By Topf Wells

The City of Verona has sued the DNR over its decision to approve an amendment to a water quality plan. That decision made it likely that the DNR will allow the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) to stop the discharge of its water to Badger Mill Creek. The loss of water reduces the creek by 35-40%. The SWTU Board believes that will probably hurt the creek as a healthy trout stream. The latest DNR assessment states that the creek is an improving Class 2 trout stream with a chance to improve to a Class 1. DNR fish and water quality biologists have stated that sections of the stream that now hold trout might not sustain them if the water is shut off.

We are awaiting more details from Verona regarding the timing and direction of this legal action. We are grateful for the City’s and Mayor Luke Diaz’s consistent defense of the creek. We’ll continue to report on Badger Mill Creek and seek ways to protect it.