State Takes Bold Action to Protect Our Waters

June 23, 2010, was a great day for the waters of Wisconsin. I watched with pride, excitement and resolve as the state Natural Resources Board approved two rules that will significantly improve Wisconsin's ability to prevent excess nutrients, notably phosphorus, from running off roads, parking lots, farm fields and through municipal and industrial discharge pipes into the 15,000 lakes, 84,000 miles of streams and 5.3 million acres of wetlands in our magnificent state.

This polluted runoff is Wisconsin's No. 1 water quality problem, threatening these water resources that are the foundation of our quality of life and are the cornerstone of the state's $13 billion tourism industry.

I watched with pride because these rules make Wisconsin a national leader in this area, building on a proud tradition we have in this state that is embodied in a century of conservation leadership from giants such as John Muir, Aldo Leopold, Gaylord Nelson and Warren Knowles. With these actions, the Department of Natural Resources Water Division staff, the Doyle administration and the Natural Resources Board may rightfully be added to that legacy of exemplary stewardship.

I watched with excitement because these rules bring all potential contributors to the polluted runoff problem to the table in a meaningful way to be part of the solution. Farm producers, industrial facilities, municipal sewer districts and construction site firms all will have to take action to better protect the waters of Wisconsin.

I watched with resolve because getting these rules in place is only the first step. Many years of hard work, collaborative effort and, yes, additional resources from all of us will be needed to make this truly historic approach result in healthier water resources in our state.

Polluted runoff costs this state millions of dollars each year when water treatment costs increase, beaches are closed and fisheries are harmed. The storm clouds that often facilitate the delivery of polluted runoff to our waters have been building, both literally and figuratively, in our state for many years.

On Wednesday, the Natural Resources Board brought the promise of blue skies and sunny days ahead with its bold actions.

Todd Ambs, president of River Network, was Water Division administrator for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources from 2003 to May 2010.

(from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel : June 24, 2010)