WAUKESHA COUNTY
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION LEAGUE
POSITION STATEMENT
Clean Water
WEAL will continue to advocate for clean water wherever it
flows.
There is currently tremendous water quality impairment in our
County waterways caused by nonpoint sources of pollution
(polluted runoff). It has been reported in studies and watershed
reports, that non-point sources are responsible for about 50% of
all water pollution in Waukesha County waterways. Consequently,
vigorous efforts have shifted to correcting non-point source
pollution or diffuse sources of water pollution. Non-point
sources of water pollution are difficult to identify, quantify,
and correct. Polluted runoff and spills can also percolate
through the soil and taint groundwater, causing harm to local and
regional water supplies.
Non-point source pollution can be defined simply, as polluted
runoff. Non-point source pollution is the result of poorly
managed land. Poorly managed urban, suburban, and agricultural
lands are the major contributors of pollutants such as sediment,
pathogenic bacteria, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenals
(PCB's), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and other toxic
materials. Air pollution can be another source of water
pollution. Toxic materials washed out of the air by rain or snow
commonly carry pesticides, heavy metals, or PCBs and enter lakes,
streams and rivers with the runoff.
Examples of urban and suburban non-point source pollutants
include:
- Soil eroding from construction sites, roadside ditches,
and stream banks.
- Oil, grease, salt, and toxic materials from streets,
parking lots, driveways, and industrial yards.
- Grass, leaves, pet waste, fertilizer, and pesticides from
lawns, gardens, parks, and golf courses.
Examples of rural non-point source pollutants include:
- Soil eroding from cropland, often carrying with it
fertilizer and pesticides.
- Nutrients, organic matter, and bacteria from barnyards or
from improperly spread manure.
- Soil from eroding stream banks.
WEAL supports clean water. To achieve this goal, WEAL endorses
the following positions:
- Continued abatement of point sources of pollution by the
private sector, municipal and federal governments.
Pollution such as industrial discharges of untreated
waste water, municipal treatment plants, and other
remaining point sources must be identified, eliminated
and/or treated through other biological treatment
technologies- such as "living machines. Attention
must be directed at enforcement and compliance with
Industrial and Municipal Discharge Permits. Phosphorus
and chlorine discharge limits must be established for all
waste water treatment plants.
- Establishment and vigorous enforcement of construction
site erosion control ordinances by Waukesha County and
all incorporated municipalities. These ordinances should
mirror the State Model Ordinance developed by the
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WIDNR).
Methods and practices used on construction sites to
prevent erosion and trap sediments must conform to the
design, construction, and maintenance standards contained
in the "Best management Practice Handbook"
published by the WIDNR.
- Decisions on land use planning, zoning, and rezoning in
all communities in Waukesha County must consider the
impact to water quality. Guidelines and performance
standards must be adopted to reduce the adverse impacts
of growth and development on the natural environment. For
example, parking lots should not drain directly into any
intermittent or perennial stream or storm sewer. Grass
swales and buffers should be planned on all new
subdivisions to control runoff water, rather than the use
of costly curbs, gutters and storm sewers. Preserving
flood plains, shorelands, wetlands, natural areas, and
all environmental corridors is fundamental to water
quality protection. Decisions to fill shorelands and
flood plains must consider water quality impacts, as well
as changes in the flood elevation downstream.
- WEAL supports aggressive enforcement of the Federal Storm
water Discharge Permit Program. Discharge runoff from
most industrial sites, large and medium sized cities, and
all construction sites greater than two acres will
require this new permit. WEAL encourages the expansion of
this program to include all communities regardless of
their population or size. For example, the City of
Waukesha should be required to obtain a Storm water
Discharge Permit.
- Limiting the use of pesticides and fertilizers on
croplands, park lands, golf courses, and yards. Excess
and accidentally spilled pesticides flow into surface
waters and ground water and threaten human and animal
health. Local units of government should be encouraged to
establish strict standards for the use of all pesticides.
Programs and educational materials on alternative pest
management programs should be accessible to farmers and
homeowners.
WEAL opposes:
- Any proposed roadway that will invade environmental
corridors, sever stream networks, or harm lakes, rivers,
streams and wetlands.
- The random use of septic and mound systems and will
continue to monitor state and local agencies which are
considering expanding the use of septic systems and mound
systems in shallower soils or wetter soils.
- The building of man-made storm water basins or ponds in
natural wetlands for the treatment of polluted runoff.
WEAL will continue to advocate for the protection of all
Waukesha County waterways, including its many lakes, rivers,
streams, and creeks. WEAL will continue to defend the rights of
all Waukesha County citizens to enjoy the right to swim,
navigate, fish, and enjoy these valuable natural resources
wherever they flow. WEAL will continue to oppose activities that
impair water quality and destroy the natural scenic beauty of
Waukesha County's streams, rivers, and lakes and their shores.
written 12/95 FA
revised 6/96 FA