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June 28, 2007
We're working
to ensure your river access!
As the weather warms up, there
are more folks out enjoying our local rivers than ever before.
Unfortunately, sometimes there are misunderstandings and conflicting
uses that pose challenges for recreational users looking to safely
and easily access our rivers.
In the last 2
weeks, we have received several calls from members about such
problems, and are working to resolve them. Two paddlers putting in
their canoes at Hubbard Park were harassed by local Shorewood
Police, who were unaware of the change in their local ordinances
last year allowing for non-motorized boat access to Village
waterways. The Police and Village were very apologetic about this
misunderstanding, and are committed to educating the police force
about paddlers rights.
We’ve also
received complaints about difficulty using the Buffalo Street
launch, because of a new restaurant there that has placed tables
along the RiverWalk very close to the pier ramp. We are working with
the City to address this problem, and we hope it will be cleared up
in the next few weeks.
We’ve also
heard complaints of disagreements between rowers and paddlers using
the Milwaukee Rowing Club pier. We are working with the Rowing Club
and City to address this issue, and encourage paddlers and rowers to
be respectful to each other when sharing this public launch.
Paddlers are encouraged to give rowers the space and time they need
to take out and put in their sculls safely. Please let us know of
any access issues that you come across, and be safe out there this
summer! For more info on local access points, visit our
water trail website.
June 27, 2007
Farm Bill
Passes Congress
If you read our Spring '07 newsletter,
you may remember the front page article on the Farm Bill and the
Conservation Security Program. We just found out that this program
has passed Congress, and that farmers in the Milwaukee River
Watershed will be the focus for the next sign-up effort.
CSP is an innovative farm bill program
that gives farmers financial incentives for doing holistic
conservation practices - right down to installing fluorescent light
bulbs!
More importantly, farmers already in
other farm bill programs such as CRP and CREP (that give assistance
for installing buffers along waterways), can qualify for higher
levels of funding under CSP. This will be a good incentive for
farmers here in the Milwaukee River Basin to enroll in these
underutilized programs.
Friends of Milwaukee's Rivers publicized
the issue in our Spring newsletter. Thank you to all those who
called their representatives in support of Farm Bill funding!
Coverage in Agriview
June 5, 2007
Friends of Milwaukee's Rivers receives
proclamation for cleanup efforts
The City of Wauwatosa issued a proclamation to Friends of
Milwaukee's Rivers today. The proclamation recognizes FMR for
organizing the Spring River Cleanup in Wauwatosa and throughout the
Milwaukee River Basin.
June 5, 2007
Action Alert:
Tell Congress to pass invasive species legislation
this year
Invasive species are the most pressing issues facing the Great Lakes
region. They pose an unrelenting threat to the health of the Great
Lakes ecosystem and economy. There are 183 known invasive species
already in the Great Lakes, and a new one arrives on average every
28 weeks. Once a new species establishes itself, it is almost
impossible to remove and incredibly difficult to contain. In
instances where an invasive species is controlled, efforts must be
sustained over the long-term in order to keep it from making a
comeback. Immediate action on the part of federal policymakers is
needed to help meet the challenges presented by invasive species.
Congress has had years to deal with the issue but has failed to act.
Every day we wait the problems with invasive species get worse and
the solutions get more costly.
Congress has manageable solutions to this problem contained in
comprehensive legislation—the Great Lakes Collaboration
Implementation Act. It’s time for them to pass this bill and stand
up for the millions of people who depend on the Great Lakes.
This Wednesday, June 6, please call your U.S. Representative and
Senators. Please let them know any personal connection you have with
the invasive species problem. Also tell them:
• Passing strong invasive species legislation is priority number one
for the Great Lakes this year;
• We can no longer stand by complacently as wave after wave of new
invaders enter the lakes, fouling drinking water, killing off fish,
disrupting small businesses, and costing citizens billions of
dollars in damage and control costs;
• It is long past time to deal with this problem. Congress must act
now by passing strong invasive species legislation this year.
The Capitol Switchboard, where you can be connected to their
offices, is (202) 224-3121.
Background:
It's not clear yet what legislative vehicle we'll have the best
opportunity to support. The importance of your action is to convey
the message that invasive species is priority number one for the
Great Lakes and Congress must pass legislation this year.
Let us know what you hear
Please send us a note when you’ve taken action and let us know any
feedback you receive from Congressional offices. Send an email to
stopinvasivespeciesnow@yahoo.com.
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