Water Quality
WGF analyses concerning water quality standards, methods of evaluating water quality, and regulation to protect water quality in Wisconsin’s lakes, rivers, and streams. Also see the Agriculture category for analyses of nonpoint sources of pollutants. This work is developed by WGF’s Water Resources and Environmental Rules Work Group.
WGF Comments on DNR’s PFOAS Guidance
Responding to WDNR Draft Guidance for PFOA and PFAS in Water
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) is developing guidance for minimization plans of wastewater treatment systems regarding two of the most common forms of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. Those two forms include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). …
Read More >Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline Reroute: 2024 Updates
Drilling for Pipeline Construction Project in Northern Wisconsin. Photo: John Spangberg
Two regulatory milestones for Enbridge L5R
The regulatory process for the controversial Enbridge Line 5 petroleum pipeline re-route (L5R) crossed two major milestones in late summer 2024.
Read More >
Wake Boats and Lakes: Updated Report from Wisconsin’s Green Fire
The Effects of Wake Boats on Lake Ecosystem Health: A Literature Review, May 2024
May 2024 update to our special report: “The Effects of Wake Boats on Lake Ecosystem Health: A Literature Review.”
Over the past two months, our team has been updating our literature review on wake boats and lakes. We …
Read More >PFAS News from Gov. Evers and the EPA
This week brings two big updates for PFAS in Wisconsin.
Gov. Evers and representatives from environmental organizations (Paul Heinen, WGF Policy Director at center of back row) at veto ceremony of SB 312, April 9th, 2024
1) Veto of SB 312 – the PFAS bill with a “poison pill”
On April 9, 2024, Read More >
WGF Asks Gov. Evers to Veto SB 312
WGF’s letter to Governor Evers requesting he veto SB 312.
On February 26, 2024, Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) sent a letter to Governor Tony Evers, asking him to veto Senate Bill 312 (SB 312). For months, leaders from WGF worked with the authors of this bill in attempts to make it beneficial …
Read More >Wake Boats and Lakes: New Report from Wisconsin’s Green Fire
February 20, 2024 Update:
This report is temporarily unavailable while we make some important updates. We’re working on adding new content to best reflect the scientific literature and emerging information from communities around Wisconsin and other states.
Feel free to contact us with any questions. Stay tuned for our announcement of the updated report!
The …
Read More >Ron Grasshoff Re-Appointed to Land and Water Conservation Board
Ron Grasshoff, co-chair of WGF’s Public Trust and Wetlands Work Group, has been re-appointed to Wisconsin’s Land and Water Conservation Board (LWCB). Wisconsin’s Green Fire congratulates Ron on this important role!
On January 24th, Ron Grasshoff provided this summary and comments on his re-appointment to the LWCB.
Summary of LWCB From Section 92.04 of WI …
Read More >New Opportunities Now Paper: PFAS 2.0
Read the new report on PFAS in Wisconsin Drinking Water.
Since the late 1930s, many consumer goods and industrial materials have contained per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of chemicals famous for their non-stick and firefighting properties. However, PFAS are now known to threaten human health and the environment. A team of experts at …
Read More >Fifty Years of the Clean Water Act Successes in the Wisconsin River Basin
Bob Martini served for 32 years with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as statewide River Protection Coordinator leading efforts to clean up the Wisconsin River Basin. He is a member of the board of directors of Wisconsin’s Green Fire.
Read More >Reflections on 50 Years of the Clean Water Act
Fifty years ago, the Clean Water Act of 1972 (CWA) was passed – a landmark decision to protect the safety, quality, and integrity of water in the United States. The Clean Water Act defined the lives and careers of many WGF members and Wisconsin residents, many of whom played vital roles in implementing the CWA standards and cleaning up Wisconsin waterways. We asked a few of our members to share their perspectives on the CWA, and how it changed the course of their careers in water resources.
Read More >