T

his will be my
14th and nal
report-out as Sweet
Waters Executive
Director. After many
happy moments and
strong successes with
you, I leave Sweet
Water at the end of
May for another
management position
in the region. Te
Sweet Water Board of Directors acted quickly to
develop a transition plan and I am very pleased
to announce their appointment of Pat Marchese
as Sweet Waters Interim Executive Director.
In addition to being the rst Chair of the Sweet
Water Board of Directors and the author of
many of our founding documents, Pat is a
registered professional engineer who served as
Executive Director of the Milwaukee Metropolitan
Sewerage District and as Director of Public
Works for Milwaukee County. Pat also worked
for several nationally recognized engineering
rms and was elected to the Ozaukee County
Board where he was Chair of the Natural
Resources Committee during the construction
of the Milwaukee River Fish Passage Project.
Our Board and NGO partners will work hard
to sustain Sweet Waters initial momentum.
With your help and with the strong backing
two successive three-year Joyce Foundation
grants, Sweet Water has been able to support
the work of active watershed action teams in the
Menomonee and Kinnickinnic watersheds.
We also unied stakeholder organizations and
funders to develop a Root River watershed
restoration plan, to be completed in July,
and worked as an active partner to complete
four Milwaukee River basin TMDLs and
their implementation plans, to be nalized
in December.
In the Menomonee River, we worked with 11
municipal partners, fueled by much good will
and an US EPA Region 5 innovations grant, to
create the very rst watershed-based stormwater
permit in the U.S. Nearly 90% of that watershed
is now covered by single stormwater permit and
those local government partners are now actively
working, together, towards devising truly
watershed-based stormwater pollution solutions.
With the help of sponsors and conference
planning volunteers, our annual Clean Rivers,
Clean Lake Conference has continued to be a
top-notch source of water policy innovation,
green infrastructure, and urban and rural
stormwater runo solutions. Tis years edition
attracted more than 400 to the Harley-Davidson
Museum on May 1st.
Among Sweet Waters other communication eorts,
we launched the Respect Our Waters stormwa-
ter pollution campaign with Root Pike WIN
in 2012. Utilizing Sparkles the Water Spaniel
as our smart-talking on-air mascot, the eort
has grown to a multi-year $500,000 partnership
RiversReport
SPRING 2014
|
VOLUME 5 NO. 2
A Last Martinka
Sweet Water Update
JEFF MARTINKA, SWEET WATER
Taking Back Our Rivers ......... 2
Clean Rivers, Clean Lake
Conference .......................... 3
Respect Our Waters ............. 4
TMDL Update ....................... 5
Phosphorus Rule Update....... 6
Roll Out the Barrel ................ 7
Events .................................. 8
Inside
this Issue
Learning for life
Mid May at Bradford Beach.
Continued on page 8
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Jeff Martinka with Interim Director, Pat Marchese.
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Page 2 SPRING 2014
Taking Back Our Rivers!
GAIL EPPING OVERHOLT, UW-EXTENSION
I
t may be shocking to learn
that one of the most
polluted places in the Great
Lakes is right in our own back
yard, for some of usliterally
in our backyard! Te good
news is that this fact will
soon be history.
On Milwaukees northeast
side industries once spewed
toxic-laden substances and
found their way into Lincoln
Creek and the Milwaukee
River near Lincoln Park. Some
of these toxics were once
used as common coolants and
insulating uids, but their
production was banned in the
1970s due to their toxicity (Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources). What made these chemicals important for industry in the
pastvery stable and long-lastingis why they are problematic today.
Tey are stable and do not readily break down in the sediments.
Cleaning the river of contaminated sediments to an extent that the
river is safe for sh, wildlife and humans is a costly process. In the
Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern, the Milwaukee River portion
extends from Cedar Creek in Cedarburg, downstream through the
Outer Harbor. It includes portions of Cedar Creek; Lincoln Creek,
which feeds into the west oxbow of the Milwaukee River; and
portions of the Menomonee, Little Menomonee and Kinnickinnic
rivers. All of these waterways had, at one point, levels of contamination
such that the United States Congress and EPA deemed them to be
a priority for cleanup. PCBs and PAHs were shown to contaminate
this area.* Te Kinnickinnic River portion was cleaned up in 2009
and the Little Menomonee River site was cleaned up in 2010.
It is signicant that Lincoln Parks contamination will likely be
cleaned up and restoration by 2015 because studies determined that
the Lincoln and Estabrook Park area represents the largest known
deposit of PCB-contaminated sediment in the Milwaukee Estuary
Area of Concern, contributing 70% of the Milwaukee River PCB
load to the Estuary. In order to complete the cleanup at Lincoln
Park, it had to be done in 3 phases: the Blatz Pavilion (completed
in 2008), Phase 1/west oxbow (complete in 2012) and Phase 2/east
oxbow (likely 2015). Work is scheduled to begin later this summer
with habitat restoration taking place early 2015.
Left: A 1951 article from a local stakeholder gives us a clue about the likely source of a large pocket of a previously undetected oily substance found during the
Phase 1 cleanup. The article details a fuel oil spill on Lincoln Creek. (Milwaukee Sentinel Article is courtesy of the Milwaukee River Preservation Association.)
Right: Map courtesy of U.S. EPA Great Lakes Legacy Program.
Lincoln Park Shoreline of blooming
monarda, summer 2013 after Phase
1 habitat restoration.
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SPRING 2014 Page 3
T
he May 1st
conference marked
its biggest event yet
packing the Harley-
Davidson Museums
Garage with 330 daytime
registrants and 80 at our
public evening event.
Te event oered presentations by 43 speakers, 3 plenary sessions
and 8 workshops. In between formal presentations our guests
had multiple opportunities to share ideas and make connections
with the potential to lead to water quality improvements in
the future. Te conference presentations are available online at
www.scribd.com/collections/4478110/10th-Annual-Clean-Rivers-
Clean-Lake-Conference.
Some highlights of the day included a lively lunch plenary
presentation by former National Resources Conservation
Service Chief David White inspiring the crowd with stories of
rural nonpoint pollution solutions; an insightful breakdown of
the state of the Great Lakes by Dr. Sandra McLellan; and an
interesting look at the past and future of sheries on the Great
Lakes told by several shing families and WI-DNR sheries
manager, Brad Eggold at our evening program.
Te quality of this event would not be possible without our
dedicated Conference Planning Committee, conference volunteers
and our generous sponsors. Tis year sponsors included: MMSD,
Te Joyce Foundation, UW-School of Freshwater Sciences,
HNTB, Brown and Caldwell, SEH Inc., Arcadis, Quarles &
Brady, the City of Milwaukee, GRAEF, CDM Smith, CH2M
Hill, Natural Resource Technology, Milwaukee Riverkeeper
and SEWISC.
Weve been getting great feedback to use in helping us plan for
next years conference. Tank you to all that attended and lled
out the evaluation survey, we hope to see you all next year.
10th Annual Clean Rivers, Clean Lake
Conference ADVANCING PRACTICE AND DIALOGUE
TINA KROENING, SWEET WATER
Over 330 people in attendance.
Time for catching up with colleagues. Afternoon plenary on the impact of climate change. Presenters for the evening event on the history
of Lake Michigan sheries.
David White, luncheon
speaker.
A view of the hall. Enjoying good company.
Page 4 SPRING 2014
Homeowner
Workshops
Compliment ROW
Outreach Efforts
TINA KROENING, SWEET WATER
Respect Our
WatersIts a
matter of proper
training!
KATE MORGAN, SWEET WATER
T
he foundation
of good training
is repetition. In that
spirit, Root-Pike
WIN and Sweet
Water are beginning
the third year of
the stormwater
education outreach
campaign, Respect
Our Waters. We are
excited to be working
again with the
exceptional team at Eichenbaum and Associates. And Sparkles
the water spaniel, our spokesperson-dog, returns with new
tips and sass.
Fox 6 has been selected as this years media partner winning
out over other competitors with their strong bid package of
ads, news support, social media and events. Te campaign is
funded through a grant from WI DNR and support of nearly
50 participating municipalities.
During the winter and spring we energized our social media
presence on Facebook and extended that presence to Twitter.
If you havent liked the Respect Our Waters Facebook page,
please do so and help us spread the word to your online friends.
Heres the link: http://www.facebook.com/RespectOurWaters.
In other campaign newsA month-long, Sparkles Look-alike
Contest was held through our Facebook with the winner,
Annie, to be awarded a basket of doggie prizes.
Well be taking the campaign to selected community events as
well as presenting workshops highlighting actions homeowners
can take in their yards and gardens to help protect water quality.
Look for information about these events on our Facebook page.
Residents of the City of Milwaukee will soon see Sparkles tips
hanging from their doorknob through a partnership with Sweet
Water and Root-Pike WIN. Teyll be included on a door
hanger distributed by the Citys Public Works Department.
Trough these strong partnerships, leveraging each others eorts,
and creative approaches we can help make water stewardship
second nature.
T
his year, the Sweet Water and Root-Pike WIN communications
team is adding to the educational outreach eorts of the
Respect Our Waters (ROW) campaign by oering a series of
homeowner workshops across southeastern Wisconsin. ROW
campaign sta and volunteers have set-up educational booths at
dozens of community events in the last two years. Teyve been
eective in getting our message out, but the interactions with
the public in this form can be very short lived, ranging from
only seconds to minutes. Tis has left us with missed opportunity
to truly connect with individuals.
Te homeowner workshops allow us to give interested individuals
a more thorough overview on why stormwater is a problem and
detailed information on how they can take actions that will reduce
stormwater associated pollution. Workshop presenters will then
outline how to construct a raingarden to help keep water on
their property while enhancing the beauty of their landscape. Te
goal is to leave them educated and inspired enough to take on
their own projects.
By working with multiple partners, workshops have been
tailored to t the goals of the campaign as well as partnering
organizations. One such workshop will take place on June 5th
at the Gateway Technical College in Racine. Te campaign
is also collaborating with Milwaukee County Parks to host a
workshop at the Grant Park golf course clubhouse on June 28th
in tandem with a hands-on rain garden planting in the park.
Visit RespectOurWaters.org for a full list of workshop dates and
locations as well as registration to attend events. Make sure to
check back often as workshops will continue to be scheduled
throughout the summer and fall.
Sparkles on the RV Neeskay.
Think natives for rain gardens.
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SPRING 2014 Page 5
Milwaukee River Basin TMDLs Nearing
Completion
STEVEN R. HEINZ, P.E., MMSD, AND DAN BOUNDS, P.E., CDM SMITH
Post presentation discussions.
T
his article provides an update on Milwaukee River Basin
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) development progress.
Te TMDL Development Team, which includes CDM Smith,
MMSD, WDNR, US EPA, SEWRPC, and Sweet Water
representatives, sincerely appreciates the water quality communitys
patience through the Milwaukee TMDL development process.
RECAP
A TMDL update wasincluded in Sweet Waters Winter 2013
RiversReport. In that story, TMDL-related modeling challenges
were citedchallenges associated to the existing Water Quality
Initiative (WQI) models used in the TMDLs and delays in
developing allocation information for the Milwaukee River
watershed were experienced. Te WQI models were not built
explicitly for TMDL development work and several adjustments
were necessary for this purpose.
As the WQI models were developed at a high degree of detail,
each adjustment has taken considerable time, and signicant
checking had to be performed to ensure that the adjustments
did not incorrectly aect the model outputs. Te modeling
issues are related to specics required for the TMDL eort
and do not aect the 2007 WQI analysis. Te majority of the
TMDL-related modeling issues have now been resolved and the
team is currently generating load allocation information for the
Milwaukee River watershed.
PROGRESS
Since the submittal of the draft TMDL report to WDNR on
December 31st, the Development Team reviewed preliminary load
allocation information for the Kinnickinnic and Menomonee
River watersheds and for the Milwaukee Harbor Estuary. Every
watershed is unique with respect to ows. Upon review of the
ow conditions and approach used to develop the preliminary
loads, the Team found some load allocations to be unrealistic and
is rening the approach to be more consistent with the process
used to develop the Rock River TMDLs. Preliminary results
indicate more consistent allocations. Te rened approach will
also be used for the Milwaukee River watershed allocations.
NEXT STEPS
When completed, the allocations and supporting documentation
will be posted on MMSDs TMDL webpage for stakeholder
review. Both a mailed notication to permit holders and an
emailed announcement to those on the TMDL stakeholder
email listing will be sent once the information is available on
MMSDs webpage. Te TMDL allocations will then be presented
and discussed at a stakeholder workshop planned for early
summer. After that stakeholder workshop, WDNR will hold
additional meetings for the ve permit holder groups by type;
those meetings are expected to be held in summer fall 2014.
Next steps include public information sessions, providing an
ocial public notice, submitting the TMDL allocations and
report to USEPA for review and approval, and developing an
implementation plan.
Implementation plan completion is scheduled for December
31, 2014 and TMDL stakeholders will be invited to additional
stakeholder workshops that will be part of the implementation
plan development process. All future implementation plan-related
workshop information will be distributed via email updates. If
you know someone who is not on the TMDL stakeholder email
list and would like to be added, contact [email protected].
Te TMDL Development Team appreciates your patience through
this process. As always, information about the Milwaukee River
Basin TMDLs is available at all times on the MMSD webpage
look to the Water Quality tab. Information on all past meetings,
including meeting notes and slides, are available there.

High interest in TMDL development process.

Page 6 SPRING 2014
Advancing Wisconsins Phosphorus Water
Quality Standards
JIMMY PARRA, MIDWEST ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES
O
n April 29th, 2014, the Wisconsin DNR and the UW-Exchange
jointly hosted the 2014 annual Phosphorus Summit. Te Summit,
held in Madison, brought together a wide range of stakeholders to
discuss the progress made over the last year in implementing Wisconsins
phosphorus water quality standards and some the remaining obstacles
we have yet to overcome.
In the morning session, DNR and UWEX sta provided an update
on recent changes to the states water quality trading framework, and
introduced a newly- established loan program oering municipalities
an opportunity to obtain 0% interest loans to fund Water Quality
Trading and Adaptive Management pilot projects.
Additionally, DNR sta provided an overview of the recently-enacted
Phosphorus legislation. Signed into law just weeks ago, 2013 Wisconsin
Act 378 establishes a framework to develop a 20+ year state-wide
variance from phosphorus water quality standards; extends the timeline
of adaptive management to up to four permit terms; and allows
adaptive management to be used as a compliance option for TSS.
In the afternoon, attendees listened to presentations from folks
throughout the state who are implementing innovative approaches
to controlling phosphorus pollution to meet state water quality
standards. Te projects range from Water Quality Trading programs
in Sparta and on the lower Fox River; to an Adaptive Management
initiative in Lodi; a Pay for Performance pilot project in the West
Branch of the Milwaukee River Watershed, and a Buer Initiative
Project along the Mullet River.
To learn more about any of these projects, please visit the following
link where you can access all of the powerpoint presentations that
were given at the summit: http://phosphoruswaterinfo.uwex.edu.
Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Update
ALLISON CHERNOUSKI, ROOT-PIKE WIN
A
fter an exhilarating and rewarding
6 years, Root-Pike WINs
Executive Director, Susan Greeneld,
retired from her position eective April
30, 2014, to pursue other endeavors.
As leader of Root-Pike WIN, Susan
accomplished a great deal and impacted
well over one million people in
southeastern Wisconsin with the
well regarded Respect Our Waters
campaign, the watershed planning eorts, and the rain garden
and small grants programs.
Te recently completed Pike River Watershed Plan received
recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency as
the rst watershed plan in Wisconsin to meet the EPAs Nine
Elements of a Watershed Plan and is being used as a model
plan in Region 5 of the EPA.
Te Root-Pike WIN Board of Directors has appointed its
president, Bill Sasse, to fulll the duties of the Executive
Director as the Board considers the options for the replacement
of the Executive Director position. In the interim, all
communications are to be directed to me at 262-898-2055
or [email protected].
Several key initiatives are moving forward. Were excited for
another busy season of outreach for the Respect Our Waters
campaign, having added homeowner workshops to the methods
used to reach the public. Te Wind Point Watershed planning
eort is in Phase II. On Tursday, May 15th, interested stakeholders
participated in a tour of the Wind Point watershed. With just
four meetings remaining, the plan is scheduled to be completed
in March of 2015.
Te Root River Watershed Restoration plan will be completed
this summer, with a public reception to announce the completed
plan taking place on July 31 at Wingspread in Racine.
Phosphorus leads to increases in algae blooms.
Susan Greeneld
SPRING 2014 Page 7
Rolling Out the (Rain) Barrels
on Milwaukees South Side
NADIA BOGUE, 16TH ST. COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
W
ater resource protection is
becoming quite the fad in the
Kinnickinnic River Neighborhood
on Milwaukees southside!
Sixteenth Street Community Health
Center and partners have been working
with community members to help
demonstrate how they can take action
and help reduce neighborhood ooding,
manage stormwater and pollution, and lower water bills and it
all starts with a barrelCue the polka music!
With two rain barrel workshops under our belts that
were lled to capacity, there was still a long list of people
clamoring to learn proper installation techniques. Oh, and
they were also vying for a free barrel and installation assistance.
In total, 68 households participated in the two no-cost
workshops. Because the surrounding neighborhoods are

home to increasing numbers of Latino families, the workshops
were presented in English with real-time Spanish translation.
Sixteenth Street sta needed to rent a U-Haul to handle all
the rain barrels that needed to get delivered to residents.
Imagine a moving truck rumbling down your street rolling
barrels o the back!
Te enthusiasm and success of neighborhood-scale stormwater
management is on the rise along the lower stretches of the
Kinnickinnic River. Project partners kicked o a pilot project
three years ago, followed up with more extensive work in 2012.
In total, 102 rain barrels have been distributed and more than
5,800 square feet of rain gardens have been installed. A third
rain barrel workshop with another 30 barrels is planned for this
June. Now, neighbors are seeing what is happening on their
block and they want to get in on the action.
Tis grassroots action is one of the reasons that a Kinnickinnic
River Neighborhood Stormwater Management Plan is underway
for nearby S.16th Street, and dont forget that the KK Flood
Management mProject is already moving forward, with the
rst phase complete downstream of S. 6th Street and more
work on the way. Te interest in rain barrels has allowed sta
to introduce these larger green infrastructure projects to the
community and begin to generate input.
With Pulaski Park a hop skip and jump away from the
KK, better understanding how green infrastructure can help
meet community needs has become a priority for all
stakeholders. Big things are on the horizon and residents are
excited to understand how they can get involved. Te KK
River Neighbors In Action neighborhood association recently
celebrated its one year anniversaryHappy Birthday! Tis
group has become an invaluable way to generate community
feedback, questions, and input into both big and small projects.
Tings are looking up for this neck of the KK Watershed
and it all started with a barrel!
Residents at a rain barrel workshop.
Young Water Steward
Neighborhood residents happy with their new rain barrels.
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Page 8 SPRING 2014
University of Wisconsin Extension
9501 W. Watertown Plank Road
Wauwatosa, WI 53226
PHONE (414) 256-4632
WEB naturalresources.uwex.edu
EMAIL [email protected]
Learning for life
Sweet Water
600 East Greenfeld Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53204
PHONE (414) 382-1766
WEB swwtwater.org
EMAIL [email protected]
[email protected]
MANAGING EDITOR
Kate Morgan, Sweet Water
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Jeff Martinka, Sweet Water
Gail Epping Overholt, UW-Extension
This publication made possible in part through
the generous support of
RiversReport PARTNERS
Thursday & Friday, June 12 13
American Planning Association Wisconsin 2014 Conference
Complete Communities: Integrating Economy, Health and Environment
Monona Terrace Convention Center | Madison
Go to www.wisconsinplanners.org for more information and to register.
Wednesday & Thursday June 18 19
Water Council Water Summit 2014
Triving in a Global Water Economy
Hilton Milwaukee City Center
509 W. Wisconsin Avenue | Milwaukee
Deadline for registration June 13
Go to www.thewatercouncil.com/watersummit for more information and to register.
Friday, June 19
American Water Works Association Abstract submission deadline
June 19 for Sustainable Water Management Conference
To be held March 18 19 | Portland, OR
Go to www.awwa.org/conferences-education/conferences/sustainable-water-
managemetn.aspx for information.
Sunday, June 22
Barrels and Brew: Fun rain barrel and brewery event
Noon 4:00 p.m.
Lakefront Brewery
1872 Commerce Street | Milwaukee
Contact [email protected] or call 414-287-0207 for
more information or go to http://milwaukeeriverkeeper.org/civicrm/event/
info?reset=1&id=256 for more information.
Upcoming Events
Sweet Water Update
continued from page 1
funded by nearly 50 municipal partners,
from the Illinois State line to Ozaukee
County, with matching grants awarded
by the WI DNR (watch for the hot new
Sparkles commercials, lmed on May 16th!).
With support from the Joyce grant and
generous government and business sponsors,
we also created the Sweet Water Water
Quality Mini-grant Program. To date, its
provided 55 investments of up to $5,000
to community groups to improve riparian
habitat, reduce pollutant ow into our
rivers, and educate others on eorts that
they can take to improve our waters. Tose
generous grants were multiplied many
times over by the sweat equity and matching
funds of the civic groups.
In order to sustain our regional collaboration,
Sweet Water haa already begun its search
for a permanent Executive Director. Te
position announcement will be distributed
via listservs and posted on the Sweet Water
website at swwtwater.org. I hope you will
help in referring top candidates.
Tank you for the many forms of support
you oered to Sweet Water, and to me,
over the years. As I move from a managers
role to that of a supportive citizen/water
lover, I look forward to relishing Sweet
Waters future successes with you!
Til we meet next, best regards.