Pushing for stronger lake protections

Runoff pollution causes widespread algae blooms

In Wisconsin, we love our lakes.  They’re where we take our families on vacation, or where we get away for the weekend.  
But when we get there, too often we’re finding lakes and streams that are suffering from pollution.  

We’ve seen our beaches and best fishing spots covered with algae or choked with weeds. We hear about sewage overflows and fish kills.

The culprit in most of these problems is runoff pollution—the sediment, manure, fertilizer and other pollutants from agriculture, sewers and roads that wash into our waterways. Runoff pollution threatens 90 percent of Wisconsin’s lakes.

Ten years ago, Wisconsin Environment’s advocates helped convince the state to adopt a law to prevent runoff pollution. The law has helped decrease runoff pollution in urban areas by 20 percent. In 2009, the Legislature adopted a Wisconsin Environment-backed bill banning phosphorus in fertilizer for lawns and golf courses.  

Unfortunately, the state’s program to reduce runoff from agriculture has never been sufficiently funded.  

The number of factory farms in Wisconsin has tripled in the last decade, greatly increasing the threat of manure spills.

“It’s time to get serious about stopping runoff pollution,” said Dan Kohler, Wisconsin Environment’s director.  “Wisconsin’s lakes and streams should be clean and healthy, not choked with algae and weeds.”

New rules would protect our lakes

The good news is that the state is considering stronger, science-based rules to reduce pollution and protect our waterways.

The rules would reduce excessive manure spreading near rural waterways, and ensure that cities control their runoff to prevent toxic chemicals from flowing straight into lakes and streams.

By adopting these rules, the state can help stop the algae blooms and protect Wisconsin’s lakes for future generations. It’s critical that citizens weigh in to make sure the state follows through with the plan by the end of the summer. Otherwise, we’ll have to start the process all over again.