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Hearing To Get Input On Phosphorus Levels In Wisconsin River Basin

Wisconsin DNR

A public hearing is set for next week in Stevens Point to discuss water quality in the Wisconsin River Basin.

The DNR is accepting public comments on a draft study. The draft Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Study provides a blueprint for water quality improvement.

DNR spokesperson Raechelle Belli says the meeting will help finalize the process before the report is sent to the Environmental Protection Agency.

She outlines why a study of this type is important to Wisconsin River water quality...

"....The Total Maximum Daily Load study is a study that looks a phosphorus in a water body. Phosphorus leads to an excessive algae bloom that cause lakes and rivers to become unusable for designated purposes such as drinking water or recreation. Many of the lakes and rivers in the Wisconsin basin are quite large and popular for recreation....."

She says there was public outcry years ago to improve the water quality in Wisconsin's designated river.

She says phosphorus is naturally found in the environment and is also generated by industry, agriculture, urban runoff, non-metallic mines, construction sites and even forests.

The public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday August 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Portage County Courthouse Annex Building in Stevens Point. The DNR held three listening sessions in March on the topic which led to the latest draft.

A link to the DNR page on the river and the study ishere.

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