Environment News

Douglas County now has a plan in place to prevent, manage and monitor aquatic invasive species (AIS) in area lakes, including Lake Osakis. The Douglas County Board of Commissioners approved the AIS plan March 15. The plan was developed by an AIS task force comprised of local stakeholders, including Ron...Read Full StorySport FishingLake VermontOpen WaterInvasive PlantsSpecies ConservationService AnimalsLRM• MonitoringCollaborateLegislatureDouglas County AquaticAquatic Invasive SpeciesAquatic PlantsAquatic AnimalsEurasian WatermilfoilSteve HenryMike Weber

2021 presents opportunities for decisive and positive action, including the launch of the United Nations’ Decade on Ecosystem Restoration which reinforces the importance of healing degraded ecosystems around the world before it’s too late. It gives us great hope to know that California is committed to leadership through investment and sharing lessons learned from decades of experience.Read Full StoryGlobal BiodiversityFlood ControlWater ConservationPoliticsNatural HabitatEcosystemsWater ProjectsEnvironmental ScienceEuropeanUNNGOCalMattersCapitolLarge-scale RestorationCritical HabitatGavin NewsomJoe Biden

NEW MEXICO (KAMR/KCIT) – According to a release from the state of New Mexico, as part of New Mexico’s efforts to protect communities from per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is beginning work to address the contamination caused by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) at Cannon and Holloman Air Force bases.Read Full StoryWater ContaminationContaminated WaterU.s. EpaGroundwater ContaminationFood ContaminationKAMRPFASCannonHolloman Air ForcePFOAPFOSThe U.S. EPAThe State Of New MexicoStateNew Mexicans

The Loudoun County Water and Wastewater Program will begin accepting applications for county assistance with community water and wastewater projects starting January 1, 2021. The Water and Wastewater Program is designed to support Loudoun County communities experiencing issues with deficient or non-existent water and/or wastewater systems with funding and other resources. Properly functioning water and wastewater systems help to assure a cleaner and healthier community.Read Full StoryCommunityCounty AssistanceScott FinchamWater

Contract awarded to begin mapping plumes at two military installations while sampling project provides more insight into presence of PFAS in drinking water resources. As part of New Mexico’s efforts to protect communities from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is beginning work to address the contamination caused by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) at Cannon and Holloman Air Force bases. In a separate effort, the Environment Department is testing public drinking water sources across the state to determine if PFAS is impacting other communities and fresh water resources. These efforts will assist the Environment Department in determining next steps in identifying and managing PFAS contamination in New Mexico.Read Full StoryWater SamplingContaminated WaterU.s. EpaFood ContaminationGroundwater ContaminationWater TestingCannonHolloman Air ForcePFOAPFOSThe State Of New MexicoStateThe U.S. EPA 'sNew MexicansThe Defense Department

The state Environment Department is stepping up efforts to prevent a cancer-causing pollutant from being discharged into state waters. The agency has awarded a contract to map toxic plumes near two military bases while launching a project to test drinking-water sources in 19 counties for carcinogenic chemicals known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.Read Full StoryMilitary BasesWater SystemsFederal RegulatorsEnvironmental HealthEnvironmental EffectsToxic SubstancesToxic EffectsHolloman Air ForceNew MexicansThe Defense DepartmentPFOAPFOSThe Department Of DefenseThe Air ForceCannon

MADISON – In response to petitions submitted by landowners and local governments, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has designated over 88,000 acres as agricultural enterprise areas (AEAs) in Chippewa, Dodge, Dunn, Green Lake and Outagamie counties. There are currently 43 AEAs in the state totaling 1.4 million acres located in portions of 28 counties, 119 towns, and the Bad River Reservation. An AEA designation identifies land important to Wisconsin’s agricultural future that supports local farmland protection goals, the agricultural economy, environmental efforts, and rural prosperity.Read Full StoryLand UseLocal FoodWater ResourcesLand ManagementEnvironmental ManagementState DepartmentDATCPDunnThe Bad River ReservationPrincetonWestford AEABurnett , Elba-PortlandShields-EmmetCicero Blackmour AEA

Crew members work on repairing an eroded ravine on the Pike River, in one of many water-quality improvements projects associated with the nonprofit Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network. Submitted photoA portion of the Pike River winding through Petrifying Springs Park is on the mend, thanks to the work of University of Wisconsin-Parkside faculty and students along with the leadership of Jim Kreuser, Kenosha County executive and UW-Parkside alumnus.The Pike River watershed flows through Kenosha and Racine counties, ending up in Elmwood Park, in an area of more than 30,000 acres before it empties into Lake Michigan. Pollution in the river and sediment, along with stream channelization from agricultural practices over the years, has led to water quality problems.A 2012 assessment by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources ranked the river’s biological community as “poor,” and said that “relatively few fish species were observed,” a sign that the water quality is subpar. Additionally, phosphorous and nitrogen concentrations were high, other indications of low water quality.University of Wisconsin-Parkside graduate students Katie Loesl-Dunk, in front, and Nathan Elliott test oxygen, phosphorus and nitrogen levels in the Root River while standing on the bridge over the river on Northwestern Avenue/Highway 38 in mid-November 2020. Elliott said that Racine County is one of the rare geographical locations where a single waterway will quickly move from agricultural to rural to urban areas. That's why he's testing the waterway and, for his master's thesis, studying the bugs that live in and near area waterways. In this photo, Elliot pulls up a bottle filled with water that was taken from the Root River below. ADAM ROGAN,As part of the Pike River Restoration Plan completed in 2013, the Petrifying Springs Park section of the river was identified for rehabilitation, including “restoring streambanks … removing problematic debris jams; and selectively removing invasive trees.”To help with the stream rehab, Parkside students collaborated with Kenosha County to conduct water sampling that has aided water quality monitoring by the county and DNR.Thanks to all the partners’ efforts, more than 525 tons of sediment and 368 pounds of phosphorous have been removed, sections of the stream have been stabilized and the university has monitored positive changes in the Pike River. Short-term data show significant drops in both phosphorous and nitrogen, of 55% and 44% respectively.While additional work to reduce pollution remains, the Petrifying Springs stretch of the stream has been stabilized and water quality improved, helping the stream and fish species recover while enhancing the recreational and aesthetics experience of the Pike River.This project was funded through a 2017 “Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Award” from the Environmental Protection Agency, along with money from the Fund for Lake Michigan and an in-kind match from Kenosha County.For ways to get involved, visit the Root-Pike Watershed Network’s website at rootpikewin.org.PhosphorusGreat Lakes525Water PollutionWater ResourcesLake UniversityUW-ParksideSedimentPike RiverInvasive TreesWater SamplingConcentrationsWater Quality MonitoringProblematic Debris JamsWater Quality Problems

MARINETTE, Wis. (WFRV) The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has reissued a permit to Johnson Controls Inc. and Tyco Fire Products, LP Facility that regulates industrial wastewater discharges. The permit is to the Menominee River at One and Two Stanton Street in Marinette. Discharges from the site include metal finishing...Read Full StoryDnrFire ProtectionArsenicMenominee RiverWastewater TreatmentWater TreatmentWater ResourcesContaminated WaterJCI/Tyco FacilityWFRVJohnson Controls Inc.Tyco Fire ProductsPFASDNR

LOVELL — Greater Lovell Land Trust (GLLT) finalized two important projects that conserve nearly 300 acres in western Maine at the end of 2020. The December 28th closing for both projects made for a busy and upbeat end to the year. A successful year of fundraising made possible the purchase...Read Full StoryConservation EasementsKayakWater ConservationWildlife ConservationLand ManagementState LandCharles Pond ReserveKezar Lake 'sMaine Woodland OwnersGLLT BoardFacebookUndeveloped Forest LandWetlandsWatershed HealthMark Keenan