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

Community-Based Water Community-Based Water Quality Monitoring:Quality Monitoring:

A Viable Path to Cleaner WatersA Viable Path to Cleaner Waters

306 E. Wilson St., Ste. 2W

Madison, WI 53703608-257-2424

www.wisconsinrivers.org

The River Alliance of WI The River Alliance of WI PerspectivePerspective

This is good

This is bad

It doesn’t take an “expert” to make this determination………..But it might take data to..But it might take data to

do something about do something about it.it.

Many opportunities exist to Many opportunities exist to use citizen-collected data to use citizen-collected data to identify and address water identify and address water

quality problems.quality problems.

The River Alliance of WI The River Alliance of WI PerspectivePerspective

FACT:FACT:

We have very little We have very little information about the information about the health of most of WI’s health of most of WI’s

rivers & streams.rivers & streams.

• Less than 16% of stream miles Less than 16% of stream miles were monitored in the last 5 years.were monitored in the last 5 years.

• Historical data exists for 24,422 Historical data exists for 24,422 miles. Over 10% are “impaired.”miles. Over 10% are “impaired.”

• Recent state monitoring efforts Recent state monitoring efforts focus on high quality fisheries.focus on high quality fisheries.

What We Know About WI’s What We Know About WI’s 58,000 Miles of Rivers & 58,000 Miles of Rivers &

StreamsStreams

Despite these gaps…

We make decisions that impact waters every day.

•Our water protection regulations are under assault

•Our DNR is under-funded

•Weeds, sediment and warmed runoff continue to choke our waters

And external constraints loom larger all the time….

We need to do a better job with data collection and use.

But who has the time and money to do the work?

We do!

Friends of Starkweather Creek, Dane County

Allison Werner, Root-Pike WIN; Southeast WI

Dan Haupert, Friends of the Jump River, Price County

Bad River Watershed Association, Northwest WI

Citizen-based River & Citizen-based River & Watershed Organizations by Watershed Organizations by

WDNR GMUWDNR GMU

Map courtesy of WDNR

Us too!

Potential Uses for Citizen Potential Uses for Citizen Collected DataCollected Data

Red Flags

Education

Management Decisions(Regulatory response)

Enforce-ment

= Greatest potential to protect and restore the quality of WI’s waters.

A Win-Win SituationA Win-Win Situation

• Tap into local expertiseTap into local expertise

• Make more efficient use of Make more efficient use of limited resourceslimited resources

• Improve productivity of citizen Improve productivity of citizen directed independent researchdirected independent research

A Familiar Story?A Familiar Story?

I’m sorry, your data does not meet WDNR

quality control protocols.

DNR Biologist

#*!@

Angry Citizen

The Current Reality…The Current Reality…

• Both parties have legitimate concerns

• A little collaboration could go a long way

Remember….we’re all on the same side.

How do we bridge the gap?How do we bridge the gap?

Priority # 1: DNR commitment

Priority # 2: Debunk the myths about the capabilities of “volunteers”

Profile of a Watershed Profile of a Watershed Protection Group VolunteerProtection Group Volunteer

• Adult/ProfessionalsAdult/Professionals

• Highly educated (including trained Highly educated (including trained scientists)scientists)

• Committed Committed

• Knowledgeable about local watersKnowledgeable about local waters

• Want to influence local decision Want to influence local decision makersmakers

How do we bridge the gap?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

Avoiding Foreseeable Avoiding Foreseeable PitfallsPitfalls

• Start with existing resourcesStart with existing resources

• One size fits all may not fit anyOne size fits all may not fit any

• Find people to fit the protocolsFind people to fit the protocols

• Replicate existing quality control Replicate existing quality control toolstools(e.g., EPA’s (e.g., EPA’s Volunteer Monitor's Guide To Volunteer Monitor's Guide To Quality Assurance Project Plans)Quality Assurance Project Plans)

Successful implementation of a statewide Successful implementation of a statewide water quality monitoring strategy that water quality monitoring strategy that integrates the work of state biologists integrates the work of state biologists

and community-based watershed and community-based watershed organizations to more fully implement organizations to more fully implement

and enforce the Clean Water Act.and enforce the Clean Water Act.

The River Alliance of WI The River Alliance of WI PerspectivePerspective

Our Vision for the FutureOur Vision for the Future

Why Focus on the Clean Water Why Focus on the Clean Water Act?Act?

Clean Water Act Clean Water Act Opportunities for Volunteer Opportunities for Volunteer

Monitors Monitors • Collect data to help

DNR assign designated uses to more waters

• Watch-dog permit discharges

Petition to upgrade “Hope

Creek” to Coldwater

Stream

Photo courtesy of Midwest Environmental Advocates

Identify impaired watersMonitor polluted runoff

Clean Water Act Clean Water Act Opportunities for Volunteer Opportunities for Volunteer

Monitors Monitors

Photo courtesy of Midwest Environmental Advocates

River Alliance of Wisconsin’sRiver Alliance of Wisconsin’sPledgePledge

• Help assemble an effective Help assemble an effective “regulatory tier” monitoring network “regulatory tier” monitoring network

• Work with WDNR and UW-Extension Work with WDNR and UW-Extension to build an integrated River to build an integrated River Management ProgramManagement Program

• Invest in communities to produce Invest in communities to produce results (e.g., “Three off the 303(d)” results (e.g., “Three off the 303(d)” campaign)campaign)

306 E. Wilson St., Ste. 2W

Madison, WI 53703608-257-2424

www.wisconsinrivers.org