By Topf Wells
Badger Mill Creek (BMC) is an improving Class 2 trout stream that runs through Verona and joins the Sugar River just upstream of River Road. SWTU has provided volunteer hours, funds and advocacy for over 30 years to improve BMC. It offers lots of public fishing, has a healthy population of wild brown trout, and, according to the latest DNR study, has an excellent chance of becoming a Class 1 stream if habitat is improved.
BMC’s health and the progress it’s made are now under attack. We need to protect the creek as best we can.
A key reason BMC has improved is the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) the water it contributes to the creek in the form of highly treated and aerated effluent. DNR fisheries and water quality staff have documented the improvements that’s made to increased and stable water flows and trout habitat. In some key aspects the water acts like a huge spring.
MMSD wants to stop the water as an easy and cheap way to comply with DNR phosphorus regulations. It has other affordable and practical alternatives such as treating the effluent to remove more phosphorus or pursuing Adaptive Management (AM) across the BMC and Upper Sugar watersheds. AM involves MMSD working with local governments, conservation organizations, farmers and developers to reduce urban and rural runoff. That’s the approach MMSD has taken in the Yahara Watershed.
CARPC, Dane County’s Regional Planning Commission, now reviews MMSD’s choice and recommends disapproval or approval to the DNR, which makes the final decision. CARPC will hold its only public hearing on the case on July 11 at 6 PM at the Town of Verona Town Hall at 7669 County Highway PD.
The SWTU Board respectfully asks that you contact CARPC and ask that they DISAPPROVE MMSD’s request to stop the discharge of water to Badger Mill Creek.
You must email CARPC BY JULY 10 at: tanyas@capitalarearpc.org.
Added content: The letter SWTU submitted to CARPC on July 8, 2024.
Read More
Posted: September 3, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Progress and Mystery on Badger Mill Creek (and a New Threat)
By Topf Wells
Thanks in part to a strong and decisive public commentary, CARPC – Dane County’s Regional Planning Commission – recommended rejection of the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District’s proposal to stop its contribution of water to Badger Mill Creek. The vote was 11-1 to recommend denial.
The CARPC recommendation now goes to the DNR, which has to decide by September 8. The DNR contracts with CARPC to analyze MMSD’s request and to solicit and consider public comment. The DNR will consider all the analysis and all the public comment and discussion in its decision making. In addition, SWTU joined local officials and advocates for Badger Mill Creek in meeting with DNR leaders as CARPC made its recommendation. (I do not think that contacting DNR at this point in the process is necessary or even helpful.) Read More
Posted: September 3, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Quick links to cool content (Sept 2024)
Posted: September 3, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
New Members – September 2024
We’re pleased to announce the addition of the following new members to our ranks! Read More
Posted: September 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Gordon Creek Creel Survey and Fishery Updates
By Topf Wells
More thanks to Justin and Lloyd for some pleasant reading and good news. You can find it at the DNR Trout Stream Survey page on its website and clicking on Dane or Iowa County. Lo and behold, the creel survey report for Gordon Creek.
My summary is that lots of folks, mostly local fly fishers, fish and wholly enjoy it. Not as crowded as other good streams, such as the Big Green. Harvest is just not an issue – hardly anyone is harvesting fish or even wants to. Read More
Neonicotinoid Forum on Wisconsin’s Most Widely Used Pesticides
Posted: September 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Sign up today – space is limited
Fellow SWTU Members,
We would like to invite you to attend the Neonicotinoid Forum scheduled for October 30 of this year and hosted by Trout Unlimited, Clean Wisconsin, Rivers Alliance of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Tribal Conservation Advisory Council, the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, the Black Earth Creek Watershed Association, Wisconsin’s Green Fire, UW-Extension, the WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the WI Department of Natural Resources.
Neonicotinoids, or neonics, are the most widely used insecticides in Wisconsin, applied to millions of acres of agricultural and urban land each year. What benefits do they provide and what risks do they pose? Funded by a grant from the WI DNR Surface Water Grant Program that the TU State Council applied for and that was awarded to us and supported by a donation from the SWTU chapter, we are able to bring you this educational and informative event. The agenda is finalized, the Forum site has been selected and the registration site is now open. Read More
Posted: September 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Eagle Eye for Eagles
Wisconsin’s eagles can use your help.
Newscasts – Summer 2024
Last Updated: October 2, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
This issue is filled with great information, including:
Meicher Madness Auction returns for September 10 Membership Meeting
Last Updated: September 3, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
The Meicher Madness Auction was one of SWTU’s most fun and profitable events for many years. Stopped by COVID it returns at our September 10 meeting at Schwoegler’s on Grand Canyon Drive.
The madness and fun will be renewed on 9/10. Everyone will have some chances at some cool and highly usable gear and the proceeds will support all the Chapter activities.
Here are some needs and changes for this year’s auction: Read More
Last Updated: July 10, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
Save Badger Mill Creek
By Topf Wells
BMC’s health and the progress it’s made are now under attack. We need to protect the creek as best we can.
A key reason BMC has improved is the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) the water it contributes to the creek in the form of highly treated and aerated effluent. DNR fisheries and water quality staff have documented the improvements that’s made to increased and stable water flows and trout habitat. In some key aspects the water acts like a huge spring.
MMSD wants to stop the water as an easy and cheap way to comply with DNR phosphorus regulations. It has other affordable and practical alternatives such as treating the effluent to remove more phosphorus or pursuing Adaptive Management (AM) across the BMC and Upper Sugar watersheds. AM involves MMSD working with local governments, conservation organizations, farmers and developers to reduce urban and rural runoff. That’s the approach MMSD has taken in the Yahara Watershed.
CARPC, Dane County’s Regional Planning Commission, now reviews MMSD’s choice and recommends disapproval or approval to the DNR, which makes the final decision. CARPC will hold its only public hearing on the case on July 11 at 6 PM at the Town of Verona Town Hall at 7669 County Highway PD.
The SWTU Board respectfully asks that you contact CARPC and ask that they DISAPPROVE MMSD’s request to stop the discharge of water to Badger Mill Creek.
You must email CARPC BY JULY 10 at: tanyas@capitalarearpc.org.
Added content: The letter SWTU submitted to CARPC on July 8, 2024.
Read More
Orange Partridge
Last Updated: July 6, 2024 by Drew Kasel Leave a Comment
by Rusty Dunn
The technology of fly tying took a giant leap forward in 2,640 BC when, according to legend, a Chinese Empress named Leizu discovered that the natural glue of silkworm cocoons could be softened in hot water and a long thin filament of pure silk unwound from each cocoon. Read More
Recent Posts
Categories