© 2024 WXPR
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Iron County forum to address wetland conservation and model ordinance

  Heavy rains and flash floods this summer has sparked talk about how to “slow the flow,” and improve wetland landscapes in and around Iron County.

That slogan has been used to encourage conservation efforts such as wetland protection and shoreline buffer zones to reduce surface water runoff, but a presentation of a new proposed conservation ordinance at an upcoming citizen’s forum will address new wetland data and management approaches to improve lake and river health.

Called the Wetland Conservation Ordinance, the model was developed by the Wisconsin Wetlands Association and hinges off the regularity and intensity of severe weather and flood risks in the Northwoods and the U.P.

Forum Coordinator Terry Daulton says the presentation of the model will share perspectives on how wetlands benefit our communities…

“…It’s talking about ways to preserve or restore and improve wetlands so they can perform their filtering functions and also slow the run-off into the lakes and streams and that kind of will keep sentiment down but also keep some of the pollutants coming off roads, lawns or municipal surfaces; things like pesticides, fertilizers or pollutants.”

Daulton says the ordinance will be presented by Kyle Magyera who is an outreach specialist for the Wisconsin Wetlands Association. She says Magyera and the Wetland Association have traveled around the state presenting their model and working with counties to adopt their ordinance.  

The forum is co-sponsored by Iron County Lakes and Rivers Alliance and the Iron County Citizen’s Forum. The forum is October 18, at 6:30 pm at the Oma Town Hall. 

Up North Updates
* indicates required