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.
Coalition on Wake Boats and Lakes Grows to 60+ Groups
The coalition to protect Wisconsin lakes from the effects of wake boats has grown to over 60 groups.
The strength of the coalition comes from the shared commitment to sound, science-based policy. The coalition will be active in the new Legislative Session starting this month, January 2025.
We are proud and grateful for the role of Wisconsin’s …
Read More >Updates on Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline – December 2024
Enbridge received permits from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for oil pipeline Line 5 Reroute to cross streams and wetlands in northern Wisconsin.
Meanwhile, crude oil spilled from Line 6 in southern Wisconsin.
Enbridge Line 5 Segment Relocation Map, 2020
Prepared by Nancy Larson, WGF Water Resources Specialist
Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) has followed and commented …
Read More >Wisconsin Neonics Forum – Oct. 30, 2024
Written by Paul Heinen, WGF Policy Director, Edited by Carolyn Pralle, WGF Communications and Outreach Coordinator
Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) co-sponsored the first-ever Wisconsin Neonics Forum in Madison on October 30, 2024.
Our attendees to the Wisconsin Neonics Forum included executive director Meleesa Johnson, work group members Mark Asplund and Bill Fisher, agricultural projects coordinator Ben …
Read More >Wake Boats Coalition – Focus on Local Control
Wake Boats & Wisconsin Lakes – October 14, 2024 News Release
“Wisconsin Coalition Hails Local Efforts Regulating Wake-Enhanced Boats”
Our work as a coalition continues to advance a science-based approach to protect Wisconsin lakes from harmful effects related to wake-enhanced boats. On October 14, 2024, the coalition shared this news release, focusing on local efforts by Wisconsin …
Read More >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Responding to WDNR Draft Guidance for PFOA and PFAS in Water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.
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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
May 2024 Update:
The February 2024 version of this report has been updated and replaced by the new version published in May 2024. Read the new version here: Wake Boats and Lakes: Updated Report from Wisconsin’s Green Fire.
The updated content better reflects the current scientific literature and emerging information from communities around Wisconsin and other …
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