I spent the weekend working with the speakers at Canoecopia and was immersed in the wilderness that restores our souls both locally and around the world. I was so happy to explore the waterways in Wisconsin that allow anyone in the state to get away from it all or even to paddle among the skyscrapers in Milwaukee. What worries me is the continued increase in phosphorous, other pollutants and silt that can so quickly turn a great paddle into a slimy mess.
We worry about global issues when there is so much we can do right here at home. We need to protect our shorelines, watersheds, lakes, streams and rivers from things we can easily fix. We must reach out and work with farmers, industry, landscapers, construction, and developers to ensure that we proactively protect our waterways.
In many cases the solutions are simple. We can plant deep rooted vegetation and grasses a few feet from shore to act as a filter. We can stop mowing our lawns to the water instead creating a small beautiful border that protect our waters. We can ensure our storm water systems are as clean and chemical free as possible. We can create storm water retention systems that allow some filtration before allowing runoff to enter our lakes and rivers.
Other issues are more complex. We have a new mega dairy industry that must be regulated to ensure waste is treated prior to being watered down and dumped on our fields without concern for the consequences. We have communities that release effluent directly into our waterways. We have some industry that still discharges into our rivers. We have deep wells substantially changing our water tables. We have an industry trying to move away from coal only to find there are as many or more hurdles to stopping that just continuing.
We need to get every elected official, every business leader, every community leader and every farmer into a canoe or a kayak. Spend some time on a crystal clear stream and then loop the shores of lake Monona. We have to work together to reverse the effects of progress, and we need to not cast blame but rather ask how we can help and work together. We do not need mandates, penalties or to export our businesses – we need opportunities, partnerships, and cost effective planning.
We can improve our waterways -- and the best place to think about how is in a canoe or kayak. Summer is on it`s way!!!
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- - Volume: 7 - WEEK: 11 Date: 12/3/2021 3:29:05 PM -