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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 todo something about it. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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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