Comments needed on surface water quality
The Wisconsin DNR is seeking public comment on guidance that helps water management specialists evaluate the status of the state’s surface water quality. The Wisconsin Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology, known as WisCALM, provides guidance to assess surface water quality and trends against standards set by the Clean Water Act.
The methodology is updated for each biennial surface water assessment cycle and the current guidance is being updated for the 2022 cycle.
This year’s updates include reorganization based on assessment type; addition of new E. coli assessment methods for updated criteria; new subcategories for the Healthy Waters List indicating the amount of supporting data; and addition of information on assessment timeline, automation and waters in the state.
Assessing water bodies against water quality standards and identifying impaired waters that don’t meet standards, is part of the overarching federal Clean Water Act framework for restoring impaired waters. Under the Clean Water Act, states are required to monitor and assess their waters, to determine if they meet water quality standards and support the designated uses they are intended to provide.
“Wisconsin’s surface water quality is good and improving in many areas,” said Ashley Beranek, DNR water resources management specialist. “By updating the technical guidance and maintaining the impaired waters list, the state works to address changes through targeted improvement plans.”
The public comment period will be held from Oct. 12 to Nov. 20. A copy of the draft guidance can be downloaded at WisCALM.
Public comments on the latest WisCALM guidance can be submitted to: dnrimpairedwaters@wisconsin. gov, or by mail: Ashley Beranek, DNR, Bureau of Water Quality, WQ/3, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921.
