Professional Documents
Culture Documents
riversreporT
Learning for life
southeastern wisconsin watersheds trust, inc.
neWS BrIeFS
To pAGE 8
volume 1 no 3
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MInI-GrAnTS TO PAGE 3
The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) is helping to blanket rooftops throughout the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds with green green roofs that is! In April of this year, the MMSD Commission authorized up to 14 contracts totaling nearly $3.8M as part of a program known collectively as the 2010 Regional Green Roof Initiative. When complete, these projects will add over 4 acres of roofs that can soak up rainwater throughout the region. This is good news for stormwater management. Green roofs help to manage not only the volume of stormwater runoff, but also the rate and the quality of that runoff. Additional benefits of green roofs are many including energy savings, extended roof life, reduction of the urban heat island effect, sound insulation, improved aesthetics, improved air quality, and credits toward the Green Building Councils LEED certification. MMSD project awards were made in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors for large and small projects alike. For instance, the City of Mequon in the separate sewer service area (storm and sanitary in two separate pipes) was awarded $24K to complete its green roof on the PieperPower Education Center at the Mequon Nature Preserve. Other green roof awards are larger, including a future green roof for the UW-Milwaukees Golda Meir Library which will include solar panels. Rockwell Automation also received an award for a green roof on Building 42 under the famous four-sided clock tower which may be the largest green roof in the state of Wisconsin at 48,500 square feet! Under the MMSD program, mutually beneficial partnerships are formed with up to 14 developers and building owners. The stormwater management benefits vary depending on where the roofs connect to the system. In the combined sewer service area (downtown Milwaukee, the east side and part of Shorewood) stormwater benefits include less water sent to the Jones Island Water Reclamation Facility and subsequently less energy costs to treat stormwater runoff. In the separate sewer service area (everywhere else) stormwater benefits include less water thats able to leak into sewers and better water quality in area streams and Lake Michigan. Without features such as green roofs, stormwater runoff flows across the surface of the land, picks up pollution and carries it untreated into waterways. Through this program, MMSD hopes to not only improve water quality and better manage stormwater, but also to demonstrate the real business case for green roofs. These catalytic green roof projects are destined to seed even more green infrastructure throughout the region as MMSD leads the way on green infrastructure solutions in the Greater Milwaukee Watersheds.
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MInI-GrAnTS FROM PAGE 1
The 2010 Mini-Grant recipients and their project titles are: Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail Hank Aaron Pollution & Runoff Control Project Holler Park Neighborhood Association Holler Park Pond Vegetation Improvement Maryland Avenue Montessori Milwaukee Maryland Ave School Ginormous Rain Barrel Menomonee Valley Partners, Inc. Ember Lane River Access & Restoration Project Village of Menomonee Falls Paws Pledge Pet Poop Pick-up for Rivers Campaign Milwaukee Dept of City Development Teen Environmental Action of Milwaukee Project Milwaukee Riverkeeper Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Equipment Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network Root-Pike WIN Rain Garden Program Urban Anthropology, Inc. The Family Tree Program Victory Garden Initiative Concordia Gardens Rainwater Collection System Whitefish Bay Civic Initiative Whitefish Bay Rain Barrel Street Art Project We will post project updates and photos throughout the year on our website. We hope these projects and projects from prior years will inspire other groups and associations. Restoring and protecting our waters and waterways is a shared work and will require the efforts of many individuals and groups throughout these watersheds. It is challenging work and requires us to hold the long view. Through programs like mini grant program, we can help support these efforts that are building a healthier future for our waters and our communities. We want to acknowledge the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, the Wisconsin Energy Foundation, and the Joyce Foundation for their generous support that made this years minigrant program possible.
As you may recall from one of the articles in the Summer issue of RiversReport, in 1987 the Milwaukee Estuary was designated as an Area of Concern along with 42 other significantly polluted or degraded regions of the Great Lakes. Each year an annual meeting is held to bring together those individuals working to clean up these degraded regions. The 2010 Annual Meeting for the US Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOC) was held September 22 and 23 in Buffalo, New York. The event was attended by over 200 individuals representing local, state, and federal agencies, private contractors who have or are looking to take part in AOC clean up and restoration work, and other interested parties. The most prominent news out of the conference was the imminent release of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) grant money. Much of 2010 was spent reviewing the grant applications and grants that should be awarded in October. Because of the late release date of the grants, 2011 is envisioned as the year of action for on the ground and in the water projects. A website has been established for the GLRI and the grants awarded. (See http:// greatlakesrestoration.us/). Common themes discussed during the conference include past, present, and future work in AOCs, what is being done to delist beneficial use impairments (BUI), setting targets for future processes and completion, prioritizing implementation projects, methods to track and monitor the progress of work within AOCs, informing and educating the public, and ways to share information. Throughout the conference the EPA regularly stressed the importance of comprehensive Stage 2 Remedial Action Plans. The agency is not looking for a framework but rather exact details on proposed projects such as who will be involved, what specific work will be completed, what sites will be worked, the time period for the work plan, project prioritization and how the work will proceed. Seven different topics were discussed at afternoon breakout sessions on the first day. Topics included: implementing a strategic approach to assessing, restoring, and delisting BeneFICIAL USe IMpAIrMenT (BUI): A negative change in the health of a water body making it unusable for a beneficial use that has been assigned to it. examples of these use impairments as designated in the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement include: restrictions on fish and wildlife consumption, beach closings, degradation to aesthetics, loss of fish and wildlife habitat, and restrictions on drinking water consumption.
pervious pavement in new parking lot. cistern for water conservation. photos represent several projects awarded funding through 2009 Sweet Water Mini-Grant program.
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Sewer School:
Bill Graffin, Public Information Manager, MMSD
inflow: Surface Water Entering System Through bypasses, crossovers and overflows.
Separate sewer systems have one pipe that transports sanitary flows from homes and businesses. A second pipe, storm sewer, collects stormwater from streets and delivers it to the nearest creek, stream or river untreated every time it rains or the snow melts. Deep Tunnel System Water reclamation facilities can only clean a certain amount of wastewater each day. For MMSD, each facility can process about 300 million gallons per day. When heavy rain hits and the reclamation facilities are operating at maximum capacity, more water continues to pour into sewers. MMSDs Deep Tunnel System allows the region to store the excess water underground until reclamation facilities have time to clean all the additional flows. The Deep Tunnel is 28.5 miles long and holds 521 million gallons of water. It ranges in size from 17 to 32 feet in diameter. Most of the tunnel sits 300 feet
underground in bedrock. One section of the tunnel is about 175 feet underground in bedrock. Before the first Deep Tunnel went into operation in 1994, the region used to have 50 to 60 overflows to waterways every year with an average annual volume of 8 billion to 9 billion gallons. With the Deep Tunnel in operation, we now average 2.5 combined sewer overflows each year with an average volume of 1.4 billion gallons over the past 17 years. Where Were Going Since the 1980s, MMSD has invested $4 billion in the regional sewer system and water reclamation facilities. Municipalities have poured millions of dollars into improving their sanitary sewer systems. However, very little work has been done on private property and the laterals of homes and businesses, a significant
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For safety reasons, we need to keep driveways and sidewalks clear of ice and snow. However, choosing the right product and using it correctly is important to help protect our water resources. Shovel early, shovel often. Remove as much snow as you can during the storm if possible. Deicers work best when there is only a thin layer of snow or ice that must be melted. Check the label. The table below shows how the main ingredients of common de-icing products compare. Check the package closely to see what youre buyingoften a product may contain several of the ingredients listed below, but the first one listed is usually the main ingredient. Choose calcium chloride over sodium chloride when you can. Apply salt early, but sparingly. No matter which chloride product you choose, a little goes a long way. Additional salt wont speed up the melting process. The recommended application rate for sodium chloride is about a handful per square yard. Calcium chloride works at much colder temperatures and you need a lot less (about a handful per three square yards). Stick to sand. Kitty litter and ashes may provide some traction, but sand is cheaper and easier to clean up.
Avoid products that contain urea. Urea is a form of nitrogen, a fertilizer, when it washes off your driveway it will eventually end up in your local waters. Avoid salt sensitive plants. Keep de-icing compounds away from such common plants as green ash, hickory, red maple, sugar maple, white pine, Norway spruce, dogwood, redbud, rose, spirea and hawthorns. Kentucky blue grass and red fescue dont like salt either. You may want to use Calcium Magnesium Acetate CMA as a safer alternative.
Check the label. Check the package closely to see what youre buying. Choose calcium chloride over sodium chloride when you can.
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Jim Wasley, associate professor of architecture at University of WisconsinMilwaukee, and his cadre of students are reducing the impact of the University on the local stormwater system project by project. Their ambitious goal is a zero discharge rate for stormwater flowing into the sewer system, mimicking the land in its pre-settlement state. Some projects are only visible from an upper floor window overlooking the green roof on Sandburg Hall or the green roof installation on the Golda Meir Library. Other projects on the ground blend in with the landscaping surrounding the campus facilities. Wasley and his students are employing the practices of green infrastructure to capture and hold rainwater where it falls and slow down its flow. Green infrastructure takes its inspiration from the processes in nature that capture, store, and slow the flow of rainfall. Green infrastructure counters the loss of land to development along with its associated impervious surfaces of roads, roofs and parking lots, and puts into place designed practices that mimic natures processes. From the green roofs to the Spiral Garden with its meandering bioswales planted with native flowers, grasses and sedges -- these green infrastructure practices are holding the flush of stormwater back from the sewer system. The vision that drives UW-Milwaukee Zero Discharge Plan is an expression of Wasleys passion for designing for environmental sustainability and human health. He saw that the continual infrastructure work on campus was an opportunity to incrementally tackle the challenge of
stormwater runoff. A plan in which all stormwater generated on campus would stay on campus could become an initiative that would position UWM uniquely in the green campus movement. He began to inventory potential sites for green roofs. This effort evolved into the Zero Discharge Master Plan. The vision and depth of design outlined in the plan led to its adoption by the University within the official campus master plan. While not a mandate, the University committed to the plan as its ideal and guideline. While Wasley was developing his zero discharge vision for the campus, MMSD was tackling the problem of sewer backups in areas of Shorewood adjacent to the University. The campus and Shorewood are part of the same sewer-shed, a drainage area where the network of sewer pipes flows to a common collection point. The flush of stormwater from the campus to the sewers shared with the southern border of Shorewood exacerbated the problems Shorewood was facing with basement backups. The work Wasley was envisioning would help MMSDs efforts by not only keeping stormwater out of the problematic sewers but also would help build momentum and broader support to address the issue. MMSD partnered with Wasley in the of each of the Great Lakes. Participants were grouped according to the lake that their AOCs is a part of. Representatives from Lake Michigan AOCs cited numerous lake-wide issues and suggestions: invasive species, climate change, reference sites for delisting, comprehensive education plans, and capacity building to allow the public to understand what is happening in their AOC. Many people stressed the need for a way to easily share information, successes and failures, helpful tips, etc. that are available to all AOCs, regardless of state or lake affiliation. Ideas mentioned include a listserv, blog, and Great Lakes wiki page, which the EPA is currently developing. (See www.greatlakeswiki.org/ index.php/Areas_of_Concern.)
development of thezero-discharge plan and has supported components of the plan, the green roof on the Golda Meir Library and the Spiral Garden, through its community green roof and stormwater initiatives. The Zero Discharge Plan reflects the focus of Wasleys professional research: designing for environmental sustainability and human health. Reducing sewer overflows by keeping stormwater out of the combined sewer system helps to keep bacteria out of our rivers and streams. Treating stormwater as a resource to be captured and used not only as water for irrigation but also to lessen energy demands through the insulating effect of green roofs, demonstrates how creatively addressing the challenge of stormwater can lead to energy conservation. Projects implemented as part of the Zero Discharge Plan serve as successful models of green infrastructure practice that can be replicated in other areas throughout our community. The impact of Wasleys work extends beyond the UWM campus and this watershed. His vision and passion grounded in innovative, realworld projects inspire a new generation of design professionals for whom designing with environmental sustainability in mind will be second nature.
The awarding of GLRI funds presents a massive opportunity for AOCs to continue the clean up efforts. While many of the projects will not begin until next spring, 2011 will be a year of action and restoration for the Areas of Concern around the United States. The Milwaukee Estuary AOC was well represented, including Technical Advisory Committee representative, Nick Kasza (Milwaukee Cty Service Corps and Gail Epping Overholt (UW-Extension and Menomonee Watershed Action Team Co-chair). A highlight included keynote remarks from Todd Ambs, former Water Division Administrator for the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources.
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Public input has also been a priority of the project. On June 16 a community input meeting was held at Blatz Pavilion. After a brief introduction, the meeting was spent collecting questions and public concerns. Over the next month citizen comments collected at the June meeting were categorized and organized into a 13 page summary table. The summary table also provides written responses to questions and a list of resources for more information. A second meeting was held July 28. Following a presentation of the questions and responses found in the summary table, a discussion of what this project means to the community ensued. Feedback was welcome and encouraged throughout the meeting. Comments and suggestions received will be adapted into the project whenever feasible. For instance, better signage to inform park users about the project was requested. This winter two 3-panel kiosks will be installed in Lincoln Park containing information about the sediment cleanup project, health issues relating to fishing and the impacts of the project, and signage describing other Milwaukee area projects in progress also working toward cleaner rivers. More details about how community input helped shape the project are forthcoming as project designs are finalized. The Lincoln Creek Contaminated Sediment Removal Project is estimated to cost $22 million and is jointly funded by the US EPA and Wisconsin DNR through the Great Lakes Legacy Act and a state bond fund for contaminated sediment cleanup. Project updates, community input summary table, and more are online at http://dnr. wi.gov/org/water/greatlakes/legacy/ lincolnpark.htm FALL 2010
Dave Ciepluch has been working on improving Milwaukees environment for over 35 years. He has recently retired from WE Energies where he worked as an Advocacy and Energy Options specialist. During his time as an advocate he has dedicated countless hours to improving the Kinnickinnic watershed. He recently spearheaded efforts to clean up the headwaters of Holmes Avenue Creek, which has a direct impact on water quality further downstream. Dave is leading the charge with dedicated residents, students and neighborhood leaders on various improvements to Holler Park. Along with volunteers, Dave has planted over 10,000 native plants around the Holler Park lodge in one of the areas largest rain garden demonstration plots. Students from five neighborhood grade schools participated in the planting activities, and in turn learned more about
their natural environment. In addition to the rain garden, 15-20 volunteers were trained in the installation of rain barrels and one cistern at the Holler Park lodge. The rain garden and rain barrels help to improve storm water quality by catching runoff from the lodge roof and Easter Seals parking lot before it enters the pond that empties into the Holmes Creek, Wilson Creek and the Kinnickinnic River watershed. Dave was also recently awarded a SWWT Green Infrastructure Mini-Grant to continue his work at Holler Park. His plan is to plant native emergent and shoreline plants around the new fishing pier to create a natural buffer for educational and demonstration purposes. With Daves effort, Holler Park is truly becoming a model for residents and businesses on the south side of Milwaukee.
ahead to reduce the risk of basement backups in our region. In the next RiversReport, well talk about ways to improve and a $150 million plan to address work on private property.
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DENNiS MuELLEr
Over the summer project partners have been working hard to keep the Lincoln Park Contaminated Sediment Removal Project on pace. The project faces the challenge of removing approximately 100,000 cubic yards of sediment contaminated with unsafe amounts of PCBs and other toxicants that impact human and ecological health. After a thorough review of possible alternatives, dry excavation was determined to be the best means of contaminated sediment removal. A final design of the cleanup effort is expected winter of 2011. Sediment removal and streambank restoration will begin in the summer of 2011.
neWS BrIeFS
LocaL Watershed-Based stormWater Permit request shoWs Promise
In September, Sweet Water prepared a detailed grant request to the EPAs Region 5 Water Quality Cooperative Agreements Program to fund the creation of a Menomonee River Watershed-based Stormwater Permitting Framework. If successful, the effort could become a national model of cooperation across governmental and quasigovernmental boundaries 17 boundaries, in the case of the Menomonee. In addition to the formal application materials, the package included 10 support letters, including five from municipalities in the Menomonee River watershed, voicing their support for a new, highly-innovative approach toward storm water quality improvements.
opening plenary Speakers: Jeff Martinka, Sweet Water; Judy beck, EpA; Nancy Frank, Sweet Water.
The 7th Annual Clean Rivers, Clean Lake Conference attracted more than 220 guests to the Radisson Hotel in Wauwatosa on September 15. Produced jointly by Sweet Water the Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust, Inc. and its partners in the region, the full-day event attracted engineers, residents and businesses concerned about storm water and water quality, elected officials, and representatives of local government and nonprofits. The 2010 event was supported by generous sponsors, including the Joyce Foundation, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, Symbiont, CDM, C.W. Purpero, Inc., Hey and Associates, Inc., Graef and Visu-Sewer, Inc. The keynote speakers for the conference included Judy Beck, Lake Michigan Manager for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Dr. Peter Nowak of the Nelson Institute at UWMadison. Nowaks popular presentation, advocating innovative approaches toward promoting water quality practices,
was ranked most highly by conference participants. Overall, the conference program was ranked excellent by 50% and very good by 44% of this years participants. The day also featured 13 regional and local water quality experts offering workshop topics, including from the Chicago River watershed group, UWMs Great Lakes WATER Institute, EPAs Region 5 stormwater office, and UWs Discovery Farms. Topics included TMDLs, watershed-based permitting and water quality trading, green infrastructure innovations, and habitat restoration. New this year, the conference offered a variety of exhibitors and a field trip to the nearby Milwaukee County Grounds and Elm Grove storm water retention projects. Watch for the 8th Annual Clean Rivers Clean Lakes Conference in fall 2011. If you have suggested conference ideas and did not submit a conference evaluation form, email your speaker/topic ideas to martinka@swwtwater.org.
riversreporT PArTNers
southeastern wisconsin watersheds trust, inc.
ConTrIBUTInG edITorS
Jeff Martinka, Sweet Water Kate Morgan, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin Gail Epping Overholt, UW-Extension Ben Uvaas, WI DNR
Learning for life
Sweet Water 600 East Greenfield Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53204 Phone: (414) 382-1766 Cell: (414) 477-1156 Web: www.swwtwater.org Email: martinka@swwtwater.org
Wisconsin department of natural resources 2300 N Dr ML King Jr. Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53212 Phone: (414) 263-8625 Web: www.dnr.wi.gov E-mail: benjamin.uvaas@wisconsin.gov
University of Wisconsin extension 9501 W. Watertown Plank Road Wauwatosa, WI 53226 Phone: (414) 256-4632 Web: http://clean-water.uwex.edu Email: gail.overholt@ces.uwex.edu
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