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State agencies working to assess Northwoods flood damage

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As flood waters recede in northwest Wisconsin, state workers are out in force assessing damage and planning rebuilding efforts.

Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas and Iron Counties all remain in a state of emergency while damage assessments take place.

Wisconsin Emergency Management spokesman Andrew Beckett says many of the affected areas are very rural, meaning it’s going to take time for assessments to happen. “We have a lot of areas where there are roads that aren’t traveled frequently. So it may take time for somebody to even realize there was damage done to that route.”

That doesn’t mean summer vacations need to go on hold. People should still plan to come north, Beckett says, but just make sure you can get where you want to go.

“They should make sure that the route is safe and go. But it does take time to make sure that all areas are safe again.”

Many roads are closed due to flooding, washout and damage. If you come across a blocked road, please follow the detour.

You can check http://511wi.gov for updated road information.

DATCP culls CWD positive deer herd

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A deer farm in Iowa County had to be depopulated after animals tested positive for chronic wasting disease.

State officials ordered the move after deer shot in Waupaca County that tested positive for CWD were traced back to the farm.

State ag spokeswoman Leeann Duwe says the culling was required because the only way to test for CWD is after death. “This farm was depopulated, and those 21 CWD positives are a result of those animals being tested.” A total of 103 animals were culled for testing.

Duwe says better testing among game farms is helping the state better track CWD infections. “It allows us to determine to where animals are transmitting the disease, where they are coming from, so we can do traceback from all animals in those locations.”

The farm will now have to undergo cleaning, and won’t be able to be used to raise deer in the future.

DNR reports ‘no immediate toxicity’ from sludge spill

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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reports early test results find no harmful chemicals after a spill of sludge last month. The problem bgan at the Hi-Crush mine when a bulldozer slid into a pond in western Wisconsin.

Rescuers emptied 10-million gallons of water from that pond at a fracking operation, in order to save the opertor. Thick sludge drained into the Trempealeau River and eventually reached the Mississippi. No fish kills have been reported and oxygen levels are good. The preliminary test results show “no immediate toxicity.”

 

The last (plastic) straw at new Bucks arena

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Wisconsin’s deer will have nothing to fear, from the new Milwaukee Bucks arena. Plastic straws will not be offered at the new Bucks arena. Officials with the new Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center say they will only use compostable food packaging during events at the arena.


It joins a growing list of companies and restaurants that are doing away with non-compostable packaging and plastic straws, which accumulates in the environment and poses hazards to wildlife and human health.

‘Suck the Muck’ project to improve Dane County lakes

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Crews will spend the summer cleaning sediment on the bottom of streams that feed Dane County’s lakes. They plan to remove 870,000 pounds of phosphorus from 33 miles of tributary streams. The $12-million initiative is called “Suck the Muck,” and County Executive Joe Parisi says it will mean cleaner lakes in the future.

“This is what we refer to as ‘legacy phosphorus,'” Parisi said. “It’s been here a long time, it’s in the streams, and it’s continuing to impact our water quality.” A study concluded that if nothing is done now, it would take 99 years for Madison-area lakes to reach current water quality standards.

WIBA

More Northwoods does available for this year’s deer hunt

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Most Wisconsin hunters will have a chance to bag a doe in this year’s deer season.

The Natural Resources Board has approved the plans for this year’s deer hunt. Only Iron County remains a buck-only hunting area.

The move signals that state biologists are confident that Wisconsin’s Northwoods deer herd has bounced back after a series of harsh winters.  

Ashland, Eau Claire, Iron and Vilas Counties were all buck only last year.

Granite Peak cited by Feds

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Granite Peak could find itself in some hot water after taking millions of gallons of water from the Big Rib River without gaining federal approval.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, says it’s approval is mandatory when a business wants to pump over one million gallons of water. Granite Peak says they would eventually like to use up to 17.28 million gallons per day to make snow.

Domtar filed a 105 page complaint to FERC in March saying that the water Granite Peak is taking could affect the flow of Domtar’s dam.

Craig Timm, Manager of Regional Public Affairs for Domtar, tells WAOW-TV that he’s confident that Domtar is following all of the rules and regulations needed.

He said, “Domtar is permitted by FERC to operate and maintain it’s dam. That permit, just as background, lasts for 30 years and was last renewed in 1996 and needs to be renewed in 2026.”

The issue came to light when Granite Peak announced it would like to make more snow on Rib Mountain during the 2017-18 season.

Granite Peak issued a statement on the issue reading in part “Granite Peak is confident we can continue to move forward in a collaborative manner”.

Domtar and Granite Peak have until May 31st to respond to FERC’s action plan.

WSAU

Watch for noxious seeds in wildflower plantings

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Farmers and landowners looking to plant ‘conservation plants’ on their properties need to be on the lookout for a noxious weed that’s been working its way into these seed mixes.

The plant is called Palmer amaranth. It’s a very tall, fast growing plant native to the arid southwest United States. The plant grows on average from six to eight feet tall, but can reach 10 feet. It can also produce 500,000 seeds per plant, making it extremely prolific.

That wide dispersion of seeds is the problem, says state ag spokeswoman Donna Gilson. “You can see how it could spread very very quickly, and it can just decimate a soybean or corn field.”

The amaranth and its seeds are also resistant to traditional forms of pesticide or weed killers, which makes removing the plants from a field an uphill battle. “Those seeds can remain dormant for several years too,” says Gilson, “so if you have to fight it it’s going to be a long expensive battle.”

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says the Palmer amaranth was being distributed in specially packed ‘conservation mixes’ for farmers looking to attract pollinators and other beneficial wildlife to their properties, but that the plant could grow wildly out of sync and start overtaking native plants. New emergency rules have classified the amaranth as a noxious seed, making it illegal for growers and distributors to bring the seed into the state.

Anyone planting a pollinator or conservation seed mix should:

  • Be aware of what Palmer amaranth looks like. You can find many clear photos in an online image search.
  • Buy local seed mixes if possible, with no pigweed or amaranth listed on the label.
  • Thoroughly clean equipment after seeding, especially if your seed mix came from out of state.
  • Call your University of Wisconsin-Extension office if you suspect you have found Palmer amaranth.

You can find out more about the plant or get help finding local mixes by contacting your local ag office or DATCP at their website.

Judge invalidates permits for Monroe Co. sand plant

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A judge rules against a proposed western Wisconsin frac sand plant. The Department of Natural Resources granted Georgia-based Meteor Timber permits to fill 16 acres of wetlands for the $70 million dollar sand processing plant in Monroe County.

The permits were challenged in court by Clean Wisconsin and the Ho-Chunk Nation.

Administrative Law Judge Eric Defort ruled Friday that the DNR improperly granted the permits, lacking enough information to determine the environmental impact. Defort also said Meteor’s mitigation plan wasn’t adequate and the project would cause significant adverse impacts.

 

Serious wildfire risk for most of Wisconsin

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It’s wildfire season in Wisconsin and the Department of Natural Resources is reminding people to be safe.

The state saw 43 wildfires on Sunday and more could happen today if dry, windy conditions continue.

DNR wildfire prevention specialist Catherine Koele says you shouldn’t be using campfires or grilling outdoors for a while. “We’ve had some cooler temperatures at night and folks are still using those wood stoves and fireplaces and then throwing their ash in the woods, and even something like that can cause a fire as well.” Sparks from machinery or small engines could also easily spark a wildfire and cause injury or serious damage.

Koele says you should do a quick sweep of your house to make sure you’re defending your home against a wildfire. “Really think about the things where an ember could land and start a fire, so like the gutters and eaves. Take down any dead vegetation that could be fuel for a wildfire as well.”

You can find out your local fire warning by calling 1-888-WIS-BURN or visiting the DNR’s Fire Warning page