on policy/legal approaches to bring about desired water quality improvements in the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds. (6/30/10) Educational materials for the general public/stakeholders explaining the chosen policy/ legal tools in the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River WRPs. (12/31/10)

Activity 4. Developing an Outreach and Communications Strategy

Participation organizations 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, Clean Wisconsin, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Midwest Environmental Advocates Objectives: 1. Raise the awareness of SWWT in the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds and encourage involvement with issues concerning water quality and coordinated watershed restoration. 2. Recruit and involve a broad constituency for watershed restoration efforts. 3. Communicate the progress and successes of SWWT initiatives. 4. Demonstrate the strength of non-traditional partnerships and collaborations in meeting state stormwater regulations and advancing watershed restoration efforts. Tasks: 1. Begin development and implementation of a SWWT Communications and Outreach Strategy. 2. Communicate to diverse stakeholder groups as well as to the general public the work and progress of the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Watershed Restoration Teams 3. Highlight and promote SWWT programs and the work of the Watershed Action Teams through mass media and other forums 4. Develop integrated municipal public information and outreach program to enable participating municipalities to meet NR 216 (NPDES) stormwater permit requirements. Measurable outcomes: Initial Outreach and Communication Strategy Planning Document approved by SWWT/ESC. (8/31/10) Coordinate implementation of prioritized actions in initial Outreach and Communication Strategy Plan. (5/31/10-on-going)*

June 8, 2009 Report created and publicized to communicate the health of Menomonee and Kinnickinnic River Watersheds and progress toward water quality goals achieved through implementation of the Watershed Restoration Plans. (2/28/11) Media Plan developed as part of Outreach and Communication Strategy Plan. (8/31/10) Coordinate implementation of prioritized actions in Media Plan (5/31/10-on-going)* Coordinate posting of materials, media products, and notices on enhanced SWWT website. (8/31/10-on-going) Approved integrated, public information and outreach planning document developed for municipalities in the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds . (8/31/10) Municipal public information and outreach program components archived on interactive website (Summer 2010 on-going) Increased public awareness of the SWWT collaboration and its successes. (12/31/09 and on-going)

* Some highly prioritized communication tools and actions that we identify early in the process will probably begin prior to the completion of the over-arching plan. Milestones: Outreach/Communication Committee formed from the SWWT Executive Steering Council with 1000 Friends as coordinator and facilitator. (8/31/09) Goals and key messages for Outreach and Communication Strategy identified. (11/30/09) Survey conducted to identify information gaps and priorities of residents in the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds (dependent upon securing additional funding). (2/28/10) Survey results summarized and communicated to SWWT ESC and NGO team (dependent upon securing additional funding). (5/31/10) Draft of initial communication/outreach strategy including media plan presented to SWWT/ESC with prioritized actions/products identified. (8/31/10) Draft document developed to communicate health of Kinnickinnic and Menomonee Rivers and progress toward improved water quality and habitat restoration . (11/30/10) Enhanced SWWT website/blog developed to document projects and to serve as a network for community involvement. (8/31/10) Work plan outlined for the development of municipal public information and outreach program in collaboration with municipal partners, UWEX and DNR. (8/31/09) Current municipal programs/materials reviewed and gaps identified. (11/30/09) Draft planning document developed for municipal public information and outreach program. (5/31/10) Initially publicize the SWWT collaboration project through local media outlets and publicize at least two other major project milestones, such as the completion of the watershed restoration plans and grant announcements. (Beginning 9/30/09 and ongoing)

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Activity 5. Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust Administration and Committee Support

Objective: Create an integrated and long lasting structure that supports watershed restoration across municipal and organization boundaries. Tasks: 1. Administrative support for the facilitation and coordination of SWWT. 2. Ensure appropriate fiscal accounting and reporting measures are in place. 3. Support for the SWWT Executive Steering Council, committees and programs. 4. Seek new sources of funding and increased participation from stakeholders for SWWT activities. Measurable outcomes: A management and support framework to support SWWT is in place and staffed. (4/30/10) A development/fundraising committee is established. (8/31/09) A plan for securing resources to implement the SWWT three year plan is completed and implementation of the plan has begun. (12/31/09) At least three new potential funders have been approached for support. (12/31/09) Milestones: A management structure and an agreement with the NGOs for administering and overseeing the Joyce Foundation grant are in place. (6/30/09) A draft management and support framework for SWWT is developed. (7/31/09) Job description and recruitment plan for staff completed. (7/31/09) Candidates for the position outlined in the framework are identified and recruited. (12/31/09) Create a development/fundraising committee. ((8/31/09) Draft development/fundraising plan completed. (9/31/09) Progress reporting to the Joyce Foundation completed. (4/30/10, 4/30/11, 4/30/12 and interim reports as requested by the Foundation staff)