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Public Input Sought On State Water Quality

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Every few years, the DNR has to report to federal officials  about water quality, and in pursuing the report, the DNR is asking for the public's input.

The comment period on  standards-related topics runs through August 7,  by using an online survey tool. The goal of the survey is to determine which surface water quality standards and policies the public most strongly wants to see reviewed or developed in the next three years.   

Ashley Beranek...a water resources specialist..says they hope the survey shows what the public sees as water quality priorities...

".....surface waters are lakes, rivers and streams. What we're looking for is the water quality criteria the DNR should work on over the next three years...."

Beranek has some examples of possible topics..

"....so we have criteria like bacteria toxins that may be a concern if the lake you are on has  a lot of algae, or you're worried it has blue-green algae, (other topics) ammonia or wild rice that we have some topics on...."

After the survey, DNR will use the public priorities and DNR's internal rankings to prepare a final list of topics for  as required under the Clean Water Act. The DNR will use that final priority list to plan its work over the ensuing three years and each topic will be addressed as resources allow.

  The Public Ranking Survey and topic descriptions are available by searching the DNR website dnr.wi.gov for "triennial standards review."

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