Waukesha's Water Bid Restarted

[excerpted from the Journal-Sentinel]

The state Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday restarted its review of Waukesha's historic application for a Great Lakes water source, a process that stalled in June after Waukesha's newly elected mayor raised questions about the city's proposal.

Waukesha is the first community outside the Great Lakes drainage basin to seek a diversion of water under terms of a regional Great Lakes protection compact. In announcing its decision to reopen the review, DNR officials said Tuesday that its study of the plan's environmental impact will extend into next year.

Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank also informed city officials that their request for Lake Michigan water is not complete, and more information is needed (more information below)

To read the rest of the Journal-Sentinel story click here.

[excerpted from the Waukesha Freeman]

Environmentalists praise DNR for stance on Waukesha water

WAUKESHA – The Compact Implementation Coalition, an organization of environmental groups, applauded the DNR on Wednesday for writing Common Council President Paul Ybarra to inform him there were still issues with the city’s application, according to a news release. 

   The DNR sent the letter Monday to Ybarra. The letter states the DNR will begin its initial review process of the application, but it sees some issues with the application before it can be considered complete. The agency will be working with city staff to address the issues. 

   “We have been pointing out for many months that the Waukesha application is deficient in a number of important respects and this is reinforced by the department’s action,” said Cheryl Nenn of Milwaukee Riverkeeper in the release. 

   In the release, the coalition also commended the DNR for emphasizing in its letter to Ybarra that “Waukesha’s application will set an important precedent and represents an important test of the Great Lakes Compact” and that the review process “will include an environmental impact statement and opportunity for public comments and meetings as well as time to carefully consider the comments.” 

   Waukesha Water Utility General Manager Dan Duchniak has throughout the application process said he expected to have a continued dialogue and requests for additional information with the DNR. 

   The water utility has been studying the issue since 2002 and is under a courtordered June 2018 deadline to reduce its radium levels in its water supply. The city also is looking to address a declining water supply while it reduces the radium levels. Great Lakes water has been identified by scientists and experts working with the water utility to be the most sustainable and cost-effective option available to the area. 

   The Compact Implementation Coalition, comprised of Waukesha County Environmental Action League, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Clean Wisconsin, Midwest Environmental Advocates, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, River Alliance of Wisconsin and Sixteenth Street Community Health Center, frequently has stated its opposition to the city’s application. The news release states it wants more evaluations done into the costs of alternatives and into additional conservation measures. 

   “There is a lack of a thorough, scientific analysis of alternative water supply options,” said Laurie Longtine from Waukesha County Environmental Action League. “We think the city should take its time and go back and do that now and not rush forward trying to piecemeal an application for a diversion of Lake Michigan water.” 

   The city’s application includes information about the city’s conservation plan and outlines 14 water sources that were studied, including a combination of the water sources. 

   The city also faces stiff financial penalties if it does not reduce the radium in its water supply by June 2018. The city built in an 18-month buffer in the application process, but delays throughout the summer are likely to cut into that buffer.
 

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The Compact Implementation Coalition is a diverse group of environmental conservation organizations working on water and related issues in Waukesha, southeastern Wisconsin, and statewide. The coalition is committed to the proper implementation of the Great Lakes Compact in Wisconsin. Members include Waukesha County Environmental Action League, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, Clean Wisconsin, Midwest Environmental Advocates, Milwaukee Riverkeeper, River Alliance of Wisconsin, and Sixteenth Street Community Health Center.