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 Attends Informational Session on Neonics at WI Capitol
Capitol and downtown Madison, Image via Pixabay
WGF Attends Informational Session on Neonics at WI Capitol
by Paul Heinen, WGF Policy Director
About the Session and Neonics
Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) attended an information session on September 8, 2025 at the Wisconsin Capitol on neonicotinoids, a class of chemicals commonly called “neonics.” The session was held by …
Read More >Opportunity for Action – Federal PFAS amendments
Opportunity for Action – Federal PFAS amendments
Wisconsin’s Green Fire is part of a statewide coalition of groups working on PFAS (the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances also known as “forever chemicals”) in Wisconsin drinking water, soils, and people. PFAS can cause serious environmental and human health problems.
We encourage you to consider taking action with us on …
Read More >WGF Joins Nitrate Watch Program
WGF is now a partner of the Izaak Walton League’s Nitrate Watch program!
This people-powered community science program allows anyone to help gather data about nitrate in Wisconsin’s waters. Nitrate is the most common chemical contaminant creating health risks in Wisconsin’s private wells. Nitrate also harms the water quality and ecological health of our …
Read More >Northern Lakes Toolbox Workshops Return for Fall 2025
Northern Lakes Toolbox Workshops Return for Fall 2025!
Northern Lakes Toolbox Workshops 2025 Flyer. (Click image to enlarge.) Click here for a PDF copy of the flyer.
We are proud to announce the return of our Northern Lakes Toolbox Workshops in the fall of 2025, hosted by Wisconsin’s Green …
Read More >Governor Invites WGF to Statewide Water Events
by Paul Heinen, WGF Policy Director
WGF joins Gov. Evers on Two Tours of Water Treatment Facilities
During the week of July 14, 2025, Governor Evers travelled around the state to talk with local officials about clean water infrastructure. Gov. Evers invited Wisconsin’s Green Fire to attend two of these meetings. Clean water funding is an important …
Read More >Company explores for copper and gold in national forest in northern Wisconsin
Kidrick Swamp, Wisconsin State Natural Area #464, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Taylor County, photo from Joshua Mayer via Flickr. This SNA is located in an area of the national forest northwest from the Bend deposit and drilling sites, and illustrates some of the forest and wetlands in the area.
Company explores for copper and gold …
Read More >PFAS Summit in Wausau
PFAS Summit in Wausau
Group photo from PFAS Summit in Wausau, June 5, 2025
On June 4-5, 2025, Wisconsin’s Green Fire participated in the first in-person summit of the statewide PFAS coalition. As you may know, PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These “forever chemicals” are common in many household and industrial products but …
Read More >Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline Updates – March 2025
Enbridge Line 5 Updates: Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians Denies Water Quality Certification for Enbridge Line 5 Oil Pipeline Re-route
Will Trump Administration Energy Emergency Executive Order Affect Line 5?
Prepared by Nancy Larson, WGF Water Resources Specialist
Inter-Related Regulatory Decisions
Existing pipeline on east end of the Bad River Reservation, 2022, photo …
Read More >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 …
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