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Community-Based Water Quality Monitoring: A Viable Path to Cleaner Waters

Community-Based Water Quality Monitoring: A Viable Path to Cleaner Waters. 306 E. Wilson St., Ste. 2W Madison, WI 53703 608-257-2424 www.wisconsinrivers.org. This is good. This is bad. The River Alliance of WI Perspective. …..But it might take data to do something about it.

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Community-Based Water Quality Monitoring: A Viable Path to Cleaner Waters

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  1. Community-Based Water Quality Monitoring:A Viable Path to Cleaner Waters 306 E. Wilson St., Ste. 2W Madison, WI 53703 608-257-2424 www.wisconsinrivers.org

  2. This is good This is bad The River Alliance of WI Perspective …..But it might take data to do something about it. It doesn’t take an “expert” to make this determination…

  3. The River Alliance of WI Perspective Many opportunities exist to use citizen-collected data to identify and address water quality problems.

  4. FACT: We have very little information about the health of most of WI’s rivers & streams.

  5. What We Know About WI’s 58,000 Miles of Rivers & Streams • Less than 16% of stream miles were monitored in the last 5 years. • Historical data exists for 24,422 miles. Over 10% are “impaired.” • Recent state monitoring efforts focus on high quality fisheries.

  6. Despite these gaps… We make decisions that impact waters every day.

  7. And external constraints loom larger all the time…. • Our water protection regulations are under assault • Our DNR is under-funded • Weeds, sediment and warmed runoff continue to choke our waters

  8. We need to do a better job with data collection and use. But who has the time and money to do the work?

  9. Dan Haupert, Friends of the Jump River, Price County Friends of Starkweather Creek, Dane County We do! Allison Werner, Root-Pike WIN; Southeast WI Bad River Watershed Association, Northwest WI

  10. Citizen-based River & Watershed Organizations by WDNR GMU Us too! Map courtesy of WDNR

  11. Potential Uses for Citizen Collected Data = Greatest potential to protect and restore the quality of WI’s waters. Enforce- ment Management Decisions (Regulatory response) Red Flags Education

  12. A Win-Win Situation • Tap into local expertise • Make more efficient use of limited resources • Improve productivity of citizen directed independent research

  13. #*!@ Angry Citizen DNR Biologist A Familiar Story? I’m sorry, your data does not meet WDNR quality control protocols.

  14. The Current Reality… • Both parties have legitimate concerns • A little collaboration could go a long way Remember….we’re all on the same side.

  15. How do we bridge the gap? Priority # 1: DNR commitment Priority # 2: Debunk the myths about the capabilities of “volunteers”

  16. Profile of a Watershed Protection Group Volunteer • Adult/Professionals • Highly educated (including trained scientists) • Committed • Knowledgeable about local waters • Want to influence local decision makers

  17. How do we bridge the gap? Priority # 1: DNR commitment Priority # 2: Debunk the myths about the capabilities of “volunteers” Priority #3: Clear guidelines Priority #4: Citizen-group diligence & flexibility

  18. Avoiding Foreseeable Pitfalls • Start with existing resources • One size fits all may not fit any • Find people to fit the protocols • Replicate existing quality control tools (e.g., EPA’s Volunteer Monitor's Guide To Quality Assurance Project Plans)

  19. The River Alliance of WI PerspectiveOur Vision for the Future Successful implementation of a statewide water quality monitoring strategy that integrates the work of state biologists and community-based watershed organizations to more fully implement and enforce the Clean Water Act.

  20. Why Focus on the Clean Water Act?

  21. Petition to upgrade “Hope Creek” to Coldwater Stream Clean Water Act Opportunities for Volunteer Monitors • Collect data to help DNR assign designated uses to more waters • Watch-dog permit discharges Photo courtesy of Midwest Environmental Advocates

  22. Clean Water Act Opportunities for Volunteer Monitors Identify impaired waters Monitor polluted runoff Photo courtesy of Midwest Environmental Advocates

  23. River Alliance of Wisconsin’sPledge • Help assemble an effective “regulatory tier” monitoring network • Work with WDNR and UW-Extension to build an integrated River Management Program • Invest in communities to produce results (e.g., “Three off the 303(d)” campaign)

  24. 306 E. Wilson St., Ste. 2W Madison, WI 53703 608-257-2424 www.wisconsinrivers.org

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