Clean Water, Healthy Future

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Clean Water, Healthy Future

• Framework for Achieving Integrated Water Resource
  Management in Southeastern Wisconsin

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Southeastern Wisconsin A Work in Progress
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Our Regions Water
Subcontinental Divide
Major Lakes

• 12 watersheds
• 2 groundwater aquifers
• Lake Michigan serves 60 of residents
• 70 of municipal water systems supplied by
  groundwater

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The Task

• Shared vision and consensus on
• How the region should
• manage its water

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Water Policy Advisory Panel

• Pat Marchese, Consultant
• Peter McAvoy,
• Sixteenth St. Community Health Center
• Michael Murphy,
• Alderman, City of Milwaukee
• Christine Nurenberg,
• Mayor, City of Mequon
• Jim Ryan,
• President, Village of Hales Corners
• Andrew Schiesl,
• Quad/Graphics
• Dan Stoffel, Dairy farmer

• Brian Anderson,
• S.C. Johnson and Co.
• Dr. Lynn Broaddus,
• Friends of Milwaukee Rivers
• William Carity,
• Carity Land Corporation
• Preston Cole,
• City of Milwaukee
• Margaret Farrow, Consultant
• Dr. Nancy Frank, UWM
• Art Harrington,
• Godfrey Kahn
• David Lee, We Energies

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Core Concepts

• Regional Defined by hydrological terms and
  political terms
• Integrated Water Resources
• Water is water
• Interdependence of surface water, ground water
  and water dependent natural resources
• Quality and quantity are linked

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Findings

• Water is a key regional asset, central to
• Industry
• Agriculture
• Quality of life

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Findings

• Region facing immediate water problems
• Water depletion
• Ongoing quality problems
• Combat over access and use
• Potential economic loss in water-constrained areas

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Findings

• Leaders must think strategically and regionally
  about managing our water in the long term.

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Findings

• Jurisdictional overlaps, policy gaps and lack of
  scientific database hamper efforts to solve water
  problems.

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Findings

• There are multiple ways to manage the water asset
• Market-driven approach
• Administrative approach
• Integrated management

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Findings

• The public favors regional measures to protect
  and improve water resources
• 94 should do more
• 67 regional agency is needed
• 72 favor watershed district
• A strategic and integrated water resource
  management will strengthen region

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Recommendations
1. Shared Vision and Goals 2. Science-based
Solutions 3. Regional Management 4. Fill Policy
Gaps
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Vision and Goals

• No Net Loss
• Fishable and swimable
• Integration
• Surface water and ground water
• Water quality and quantity
• Linked to other types of planning

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Science-Based Solutions

• One size does not fit alllocal communities have
  options
• Every community MUST
• Educate
• Conserve
• Protect
• Control pollutions

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Regional Management Models

• Regional Water Resource Commission
• Compact among local governments
• Wisconsin DNR
• Regional Water Resource Authority

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Policy and Law

• Clarify, change and create new state water law
• Legal analysis of
• Diversion
• Public trust
• Reuse/recycle
• Identify water constrain areas
• Gaps in regulating authority
• Required implementation of approved plans
• Funding if in compliance with approval plans

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Next Steps

• Joint Legislative Study Committee
• Comprehensive review of water laws
• Review various plans and studies
• Examine appropriate management structures,
  funding mechanisms and authority

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www.Publicpolicyforum.org