Highlights & Accomplishments
2005
The Plant Dane! Grant Program, possible through a $200,000 gift from the Graham-Martin Prairie Foundation, was offered to homeowners, municipalities, schools and non-profit organizations. A portion of the gift initiated the Plant Dane! Grant Program, a native plant and seed grant program coordinated by Dane County Office of Lakes and Watersheds in coordination with the Madison Area Municipal Storm Water Partnership. The grant program provided up to $10,000 for municipalities, schools and nonprofit organizations and up to $200 per homeowner to apply for a grant of plants or seeds to establish rain gardens or prairies in 2005. Grant recipients attended a workshop as a stipulation to receive the grant.
NALMS-The Office of Lakes and Watersheds and Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission co-chaired the North American Lake Management Society's 25th Annual International Symposium's special daylong event, "Madison's Lakes and Nearby Waters." Held in November, this event featured expert presentations that addressed the latest research and developments about Dane County lakes, streams, and groundwater. They also emphasized important future challenges that will require an integrated approach with strong citizen support and involvement to effectively manage, protect and restore our local waters.
Commission members and staff participate in the Dane County Manure Spreading Task Force created to evaluate the risks associated with winter spreading of liquid manure, and to recommend winter spreading restrictions in order to protect County rivers, streams, fisheries, and farm economy. The outcome is an ordinance, adopted by the County Board in December, establishing a liquid manure winter spreading permit program, and requiring that producers file winter spreading plans meeting application rate limitations based on slope, and also file emergency response plans with the Land and Water Resources Department.
Staff begins work with a consultant and an interagency advisory group on development of a rainfall-runoff computer model for the Yahara River Watershed. The model, expected to be completed in late 2006, will allow the Land and Water Resources Department to simulate many "what-if" scenarios regarding lake level management, including changes to the watershed, lock and dam structures, and operational decisions; and therefore provide an important management tool.
The Commission introduces and the County Board adopts amendments to the shoreland zoning, and erosion control and stormwater ordinances prepared by county staff from Lakes and Watersheds, Land Conservation and Planning and Development. The amendments should result both in better protection of our soil and water resources and an easier, more rational process for landowners.
2004
After extensive expert and citizen input and discussion, the Commission recommends and the County Board adopts in April a county-wide ordinance to restrict application and retail display of lawn fertilizer containing phosphorus, in order to reduce the frequency of nuisance algae blooms, some of which can emit toxins. The fertilizer industry later challenged this ordinance, and the federal courts affirmed its legality (Western District of Wisconsin in June 2005; 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in December 2005).
The Commission introduces the Dane County Flood Mitigation Plan to the Dane County Board, and the Board adopts it in July. A staff team led by Dane County Emergency Management, under the Commission's direction, prepared the Plan.
The Commission establishes an ad hoc aquatic plant management group to recommend improvements to the county's harvesting program, and in June publishes the report and harvesting maps for Lakes Mendota, Monona, Waubesa and Kegonsa on the web site. Dane County Parks begins supervising the harvesting program, and updating the web site daily with harvester locations in season.
The Office of Lakes and Watersheds hosted a participatory workshop, "Voice of Our Waters," for local conservation groups, resource groups, land trusts, environmental and sustainability groups, individual citizens, elected officials and agency staff to learn from each other, network and develop recommendations for the municipal planning processes. Participants felt that the workshop was useful and successful and expressed that they would like an annual gathering hosted by the Office of Lakes and Watersheds for these same groups. Throughout the year, the Office of Lakes and Watersheds continues to coordinate quarterly informal meetings of friends groups.
2003
The Commission publishes "Aquatic Plants in Dane County Waters," describing plant ecology, the role of Eurasian water milfoil, and Dane County's harvesting program.
In response to the discovery of adult zebra mussels in Lake
Monona in 2001 and 2002, the Commission convenes an Invasive
Species Work Group, prepares a zebra mussel report including
management options and holds public hearings.
The Commission implements a Lake Property Numbering System;
assigning each lakeshore property on Lakes Mendota, Monona,
Waubesa and Kegonsa a unique "lake address" in order
to improve response times in the event of accidents on those
lakes.
2002
Staff develops a "How to Build a Rain Garden" brochure for
Internet distribution, at the Rain Garden Tour as part of
Yahara Lakes Week, and at other forums.
The Commission expands connections with local watershed
and "friends" groups, boaters and boat dealers. Staff maintain
the Dane Stewards Listserv for local groups to share information
on events and activities.
The county-wide stormwater ordinance goes into effect in
August. Dane County administers the ordinance in towns and
in three villages. Eight cities and 16 villages administer
ordinance standards locally. The ordinance is awarded the
Minnesota Erosion Control Association's 2002 Achievement
Award.
Staff help develop the Joint Stormwater Permit Group Information
and Education Plan with partners. The Plan receives the
2002 Wisconsin Extension Community Development Association
"Quality of Communication" award.
The Commission creates the Dane County Waters Champion Awards
to recognize those who help restore and protect Dane County's
water resources.
2001
The stormwater ordinance is passed by the County Board.
Developed a Best Management Practice Manual to help developers
understand how to comply with the ordinance and have practical.
2000
The Commission seeks public input on draft standards for
a stormwater ordinance, addressing localized flooding, construction
site erosion, sediment, pollutants in run-off and temperature
of run-off. The proposed ordinance will apply county-wide,
in unincorporated and incorporated areas.
1999
About 90% of the cropland in the Black Earth Creek and Dunlap
Creek watersheds have current conservation plans due to
partnership among Commission staff, Land Conservation staff
and landowners.
Seven cities and villages have adopted construction site
erosion control standards consistent with County's. Commission
staff, along with Land Conservation, Extension and Planning,
are offering technical assistance to other communities.
Commission surveys local municipalities to gather information
on current stormwater ordinances and related issues. Four
regional meetings are held; goal is development of county-wide
approach to stormwater.
1998
Town of Westport contributes $4000 to launch expanded public
information campaign about "slow no wake" ordinance.
Boater education cards and brochure are developed for dissemination
at the beginning of the 1999 boating season.
The Commission focuses its attention on county stormwater
issues and problem-solving approaches.
1996
Commission recommends and County Board approves an ordinance
increasing the "slow no wake" zone from 100 to
200 feet from shore. Public safety, protection of fish habitat
and spawning areas and shoreline erosion prevention are
key objectives of ordinance.
1995
Dane County Construction site erosion control standards
go into effect. The Dane County standards are considered
innovative across the country because they set an erosion
control goal and lets the private sector determine the most
effective way to reach that goal, instead of telling developers
what to do.
1994
In cooperation with the building industry and after three
public hearings, the Dane County Board of Supervisors adopts
ordinances recommended by the Lakes & Watershed Commission
for county-wide wetlands protection standards and construction
site erosion control.
1991-92
The Lakes & Watershed Commission develops the Water
Quality Implementation Plan, based on public input and expert
testimony. As required by State Statute, the plan includes
recommendations on actions needed to protect and preserve
surface and groundwater quality. The Implementation Plan
also addresses safe and equitable use of the navigable waters
of Dane County.
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