Clean Water, Healthy Future

1
Clean Water, Healthy Future

• A Framework for Achieving an Integrated Water
  Resource Management Strategy in the Milwaukee
  Region

2
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

3
Our Regions Water
Subcontinental Divide
Major Lakes

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

4
Findings

• Water is a key regional asset
• Our region faces urgent water supply and quality
  issues

5
Findings

• Solutions are hampered by policy gaps, lack of
  coordination, and scientific unknowns
• Leaders must think strategically and regionally
  about managing water resources

6
Groundwater Supply
1880-1900
1990-2000
Source SEWRPC
7
Contamination Degradation
Source Dr. Rebecca Klaper, UWM
8
Impacts of Status Quo
Loss of Industrial Base
Ecosystem Breakdown
Legal and Political Conflict

Public Health Problems
Public Health Problems
9
Public Desires Regional Cooperation

• 94 agree region should do more to protect water
  resources
• 67 say a regional agency is needed to enforce
  regional guidelines
• 72 favor creation of watershed district

10
Recommendations
1. Shared Vision and Goals 2. Science-based
Solutions 3. Regional Management 4. Fill Policy
Gaps
11
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

12
Science-Based Solutions

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

13
Regional Management Models

• Regional Water Resource Commission
• Compact among local governments
• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• Regional Water Resource Authority

14
Next Steps

• Regional and state-level goal-setting
• Implementation legislation for Great Lakes St.
  Lawrence River Basin Compact
• Integrating water resource studies and plans
  currently underway
• Creating an regional integrated water resource
  management structure

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For complete report, visit www.publicpolicyforum
.org