Weigh in on DNR’s Most Impaired Waters in Wisconsin

DNR Seeks Your Input on Polluted Waters

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released its draft 2018 list of “Impaired Waters,” or waterbodies that aren’t meeting water federal quality standards. This is a great opportunity for you to weigh in on the priority rankings DNR has assigned to polluted water bodies.

Citizen input ensures priority waters receive high-priority ranking. Your input also helps ensure resources are put toward restoration of waters that are identified as high-priority on the list.

Overview

From the Wisconsin DNR, “Impaired waters do not meet water quality standards and may not support fishing, swimming, recreating or public health and welfare.”

• Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act requires that states publish this list, which establishes priority rankings for waters that will receive restoration plans via the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process.
• The 2018 draft adds 240 distinct waterbody segments to the list, 76% (or 183) of which are proposed to be listed for excess total phosphorus.
• Waters listed receive a proposed priority ranking from DNR, indicating how quickly DNR will take action to address the impairment.

Your input makes sure the most impaired waters get priority attention and resources for restoration.

Take Action Today

Check the list. If you think a body of water on the list should have a higher priority, share that input with the DNR. Or, if there is a body of water NOT on the list that should be there, please let DNR know.

Submit your comments on the draft list of impaired waters to [email protected] by December 29, 2017.