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Sept.
26 2005
Rain Brings
Sewage Dump
Journal
Sentinel article
Sept. 16 2005
FMR Launches Milwaukee Urban Water Trail Map
Today, Friends of Milwaukee’s Rivers will
launch the Milwaukee Urban Water Trail,
which is a canoe and kayak route through urban portions of the
Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic Rivers—providing more than 25
miles of paddling. A press event will be held at 2:30 PM at the
Milwaukee Rowing Club, 1990 N. Commerce Street in Milwaukee. The
Milwaukee Urban Water Trail enhances public recreational opportunities,
promotes safe and legal river access, and
encourages stewardship of our natural resources.
Milwaukee Urban Water Trail maps will be available at the press event.
These maps denote safe and legal river access points, amenities such as
restrooms/parking, and nearby cultural, historical, and natural points
of interest. The maps also identify areas of concern such as rapids and
other potentially
dangerous stretches of river where there are dams or natural falls that
need to be portaged, as well as areas of heavy motor boat traffic where
paddlers need to take special precautions. In keeping with clean water
goals, the maps are produced on 100% recycled paper with non-toxic, soy
based inks.
Maps will be available at the Friends of Milwaukee’s Rivers office.
Additional copies of the map will also be distributed by project
partners and local riverfront businesses. Click here for
digital version.
The goal of a water trail is to connect people more closely with our
rivers. “We hope that the water trail gets more people out enjoying the
rivers in their own backyards, and inspires residents and tourists alike
to become stewards of our rivers” said Cheryl Nenn, Project
Director/Riverkeeper for Friends of Milwaukee’s Rivers. Water trail
signs will be installed in the next few months, and recommendations for
improving river access for non-motorized craft along Milwaukee’s rivers
will be included in an upcoming report.
The Milwaukee Urban Water Trail was created in response to a gap between
increased interest in river recreation and limited information available
on how to safely and legally access Milwaukee’s rivers.
“The Milwaukee Urban Water Trail was
conceived after a number of our members and supporters told us that
there was a crying need to address river access as an issue,” stated
Lynn Broaddus, Executive Director of Friends of Milwaukee’s Rivers.
“When I started getting questions from paddlers who mistakenly thought
it was illegal to canoe on the Milwaukee River, I knew we needed to do
something.
Word of mouth can only get you so far – especially when they are the
wrong words.”
Increasing interest in river recreation is also a testament to the
improving health of our rivers. “Due to improving water quality and
river restoration projects such as the removal of the North Avenue
Dam,which re-opened the river to fish and paddlers alike, interest in
recreating on our local rivers is at an all time high” said Sharon Gayan
of the Wisconsin DNR. The rivers are also a great way to explore our
Milwaukee County Parks system and other municipal parks, which provide a
scenic backdrop along much of the water trail. “We are proud to be a
part of this exciting new opportunity to explore Milwaukee County,” said
Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker. “Many Milwaukee County parks
will serve as access points for this trail and this is another great way
for residents and visitors to
enjoy our ‘emerald necklace’ of parks,” said Walker.
One of the aims of the project is to create environmentally sensitive,
fun, outdoor recreational opportunities that are key to our vibrant
downtown. While an urban river outing is certainly not the same as a
wilderness experience, it has the opportunity to service significantly
more people. “This water trail gives quick and easy access to
Milwaukee’s three rivers so residents and visitors can
explore the city by water on a whim if they choose. Making river access
so readily available in the heart of Milwaukee will encourage people who
don’t have means and/or desire to make more remote river trips grab a
paddle and go. In addition, Milwaukee’s Urban Water Trail is an exciting
addition to the suite of water trails around the country,” said Angie
Tornes of the National Park Service.
Promoting river access in the urban areas will expand the experiences
available to visitors and tourists, and will create business
opportunities for outfitters, riverfront businesses, and other vendors
who will be able to cater to new demands.
“Projects like the Milwaukee Urban Water
Trail that promote tourism and urban recreation will have a positive
impact on the local economy, and Milwaukee’s
ability to attract and retain new residents” said Milwaukee’s Mayor, Tom
Barrett.
The release of the Milwaukee Urban Water Trail map comes a day before
the Milwaukee Rowing Challenge, which will be held on the Milwaukee
River from approximately Humboldt Avenue to St. Paul Avenue on Saturday,
September 17th. Prime viewing areas are on bridges, along the Milwaukee
RiverWalk, or at Pere Marquette Park. The Milwaukee Urban Water Trail is
also being launched
during Coastal Awareness Month— announced by Governor Doyle earlier this
week to encourage a heightened appreciation of Wisconsin's 820 miles of
coastline along Lakes Michigan and Superior.
The Milwaukee Urban Water Trail is a project of Friends of Milwaukee’s
Rivers in partnership with the U.S. National Park Service, Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), Milwaukee County Parks,
Milwaukee Department of City Development, and other local environmental
groups and businesses. It is funded by the Wisconsin Coastal Management
Program, WDNR, We Energies Foundation, Steigleder Foundation, Milwaukee
RiverWalk District, American Canoe Association, Badger State Boating
Society, and others.
Sept. 25, 2005
MMSD's sewage dumping goes on trial
After waiting nearly two years, Friends of
Milwaukee’s Rivers had its day in federal court – two days to be exact.
FMR’s case against the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD)
for illegal sanitary sewer overflows was heard on August 24th & 25th in
Federal District Court.
Last year, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed an earlier District
Court decision and directed the Court to determine first “whether the
systematic inadequacies of MMSD’s sewerage facilities will be
sufficiently ameliorated” by the upgrades required in a 2002 stipulated
settlement with the State. It has been FMR’s contention all along that
the 2002 settlement was a backroom, ‘sweetheart deal’ intended to give
MMSD an easy out for gross violations of its permit. The Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources testified as a witness
that it no longer thinks the 2002 settlement will be sufficient to end
sanitary sewer overflows – exactly what we’ve been contending all along.
It has taken us a long time to get to this point in part because of
stalling tactics on MMSD’s part. These have included attempts to block
discovery, a request to the Appeals Court for re-hearing, and even a
request to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court – all of which were
denied!
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