Th e Door County Environmental Council News December 2018

“Fostering the preservation of Door County’s rich heritage of natural resources for the health, welfare, and spiritual uplift not only of its inhabitants, but of generations to come.”

Published Quarterly. Copyright © 2018 by the Door County Environmental Council, PO Box 114, Fish Creek, WI 54212 Door County Property Owners and the Environment uch is said and written about and use of water saving shower heads. Menvironmental responsibility of Washing cars or allowing them to be washed individuals and governmental bodies. Here on the property can be monitored for we explore the role of owners of Door excessive water use. Water features which County property. This includes residential, recirculate water utilize less from the aquifer commercial, agricultural, organizational, and than those that use only fresh water. publicly owned properties. Control of drainage and runoff Use of water Water which is applied to the land can Most properties draw their water from affect groundwater, surface water, or both. the aquifer. Although the peninsula is The land owner has the responsibility to blessed with abundant, largely clean and see that water reaching the aquifer has had safe groundwater, the supply is not infinite adequate filtration. For water applied to and the land owner has a responsibility to the ground such as lawn watering, washing draw only as much water as is needed for cars, and agricultural waste water, this its purposes and not involves adequate soil squander it. Some The Door County depth to bedrock over measures to do this the karst topography include watering lawns Environmental characteristic of Door and gardens only as Council would like County’s peninsula. necessary, use of water- Soil depth should be saving appliances such to wish everyone a very safe known, sink holes as laundry washing and happy holiday season! identified, and any machines and toilets, areas where water

1 would run into a creek or other body of water. Good land stewardship involves surface water must either be avoided or application of only as much of these diverted to a filtration system, which can be substances as is required to promote the as simple as a rain garden. growth and health of plants being raised, whether lawn, garden, or agricultural At the time of this writing, unfortunately, land. Excesses promote unwanted growth the Town of Ephraim has decided against particularly when runoff carries those excess taking the necessary steps in their master levels into surface water. Excessive watering plan to provide for natural filtration of the of lawns causes depletion of nutrients unless inevitable runoff from their stormwater supplemented by application of fertilizers, diversion design; unfiltered water will run thus the vicious cycle of application and directly into the harbor, putting at risk the depletion which has harmful environmental main (only) industry in the area as a result consequences. Limiting groomed lawn of contamination of the surface water, areas and growing plants which require less which presumably will lead to unsightly and supplemental feeding is an environmentally malodorous growth in the heretofore popular favorable practice. destination. A plan to divert the stormwater into a wetland area which would result in Pesticides are used on residential, clean water running into the bay was rejected. commercial, agricultural, organizational, The Crossroads at Big Creek is an example and publicly owned properties. Their use of responsible property stewardship where, must be appropriate for the identified need, despite a large paved parking lot, drainage avoiding harm to bees and birds and other and runoff have been carefully considered. beneficial wildlife, and must not spread outside of the owners’ properties (pesticide Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations trespass). Selection of driveway seal coating (CAFOs) must have approval of nutrient was discussed in a previous issue. management plans to deal with the tremendous amount of liquid manure Responsible lighting produced. Landowners who lease their property for application of this substance Outdoor lighting factors to be considered have a responsibility to make certain that include light pollution, light trespass, light only responsible application is carried out on excess, and glare. Light aimed upward is their land, that sink holes are identified, and wasted in terms of illuminating the desired that application does not occur outside the area and wastes energy—strike two in limits prescribed by the nutrient management terms of the environment. One of the most plan. If no crops are to be grown on the land, common examples is lighting the American spreading liquid manure on the soil is by flag all night from below. Yes, it’s more definition excessive application and puts both expensive to light from the top of the pole our groundwater and surface water at risk of and easier than taking the flag down at night contamination. and raising it in the morning, but once the change has been made the long-term cost Use of environmentally unfriendly substances remains steady and likely reduced from what was spent on illuminating the flag and Plants use nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, the sky from below. Signs illuminated from and various trace nutrients in addition to below waste energy and pollute the night

2 sky. In addition, many signs illuminated DCEC Position Statement from below cause glare. Drive around on the Gills Rock Project Door County at night and notice how many signs are lighted in such a way that n October 16th, by a vote of 111- the light is shining directly into your eyes, O19, Town of Liberty Grove residents interfering with safe driving. Yard lights approved the purchase of three Gills Rock cast a large amount of light in all directions shoreline properties for $1.45 million. where the purpose is to illuminate specific areas. The result is wasted energy, light According to TLG Chairman John Lowry, pollution, and in some cases light trespass “The Town has no plans for these properties. where a neighbor’s property is illuminated … What we want to do is come back to the without their consent. Properly directed and electors for the electors to decide what to do shielded lighting accomplishes its intended with these properties.” Chairman Lowry said purpose and saves energy. Light pollution a committee or task force will be formed to affects not only amateur astronomers. It gather input, with hopes that proposals will affects wildlife and diminishes the fact that be brought to the Town next spring (2019), one attraction of Door County for visitors and electors would get to vote on the future and residents is the unique dark sky. People use of the property. who have never seen the Milky Way can see it on every clear night. The Door County Environmental Council applauds the Town of Liberty Grove for Recycling protecting these Gills Rock properties from commercial development for the benefit of Individuals are implored to recycle, but the community. often they find no convenient receptacle for them to discard their recyclable items and, The future project should allow public access as a result, often recyclables are tossed into to the bay while preserving the natural more readily available trash containers. The environment and character of Gills Rock as Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion in Egg a traditional rural fishing village, taking into Harbor is an example of a property where consideration that any major transformation, both trash and recyclable materials can be such as the creation of a marina or the discarded by passers-by and those entering construction or transformation of buildings, the building. could affect the natural character of this beautiful and unique property. This article is not intended to be a complete list of ways that property owners The DCEC looks forward to participating in can promote a cleaner and healthier the public discussions initiated by the TLG environment. The hope is that, in addition to on the future of this important community considering what we can do as individuals project. and through legislation, we can explore how we as property stewards can make and keep The Door County Environmental Council Board our lands environmentally friendly. of Directors

By John Beck

3 DCEC Position On includes pesticides, herbicides, petroleum Proposed Ephraim products, and fertilizers. Worst of these potential contaminants is phosphorus. Drainage Plan Phosphorus is found in fertilizers. When it rains, phosphorus washes off the land and is phraim is a picturesque village on the deposited directly into the bay. Ebay of Green Bay in Door County and its shallow Eagle Harbor is blessed Phosphorous is a necessary building block with a sand bottom, making it perfect for for living things, and it does make things swimming. Recently, the Ephraim Village grow. Unfortunately, in water, especially Board, without holding a public vote, passed warm stagnant water, it makes algae grow. a comprehensive $5 million “Streetscape Water that includes toxic blue-green algae Plan” that includes new sidewalks, gutters, can make humans sick and be fatal to dogs. and drainage for lower Ephraim. In fairness, As algae decomposes it smells and takes the Board has held many meetings, but no oxygen from the water in a process called votes by meeting attendees or registered eutrophication. Phosphorus pollution has voters were held. The “Streetscape Plan,” dramatically and negatively impacted love it or hate it, is the Board’s prerogative Florida’s waters and vacation economy. as far as it impacts only property in Ephraim Closer to home, phosphorus pollution the Board controls. has closed beaches on lakes Mendota and Monona in Madison. Phosphorus The new Streetscape Drainage Plan, pollution has also closed beaches on Lake however, is a different matter, as it impacts Winnebago. The city of Green Bay may property owned by the people of Wisconsin, never again have a swimming beach, thanks that is, the bay of Green Bay. No one objects to phosphorus contamination. Dead zones, to improving the drainage of lower Ephraim, areas with no oxygen, are growing in the as this property was originally mostly bay of Green Bay. wetland and drains poorly. The problem is, the new storm water drainage plan greatly What’s the solution in Ephraim? The expedites the transfer of storm water, solution is natural filtration of storm water. including surface pollutants, from the land This can be accomplished by running to the bay, without any filtration, via the new storm water through a detention pond planned gutters and culverts. The plan also and rain garden before running it into the eliminates many trees that slow drainage and bay. Perhaps storm water could simply help filter storm water. be pumped back into the nearby natural rain garden/wetland. This will cost more. Perhaps you’re thinking the storm water has However, it will cost substantially less always gone into the bay and draining the than tearing up the new road, gutters, and land quickly is the main objective. That’s drainage system to fix future bay pollution true. However, the difference is we didn’t problems. As we plan to improve Ephraim, always have humans leaving chemicals we must think holistically. Clean bay on the ground for the storm water to waters are key to Ephraim’s future. pick up and transfer directly into the bay. Remember, everything humans put on the The Door County Environmental Council ground eventually ends up in the bay. This Board of Directors

4 Phosphorus, the Enemy algae blooms in Door County waters should therefore, be a real concern. of Clean Water But water temperature alone is not the veryone wants clean bay and lake water only factor fostering algae growth. The Ein Door County. This is not a partisan development and proliferation of algae issue, and no one is in favor of polluting our blooms are the result of a combination waters. Why, then, do we continue to have of factors, including water temperature, an overall deterioration of water quality in sunlight, nutrient loading, and water Wisconsin waters? Is it ignorance, greed, mixing conditions. Blue-green algae, or indifference, or apathy? Perhaps it’s some cyanobacteria, make waters unswimmable, combination of all these things? inhospitable to fish, unsightly, and smelly.

Scientifically, it seems, pollution and There are many types of algae. Some are climate change have much to do with water harmless, but blue-green algae is toxic. In quality. Almost all leading scientists agree layman’s terms, algae is that green or brown we are in a period of fast global warming floating scum you often see on the surface and climate change. This warming trend is of ponds of stagnant water. It can give dramatically affecting swimmers a rash. the waters of Lake Ingesting blue- Michigan and the bay green algae can of Green Bay. make you very ill and be fatal to dogs. If you are a swimmer, you likely noticed Needless to say, and enjoyed, the blue-green algae warmer than normal blooms here could water temperatures greatly impact the this summer. tourism industry, Perhaps you’re property values, thinking, “What’s and our overall the problem?” The quality of life. problem is that Lake Michigan algae bloom Photo by Bill Iwen Algae has already warmer than normal dramatically water temperatures change the ecosystem. impacted Florida and other areas of Rapid change of our lake’s ecosystem, Wisconsin. So what can be done to stop unfortunately, is not good. One impact, it this? We can’t, in the short run, do much to seems, is that water temperatures above impact global warming. But nutrients in the 77 degrees are optimal for the growth of water have much to do with the growth of blue-green algae. We are now experiencing algae. Controlling the nutrient enrichment of water temperatures this warm or warmer our waters is a major factor in limiting algae in our shallow bay waters. In fact, at growth. Fertilizer runoff from agriculture, these temperatures blue-green algae has lawns, animal waste, and sewage effluent are a competitive advantage over all other major sources of phosphorus and nitrogen types of algae. The potential for blue-green pollution. The thin soils of Door County and

5 porous karst rock can’t possibly completely Seeking Volunteers for filter the phosphorus and nitrogen in manure Spring Highway Cleanup produced by even one large CAFO. he Door County Environmental Council Certainly, nitrogen in our waters is not a Trecently adopted a one mile stretch of good thing, but phosphorus is far worse. Highway 42 in Egg Harbor, from County Dr. Michael Peterson, a senior research E to County EE, for clean up as a member- scientist at IISD Experimental Lakes Area engaging activity. says, “When governments are tackling algae blooms while working with limited On November 5th, Eileen, Mike, Paul, John, resources, the results demonstrate that and Renee were able to do an initial walk of their efforts should be firmly focused on the area and picked up litter. We confirmed reducing phosphorous loading of our lakes.” that the terrain is fairly easy for members Unfortunately, we are not doing this. In to walk and we will encourage members to fact, the Wisconsin Department of Natural accompany us next time. Resources does not have, or enforce, any standard for phosphorus in storm water Cleanups are tentatively scheduled for the discharges from municipal storm water spring and fall of each year. If you would systems that empty directly into our bay like to participate in the April road clean up, and lake. please contact us at: [email protected]. We will email you more details as the event We can do much to preserve our water draws closer. quality here─if we reduce, the amount of phosphorus we are knowingly, or By Renee McAllister unknowingly, dumping into our waters. We need to stop using phosphorus in our lawn and garden fertilizer. In addition, we must demand phosphorus filtration in the form of large rain garden detention ponds for our municipal storm water runoff. Municipalities can no longer be permitted to dump their partially treated sewage into our waters. Big agriculture, including CAFOs, cannot simply be allowed to pollute our ground and surface water with animal waste.

Of course, all this will cost money. But what is the long term value of our Door County water quality worth? Our Wisconsin DNR needs to do its job in protecting our waters, and we as citizens must do ours, by demanding and taking action before blue- green algae becomes a real problem here. Photo by Mike Bahrke By Steve Eatough Edited by Renee McAllister

6 Here’s a Great Lakes it that way, but rather saw it as a navigable Resource and route leading towards unimaginable riches to the west. European explorers came to Holiday Gift Idea! the “sweet water seas” in the early 1600s. Surely, they would find what so many recently finished reading Dan Egan‘s believed lay further west, the coast of I book, The Death and Life of the Great China. In fact, in 1634 French voyager, Lakes, and I had a hard time putting it Jean Nicolet, was the first white man to down. It is an excellent read and a very canoe from Lake Huron to the far shore well researched account of the saga of of Lake Michigan. Dressed in a colorfully the Great Lakes. From their discovery to flowered and flowing Chinese robe, Nicolet their exploitation, Dan Egan has brilliantly was dressed and ready to meet the local put together a history of the Great Chinamen. The shore he actually stepped Lakes’ struggle for survival from human onto was the southern end of Green Bay. degradation. But, it is also about a human struggle to right the wrongs that we have done.

His book begins with the following paragraph describing just how “Great” these Lakes are:

There are few views that can draw noses to airplane windows like those of the Great Lakes. From on high, the five lakes that straddle the U.S. and Canadian border can appear impossibly blue, tantalizing as the Caribbean. Standing on their shores and staring out at their ocean-like horizons, it hits you that the Great Lakes are, in one significant way, superior to even the Seven Seas. The Great Lakes, after all, are so named not just for their size but for the fact that Jean Nicolet in his Chinese robe their shorelines cradle a global Photo by Paul Leline trove of the most coveted liquid of all—freshwater. Traveling through the Great Lakes is nothing like moving across average sized Freshwater. One of every five gallons of lakes. Under the surface are over 6,000 accessible liquid freshwater on Earth is shipwrecks as well as a Northwest airliner found within the Great Lakes. The new carrying 58 people lost somewhere at the world explorers and immigrants never saw bottom of Lake Michigan.

7 The Great Lakes are suffering. For centuries touch the bottom of the lake due to the mega they have endured the growing populations populations of mussels. They are literally and industrialized society taking advantage sucking the life right out of the lakes. of the water as a resource and as a convenient waste dump site for untold numbers of toxic Mr. Egan clearly shows the reader how far pollutants. From the West, the urgent need for the ecological threat extends. If the “front freshwater brings great pressures from profit door” to the Great Lakes is the St. Lawrence seeking groups wanting to divert water to the Seaway, then the “back door” of the Great arid regions. However, Egan believes that “the Lakes is the man-made Chicago Sanitary and biggest threat to the lakes right now is our own Shipping Canal. All of the invasives entering ignorance.” We’ve seen what has happened in the Great Lakes’ front door will eventually the past and what continues today. Egan points move out the back door and into the out that “continuing to exploit the world’s Mississippi River system that will reach all largest expanse of freshwater in this manner is the way to the continental divide and beyond. wreaking increasingly disastrous Already quagga mussels have been consequences.” All the “industrial found behind the Hoover Dam in plundering” finally led Congress Lake Mead, just outside of Las to pass the Clean Water Act of Vegas, Nevada. 1972. An Act that truly affected a positive change towards less Egan shares tales of a heroic toxic conditions unfortunately scientist battling lamprey eels and exempted the international an exploding alewife population shipping industry’s practice being met with a secret sport of discharging their ballast fishery solution. He also describes waters while in the Great Lakes. a natural process playing out Generally, ballast tank waters in Lake Michigan. Fishermen were considered free of oil and see evidence of fish adaptations other toxins, but not realized was occurring that may bring the the biological load carried within www.books.wwnorton.com currently out of balance Great these tanks, possibly “the most potent pollutant Lakes ecosystem back into a more balanced there is: DNA.” future ecosystem. The native whitefish has become a predator upon invasive fish. There Through the dredging of the St. Lawrence is, possibly, hope for balance in the future Seaway, the Erie Canal, and the Welland Canal, of the Great Lakes, but the “front and back we have created an international shipping doors” need to be closed. We can stop the route. The discharging of foreign ballast waters future introduction of more exotic species. We within the lakes has injected untold numbers can control the excessive pollution. We don’t of invasive species (186 known) into them. have to be ignorant. We can live in harmony This has created an ecological disaster. Two with the Great Lakes. species included are zebra and quagga mussels which encrust the lake bottoms and filter all Thank you to Dan Egan for his excellent of the lakes’ waters every two weeks. If you writing skills and for enlightening us on the could remove all of Lake Michigan’s water state of our Great Lakes. and walk from Wisconsin to Michigan your feet would probably not be able to actually By Paul Leline

8 Just in Case You Missed It on #1) What Will Happen When Hurricane the DCEC Facebook Page! Florence Hits North Carolina’s Massive Pig Manure Lagoons? ant to know what issues push Wthe hot button for your fellow environmentalists? Here’s a listing of the Top 10 most popular DCEC Facebook Page posts since September 2018. And, if you would like more information on any of these topics, check out the Door County Environmental Council Facebook Page.

#10) DCEC Adopts a Highway Eyeing a tasty treat Photo by Mike Bahrke #9) How Long Can the Great Lakes Fend Off a Thirsty World from Water Diversions? DCEC Seeks Administrator

#8) NASA Images Show Hurricane he Door County Environmental Florence Flooding/Polluting TCouncil is seeking an energetic, Carolina Rivers Flowing into Ocean professional, and personable individual as administrator. This is a part time position. #7) Petition Supporting a Statewide The administrator serves as the central point Moratorium on New and Expanding of contact on all DCEC environmental CAFOs in Wisconsin issues. Responsibilities include representing the DCEC at public meetings; coordinating #6) ‘Astronomical’ PFAS Level Sets DCEC Board meetings; coordinating New Michigan Contamination program speakers and venues selected by Milestone the Board for public educational programs related to the environment; obtaining #5) Lake Superior Gains Over 2 Trillion and providing promotional information Gallons Due to Recent Heavy Rain to the DCEC Communications Manager; authoring, editing, and coordinating with #4) Rural America’s Own Private Flint: DCEC Board members on DCEC newsletter Polluted Water Too Dangerous articles; authoring annual grant requests, to Drink monitoring and updating the DCEC website, Facebook Page, and other social media; and #3) DNR Fines Foxconn for Failing to monitoring and replying to DCEC phone and Manage Stormwater in Wake of email messages, among other duties. Must Labor Day Rains have strong organizational and computer skills with attention to detail. Forward #2) Mackinac Bridge Authority application materials to the DCEC, P.O. Box Members: We Weren’t Consulted on 114, Fish Creek, WI 54212 or contact@ Straits Tunnel dcec-wi.org, or 920-743-6003.

9 for more than thirty years, wherever I was working in the World, I have been coming to Door County with my family every summer. This is where I took my daughters swimming or hiking in the parks and, for me, it was the place where I could get away, reflect, and restore.

“However, I have also seen many changes: the development of the condominiums, the growing road traffic, deteriorating air quality, the progressive extinction of wildlife, and the successive crisis of the bay waters. In my experiences around the world I have seen how unchecked development can bring irreversible damage. I have also, Jean-Rene Gehan however, seen examples of remarkable success combining economic development DCEC Welcomes New with preserving the natural environment. Board Member, “I am not against development, as I feel it Jean-Rene Gehan is only fair that other people want to share the same privilege I have myself enjoyed ew board member, Jean-Rene Gehan, while visiting the peninsula. There are Nhas worked for many years as a French also many businesses and families whose Diplomat and Ambassador. He worked in livelihood depends on tourism. However a Asia, as a young diplomat in Beijing, and balance must be found which preserves the later on as an Ambassador in Southeast Asia. natural resources, the waters, the forests, Jean-Rene also spent time in the Middle the wildlife, and the views which belong East, where he was Ambassador in Kuwait to all and which make the Door Peninsula and Ambassador at Large for cooperation unique while meeting the needs of our projects with Arab Countries. He had several diverse community. Otherwise, one day we diplomatic assignments in the U.S., in who were born here or have chosen to live Washington D.C., New York, and Chicago, here, but also tourists and businesses, will where as Consul General, he visited most regret losing the natural environment that is cities and regions of the Midwest. Since the main asset on which rests most of Door he retired from the French Foreign Service County’s economy. he has been associated with the University of Wisconsin in Madison where his two “I am happy to join the Board of DCEC, daughters live and where he has been and I am looking forward to working with teaching Diplomacy and International like-minded volunteers who want to help Relations part time. preserve one of the most beautiful places in this part of the world.” “My wife has a long family history and strong attachments with Door County, and Jean-Rene Gehan

10 DCEC Leadership Your Government Representatives PRESIDENT: Mike Bahrke, Ellison Bay Governor Tony Evers VICE-PRESIDENT: Steve Eatough, Sister Bay 115 East Capitol Madison, WI 53702 SECRETARY: Paul Leline, Baileys Harbor (608)266-1212 TREASURER: Eileen Andera, Sturgeon Bay Email: [email protected] DIRECTORS: www.evers.wi.gov Dorothy Anderson, Liberty Grove State Senator Andre Jacque John Beck, Sevastopol Room 22 South Jean-Rene Gehan, Gills Rock PO Box 7882, State Capitol Renee McAllister, Sturgeon Bay Madison, WI 53707-7882 (920)819-8066 HONORARY DIRECTORS: Email: [email protected] Tony Haswell James Ingwersen State Representative Joel C. Kitchens Flora Langlois P.O. Box 8952 Madison, WI 53708-8952 Bob Merline (608)266-5350 Carol Sills Toll Free: (888)482-0001 Karen Wilson Fax: (608)282-3601 Libby Zimmerman Email: [email protected] ADMINISTRATOR: Position temporarily vacant U.S. Senator Ron Johnson BOOKKEEPER: Nancy Raye, Sturgeon Bay 328 Hart Senate Office Bldg. COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR: Washington: (202)224-5323 Kaethe Gutierrez, Sturgeon Bay Milwaukee office: 414-276-7282 Fax: (202)228-6965 The Door County Environmental Council www.ronjohnson.senate.gov P.O. Box 114 U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Fish Creek, WI 54212 717 Hart Senate Office Bldg. (920) 743-6003 Washington DC 20510 (202)224-5653 On the web: www.dcec-wi.org From WI: (800)247-5645 Email: [email protected] or Madison office: (608)264-5338 www.baldwin.senate.gov [email protected] https://twitter.com/DCEC15 U.S. Respresentative Mike Gallagher 1007 Longworth House Office Bldg. LIKE our NEW page on Facebook: Washington DC 20515 The Door County Environmental Council at (202)225-5665 Appleton office: (920)903-9806 www.facebook.com/The-Door-County- Green bay office: (920)301-4500 Environmental-Council-793102617392133/ www.gallagher.house.gov DCEC MEMBERSHIP FORM -- JOIN TODAY!! ☐ $25 Individual ☐ $35 Family ☐ $50 Sustaining ☐ $100 Donor ☐ $15 Student/Limited ☐ $______Other

Name (s) ______Address______City______State_____Zip______Email______Phone (____)______Door County voter? ☐ Yes ☐ No Please mail with payment to: DCEC, P.O. Box 114, Fish Creek, WI 54212

11 Door County Environmental Council, Inc. PO Box 114 Fish Creek, WI 54212

In this issue: Door County Property Owners and the Environment ...... 1

DCEC Position Statement on the Gills Rock Project ...... 3

DCEC Position on Proposed Ephraim Drainage Plan ...... 4

Phosphorus, the Enemy of Clean Water ...... 5

Seeking Volunteers for Spring Highway Cleanup ...... 6

Here’s a Great Lakes Resource and Holiday Gift Idea! ...... 7

Just in Case You Missed It on the DCEC Facebook Page! ...... 9

DCEC Welcomes New Board Member, Jean-Rene Gehan ...... 10

DCEC Leadership ...... 11

Your Government Representatives ...... 11

Visit us on the web at www.dcec-wi.org, email at [email protected], on Facebook at www.facebook.com/The-Door-County-Environmental-Council-793102617392133/, or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/DCEC15