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Wisconsin Great Chronicle 2020 CONTENTS

Foreword ...... 1 Governor Tony Evers

Saxon Harbor Restoration . . . . . 2 Eric Peterson

Great Lakes High Water Levels . . . 4 Deanna Apps

Southeastern Coastal Resilience Project . . . . . 6 Adam Bechle

Sheboygan River Area of Concern ...... 8 Stacy Hron and Kendra Axness

Renard Island Master Plan . . . .10 Mark Walter

Bayfield County Hydrogeologic Atlas ...... 12 Mark Abeles-Allison

Office of Outdoor Recreation . . . 14 Mary Monroe Brown

2020 Wisconsin Coastal Management Program Grants . . . 16

Acknowledgements ...... 20

On the Cover Terminal in Bayfield, Travel Wisconsin FOREWORD Governor Tony Evers

Dear Readers, Wisconsin Great Lakes the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change, has to offer and provides a wonderful spot for Chronicle reflects the chaired by Lieutenant Governor Mandela Wisconsinites and visitors to explore each year. challenges and celebrates Barnes. This group is tasked with developing This year we are celebrating the 50th anniversary the successes of our strategies to mitigate and reverse the impacts of of the being designated a National coastal communities climate change on our communities by assessing Lakeshore. With support from Senator Gaylord and residents. Our research, reviewing the actions of local and Nelson, the Apostle Islands were designated as a 2020 edition gives us tribal communities working to address climate national lakeshore on September 26, 1970. Today, an opportunity to share change, working with educational institutions, our continues to connect some of both. and listening to Wisconsinites share their stories visitors to the natural and cultural resources of what’s happening in their own backyards. In within the park. Their efforts are supported by Over the last several years many Wisconsin addition to the Task Force, I created the Office of individuals and organizations like the Friends of communities have experienced firsthand the Sustainability and Clean Energy to lead our state in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, which challenges climate change has brought us. With addressing climate change by partnering with other began in 2002 and continues to support and more extreme weather events and more regular state agencies and developing a clean energy plan. enhance the park. episodes of high precipitation, families and For too long leaders have been ignoring science, communities have had to roll up their sleeves and Among the priorities I have established for this and frankly we can’t afford to do it any longer. work together to rebuild, especially in Wisconsin’s state as Governor and as Chair of the Conference coastal communities. Homeowners, businesses Even as we face challenges along our Great Lakes of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and local communities are seeking ways to and throughout the state of Wisconsin, we have and Premiers are those to ensure the protection become more resilient to coastal hazards, as they reasons to celebrate. In addition to our efforts of our vast and valuable natural resources, like confront higher levels and ongoing threats of around climate change, we also established the Apostle Islands. It is time for us to deliver and flooding. Collaborative efforts, like the first ever Office of Outdoor Recreation in on the promise to our kids that we’re leaving the Southeastern Wisconsin Coastal Resilience Wisconsin to enhance and support Wisconsin’s them with a better life and world than the one Project, provide opportunities to expand on outdoor recreation economy which supports we inherited and to ensure the protection of local efforts to identify risks, plan and improve thousands of jobs and communities throughout Wisconsin’s beautiful lakeshores for generations responses to flooding, erosion and events. the state. One such community that is a to come. There is much work left to do and I destination for outdoor recreation throughout the look forward to continuing the important work While communities strive to become more year is the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. of protecting our Great Lakes now and into the resilient for the path ahead, we must address the With caves, lighthouses, beaches and trails, future, together. source of these challenges. That’s why I created the park exemplifies all the beauty Wisconsin

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 1 The cooperation of SAXON HARBOR RESTORATION multiple partners and Eric Peterson thousands of hours of In a few short hours on the evening of July 11, of the harbor. The online survey produced an 2016, life changed for many people in Northern overwhelmingly positive response to rebuild Saxon effort turned Saxon Wisconsin. Torrential brought a 1,000-plus Harbor and brought to light areas that could year flood that wiped out roadways and other be improved at the facility. The public wanted Harbor’s devastation critical infrastructure across the northwestern the marina rebuilt, the campground located as close to the marina as possible, beach access and into a gem. counties. In Iron County, Saxon Harbor at the shore of and the mouth of Oronto day‑use amenities. and Parker Creeks sat directly in the path of these 2017 was spent establishing reconstruction raging floodwaters. A bustling campground and plans and areas of financial responsibility. By marina a week prior became an unrecognizable late 2017, WisDOT and the Federal Highway disaster area when the floodwaters subsided. Administration planned to relocate the bridge A Federal Disaster Declaration allowed the US further upstream over Oronto Creek and construct Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the new roadway where the campground once sat. to assist local communities with rebuilding The 40’ span bridge would be replaced with a new efforts. Many projects were quickly developed 104’ three-span bridge allowing a greater area for and critical reconstruction efforts were completed, Oronto Creek to pass beneath. but Saxon Harbor was not among them. Saxon The US Army Corps of Engineers received an Harbor recovery efforts would take time due to appropriation to dredge the federal channel within the loss of a county highway, bridge, campground the harbor of refuge extending into the north basin and marina, and a federally designated harbor of of the marina from Lake Superior. Iron County refuge filled with sediment. FEMA, Wisconsin won multiple grants to improve facilities that were Emergency Management, the US Army Corps of deemed outside of the scope of the disaster and Engineers (USACE), the County’s insurance carrier, therefore ineligible for FEMA funds. The County’s the Wisconsin Department of Transportation engineering team, led by Foth Infrastructure & (WisDOT), the Federal Highway Administration Environment, LLC, worked diligently to complete and Iron County would all share in the financial design and bid documents for these improvements responsibility to rebuild Saxon Harbor. along with the complete reconstruction and Before work began on reconstruction efforts, dredging of the marina. Additionally, Wisconsin Iron County secured grant funding from the Administrative Code, floodplain regulations and Wisconsin Coastal Management Program local zoning required that the campground be (WCMP) to survey the public on the future rebuilt at a different location.

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 2 SAXON HARBOR RESTORATION Eric Peterson

With designs completed, permits in place and 51,000 cubic yards of sediment was removed The contract for marina improvements and the schedules of multiple contractors coordinated, from Saxon Harbor. In June, the contractor for reconstruction was awarded In November 2018. reconstruction finally began in late February the WisDOT project forged ahead and the new Construction began almost immediately as the 2018. Iron County’s contractor worked on roadway and bridge opened in August. contractor worked throughout the winter in Oronto and Parker Creeks to re-establish the freezing conditions to meet deadlines that would Work also began to build the framework around streambed and armor the banks with tons of rip allow Iron County to open the marina for use as the marina. Preformed, interlocking concrete rap to return flow to Lake Superior. Saxon Harbor quickly as possible. With favorable conditions in panels were used to form the marina basins and became a very busy construction zone as winter late spring and throughout the summer, and with provide retaining walls to backfill areas that had released its grip on the Northwoods. few delays, construction was completed in August. been washed away. WCMP came through again Iron County held a soft opening over Labor Day In May, the USACE dredge contractor began with grant funding to study alternatives to protect weekend 2019. Within two days of reopening, work within the federal channel. This contractor the outfall of Oronto and Parker Creeks into Lake more than forty were docked in the marina was also awarded the contract to dredge the Superior. The Foth engineering team completed and the public was able to get a look at what the remainder of the marina that is the responsibility this study and funding options will be evaluated new facility would offer. of Iron County. By summer’s end, approximately for future construction. It is hard to believe that what took only a few hours to destroy could turn into more than four years to rebuild. The cooperation of multiple agencies, grant programs, state and federal legislators and thousands of hours of effort have finally turned the devastation into a gem. This spring, the marina was full of boaters and day users enjoyed the Lake Superior shoreline. The new campground was completed over the summer. If you find yourself in Iron County, be sure to take the short drive north of US 2 and see what can be done when everyone pulls together.

Eric Peterson is the Iron County Administrator. He can be reached at (715) 561-2697 or [email protected].

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 3 The Great Lakes have GREAT LAKES HIGH WATER LEVELS experienced periods of low Deanna Apps and high water levels over In recent years, the has balance of each lake, but overall Mother Nature experienced persistent wet conditions and and weather patterns have the largest impact on the past 25 years. water levels have risen to near or above record water level changes. high levels. Water levels on the Great Lakes are Throughout the year, water levels typically follow measured as an elevation above sea level based on a seasonal cycle based on hydrological conditions. the International Great Lakes Datum of 1985, and Water levels are usually at their seasonal low during daily lake-wide average water levels are computed the winter when the ground is typically frozen and using a network of water level gauges for each lake. accumulates in the region. In the late winter This allows for a measurement based on still water or early spring, water levels begin their seasonal rise and is not influenced by local conditions caused by due to increased precipitation and enhanced runoff meteorological forcings, such as wind. from snowmelt. During the summer or early fall, Daily lake-wide average water levels are averaged the lakes usually experience their peak level for the at the end of the month to calculate monthly year as increased sunshine helps to warm the lake mean water levels. This is the main water level surface water. The fall and early winter are typically dataset that is released by the US Army Corps the period of seasonal decline on the lakes as a of Engineers (USACE), which is coordinated result of increased evaporation. with Environment and Climate Change The highest evaporation rates occur when (ECCC). The coordinated period of record for cold dry air moves over a relatively warm lake this dataset is 1918 to 2019. Monthly mean water surface. Larger temperature differences between levels in 2020 are considered provisional until the the air and surface water cause increasing rates end of the calendar year when data is coordinated of evaporation, which is why during the fall with ECCC. and early winter, lake levels typically decline. Water level fluctuations are driven by changing While the lake is ice free, the opportunity for weather patterns and the resulting impact on evaporation to occur will exist, but once ice the water supply to the lakes. The three main forms, evaporation will cease. components that influence water supply to the There have been periods of both high and low lakes are precipitation over the lakes, runoff to the water throughout the recorded period of monthly lakes, and evaporation off the lakes. Other factors mean water levels dating back to 1918. On the that need to be considered are inflows to the lakes upper lakes of Superior and -Huron, a and outflows out of the lakes through connecting period of low water occurred from the late 1990s channels. These also play a part in the water

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 4 GREAT LAKES HIGH WATER LEVELS Deanna Apps

to the early 2010s and water levels were well below average. A wet pattern began and water levels started to climb beginning in 2013. By 2015, water levels were back above their long-term annual average level and have since continued to rise annually and remain well above average. Persistent wet conditions over the last several years have caused water levels to rise to near or above record high water levels. The 60-month period from January 2015 to December 2019 was the wettest five-year period on record in the Great Lakes basin since records began in 1895 (US data only from NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information). Many locations across the region experienced their wettest year on record in 2019 with the states of Wisconsin, Michigan and all experiencing their record wettest year (NOAA NCEI). Some locations such as Green Bay, Wisconsin, experienced back to back record wet years after surpassing their 2018 record in 2019. However, a marginal seasonal decline in Lakes The Great Lakes have experienced periods of These record wet conditions have culminated in Michigan-Huron during the fall and winter of low and high water levels over the past 25 years. record high water levels on the Great Lakes. In 2019-2020 has led to monthly mean water level Scientists and coastal managers will continue to 2019, record high monthly mean water levels were records in the beginning of 2020. Lakes Superior, monitor Great Lakes levels and attempt to plan experienced on Lakes Superior, St. Clair and Erie St. Clair and Erie have also experienced record for impacts from future fluctuations. from May to September, while Lake also high water levels in 2020. For the rest of 2020, set new record high monthly mean water levels Deanna Apps is a Physical Scientist with the US Army water levels are forecast to remain high and near Corps of Engineers- District. She can be reached at in the months of June and July. Lakes Michigan- or above record high levels, especially if wetter (313) 226-2979 or [email protected]. Huron did not set a monthly mean record high conditions continue. Even with drier conditions water level in 2019, but was within an inch of over the next six months, water levels are expected record high levels in multiple months. to remain above average.

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 5 SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN COASTAL High water levels are RESILIENCE PROJECT causing Great Lakes Adam Bechle coastal communities to In 2020 with all of the Great Lakes at or near furthering the understanding of coastal erosion, record-high water levels, it is hard to remember creating educational resources on resilient work together to become back to 2013 when the major concern was whether practices and providing technical assistance on some Great Lakes would ever escape a decade of resilience opportunities. While the geographic more resilient. record low water levels. Over the past seven years, focus of this effort is Kenosha, Racine, trillions of gallons of water and a number of large and Ozaukee counties, recommendations from coastal have shown the Great Lakes two this effort are already being taken statewide. opposite extremes. Once wide beaches are now This project formed the Southeastern Wisconsin mostly underwater and letting waves lap directly Coastal Resilience Community of Practice onto bluffs and in some cases homes. which brings local officials, scientists and Concerns at ports and harbors have shifted from outreach specialists together to learn about, share not having safe water depths for vessel navigation experiences with and develop approaches to to inundated infrastructure. In the face of these address coastal hazard issues. This community challenges, Great Lakes coastal communities are of practice has met throughout the region to striving to become more resilient so that they can discuss topics like water levels, respond, adapt and ultimately bounce back from bluff failure processes and funding options for whatever the lakes throw at them. hazard mitigation. We have also had field trips to coastal bluffs and tours of the shoreline To support communities in building resilience accompanied by coastal engineering and to coastal hazards, the Wisconsin Coastal geology experts. Perhaps most importantly, the Management Program (WCMP), the University community of practice provides an opportunity of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute, the University for members to network and discuss their coastal of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Civil and hazard issues and projects with each other. Environmental Engineering and the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission To better understand coastal erosion that affects (SEWRPC) are collaborating on a three-year the region, historic bluff and shoreline recession— project funded by the NOAA Regional Coastal or landward retreat—has been mapped using Resilience Grants program. historic aerial photos. This information has been incorporated into county hazard mitigation This project is focused on helping coastal plans and can be used by local governments and communities in Southeastern Wisconsin better homeowners to inform decisions along the coast. plan and prepare for coastal hazards through From a scientific perspective, the data is being networking across the region on these issues, compared with historic water level and wave data

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 6 SOUTHEASTERN WISCONSIN COASTAL RESILIENCE PROJECT Adam Bechle

to better understand the drivers of recession across of the bluff top, enhancing native vegetation, to implement some of their top priority actions. the region’s different shoreline and bluff types. reinforcing the bluff face and considering options These ongoing local projects include the design Leveraging previous WCMP investments, all of to slow wave erosion if necessary. As this and of resilient shore protection, coastal vulnerability the data from this work is publicly available to other guidance documents are published, they assessments and coastline management plans. As view or download from the Wisconsin Shoreline will be shared through the community of practice these projects progress, relevant lessons learned Inventory and Oblique Photo Viewer websites. to help get this information to local governments by the communities will be shared with the and their coastal residents. community of practice. A series of publications are being created to provide guidance on resilient practices for bluffs, A Coastal Resilience Self-Assessment was The work of this regional project has laid the beaches and waterfront infrastructure. For also developed to help communities identify groundwork for efforts to build coastal resilience example, a Property Owner’s Guide to Protecting opportunities to build their resilience to coastal throughout the state. Steps are being taken to Your Bluff will help homeowners manage their hazards. This assessment serves to guide users create similar community of practice networks for bluffs holistically to address the many factors through a variety of options to address coastal local governments in Northeastern Wisconsin and that combine to cause bluff failure, like wave hazards ranging from strategies like land use along Lake Superior. The Coastal Resilience Self- erosion, seepage, surface water planning, local ordinances and public outreach Assessment is also being used by the City of Bayfield runoff, frost heave and human activities. This to physical actions such as shore protection and will likely start conversations about coastal top-down approach to bluff management includes structures and stormwater management. Funding resilience throughout Northeastern Wisconsin. redirecting water drainage away from the edge was available through the grant for communities As the drastic seven-year swing from record low water levels to record high water levels has demonstrated, coastal communities need to anticipate changing conditions and balance risks while they plan and prepare for the possible conditions they may face on the Great Lakes. While there is much work ahead, the resources, relationships and momentum generated by this project are another step forward in building Wisconsin’s resilience to coastal hazards.

Adam Bechle is a Coastal Engineering Outreach Specialist with University of Wisconsin Sea Grant. He can be reached at (608) 263-5133 or bechle@.wisc.edu.

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 7 Sheboygan River has SHEBOYGAN RIVER AREA OF CONCERN a bright future thanks Stacy Hron and Kendra Axness to restoration efforts, The Sheboygan River Area of Concern (AOC) Contaminated sediments resulted in fish and is healing after nearly a decade of concerted waterfowl that are not safe to eat and impaired monitoring and local efforts by partners to remediate pollution and use of harbor areas due to dredging restrictions. restore the river’s . These efforts set a Moreover, the problem was compounded because leadership. course for revitalization which continues today dredging contaminated sediment is considerably as others undertake additional habitat restoration more expensive than dredging clean sediment. projects and capitalize on economic development Pollution and loss of habitat harmed wildlife, opportunities provided by a cleaner river. fish, bottom-dwelling aquatic life and plankton populations. The AOC designation was also The lower fourteen miles of the Sheboygan River due to high levels of runoff pollution and are designated as a Great Lakes Area of Concern, sedimentation which at one time caused nuisance or AOC. AOCs are Great Lakes rivers and harbors algal blooms. that suffered the most severe environmental harm as a result of industrialization and land use In Sheboygan, local companies stepped up beginning changes in the first part of the twentieth century. in 2006 to remediate the worst of legacy pollution; The and Canada designated 43 that is, pollution that existed before modern AOCs under the 1987 update of the Great environmental laws were enacted. With leadership Lakes Agreement, an agreement from the Wisconsin Department of Natural established in 1972 between the two countries to Resources (DNR) Office of Great Waters, state clean up and restore the Great Lakes. and local partners leveraged those cleanup activities to do a much larger and more holistic cleanup The Sheboygan River was designated an AOC and restoration with Great Lakes Restoration due to pollution of river sediments by PCBs Initiative funding provided by the United States and PAHs, chemical compounds released from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). industries and that do not break down in the environment. In addition to being designated in Strong partnerships among local, state and federal the international agreement, these pollutants also partners enabled a significant amount of work led to several areas on the river being designated to be done to address the AOC impairments in federal Superfund sites. Superfund is the common a relatively short time. From 2011 to 2013, four name for the Comprehensive Environmental major sediment projects were completed which Response, Compensation and Liability Act of removed PCBs, PAHs, heavy metals and other 1980, a federal law designed to clean up sites contaminants while also deepening the channel in contaminated with hazardous substances. the harbor and lower river for boating. More than

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 8 SHEBOYGAN RIVER AREA OF CONCERN Stacy Hron and Kendra Axness

400,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment were removed in approximately 20,000 dump truck loads. To improve habitat, five projects were implemented to restore native plants to approximately 34 acres along more than 18,000 feet of shoreline. A sixth project involved in-stream habitat restoration. Other pollution was addressed over many years by several partners through efforts including wastewater treatment plant upgrades, agricultural practices to reduce soil erosion and runoff, and reduced phosphorus and spawning habitat; other projects will improve This study shows that people are reconnecting content in detergents and lawn fertilizer. recreational access. The NRDA funds provide an with the Sheboygan River and harbor now that the Following these projects, the DNR and others opportunity to go above and beyond the AOC burden of toxic sediments has been cleaned up. are monitoring to verify that the ecosystem is restoration work. Removing the historical pollution has improved recovering as hoped, and the signs so far are water quality and is helping these waters and their While the ecosystem continues to recover, promising. Scientists studied fish, aquatic insects, inhabitants to heal. With continued restoration economic revitalization is occurring as well. nesting birds, waterfowl, tree swallows, bats, through NRDA projects, monitoring to assess if A 2018 case study published by the Great Lakes mussels, herptiles and mink. Results show that AOC goals have been achieved and local leadership Commission and the Council of Great Lakes the system is overall doing better than before, for continued revitalization of the waterfront, the Industries documents how City of Sheboygan and although fish tissue sampling has shown that Sheboygan River has a bright future. Sheboygan County officials are capitalizing on a more time is needed for the ecosystem to recover cleaner river to bring new residential development Stacy Hron is a Lake Michigan Program Coordinator with because of the persistence of PCBs in fish tissues. and business to the river corridor. The study the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Office of Additional restoration activities are happening Great Waters. She can be reached at (920) 893-8551 or reported that “new housing developments have [email protected]. Kendra Axness is a LAMP and through the Natural Resource Damage proliferated along Sheboygan’s waterfront, AOC Coordinator with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Assessment (NRDA) process which provides representing an investment of $37 million.” Resources Office of Great Waters. She can be reached at funding to compensate the public for the injury Local officials also reported greater water-based (608) 267-0700 or [email protected]. to natural resources from the pollution associated recreation and increasing numbers of millennials with Superfund sites. Projects will restore habitat residing in the city and county since the AOC and improve fish passage between Lake Michigan projects were completed.

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 9 Renard Island is one of RENARD ISLAND MASTER PLAN few places in the Green Mark Walter

Bay metropolitan area that Just 800 feet off the shoreline of the City of final cap shaped to meet the requirements of the Green Bay sits a manmade island waiting to approved Closure Plan. In 2015, the WDNR provides direct access to become a place for the public to use and enjoy. approved the final cap and in 2017 the Corps The island, now known as Renard Island, was transferred ownership of the causeway and the waters of the bay. created in 1977 through a partnership between island to Brown County. Brown County, the Port of Green Bay (Port) and Upon receiving ownership, the County began the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) as a to look at end-use options for public enjoyment 55-acre dredged material disposal facility. Renard of the island. In 2016, the Port convened the Island sits on a legislative lakebed granted by the Renard Island Working Group of stakeholders State of Wisconsin to Brown County for disposal including Brown County, the City of Green of material dredged from the annual maintenance Bay, WDNR, the University of Wisconsin- of the Green Bay Harbor and navigation channel. Green Bay, adjacent landowners, agencies and From 1979 to 1996, the island was filled with other interested individuals to examine options more than 2.7 million cubic yards of PCB- for developing Renard Island. In 2018, the Port contaminated dredge material but remained received a WCMP grant with matching funds uncapped. In 2002, the Port received funding provided by McDonald Lumber, NEW Water from the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and WPS to complete an End-Use Plan. (WCMP) to develop a Closure Plan for the The Port subsequently hired a consultant to island. Eventually, the Port, Corps and Wisconsin work with the Renard Island Working Group Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) to guide the development of a strategic master agreed to a plan detailing construction of a cover plan. The Working Group provided input on the to protect human health and the environment. development of the plan, reviewed draft materials Beginning in 2010, the Port and Corps began and advised the Port throughout the planning the process of closing the island and installing an process. The consultant conducted a market engineered soil cap. As part of the closure process, feasibility analysis, estimated capital and operating the Corps built a causeway to access the island. costs, undertook a construction feasibility and In 2010, Brown County received a Great Lakes permitting analysis, and examined funding Restoration Initiative grant to begin capping the opportunities and other key considerations. island and moving capping material from the After more than eighteen months of work and Port’s Bay Port Dredge Material Storage Facility numerous public meetings, the Brown County to Renard Island. From 2011 to 2014, clean Board adopted the final Renard Island Strategic dredged material was placed on the island as a Master Plan on December 18, 2019.

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 10 RENARD ISLAND MASTER PLAN Mark Walter

Renard Island offers a unique opportunity for Three master plan alternatives were developed The final Renard Island Strategic Master Plan public access that is missing in the Green Bay area. during the planning process. First, Eco Island is a combination of the three alternatives and The island is one of the only places in the Green focused on creating a series of natural has something for everyone. A marina will Bay metropolitan area that provides direct access on the island and its shoreline for visitors to offer transient dockage and seasonal slips. A to the waters of the bay. With this idea in mind, passively observe and enjoy. Island promenade will feature shops, dining, concessions the Renard Island Strategic Master Plan includes introduced a variety of destination spaces nestled and a festival plaza space. The causeway will designs for small projects that will provide access into rolling landforms. Finally, Active Island be improved and a surface lot will provide 300 to the bay and can be implemented over time. The featured a marina and retail/concessions facilities parking spaces. Visitors will enjoy sculpted design includes a mix of recreational amenities intended to complement the amusement theme landforms, an interpretive overlook and tower, such as piers, recreational trails and viewing at the adjacent Bay Beach Amusement Park and and fishing piers. Cobble habitat beaches and a areas as well as connections to nearby Bay Beach draw visitors to the island as an active waterfront sand beach for boat tie-ups and dog access will Amusement Park. destination unique to the Green Bay area. provide access to the water’s edge. Walkers will appreciate boardwalks, paved multi- use trails, primitive trails, a perimeter loop trail and winding trails. Softened edges and stepped stone revetment areas will provide water access and viewing. Programming will be offered in an open lawn space, and visitors will reserve picnic shelters and yurt camping facilities. Children of all ages will enjoy an adventure playground with zip-line. The plan will act as a framework to help guide and identify future improvements on Renard Island. Implementation of the master plan will require significant funding and lots of community support over the coming years. The island’s potential is just waiting to be realized.

Mark Walter is the Business Development Manager with Brown County Port and Resource Recovery. He can be reached at (920) 492-4950 or [email protected].

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 11 BAYFIELD COUNTY The Bayfield County HYDROGEOLOGIC ATLAS Hydrogeologic Atlas Mark Abeles-Allison provides scientific Bordering one of the largest freshwater lakes in Under the leadership of Fred Strand, Bayfield the world, Bayfield County shares over 90 miles County Vice Chair, the Committee recognized information to preserve of Lake Superior shoreline with 966 inland lakes. the local economic and cultural importance Protection of water resources and quality are top of agriculture and was guided by the goals of and protect Bayfield priorities in Bayfield County where water impacts having a thriving agricultural community and County’s high-quality lives in profound ways. maintaining public health and safety and a healthy environment. The Committee organized Water quality and water resources saw a new its work around four primary issues: groundwater, water resources. focus in 2014 as large-scale concentrated animal surface water, microbiology, and air quality. farming was considered. There was a lot of discussion and debate about the economic impacts Over nine months, the Committee heard from of a proposed large pig farm and how it would seventeen professionals working in the field of change the rural character of the county which livestock agriculture including researchers from the is heavily dependent on tourism. People also University of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Geological discussed and debated concerns about the impacts and Natural History Survey, and the US to the environment and human health. With a Department of Agriculture. The Bayfield County population density of ten people per square mile, Board of Supervisors adopted the Committee’s Bayfield County has 15,000 year-round residents findings of fact and recommendations, including: on 1,500 square miles of land. Second homes, • Implement a well-testing program to tourism and forestry are key economic drivers in encouraging well testing and repair. Bayfield County. • Establish a County-maintained database with The concentrated farming proposal prompted well-drilling records and water test information. a moratorium on large-scale livestock facilities and the establishment of a Large-Scale Livestock • Develop a depth-to-bedrock map for Bayfield Committee in June 2015. The Committee County to identify areas with less than twenty was charged with researching, analyzing and feet of soil to the bedrock. synthesizing scientific literature regarding the impact • Analyze all known well-drilling records to identify of large-scale livestock facilities on groundwater, wells with less than twenty feet of silty-clay till surface water and air quality in Bayfield County. over water-bearing sand and gravel deposits. Further, the Committee was directed to report its recommendations on appropriate county-level • Develop a groundwater susceptibility map for regulatory approaches to the County Board. Bayfield County to identify areas that have increased susceptibility to groundwater contamination.

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 12 BAYFIELD COUNTY HYDROGEOLOGIC ATLAS Mark Abeles-Allison

• Identify abandoned wells and rate the risk to groundwater or identify fields with highest likelihood of groundwater contamination and look for abandoned and existing wells first. • Utilize groundwater flow maps and groundwater susceptibility mapping to design groundwater monitoring programs for sited livestock facilities. • Consider risk management strategy options as a condition of a permit issued These recommendations were the pre-cursor to Bayfield County maps were compiled utilizing The Susceptibility Map shows areas of highest the Bayfield County Hydrogeologic Atlas project, data developed over the term of the project. susceptibility in the sandy uplands where coarse a cooperative effort between Bayfield County, Several different maps provided the base for the sediments drive rapid groundwater recharge, the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program susceptibility map. A depth to bedrock map and near the Lake Superior shore and in southern (WCMP) and the Wisconsin Geological and characterizes the depth and thickness of aquifers. Bayfield County where shallow fractured bedrock Natural History Survey. UW-Madison Extension, A depth to water table map shows depths in is present. The final project document, the Land Records, Public Health and Administration increments to more than 150 feet below the Bayfield County Hydrogeologic Atlas, can be Departments were actively involved within surface. The groundwater recharge map, developed viewed at https://wgnhs.wisc.edu/pubs/000967. Bayfield County. with soil and land use maps and rainfall and This project was made possible with funds from temperature records, shows estimates of the rate of This Hydrogeologic Atlas project took place over Wisconsin Coastal Management, the Wisconsin groundwater replenishment across Bayfield County. five years in three phases. In 2015 and 2016, Department of Natural Resources and Bayfield work focused on hydrogeologic cross sections and Synthesized together, these maps create the County. Locally, the Bayfield County Land Records water table elevation maps in agricultural regions Bayfield County Groundwater Susceptibility map Office and the Bayfield County Health Department of Bayfield County. Work on a countywide well illustrating areas of the county where groundwater partnered to make this project happen. The Bayfield database, water well construction analysis and is naturally well-protected from contamination County Hydrogeologic Atlas provides scientific a water table elevation map was completed in and areas that are more susceptible to information to property owners and community 2017. The last phase began in 2018 and focused contamination. Shallow depth to bedrock, shallow planners so Bayfield County’s high-quality water on developing a Groundwater Susceptibility depth to water, and high groundwater recharge resources can be preserved and protected. Map unique to Bayfield County. Final maps for all increase the susceptibility of an aquifer to Mark Abeles-Allison is the Bayfield County Administrator. He can the susceptibility composite map were delivered groundwater contamination. These conditions be reached at (715) 373-6181 or [email protected]. in 2019 and are currently on display in the increase the ease with which contaminants at the Courthouse main corridor. surface can reach the water table.

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 13 The outsized economic OFFICE OF OUTDOOR RECREATION impact of outdoor Mary Monroe Brown recreation is possible The Great Lakes and outdoor recreation have over 93,000 jobs that provide nearly $3.9 billion long-standing partnerships in boating, fishing and in wages and salaries, according to the US Bureau because Wisconsin swimming. Water-based activities are one of the of Economic Analysis. most popular recreation activities for Wisconsinites While each office is unique in its structure, cares for and invests with 49% reporting participation in fishing and Wisconsin’s office seeks to create alignment and more than half reporting participation in boating in its treasured collaboration among a vast and diversified list of or swimming, according to the 2019 Statewide stakeholders. A shared mission to support and Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. freshwater assets. uplift the outdoor recreation industry and its With 1,000 miles of freshwater coast in partners for the economic and overall well‑being Wisconsin, the Great Lakes are immediately of Wisconsin and its residents is envisioned accessible to half of the state population that lives through the Office’s four tenets: Invite, Connect, within their basin. Population centers also boast Thrive and Protect. some major tourist attractions, both natural and Invite residents, visitors, businesses and workforce man-made. Port cities have long been a hub of talent to live, work and play in Wisconsin—to commerce and manufacturing from charter fishing experience the state’s natural places and vast to . Ten state parks, a National Scenic outdoor recreation offerings—to stimulate trailhead and numerous wildlife and natural areas economic development. preserve the beauty of these freshwater wonders. These facets, in addition to activities like boating, Connect people to Wisconsin’s natural places and fishing and swimming, are each a piece of the outdoor recreation opportunities through access outdoor recreation economy in which Wisconsin and education with a focus on inclusion. is positioned to grow. Thrive when active lifestyles and outdoor In 2019, Wisconsin’s Office of Outdoor Recreation recreation are promoted to create healthy was established to do just that. An emerging trend individuals and communities and provide across the nation, Wisconsin’s was the fourteenth additional economic impacts in the health sector. of seventeen state outdoor recreation offices Protect Wisconsin’s invaluable natural assets by created to date. Underscoring the importance encouraging outdoor recreation and connection of the state’s plentiful natural assets, outdoor to place, necessary elements in the journey to recreation in Wisconsin contributes $7.8 billion preserving healthy lands and waters through to the state’s gross domestic product and supports personal stewardship.

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 14 OFFICE OF OUTDOOR RECREATION Mary Monroe Brown

Lake Michigan, Lake Superior and the communities Apostle Islands National Lakeshore according As we build out the Office during this uncertain along their shores are unquestionably key areas to the National Park Service. These freshwater time, it is exceptionally clear that a strong outdoor prime to play a role and reap the benefits of an assets are the foundation of the $3 billion tourism recreation economy will have a breadth of benefits expanded outdoor industry. industry of lakeshore counties. for Wisconsin. While revenue is part of the picture, the ability to get residents and visitors Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the national While it is unknown what a post-pandemic outside is at the heart of our mission. gross domestic product (GDP) of outdoor economy will look like, one thing has become recreation was outpacing other major industries increasingly clear: Getting outside has never felt Perhaps a reflection for our work and our like motor vehicles and pharmaceuticals. That so important to so many people. During the aspirations to partner with the Great Lakes, this 2017 study by the US Bureau for Economic COVID-19 closures, the outdoors remained interpretation of famed conservationist Aldo Analysis also showed the industry grew faster than essential. In record numbers, people were outside Leopold’s thoughts by his biographer Curt Miene is the general economy, and the same was true for on walks, at parks, on bike rides or playing with fitting: “Water is not just an economic commodity, Wisconsin at the state level. their children. The Outdoor Industry Association it is a necessity, and it involves ethical discussions of stated in April, “If the last month is any indication our relation to each other, to other species, and to Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources of Americans’ continued or renewed desire to get future generations. Water responds to what we do. states annual sport fishing on Lakes Michigan outside, we know that having places to recreate or It reflects who we are, and what we prioritize.” and Superior attract 250,000 anglers who bring find solace resonates deeply across the country.” in $252 million to Wisconsin’s economy. Last The Great Lakes have long been a part of Wisconsin’s We feel the same holds true for Wisconsinites. year, over 184,000 people visited Lake Superior’s outdoor story. The outsized economic impact of outdoor recreation in their lakeshore communities is only possible because Wisconsin cares for and invests in these treasured freshwater assets. In the coming months, Wisconsin’s Office of Outdoor Recreation looks forward to working with partners, stakeholders and the public to define the priorities that will be in service to growing a more resilient, inclusive and creative outdoor recreation economy around all of Wisconsin’s outdoor assets.

Mary Monroe Brown is Director of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism Office of Outdoor Recreation. She can be reached at (608) 261-0341 or [email protected].

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 15 2020 WISCONSIN COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM GRANTS

Project Name Northeast Coastal Resiliency Study Grantee Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission WCMP Award $29,851 Project Description Implement the first of a two-phase project to Contact address coastal resiliency for three communities in the Bay-Lake Region. Mr. Brandon Robinson, (920) 448-2820 Coastwide Delivering Our Collective Messaging for Regional Natural Areas and Critical Species a Healthy Lake Michigan Habitat Plan Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning $27,500 Commission Complete a water quality and Great Lakes $40,000 literacy messaging campaign to raise awareness Update inventory of natural areas sites used by about storm water and nonpoint pollution. municipalities, government and conservation Mr. Tom Mlada, (262) 573-8736 organizations. Dr. Thomas S. Slawski, (262) 547-6721 Technical Assistance Northwest Regional Planning Commission Hazards Fellowship $20,000 UW Sea Grant Institute/UW Board of Regents Support coastal management activities and $39,000 technical assistance to local governments in Support a one-year fellowship tackling science and the Lake Superior region. policy challenges to increase coastal community Mr. Jason Laumann, (715) 635-2197 resilience across the . Dr. Jennifer Hauxwell, (608) 263-4756 Technical Assistance Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission Wisconsin Harbor Town Travel Guide Project $20,000 Wisconsin Harbor Towns Association Support coastal management activities and $30,000 technical assistance to local governments in Develop, update and print copies of a new the Bay-Lake region. Wisconsin Harbor Town Travel Guide to connect Mr. Brandon Robinson, (920) 448-2820 tourists with Wisconsin coastal communities and resources. Mr. Jason Ring, (920) 686-3070

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 16 2020 WISCONSIN COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM GRANTS

Technical Assistance Unified Development Ordinance Mueller Park Fishing and Boating Project Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning and Zoning Updates Village of Wrightstown Commission City of Ashland $41,182 $20,000 $15,000 Construct a fishing pier/platform, sidewalk, Support coastal management activities and Update the Unified Development Ordinance and launch and expand parking. technical assistance to local governments in implement zoning changes within the waterfront Mr. Travis Coenen, (920) 532-5567 the Southeast region. area to provide coastal resource protection and Dr. Thomas Slawski, (262) 547-6721 water quality. Coastal Flooding Pre-Disaster Ms. Megan McBride, (715) 682-7041 Mitigation Planning Brown County Ashland County $29,994 Bayfield County Work with five communities along the Bay of Northland College Outdoor Recreation and Coastal Green Bay to develop a coastal flooding pre-disaster $59,667 Resources Planning mitigation plan and incorporate new FEMA data. Implement Phase II of an experimental City of Washburn Mr. Devin Yoder, (920) 448-6488 approach to identify sources of viable $26,880 ADA Accessible Kayak Launches cyanobacteria propagules and conditions Update the Comprehensive Plan and develop an Village of Allouez that lead to cyanobacteria blooms. Outdoor Recreation Plan. $28,650 Mr. Matt Hudson, (715) 682-1481 Mr. Tony Janisch, (715) 373-6160 Install two ADA accessible kayak/ launches Flood Risk Assessment and Mitigation Restoring Habitat Along Washburn’s Lakeshore and docks on the East and Fox Rivers. University of Wisconsin-Madison City of Washburn Mr. Chris Clark, (920) 448-2800 $52,647 $15,750 Restoration & Management Plan Create a building inventory for northern Restore habitat through University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Ashland County to help develop better flood removal and control, native plantings, and trail $17,396 mitigation plans. infrastructure. Create an adaptable management plan to guide Dr. Howard Veregin, (608) 262-6852 Mr. Tony Janisch (717) 373-6160 future Cat Island restoration activities. Kreher Park Public Access Ms. Amy Carrozzino-Lyon, (920) 465-5029 City of Ashland Brown County $29,268 East River Watershed Resiliency Redevelop the former Northern States NEW Water Power Superfund site into a public multi-use $52,120 recreational space for boaters, fisherman, Develop a flood study, community of practice and tourists and the community. community-based watershed resilience framework Ms. Sara Hudson, (715) 685-1644 for the East River Watershed. Ms. Angela Kowalzek-Adrians, (920) 438-1072

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 17 Douglas County Kewaunee County Marinette County Comprehensive Plan Update 2020-2040 Kewaunee Lakefront Property Acquisition Comprehensive Plan Update City of Superior City of Kewaunee City of Marinette $19,837 $60,000 $20,500 Update the City’s Comprehensive Plan including Acquire part of the Harbor Marina. Build on the City’s recent river cleanup with coastal resources and hazard mitigation elements. Dr. Fred Schnook, (920) 388-5000 increased emphasis on water levels, coastal Mr. Jason Serck, (715) 395-7335 hazards, resiliency and sustainability. Manitowoc County Mr. Steve Genisot, (715) 732-5139 Kenosha County All Hands On Deck: Creating an Inclusive Milwaukee County Kenosha Dunes Groundwater Flow and Maritime Landscape Coastal Maritime Museum MPS Schools Green Infrastructure University of Wisconsin-Madison $30,000 Milwaukee Public Schools $29,793 Increase access to and engagement with our $87,500 Complete groundwater seepage monitoring, waterways for people with disabilities by reducing Develop detailed engineering documents, coastal assessment and characterization, cognitive, social and physical engagement barriers. permitting and designs incorporating green education and public outreach for Kenosha Ms. Cathy Green, (920) 684-0218 infrastructure practices at five Milwaukee Public Dunes. School sites. Dr. Chin Wu, (608) 263-3078 Comprehensive Plan Update Dr. Keith Posley, (414) 475-8001 City of Two Rivers Shores Beach Resource Management $26,000 Water Quality in a Coastal Urban and Restoration Plan Update the City Comprehensive Plan including Lagoon Environment Village of Pleasant Prairie a market-based feasibility study. Milwaukee County Parks $22,000 Mr. Greg Buckley, (920) 793-5532 $78,022 Design a shoreline restoration plan, habitat Build on previous data collection efforts to restoration plan and shoreline protection plan Manitowoc River Watershed Trail develop a three to five-year project plan to for Prairie Shores Beach. City of Manitowoc improve water quality at Veterans Park Lagoon. Mr. John Steinbrink, Jr., (262) 694-1403 $18,000 Mr. Ramsey Radakovich, (414) 257-4887 Develop an inventory, story map and water trail plan for the Manitowoc River. Mr. Marshall Black, (920) 686-6519

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 18 2021 Exhibit: Milwaukee’s Water History Ozaukee County Racine County Milwaukee County Historical Society $48,500 Clay Bluffs Cedar Gorge Nature Pike River Stream Bank and Riparian Develop a Milwaukee Water History exhibit Preserve Acquisition Buffer Restoration covering early development, local economy, Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Department Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network (WIN) recreation and preservation efforts. $125,000 $31,861 Ms. Mame McCully, (414) 273-8288 Acquire 61 acres of undeveloped land along the Address the eroding Pike River streambank, Lake Michigan shoreline in Ozaukee County. remove invasive species and mitigate run-off to Capital Asset Renewal Plan Mr. Andrew Struck (262) 284-8257 improve fishing and paddling areas. Port Milwaukee Mr. Dave Giordano, (262) 898-2055 $40,000 Lake Michigan Public Access: Phase II Develop a Capital Asset Renewal Plan for Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Department Turtle Creek Riparian Improvements Port Milwaukee. $60,000 Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network (WIN) Mr. Larry Sullivan, (414) 286-8139 Continue construction of a passive public access $20,737 to Lake Michigan along the 130-foot-high clay Develop construction documents for Turtle Creek Future Freshwater Water Champions seepage bluff at Virmond County Park. streambank stabilization, habitat restoration and Milwaukee Public Schools Mr. Andrew Struck, (242) 238-8275 invasive species removal. $25,000 Mr. Dave Giordano, (262) 898-2055 Provide water-focused STEAM programming Heart of the Harbor Pedestrian Plaza City of Port Washington to students at five Milwaukee Public School sites Sheboygan County to support connections to the Great Lakes. $40,000 Dr. Keith Posley, (414) 475-8001 Support a joint effort between the City and Environmental Education Pilot Program Port Washington Main Street, Inc. to create a Visit Sheboygan STEAM, Inc. Water Stories on Climate Change, gathering space/plaza connecting the historic $50,000 Tourism and Public Project Collaborations downtown and lakefront/marina. Develop and implement an environmental Reflo Mr. Rob Vanden Noven, (262) 268-4267 education pilot program at the new STEAM $25,000 Education Center in Sheboygan. Create and share interactive maps and short Dr. Amy Wilson, (920) 395-8709 videos exploring the themes of climate change, tourism and public project collaborations related to Milwaukee waters. Mr. Michael Timm, (414) 378-0945

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 19 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program was established in the Department of Administration (DOA) in 1978 under the Federal Coastal Zone Management Act. The program and its partners work to achieve balance between natural resource preservation and economic development along Wisconsin’s Great Lakes coasts. The program thanks its principal federal partner, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office for Coastal Management, for the technical and financial support it provides on behalf of Wisconsin’s coastal communities.

Wisconsin Coastal Wisconsin Coastal Management Program Management Council Tony Evers Larry MacDonald, Bayfield, Chair Governor Michael Childers, La Pointe Joel Brennan Sharon Cook, Milwaukee Secretary, DOA Stephen Galarneau, Wisconsin Department Dawn Vick of Natural Resources Administrator, DOA Division of Intergovernmental Relations James Hurley, University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute Mike Friis Leader, Resource Policy Team and Manager, Representative Joel Kitchens, Bay WCMP Ken Leinbach, Kathleen Angel Coastal Natural Hazards and Federal Mayor Cory Mason, Racine Consistency Coordinator, WCMP William Schuster, Sturgeon Bay Todd Breiby Dawn Vick, Wisconsin Department Coastal Nonpoint and Education Coordinator, of Administration WCMP Chuck Wagner, Luxemburg Lauren Leckwee Environmental Compliance Coordinator, Senator Robert Wirch, Kenosha WCMP Editor JAS Langdon

Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 | page 20 Photographs Wisconsin Coastal Page, Image, Source Management Program Cover, Madeline Island Ferry Terminal, 101 East Wilson Street Travel Wisconsin PO Box 8944 Contents, Kayakers, Madison, Wisconsin 53708-8944 Travel Wisconsin (608) 267-7982 1, Gov . Tony Evers, Governor’s Press Office http://coastal .wisconsin .gov 2, Saxon Harbor, Iron County Forestry coastal@wisconsin .gov & Parks Department 3, Saxon Harbor, Iron County Forestry & Parks Department 4, Manitowoc, Adam Bechle 5, Maslowski Beach, Ashland, Adam Bechle 6, Port Washington, Adam Bechle

7, Sheridan Park, Adam Bechle 8, Sheboygan Harbor, James E . Schultz 9, Wildwood Island, Debbie Beyer Funded by the Wisconsin Coastal Management 10, Renard Island, Ben Young, NEW Water Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office for Coastal Management, 11, Renard Island, Ben Young, NEW Water under the Coastal Zone Management Act, Grant 12, Artesian Well, Mary Motiff NA19NOS4190087 . 13, Lake Superior Shoreline, Travel Wisconsin 14, Apostle Islands Sea Caves, Travel Wisconsin The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program in the Wisconsin Department of Administration 15, Kohler-Andrae State Park, John Nienhuis publishes Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle . It 16, Samuel Myers Park, City of Racine welcomes, but is not responsible for, the opinions Health Department expressed by contributing authors . 20,  Lighthouse, Jon Okerstrom, Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore 21, Peninsula State Park, Mike Friis Back Cover, Devils Island Lighthouse, Jon Okerstrom, Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

DOA-9743-P 09/2020 Wisconsin Great Lakes Chronicle 2020 is dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore . The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is committed to providing visitors a unique and unforgettable experience through management of natural and cultural resources, wise improvements and enhanced accessibility for all . Signed into law on September 26, 1970 under the leadership of Sen . Gaylord Nelson, the Lakeshore is a gift to the people of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes .