Runoff Management Performance Standards, 2006 Water Quality Report to Congress

Wisconsin's approach to controlling polluted runoff from agricultural and urban land uses has included statewide performance standards and prohibitions since October 2002. Since that time there has been an increased focus of grant dollars toward performance standards implementation. Performance standards and prohibitions are now required components of certain state programs, more implementation tools have been put in place and there is an increased use of regulatory options for serious water quality violations (see sidebar). Urban municipalities that were included in the Phase I federal storm water requirements have ordinances that include the non-agricultural performance standards.

The process of evaluating and documenting agricultural sites for compliance and notifying landowners of compliance status is evolving slowly. Counties cite as reasons decreasing staff and funding levels, less emphasis on conservation work as a result of consolidation of county government departments and questions about the implications of compliance.

Implementation Highlights - 2004

Eleven counties were conducting systematic inventories of farms for compliance.

Targeted Runoff Management and Urban Nonpoint Source & Storm Water Management grant awards were more closely tied to performance standard implementation.

Counties began using a single electronic form to report Land & Water Resources Management (LWRM) and agricultural performance standards data to DNR and DATCP (see Table XX).

Educational materials were developed that included a brochure and website.

The implementation mechanism, Ch. NR 216, Wis. Adm. Code, became effective in August 2004. Public hearings were held on draft general permits.

Post-construction technical standards and guidance were taught to 650 engineers and consultants. Performance Standards

Last Revised: Wednesday August 02 2006