Updated water conditions need comments on draft
The Wisconsin DNR is seeking public comment on revised water condition lists, included in the draft of 2024 Impaired Waters List. Every two years, the Clean Water Act requires states to publish a list of all waters not meeting water quality standards and an overall report on surface water quality status of all waters in the state.
The department is seeking comments and will hold an informational meeting Monday, Nov. 20.
More than 80 percent of Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers recently assessed, are attaining water quality standards, continuing a trend of improved surface water quality across the state. Although the majority of waterbodies are in good condition and have been placed on the list of Waters Attaining Standards, 52 new waterbodies or segments are now classified as impaired.
Placing waters on the Impaired Waters List means those waters require a restoration plan to improve aquatic habitat, recreation opportunities or fish consumption. With 81 new pollutant listings proposed, a waterbody can have multiple pollutant listings.
Some of the new listings are on waters already identified as impaired. The majority of new pollutant listings are for phosphorus and aquatic plants. This is the first assessment cycle to use the new assessment thresholds for aquatic plants recently approved by the Wisconsin legislature.
Simultaneously, 37 impairment listings will be removed, with over half for phosphorus. Overall, the 2024 draft Impaired Waters List contains 1,481 listings. The draft list of Waters In Restoration contains 670 listings.
The department is asking for public comments regarding the new listings and additions. Provide written comments by Dec. 6, to: DNRWYWaterbodyAssessments@wisconsin.gov, or to: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, c/o Kristi Minahan, Water Quality, WY/3, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707.
