April 3, 2003 -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Whitman and Assistant Administrator for Water G. Tracy Mehan, III on Wednesday honored local water pollution control agencies from across the United States with the Clean Water Partners for the 21st Century Award.
As part of the celebration of the Year of Clean Water proclaimed by President George W. Bush, EPA recognized extraordinary actions taken by local governments to protect watersheds beyond the requirements of the Clean Water Act - actions such as protecting and restoring rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands and initiating innovative local pollution prevention programs.
"The Year of Clean Water provides us with a tremendous opportunity to recognize the hard work, sacrifice, and leadership of local agencies from across the country," said Whitman. "These award-winners have set a strong example for future clean water efforts, and we look forward to working with our partners toward our shared goals to reduce water pollution and ensure cleaner, purer water for all Americans."
"We received about 200 applications from across the U.S., and after careful review, 79 were chosen as Clean Water Partners," said Mehan. "It is our belief that clean water begins at the local level. We applaud the efforts of all Clean Water Partners to improve the environment in the communities they serve."
Applications for the Clean Water Partners Awards were announced in the Federal Register in April 2002. Each applicant completed a compliance screen and demonstrated a good compliance record. Applications were reviewed by a panel including EPA, the Water Environment Federation, Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies and the National League of Cities. For more information, log on to EPA's Office of Water Web site, http://www.epa.gov/ow.
Clean Water Partners for the 21st Century
The Franklin County Soil & Water Conservation District, Russellville, Ala., manages many programs that encourage proper land use and water quality enhancement. The District's efforts include the creation of Clean Water Action Workplan to focus efforts on watershed improvement; the Cedar Creek Buffer Initiative; the Alabama Resource Conservation Program; Discovering Alabama Project, which consists of a television series on the Bear Creek Watershed.
The City of Sierra Vista, Ariz., has developed and installed a comprehensive water management program to preserve and protect its sub-watershed. A range of city initiatives are designed to protect the base flows of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area and help assure the long-term availability of high quality water supplies for future generations.
Metropolitan Domestic Water Improvement District, Tucson, Ariz., has undertaken several watershed protection initiatives that focus on the quality of groundwater. Through the District's Abandonment and Capping Policy and the mandates of the Groundwater Management Act, the District has worked to protect public health and protect the drinking water quality of aquifers.
The City of Rogers Pollution Control Facility, Rogers, Ark., is involved in many voluntary activities that demonstrate the City's commitment to local water quality. The City's development of greenways, the development of comprehensive urban watershed management programs, and implementing water quality sampling stations are just a few examples of the City's watershed-based initiatives.
The Contra Costa Water District, Concord, Calif., began the $450,000,000 Los Vaqueros Reservoir resource management program in 1998. The goals of the program are to protect water quality, supply availability, environmental and cultural resources; offer recreation and public access in a cost-effective, environmentally responsible and safe manner; promote education, interpretive research; conserve nation; and meet land use obligations.
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), Oakland, Calif., has a long history of protecting its receiving waters. EBMUD's resource protection initiatives include a wide range of efforts, including: recycled and water conservation programs; pollution prevention programs; participating in the biosolids environmental management system (EMS); and the development of innovative water quality measurement tools.
The Five Counties Salmonid Conservation Program, Weaverville, Calif., was formed in response to the listing of the Coho salmon as endangered in the local area. The Conservation Program has developed and begun to implement land use conservation standards to improve overall water quality and watershed health to assist in the restoration of anadromous salmonid habitat in Northern California.
Marin Municipal Water District, Corte Madera, Calif., developed and implemented the Mt. Tamalpais Area Vegetation Plan, which is a successful model for other water agencies whose watersheds intermingle with fire-prone communities. The Mt. Tamalpais plan is an integrated approach providing a plan for water agencies to safeguard water quality, protect natural resources and reduce fire hazards in neighboring communities.
Orange County Water District, Fountain Valley, Calif., has implemented many environmental projects to improve the local watershed, including the nation's largest reclamation project; the largest children's water education festival in the U.S.; southern California's largest constructed wetlands program; and the recovery of an endangered songbird.
Additionally, the District launched a full-scale bacterial source tracking investigation to determine what has caused elevated bacterial levels at local beaches.
The Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority, Riverside, Calif., developed a goal-oriented program to ensure the region is self-sufficient during drought cycles. To meet this goal, Santa Ana has secured $250 million to implement the following initiatives: water storage facilities; water quality improvement programs; water recycling programs; flood protection programs; wetlands, environment and habitat construction; and recreation and conservation programs.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District, San Jose, Calif., is a steward of the local watershed and the driving force behind healthy, safe and enhanced water resources. The District has developed a variety of initiatives, including: a program to enhance, protect and restore streams, riparian corridors and natural resource; and implementation of a parcel tax to support the Clean Safe Creeks and Natural Flood Protection Program, which provides for a 15-year plan for comprehensive flood protection and stream stewardship.
The Norwalk River Watershed Initiative, Wilton, Conn., is a unique partnership among seven watersheds spanning two states. The Watershed Initiative has developed a plan of action to accomplish the following goals: preserve wildlife habitat; promote balanced growth; restore and protect water resources; and educate citizens about the importance of the watershed.
District of Columbia Government, Department of Health, Environmental Health Administration, Bureau of Environmental Quality, Washington, D.C., has developed and implemented a comprehensive local initiative to restore the Anacostia River Basin. Through this initiative, specific improvements to the Anacostia River include the reduction of sediment loads through watershed-level stream restoration and wetlands recreation, reduction in the discharge of stormwater and stormwater pollutants and through tidal freshwater wetlands restoration.
The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department, Gainesville, Fla., is a progressive local government agency that has implemented many programs that have improved the County's water resources. These programs include: Alachua County Forever, a land conservation program; surface and groundwater monitoring programs; public awareness programs to promote watershed health; as well as a variety of local government management programs.
The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Fort Pierce, Fla., has undertaken extraordinary activities within the community to improve and protect local watersheds. These efforts include organizing and managing a comprehensive public outreach campaign focused on promoting understanding and responsible actions for the protection of fragile ecosystems and their inhabitants.
Highlands County, Sebring, Fla., has developed restoration and research activities to protect and improve water quality in the County's 92 lakes and 3 major creeks while educating the public about watershed protection.
JEA, Jacksonville, Fla., is aggressively working to protect and improve water quality in the lower St. Johns River watershed. The utilities efforts are wide ranging and include a variety of public education programs, conservation and education programs and the creation of thousands of acres of land for preservation and the creation of buffer zones.
The City of Largo, Fla., developed a regional stormwater treatment facility to reduce non-point source pollutants, enhance existing wetlands and develop a public park that includes educational features that illustrate the importance of stormwater management.
The Lake Jackson watershed is one of the most significant water bodies in Leon County, Tallahassee, Fla. Leon County has developed and implemented a comprehensive watershed plan to improve Lake Jackson and the surrounding watershed. Efforts include: dredging the lake bottom to remove harmful sediments; monitoring programs; and the development of strict land-use standards.
Orange County, Orlando, Fla., has developed and implemented a plan to irrigate thousands of acres of citrus, lawns and golf courses with reclaimed water to improve on the discharge to surface waters issue that the area was facing. The billions of gallons of reclaimed water represent a very significant impact on Central Florida's environmental health by offsetting groundwater withdrawals and eliminating nutrient discharge to surface waters.
The City of Satellite Beach, Fla., is located on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon, which is a biologically-diverse estuary. The City developed two key programs to improve the health of the fragile Lagoon, including the restorations of wetlands and ecosystems at Samsons Island Nature Preserve, and the Stormwater Drainage Improvement Project, which implemented innovative engineering and technology to benefit the watershed.
Clayton County Water Authority, Morrow, Ga., developed a watershed management program in 1998 to protect local resources. The goals of the program are to minimize the effects of future development on watershed integrity; mitigate the changes in run off volume and timing caused by increased development; protect stream riparian areas to improve aquatic habitat; and reduce the amount of pollutants released into streams via stormwater runoff.
Cobb County Water System's, Marietta, Ga., Water Quality Laboratory has had a progressive Stream Monitoring program in place for decades; however, this program has recently become a unified effort focused on determining water quality, assessing stream health and promoting behavioral changes that positively impact local watersheds. The goal of the program is to assess the environmental integrity of Cobb County streams in order to have informed decision making on how best to manage local water resources.
The Columbus Water Works, Columbus, Ga., has conceived, managed and recently completed three demonstration programs that provide additional data and information on national wet weather, water quality and environmental infrastructure issues. These programs - the CSO Technology Testing, Middle Chattahoochee River Watershed Study, and the Regional Source Water Assessment and Protection program - demonstrate Columbus' commitment to improving and protecting local, and national, water quality.
In 1997, the City of Griffin, Ga., realized the need for a comprehensive stormwater management program to address the region's watershed needs.
The goal of the program was to develop an integrated approach for addressing stormwater quality, and quantity, within the watershed, and the City has successfully created a long-term funding mechanism to ensure the continuance of this program in the future.
Kootenai-Ponderay Sewer District, Sandpoint, Idaho, is a rural agency that has undertaken a land application project of effluent discharges to Lake Pend O'Reille to benefit the water quality of the lake. The goal of this project is to remove the discharge from the lake and apply the water to a tree farm through a storage lagoon and irrigation system.
The City of Chicago, Department of Environment, Chicago, Ill., has developed a variety of activities that protect, conserve and improve management of all of the City's water resources, including Lake Michigan, the Chicago River and the wetlands in the city. These activities include: innovative stormwater treatment practices; shoreline reconstruction; an aggressive beach-testing program; and water conservation programs for industrial users.
The Fox River Water Reclamation District, Elgin, Ill., has long been a leader in the Fox River Study Group (FRSG). The District was key in bringing several parties together to form a watershed coalition to prepare and implement a plan to achieve specific watershed goads, including a voluntary scientific study of current water quality.
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Ill., adopted the Tunnel and Reservoir Plan (TARP) in 1972 to solve its massive combined sewer overflow pollution and flooding problems. Phase 1 of the TARP program began construction in 1975 and the construction on Phase II of this comprehensive program continues today. Additionally, the District has implemented the "Modified Approach" to comply with the Government Accounting Standards Board, Statement 34 (GASB 34). This approach was chosen to better predict required maintenance and react quickly to avoid problems at facilities.
Delaware County, Ind., along with many of its municipalities, is working towards achieving better water quality for the region's citizens. The group is in the process of a variety of activities, including: the development of watershed management plans; implementation of a strong CSO plan; holding public meetings to organize a river clean up; and encouraging the use of alternative fuels.
The Sand Creek Watershed Project, Greensburg, Ind., is a locally led planning and educational effort focused on the nature resources of the Sand Creek Watershed. Sand Creek provides the drinking water source for 2,200 local residents, and the Project began to address the watershed concerns.
City of Ames, Iowa, successfully worked with surrounding counties to clean up rural college creek and established an aggressive program to lessen pollution from rural sources. Additionally, Ames is proceeding with a project to covert a privately-held abandoned quarry into a 460-acre city park that focuses on recreational use and restored landscape.
Lenexa Public Works Department, Lenexa, Kan., has adopted a proactive, innovative approach to watershed management, presenting an example for municipal neighbors. The watershed-based programs were developed in response to calls from citizens and water quality and flooding concerns.
The City of Topeka Water Pollution Control Division, Kan., is leading the way in innovative stormwater management in the Midwest. Topeka has successfully expanded its stormwater program to incorporate innovative systemic approaches. Additionally, the Department of Public Works is working to create a comprehensive stormwater program with goals that include flood control and water quality enhancement as well as wetland creation, riparian habitat protection and community acceptance.
City of Wichita Water and Sewer Department, Wichita, Kan., developed a watershed management plan as a result of water taste and odor problems from the Cheney Reservoir. The program used computer modeling of the watershed to assist in identifying water quality risks in the watershed and to develop a plan of action that was supported by the stakeholders in the watershed.
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, Lexington, Ky., developed the Reforest the Bluegrass program to empower local citizens with the knowledge and ability to make significant immediate improvements to their environment. Each reforestation project is specifically designed to be implemented by citizen volunteers. The program educates volunteers on the importance of riparian buffers in relation to stormwater pollution; urban forests; and wildlife diversity.
The Town of Portage Lake, Maine, sits in Maine's northernmost county and has a population of 390 people (approximately 800 in the summer). The lake is the center of the town's community and local citizens' became concerned about the lake's water quality in 1998. The town formed a steering committee to develop a plan to protect and improve the water quality of the lake. To date, the town has implemented a shoreline vegetated buffer and is working with state and regional officials to implement best management practices for roads and driveways.
The City of Cumberland, Md., coordinates a multi-jurisdictional program committed to enhancing the water quality in the streams feeing Lake Koon and Lake Gordon by employing best management practices and environmentally sound engineering techniques within the Evitts Creek Watershed.
The Patuxent Reservoirs Watershed Technical Advisory Committee, Laurel, Md., consists of three counties, two soil conservation districts, a local water utility and an bi-county part and planning commissions have banded together to protect local water resources, which include many miles of streams and two drinking water reservoirs. The program works together to accomplish many goals, including: local stream and reservoir monitoring; stream assessments and restoration projects; and GIS-based watershed modeling.
The Auburn Water District, Auburn, Mass., is a quasi-public authority created under the Massachusetts General Laws to manage and develop the water resources of Auburn. The District has worked to purchase and protect land around two new wells in the town as well as to purchase three reservoirs in Auburn.
Marquette County, Marquette, Mich., has established one of the most recognized and successful watershed protection programs in the northern Great Lakes Region - the Central Lake Superior Watershed Partnership (CLSWP). This innovative program includes 20 watersheds, portions of two Great Lakes watersheds, plus 19 townships, 3 cities, and covers over 1 million acres.
The Upper Peninsula Resource Conservation and Development Council (UPRC&D), Marquette, Mich., provides leadership, technical assistance and program administration to assist local leaders in improving their communities. The Council has planned and implemented several watershed related projects, including: the seven community surface water flood control project; provided community watershed planning assistance with small municipalities; and a range of pollution improvement programs such as the Torch Lake Treatability Study.
The City of Crookston, Minn., developed and began implementation of the Red Lake River Restoration and Habitat Improvement Project in line with the following goals - control erosion; improve water quality; improve fish habitat; enhance public safety; create recreational opportunities; enhance river aesthetics; protect city infrastructure; and to provide a local example of innovative multi-benefit stream restoration techniques that other communities can use as a model.
The Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District, Farmington, Minn., are leading the way in protecting water resources in the Vermillion River Watershed. Through educational programs, demonstration projects, technical and financial assistance the District encourages homeowners, farmers, business owners, townships and cities to incorporate "River Friendly" best management practices to protect and improve water quality.
The Metropolitan Council, St. Paul, Minn., coordinates regional planning and advocates smart growth development in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. A component of the Smart Growth Twin Cities initiative supports an on-site water quality enhancement demonstration project, and the Council is working to identify priority areas and educate the region on developmental impacts of growth.
The Northern Minnesota Wastewater Technical Committee (WTC), Walker, Minn., was formed by 10 Minnesota counties as a more effective and efficient way to treat wastewater and to help protect public health and the environment. One of the goals of the WTC is to develop effective, long-term solutions for the region's wastewater treatment needs.
To meet this goal, the WTC has hosted several conferences and training workshops and developed many publications and articles as well as developing and implementing innovative engineering and technology programs to benefit the local watershed.
The Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, Maplewood, Minn., has long been a leader in watershed management in Minnesota and continues to be an innovator in water resource planning, research, natural resource management and restoration, water quality monitoring and assessment and watershed education.
The City of Rochester, Minn., has embraced a proactive approach in stormwater management and wetland protection. The City's Comprehensive Wetland Management Plan inventoried and analyzed the city's wetlands and proposed a long-term vision for their protection and enhancement.
The Mid-America Regional Council, Kansas City, Mo., is a regional planning entity for the Kansas City metropolitan area. The Council has developed proactive regional watershed management strategies to reflect a strengthened commitment to use innovative solutions to protect water resources. The Council has developed new performance-based erosion and sediment control standards; implemented new drainage standards that reflect more contemporary understanding of watershed management; and educated the public on watershed specific issues.
Nemaha Natural Resource District, Tecumseh, Neb., developed and has begun implementation of a multi-disciplinary approach to implement a watershed management effort to control flooding, improve water quality, enhance wildlife habitat and increase recreational opportunities within the Turkey Creek Watershed.
The Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA), Pleasantville, N.J., has developed and implemented an ongoing, multi-tiered public outreach program focused on protecting local watersheds. ACUA's programs provide educational leadership through a comprehensive public outreach program which educates residents regarding how watersheds are affected by human action.
Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners (PVSC), Newark, N.J., provides wastewater collection and treatment services for heavily industrialized Northern New Jersey. PVSC is dedicated to improving the local watershed, and has created The Passaic River/Newark Bay Restoration Program. This program began in 1998 and has steadily expanded each year. The program has sponsored over 200 volunteer shoreline clean ups since inception and has removed approximately 700 tons of debris from the Passaic.
The Spruce Run Initiative, South Bound Brook, N.J., recognizes that water supply is one of New Jersey's most critical resources for future prosperity and environmental quality. The goal of the initiative is to prevent water quality degradation and the loss of water supply safe yields. The program focuses on the acquisition of critical lands in the watersheds that feed the reservoir.
The 14 municipalities of the Canandaigua Lake watershed have formally untied as the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council, Canandaigua, N.Y., to comprehensively protect this invaluable resource. The Council has developed a comprehensive water quality monitoring program to document the health of the lake, and five priority subwatersheds have been studied intensively to determine possible sources of pollution.
Additionally, the Council has embarked on a range of public outreach programs to educate citizens about human impact on the lake.
The Lake George Watershed Conference, Lake George, N.Y., was established by municipalities that make up the watershed basin in an effort to collectively develop a watershed management plan for the watershed. The Conference identified over 40 recommendations for the watershed-wide, water quality management plan and is currently in the process of executing the majority of the recommended actions.
Monroe County, Rochester, N.Y., provides leadership and coordination of efforts to protect and enhance local watersheds. These efforts include: the Community Water Watch public education program; intermunicpal agreements to facilitate cooperative efforts to protect water quality; Irondequoit Bay Intervention to improve water quality in the Bay; several monitoring programs; Monroe County Stormwater Coalition; pollution prevention programs; Rochester Embayment Remedial Action Plan; and planning programs for small watersheds.
Port Washington Water Pollution Control District, Port Washington, NY, has created a native plant demonstration garden. The purpose of this garden is to educate the public on using native plants to reduce non-point source pollution as well as water conservation. The District made a commitment to provide both the property and expertise to help educate the citizens of the Manhasset Bay Watershed on methods to adapt their home landscapes to reduce pollution from pesticides and fertilizer.
Butler County Department of Environmental Services, Hamilton, Ohio, strives for continuous improvement of local watersheds, and is involved in the development and implementation of the following initiatives: a founding member of the Mill Creek Watershed Council, local watershed council; stream restoration programs; the Mill Creek Restoration Project; the P.R.I.D.E. program to reduce letter on county roadways and streams; and the biosolids EMS program.
The Delaware Soil and Water Conservation District, Delaware, Ohio, has developed a Streams and Watersheds program focusing on improving water quality in the four major watersheds in Delaware County. Through this program, the District is able to work with private landowners and citizen organizations to maintain and improve water quality in local waterways, increase citizen involvement in watershed stewardship activities, and promote watershed education through presentations and events.
Clean Water Services, Hillsboro, Ore., has developed a cohesive strategy to advance the health of the Tualatin River Watershed. Through a range of investments in the agency's infrastructure and involvement in the community, Clean Water Services has seen much success in improving the Tualatin River Watershed.
The City of Eugene, Ore., is committed to improving watershed health for the Upper Willamette River, by preserving urban waterways and fostering environmental stewardship through citizen education and involvement, collaborative partnerships and innovative programs.
Philadelphia Water Department's, Pa., Office of Watersheds bridges the link between clean waters and a green city. The office seeks innovative solutions to preserving and protecting local waterways and watersheds. The city has implemented several innovative programs, including: the Drinking Water Source Protection Program; Low Impact Urban Re-Development Projects; the Green City Program; and the Fairmount Fish Ladder.
Town of Narragansett, R.I., is a small coastal community that has undertaken several aggressive watershed initiatives. Narragansett's initiatives range from developing land acquisition strategies and conducting a local TMDL watershed analysis to developing a comprehensive prioritized plan for environmental protection and the installation of the North End Sewer Project, which installed sanitary
sewers in eight populous neighborhoods.
The Charleston Commissioners of Public Works, Charleston, S.C., is involved in a variety of management programs to improve watershed health, including: the development of the EMS under ISO 14001; the Cooper River Water Users Association; the Goose Creek Reservoir; and the development of the West Ashley Greenway.
The Western Carolina Regional Sewer Authority (WCRSA), Greenville, S.C., is a participant in EPA's Region 4 pilot MOM program, which is an ongoing performance improvement and quality assurance program. Additionally, WCRSA is actively involved in many programs to improve watershed health, such as the Authority's extensive public education program; the pioneering biological phosphorus removal process; and the efforts to partner with a local university to identify new treatment technologies and improve existing system performance.
The City of Arlington, Texas, is largely in a wide range of watershed improvement programs. The City's involvement with the Stillaguamish Watershed and the Arlington Watershed Action Committee work to develop objective solutions to local watershed problems, including stormwater and the Endangered Species Act Issues.
The City of Austin, Water and Wastewater Utility, Texas, adopted "Environmental Principles" to guide the utility and outline goal's of the agency's clean water program, including ecosystem protection and conservation in management objectives, strategies partnerships, environmental education and supporting development and use of sound science to foster sustainable growth and protections of resources.
The City has also developed a Master Plan, adopted by the City Council in June 2001, which has been integral to establishing community priorities for water quality and flood erosion control in the 17 local watersheds.
Lower Colorado River Authority, Austin, Texas, has developed and implemented several programs to protect the water quality of local watersheds. The variety of programs, including their Watershed Engineering and Planning program and water quality monitoring programs typify the range of initiatives the Authority has developed, and is implementing, to protect and improve their local watershed.
The Upper Trinity Regional Water District, Lewisville, Texas,is a regional entity focused on the health of the local watershed. The District has developed many programs to meet this goal, including their watershed protection program; regional beneficial use of biosolids plans; services which will qualify as best management practices for stormwater regulations; and the development of long-term water supply partnerships.
The District also brings a range of stakeholders together to work for plentiful and high quality water within the watershed.
The Salt Lake City Corporation, Utah, has long recognized the importance of a clean, healthy watershed for the greater public good. The Corporation has undertaken many initiatives to improve the health of the watershed, including: the purchase of watershed property; the development of multiple use areas within the watershed to garner public appreciation of the resource; an extensive watershed-monitoring program; and a coordinated, broad-based watershed protection public education plan for 2002/2003.
The Alexandria Sanitation Authority, Alexandria, Va., is in the midst of their ASA in 2002 program geared toward improving efficiency and environmental effectiveness at the Alexandria Sanitation Authority.
Many activities are in progress to meet the goals of the ASA in 2002 program, including: development of a biosolids EMS program; development of a comprehensive asset management program; construction of new biological nutrient removal basins; construction of an innovative solids handling and odor control building; and the use of potable water treatment technology to increase efficiency in the treatment system.
The Town of Amherst, Va., initiated a Watershed Protection Program to protect the quality of the County's public water supplies from non-point source pollution. The program uses a combination of property owner education, land use surveys, cost-shared best management practices, zoning and subdivision regulations and GIS data to identify and address existing and/or potential sources of non-point source pollution in local watersheds.
County of Fairfax, Va., has been involved in a long-term evaluation program to benefit the health of the Chesapeake Bay. The "Ecological Study of Gunston Cove" monitors and evaluates the point and non-point source contributions to determine impact, changes and health of the ecosystem to assist in planning watershed management strategies.
The Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD), Virginia Beach, Va., has a long history of working to protect and improve local watersheds. Some of their innovative and proactive watershed initiatives include: the "Pump It, Don't Dump It!" boater education campaign; Elizabeth River Restoration project; a scholarship for a full time graduate student; oyster restoration project; and participation in the biosolids EMS program.
Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), Madison, Wis., has supported and implemented a wide variety of initiatives designed to preserve, protect and enhance valuable water resources.
The scope of the Districts projects range in scope, but a guiding principle in all projects has been to make decisions in an integrated, holistic manner using tools of watershed-based planning/decision making. Three examples of the District's programs, include: the Badger Mill Creek and Upper Sugar River Watershed Project; the Rock River Watershed Partnership; and the MMSD Wildlife Observation Area.
The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), Milwaukee, Wis., has a 420-mile service area and a population of over 1 million people. An example of one of MMSD's innovative programs is the Household Hazardous Waste collection program, which provides permanent and mobile sites where residential users can properly dispose of hazardous materials.
The Town of Mount Pleasant, Racine, Wis., has developed and begun implementation of the Pike River Restoration project. The project is a multi-phased, long-term that is designed to restore the Pike River and its riparian habitat.
