DNR Plans Nine City Beaches on Impaired List
By Dean Mosiman, The Wisconsin State Journal
Feb. 20–The state is proposing to add nine beaches on Madison’s lakes to its list of impaired waters for 2008.
The state Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday proposed listing beaches at James Madison, Olbrich and Vilas parks and six other spots on lakes Monona, Mendota and Wingra as places with recreational use impairments.
All the Madison beaches were listed for elevated bacteria due to E. coli levels.
The nine beaches are among 24 statewide that would be added to those with documented pollution problems.
All told, the new list would change the status of 50 more lakes, river segments and beaches among the state ‘s 15,081 lakes and 42,000 miles of perennially flowing rivers.
The federal Clean Water Act requires states to provide a list of impaired waters every two years. The state has already listed 634 places.
The Madison beaches are being added based on a trend of elevated bacteria levels from monitoring in 2005, 2006 and 2007, the DNR ‘s Bob Masnado said in a news release.
“This is a recognition of something we ‘ve know for a long time, ” said George Twigg, spokesman for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz.
“Madison is one of few cities that regularly tests its beaches, and we know a lot about them, ” Twigg said. “This is an opportunity to bring more focus to the challenges our beaches have, and hopefully bring more resources. “
The proposed listing shouldn ‘t affect how the city operates its beaches, Twigg said.
“We will continue to test, ” he said. “When there are problems with water quality, the beach will be closed. “
Adding the beaches to the list reflects how increased monitoring has helped document what ‘s likely been a historical bacteria problem at the beaches, Masnado said in the statement.
The city and others are already acting to confront the problem, Twigg said, noting Madison, Dane County and the DNR last week announced the Yahara Clean initiative to address water quality in the lakes.
“We have a framework, ” he said.
The DNR will accept public comment on the draft listings through March 19. To offer comment, write Wisconsin DNR Impaired Waters Program, WT/3, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707, or e-mail
DNRImpairedWaters@Wisconsin.gov.
PROPOSED IMPAIRED BEACHES
Dane County beaches with recreational use impairments proposed to be added to the state’s list of impaired waters.
Lake Monona: Bernie’s Beach, Brittingham Beach, Esther Park Beach, Olbrich Park Beach, Olin Park Beach.
Lake Mendota: James Madison Park Beach, Marshall Park Beach, Spring Harbor Beach.
Lake Wingra: Vilas Park Beach.
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