WSNetwork News

Speaking out for Clean Air
Livestock Facilities Siting Act Hearings
March 14-March 24

From: "Midwest Advocates" <advocate@midwestadvocates.org>

Midwest Environmental Advocates needs your help to protect rural Wisconsin from toxic odors and air pollution from livestock factories. To the disappointment of many rural Wisconsin residents, last year the State Legislature passed the Livestock Facilities Siting Act. This new law stifles local governments' ability to protect public health and safety by forcing them to adhere to statewide standards for livestock factories when granting local permits.

These statewide standards are currently up for public hearing. Now is the time to voice your support for strong standards to address the significant odor and air pollution generated by large livestock factories. Afternoon and evening hearings will be held around the state from March 14th - March 24th. To find the location nearest you, click here.

To find out more about the proposed statewide standards, and for talking points for the upcoming hearings, click here.

To read a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article about the standards, click here.

Home Grown Energy Options — Small Wind Turbines

From: March Center for Rural Affairs newsletter
"Center for Rural Affairs" <info@cfra.org>

It frustrates many to see train after train cross states loaded with coal soon to be converted to carbon dioxide and other air pollutants. Nebraska, with few conventional energy reserves, ranks sixth in wind energy potential, but still lags behind neighboring states in wind energy development.

Nebraska is the only totally public power system in the union. Public power means only public entities can retail electricity. Blamed by some for slow adoption of wind energy, the public power system is credited for low energy rates in the state, but that doesn’t mean coal should be the main energy source.

Public power does not prevent individuals from installing electrical generator units for their own use, but for the uninformed, small wind systems are a giant step. Find out what wind energy information is available online in the complete article: http://www.cfra.org/newsletter/current.htm Contact: Martin Kleinschmit, martink@cfra.org

Hull Wind: A Renewable Energy "Cash Cow" for communities

From "E - The Environmental Magazine"<newsletter1@emagazine.com>

Hull Wind I is a Danish-made 660-kilowatt Vestas turbine that has the distinction of being the first commercial-scale windmill to go online anywhere on the U.S.'s eastern coastline. It's also the first commercial-scale turbine in suburbia, and the first within walking distance of mass transit--in this case, a ferry line.

There are 40 towns in Massachusetts that have municipally owned electric utilities, a situation that is ideal for public wind power. Towns like Hull can generate a kilowatt of electricity for 3.4 cents, but because of production tax credits and tradable renewable energy certificates (RECs), it takes in 6.3 cents. "It's a cash cow," MacLeod said. The electricity generated goes straight into the town's own grid, replacing power that would cost eight cents per kilowatt hour if it were purchased in the energy market.

"We get the financial benefit, plus because it's a green source of energy the turbine becomes a focus of goodwill for the town," says Hull selectwoman Joan Meschino. Everyone in town will tell you that the wind turbine has not killed a single bird, at least according to the regular checks by the town's science students. Neighbors are supportive, too, and you can hardly hear the turbine even when you're standing right under it.

Read the complete article at
http://www.emagazine.com/view/?2345

June 2005 is Invasive Species Awareness Month

From: "Amy Staffen"
<astaffen@TNC.ORG>

Dear partners in the battle against invasive species,

Governor Jim Doyle has demonstrated a firm commitment to address the issue of invasive species in Wisconsin by declaring June of 2005 Invasive Species Awareness Month. During Invasive Species Awareness Month, numerous field trips, workshops, presentations and work parties will be held throughout the state. Now is your chance to create a statewide alliance of public and private groups, who will work together to inundate Wisconsin citizens with the message "Invasive species is an important issue to confront!!"

Would you like to lead an activity during Invasive Species Awareness Month or volunteer in the planning process? Could you publish an article in your local conservation or neighborhood group newsletter? Go to the following website

http://invasivespecies.wi.gov/awareness

Here, you will find guides on how to lead various events, writing and educational resources, a link to an Invasive Species Speaker's Bureau, and many other helpful guides to help you in planning an Invasive Species Awareness Month event.

Register Your Event

At the above website, an online form allows you to register your event. Visitors to the website can then search for events throughout the state by county and by event-type.

Provide Feedback on the Website
http://invasivespecies.wi.gov/awareness

This is the main resource for Invasive Species Awareness Month, and will be under continuing development during the month of March. Let me know how the website is helpful and what components you would like to see added or changed.

If you need assistance that can't be provided at the website, please contact me:

Amy Staffen
Invasive Species Education Coordinator
Wisconsin Council on Invasive Species

Office and Voice Mail:
The Nature Conservancy
633 West Main Street
Madison, WI 53703
608/251-8140 ext. 162
astaffen@TNC.ORG

Position Available with Kinnickinnic River Land Trust, River Falls

Executive Director
Posted: 2/16/2005
Accepting Applications: Open Until Filled

Mission:
Work With the Community to Conserve the Natural Resources and Scenic Beauty of the Kinnickinnic River Watershed

Key responsibilities

Land protection and conservation programs and projects
Fund raising for operations and special projects
Relationships with key constituents
Technical Land Trust functions
Public relations
Management of office/administrative functions including administrative support, GIS specialist and development specialist (vacant)
Board relations

Candidate Qualifications/Credentials

BA/BS in Environment/Science; preferably MA or MBA or similar
Proven track record in director/manager position at similar size organization
Five years plus leadership experience in Land Trust or similar conservation organization
Solid record of successful fund raising from members, foundations, government programs, including grant writing
Strong interpersonal skills
Willing to be accountable
Strategic thinker
Excellent negotiator
Proven ability to develop enduring relationships with partners
Strong project and people management skills

To Apply:
Search Committee is seeking applicants now.
Apply by mail or e-mail to:

Search Committee
Kinnickinnic River Land Trust
421 N. Main Street
P.O. Box 87
River Falls, Wisconsin 54022

www.kinniriver.org
krlt@pressenter.com
715-425-5738
715-425-5771 fax

Wisconsin Farmers - Sign Up for Grassland Reserve Program by April 29

From: "Anderson, Renae - Madison, WI" <renae.anderson@wi.usda.gov>

Wisconsin farmers have until April 29, 2005, to apply for the USDA Grassland Reserve Program, said Pat Leavenworth State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. This year, the Grassland Reserve received over $1 million for Wisconsin farmers.

The Grassland Reserve offers eligible producers the opportunity to enroll a minimum of 40 acres of pasture, grassland or hayland in permanent or long-term easements or rental contracts.

Applications received at USDA Service Centers by April 29 will be reviewed and ranked for funding this year. Those applicants that are not selected this year will be held over and considered for funding when the 2006 funds are available, says Leavenworth, as will farmers who apply for the program at any time after April 29. There are currently 122 applications in backlog.

The Wisconsin NRCS website has more information on the Grassland Reserve, including the ranking process to help users see if they are eligible and find out how their application will rank. It is available at www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov under Programs, Grassland Reserve (GRP).

The Grassland Reserve helps landowners restore and protect grassland, pastureland, shrubland and certain other lands and provides assistance for rehabilitating grasslands. The program will conserve vulnerable grasslands from conversion to other uses. Wisconsin’s allocation so far is $1,110,332 for fiscal year 2005.

Steven Johnson Nominated as EPA Administrator

From: American Rivers Outreach
<outreach@americanrivers.org>

President Bush nominated Stephen Johnson to be the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator last Friday. Johnson has twice previously received Senate confirmation for high-level EPA positions during the Bush administration. Johnson has spent most of his career at EPA focusing on pesticide regulations. He first became a political appointee in June 2001 when the Senate confirmed Johnson by a voice vote to become the agency's top pesticides official as assistant administrator for the Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. The second Senate approved position was when he was nominated to be the Deputy Administrator; he was confirmed by voice vote in November 2004. As Deputy and Acting Administrator he has been the primary advocate for the administration’s roll back of clean air rules under the “Clear Skies” legislation. Before joining EPA, Johnson held positions as director of operations at Hazelton Laboratories Corp., the world's largest pre-clinical biological and chemical research laboratory, and at Litton Bionetics, Inc. Johnson would become EPA's 11th administrator, once confirmed, and the first career staffer to rise to the top post.

Basin Briefs
March 3, 2005

From Todd Ambs
Administrator-Division of Water
Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 7921, Madison WI 53707
Voice: 608 264-6278 Fax: 608 266-6983
E-mail: Todd.Ambs@dnr.state.wi.us

Table of Contents for the issue:

Sugar River manure spill
County Land & Water Resource Management Plans
Storm Water Violations Suit filed Racine Co. & MMSD
Sign Up for Grassland Reserve Program
2005 Wisconsin CCA Award of Excellence
Two Watersheds Eligible for CSP
$1 Million for Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans
Time Codes Revision
Storm Water intranet
Next Draft NR 115 Now Available
Stepenuck on Monitoring Board
Conservation Lobbying Day
Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic
"Growth and Water Resources" Training Module

Read Basin Briefs at
http://www.wsn-archive.org/basin_briefs_030305.doc

Forestry Notes from WDNR

Produced monthly, this newsletter highlights the programs and activities of the Wisconsin DNR. Issues are listed in chronological order, starting with the most recent.

Read the March 2005 issue (PDF)

NRCS Seeks Comments on
Environmental Quality Incentives Program

Deadline for written comments, March 21

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is seeking comments from Wisconsin landowners and organizations on its flagship conservation costshare program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Pat Leavenworth, State Conservationist for NRCS in Wisconsin, is launching a comment period to allow public input on EQIP through March 21, 2005.

Public listening sessions will be held in each State in cooperation with the State Technical Committee. NRCS is looking for a wide array of public and stakeholder input from these sessions. Feedback from agricultural organizations, environmental groups, commodity organizations, agencies, individuals and others is encouraged. NRCS is also conducting special outreach efforts to ensure that traditionally underserved groups are informed and represented.

Comments can be made on the web at: http://www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/eqipcomments.html

For more information See the NRCS announcement

Clean Water Network

The Clean Water Network (CWN) is an alliance of more than 1,000 public interest organizations around the country working together to strengthen and implement federal clean water and wetlands policy.

Their website has information and actions you can take to preserve the Clean Water Act, oppose EPA's Sewage Dumping Act and voice your concerns on important water issues.

http://www.cwn.org/cwn/

Citizens’ Agenda for Rivers

The Citizens' Agenda for Rivers is a proactive plan created by and for the nationwide river movement. It identifies three priority threats to rivers: 1) the erosion of clean water protections; (2) not enough water to sustain healthy rivers; and 3) the paving over and pollution of watersheds by sprawl. For each threat, the Agenda identifies practical policy solutions that can be implemented today at the local, state and federal level.

You can learn more about the Citizens' Agenda for Rivers and related efforts online at www.healthyrivers.org. On this website you can:

Read and download the Citizens' Agenda for Rivers -- http://www.healthyrivers.org/read.html
Endorse the Citizens' Agenda for Rivers -- http://www.healthyrivers.org/endorse.cfm
Download supporting documents, including customizable fact sheets for your use
Read about the success of River Lobby Day, where 81 river activists from 29 states traveled to Washington, D.C. to deliver the Citizens' Agenda to Congress

To become an endorser of the Citizen’s Agenda for Rivers contact Jamie Mierau at American Rivers at jmierau@americanrivers.org or 202-347-7550.

Dave Vetrano, DNR Natural Resources Manager, to receive Thomas F Waters Stewardship Award

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources manager Dave Vetrano will receive the Thomas F. Waters Stewardship Award April 1 at the Great Waters Fly
Fishing Expo at the Sheraton Bloomington, Minneapolis South Hotel in Bloomington, Minn.

The award honors the career and dedication of Dr. Thomas F. Waters, professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota, a celebrated author and mentor and friend to hundreds of Midwest outdoor enthusiasts and advocates of healthy streams and rivers. He lives in Andover, Minn.

Vetrano has worked to restore trout fisheries in southwest Wisconsin since 1980. He received a bachelor¹s in fisheries biology and biology from
UW-Stevens Point. Vetrano developed the LUNKER structure for trout habitat and has pioneered a wild brood stock trout propagation program. He is stationed in La Crosse.

The presentation of the stewardship award to Vetrano at 1 p.m. April 1 will follow ceremonies at the Sheraton Bloomington Hotel (the site of the Great Waters Expo) announcing the creation of the Trout Unlimited Driftless Area Restoration Effort, an ambitious TU plan to restore endangered coldwater streams and rivers in the Driftless Area with the help of various partner organizations. The Expo continues through April 3.

For more information about the Great Waters Fly Fishing Expo, visit www.greatwaters2005.com and/or contact Midwest Fly Fishing magazine at (612)
926-5128 or by e-mail at mwfly@mwfly.com.

Get ready for Earth Day
April 22, 2005

In preparation for Earth Day 2005, April 22nd, people and organizations around the country are developing events in their communities that will build awareness and draw attention to environmental health issues. They are planning rallies, festivals, community dialogues, church services, canvassing and many other activities.

This year's theme is "Protecting Our Children’s Health and Our Future."

Earth Day Network has set up a registry for organizations to post their events. See www.earthday.net. Click on Earth Day 2005 Events and follow the links to join the network and register your event.

For more information on organizing an Earth Day event, see the Earth Day Organizer’s Guide at http://www.earthday.net/pdf/howto/edog_book.pdf. For more information, call 202-518-0044 or earthday@earthday.net.

Volunteers needed for Loon Population Survey on July 16, 2005

From: "Brian Fox" <foxb01@northland.edu>

The Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute in Ashland. We're currently organizing a loon population survey, which will take place on July 16 between 5:00 AM and 10:00 AM. The survey will cover 252 lakes throughout central and northern Wisconsin and we still need volunteers to cover half of those lakes.

Anyone interested in volunteering for this survey can sign up through our web site at http://www.northland.edu/soei/loon_population.asp.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Brian Fox Project LoonWatch
<foxb01@northland.edu>

U.S. Wetland Grants Program instructions available

Proposal due dates - July 29

From: Tim Grunewald <Tim.Grunewald@dnr.state.wi.us>

The 2005 U.S. Standard grant instructions are now available on the NAWCA web site at http://birdhabitat.fws.gov

Click on Wetlands Grants Program and then click on U.S. Standard Grants. The 2005 proposal due dates are March 4 and July 29.

Technical Assessment Question #3 is still being revised and will be posted soon.