BEPCO News and Events

Big Eau Pleine Citizens Organization

News

Drought
Conditions not expected to improve

DNR run-off hearings - Click here

Group to sue EPA over water quality
NY Times Article
News of the North
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Updates from Madison

Shoreland policy
On June 24, the DNR Natural Resource Board unanimously approved proposed changes to Wisconsin’s shoreland zoning rule (NR 115), which contains statewide minimum standards for shoreland development in unincorporated areas. (see article below for more information). The rule will now go to the Legislature's natural resources committees. If they have no objections in 60 days, the rule will go into effect.

More on WAL's shoreland policy work

Polluted runoff policy
Phosphorus in dishwashing detergent (AB 281)
On June 26, the full Assembly passed AB 281, which will reduce one of the most common causes of phosphorus pollution: dishwashing detergent. Fifteen states have such laws in place already. The bill has been sent to the Senate, where it will be assigned to a committee.

Read WAL’s testimony and learn more about other polluted runoff policy work

News Reports
DNR Reports Big Eau Pleine Reservoir Sees Largest Fish Kill in Decade - Click for full story:
Click to read BEPCO's Press Release
Click to read BEPCO Response to Fish Kill

See DNR News Release
See Recent news from Google
Chat at Wisconsin Angling Adventures
Chat at Lake-Link

Events

Water Quality Study
Read more
The Big Eau Pleine Flowage is listed on Wisconsin's 303d impaired waters list for violations of dissolved oxygen and pH water quality standards. The Big Eau Pleine River is also listed for dissolved oxygen violations. Both listings are a result of excessive nutrient loading to the river and flowage. The Department of Natural Resources is scheduled to conduct a multi-year water quality study starting in 2009 to develop a TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) for the river and flowage. During the next two years, a volunteer will be collecting monthly water quality samples to provide supplemental loading data from the Big Eau Pleine River to the Big Eau Pleine Flowage. The volunteer collects these samples on a monthly basis and ships them to the State Lab of Hygiene for nutrient analysis. This effort saves the Department approximately 1.5 hours of driving time on each sampling trip.
Contact:
Mark Hazuga
DNR Water Resources Biologist
715.839.3700
mark.hazuga@wisconsin.gov

Big Eau Pleine Citizens Organization
PO BOX 335
Mosinee, WI 54455
Feedback@BigEauPleine.org