Wisconsin Groundwater Coordinating Council

Current & Future Groundwater Issues

The Wisconsin Groundwater Coordinating Council (GCC) facilitated an important and timely event called "Wisconsin's Groundwater Summit" held on October 30, 2001 in Waukesha, WI.

Sharing Our Buried Treasure: Directions for the Protection and Management of Wisconsin's Groundwater - A Summary of the 2001 Groundwater Summit

The purpose of the Summit was to bring together a broad representation of groundwater users and stakeholders to discuss current issues facing groundwater protection and management and to develop ideas and solutions to better protect Wisconsin's groundwater quality and quantity. 135 delegates representing more than 50 agencies, organizations, and local governments attended the Summit. Groups included environmental and conservation groups, agricultural groups, industrial users, water utility groups, local and tribal government, planning agencies, state and federal agencies, and university researchers and educators.

Discussion was lively and wide-ranging, covering a variety of issues affecting Wisconsin's groundwater.

• Groundwater Quantity issues dominated the discussion in the morning session and in the breakout sessions. When asked, "Is there a need for a statewide groundwater quantity strategy in Wisconsin?" 84 of 96 participants (87.5%) responded "Yes". On an evaluation form 54 of 54 respondents said, "we are not doing enough" to protect groundwater quantity in the state.
• Quality issues were also raised, including emerging contaminants (pesticide metabolites, pharmaceuticals, viruses, and arsenic) and polluted runoff (nitrate and pesticides). 39 of 55 survey respondents said, "we are not doing enough" to protect groundwater quality in the state, while 13 of 55 said, "we are doing the best we can."

Some of the other key themes that emerged from the summit included:

• water conservation
• high capacity well reform
• reevaluating water pricing structures
• exploring options for "regionalization" of water management
• connecting land use and groundwater protection
• Smart Growth
• local government involvement
• building a "Groundwater Constituency"
• providing information and opportunities for further dialogue
• promoting innovative educational programs
• clarifying water rights related to groundwater
• strategic long term resource monitoring
• surface water connections
• recognizing ecosystem services as well as economic benefits of groundwater

Solutions encompassed educational efforts, research needs, data management, institutional needs, as well as policy recommendations. The discussion and materials developed as a result of the Summit will assist and guide State agencies, the university system, and the GCC in carrying out future groundwater protection programs.

Outcomes

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Groundwater Quantity Resources
Because of the current focus and awareness of groundwater quantity issues in Wisconsin, particularly as raised by participants of the Groundwater Summit and Waters of Wisconsin project, this list of reports and electronic documents related to groundwater quantity has been provided by the Groundwater Coordinating Council. Please note that any recommendations or opinions expressed within these resources do not necessarily reflect those of the GCC or its member institutions.

Summary of Groundwater Summit
Sharing Our Buried Treasure: Directions for the Protection and Management of Wisconsin's Groundwater - A Summary of the 2001 Groundwater Summit serves as a means of summarizing and synthesizing the key themes that were raised at the Groundwater Summit. The report is divided into nine Key Themes (in no particular order of importance.) Each Theme is further developed with a corresponding Vision Statement, Narrative, and list of Potential Strategies. Sharing Our Buried Treasure is not intended to represent a consensus of the participants, nor the agencies and organizations that they represent. Rather it serves as a starting point for further dialogue about the future of Wisconsin's groundwater management.

"Uncovering the Quality and Quantity Issues of Wisconsin's Buried Treasure"
Slide show presentation given by Summit keynote speakers Jim Krohelski (USGS), George Kraft (UW Stevens Point), and Ken Bradbury (WGNHS)

Breakout Session Discussion Summary
GCC staff have compiled and summarized the comments that were generated in the small group sessions at the Summit, using a "matrix" or table format. The intention is to provide a compilation of comments in a relatively unedited format to get an idea of the wide range and depth of discussion. Ultimately, the matrix will be used to develop action items and strategies along with the other components of the Summit.

Wisconsin Academy's "Waters of Wisconsin" Project
The discussion initiated at the Summit ties directly into the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters' water initiative, whose mission, through a process of informed discussion, is to examine and analyze the current state and long-term sustainability of Wisconsin's waters. The Waters of Wisconsin Forum was held October 21-22, 2002 to bring together persons from many perspectives to discuss future water management directions. Approximately 700 people participated in the Forum. Summit outcomes are reflected in the Waters of Wisconsin Report, released on Earth Day, April 22, 2003.

Contact Information

Jeff Helmuth
(608) 266-5234