News

Cleanup Brings Milwaukee Area of Concern Closer to Restoration

February 20, 2012

CHICAGO (Feb. 17, 2012) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Milwaukee County today announced completion of contaminated sediment removal in Lincoln Creek and the Milwaukee River Channel. This project brings the Milwaukee Estuary closer to being removed from a binational list of Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes.

"The work by state, county, city and other partners over the years has helped deliver real results under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative," said Cameron Davis, Senior Advisor to the EPA Administrator. “Thousands of cubic yards of harmful contaminated sediment were removed to help boost human, ecological and local economic health. But we can’t stop here. We’re looking for new partners to match funds to accelerate cleanups in other Areas of Concern in Wisconsin and around the Great Lakes."

Shell Responds to Our Concerns over Fuel Spill at Airport

February 10, 2012

Milwaukee Riverkeeper met with Shell Oil this week to ask questions and get more information about their jet fuel leak at Mitchell International Airport. The spill is estimated to be over 9,000 gallons and to have leaked from a Shell Oil pipeline on January 25th for over a week into Wilson Creek and the

Jet Fuel Leaks Into Area Rivers

February 3, 2012

UPDATE: Shell has responded with a list of Community Information FAQ's. They are attached below.

*If you require more information on this issue contact the Milwaukee pipline community information line at: 1-866-467-4775.

Milwaukee Riverkeeper has been monitoring the estimated 9,000 gallon jet fuel leak from a Shell Oil Company pipeline along the eastern border of Mitchell International Airport, which discharged jet fuel into Wilson Park Creek and the Kinnickinnic River for OVER A WEEK in late January before the pipeline was shut down.

Last Section of the Riverwalk to be Linked

February 1, 2012

Plans are underway to finally construct & link the last sections of Miwaukee's downtown Riverwalk near MIAD on Erie St. More information below.

[excerpted from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel]

by Tom Daykin

The City of Milwaukee would spend $420,000 to complete one of the last remaining gaps in the RiverWalk under a proposal pending before the Common Council.

The city would finance the RiverWalk segment along two parking lots in the 200 block of E. Erie St., between River Renaissance condos and Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design.

If approved by the council, construction would begin in April, and likely be completed by August.

Milwaukee Riverkeeper on Remarkable Milwaukee

January 31, 2012

Missed the fireside chat Remarkable Milwaukee, about the potential future of our fair city? Have no fear! It was covered in depth by Mary Louise Schumacher of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Milwaukee Riverkeeper Cheryl Nenn and Milwaukee Riverkeeper board member Eric Vogel made the cut, detailing their dreams for this fine town.

To read the full article click here.

Crew Begins Deep Tunnel Inspection

January 30, 2012

[excerpted from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel]

by Don Behm

An eight-wheeled vehicle began slowly cruising the cross-town segment of the deep tunnel Friday at a top speed of 30 feet per minute as its three-person crew videotaped the inside of the underground wastewater storage cavern for a once-a-decade inspection.

The speed of this tunnel crawl is governed by national standards for videotaping sewers, said Scott Royer, general manager for Veolia Water Milwaukee. The company operates two sewage treatment plants, regional sewers, deep tunnels and the Milorganite sewage sludge fertilizer factory under contract with the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.

Your Voice Helped Save our Parkway! Now the next steps....

January 17, 2012

Milwaukee Riverkeeper would like to personally thank everyone who voiced their opposition to the proposed "Route B" high-voltage transmission lines slated to cut right through the Underwood Creek Parkway.

On Tuesday, the Milwaukee County Board’s Committee on Parks, Energy and Environment not only formally opposed "Route B," but passed a resolution opposing any current or future plans involving placement of high voltage electric transmission lines along "Milwaukee County Parkways, the Oak Leaf Trail, or wetlands and natural areas owned and managed by the County."

Success! But there's still more work to be done.

Contact your Legislators: Protect our Wetlands!

January 13, 2012

The Wisconsin legislature released a bill (Assembly Bill 463/Senate Bill 368) last week that would negatively impact our state's wetlands regulations and weaken important protections.

Please contact your legislators and tell them, "Protect our Wetlands and our Environment!"

WUWM - Lake Effect Features Milwaukee River Report Card

January 13, 2012

Environmental Reporter Susan Bence recently ran a feature w/ Riverkeeper Cheryl Nenn. They discuss our inaugural Milwaukee River Report Card, which lays out Water Quality parameters and discusses the results of our volunteers data.

Click here to listen to the story at WUWM.com.

Haven't seen the 2010 Milwaukee River Report Card yet? Check out it today by clicking here.

2012 Draft Watershed Plans & Impaired Waters List Now Available

January 5, 2012

Every two years, the WDNR publishes a statewide water quality report, develops an "Impaired Waters List" of lakes and rivers that do not meet state water quality standards, and submits plans for maintaining and improving water quality in a certain number of watersheds every cycle.

They are now available and the WDNR is accepting comments.