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Runoff Management

Pasture

The Runoff Management web site provides the information and resources needed to effectively manage polluted runoff from agricultural practices, storm water drainage and nonpoint sources (pollution not identified as caused by a specific source) in Wisconsin.

In October 2002, administrative rules for the prevention and management of polluted runoff went into effect. The EPA also has recently implemented new laws that impact runoff management. Nearly all communities, county governments and farmers are affected by the rules in one way or another. The DNR Runoff Management staff are available to answer your questions and guide you through the process of compliance with these new rules.

Rule to affect largest 150 farms’ manure management


General Feedback:
Carol.Holden@wisconsin.gov
608-266-0140

Agricultural Runoff:
Regional Contacts

Stormwater Runoff:
Regional Contacts
River sketch by McEvoy

Violation Hotline

To report a violation: 1-800-TIP-WDNR or #367 by cellular phone. Available 24 hours. Learn more...

Spills hotline: 1-800-943-0003
Green Tier

More Information

  • Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Annual Progress Report - 2006 [PDF 1.1MB] - This report to the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Board summarizes and evaluates progress made throughout Wisconsin in 2005 on implementing land and water conservation programs funded or administered by the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
  • Water Quality Standards Information - Water quality standards are the foundation of the water quality-based control program mandated by the federal Clean Water Act. Water Quality Standards define the goals for a waterbody by designating its uses, setting criteria to protect those uses, and establishing provisions to protect water quality from pollutants.
  • Information about Wisconsin's volunteer water monitoring (WAV) efforts [exit DNR]
  • Wisconsin Runoff web site [exit DNR] - This web site provides information and resources to help local governments and farmers effectively manage polluted runoff from agricultural practices, storm water drainage and nonpoint sources in Wisconsin.
  • Wisconsin Waters - Water is our most precious natural resource. We can’t live without it, our ecosystems and our economy can’t survive without it, and our landscape just wouldn’t be the same without it.
  • EPA Nonpoint Source Success Stories [exit DNR]

More Agricultural Runoff Information

More Urban Runoff Information

Media Coverage

  • Runoff Issues in Natural Resources Magazine
  • Farm Policy, Pollution and the Mississippi River - If you drink tap water, be aware that U.S. agricultural policy affects you.
  • After the Storm - This 1/2 hour television program about watersheds co-produced by EPA and The Weather Channel premiered on Feb. 4, 2004. The web site offers a schedule of additional showings and a downloadable brochure providing tips on preventing runoff from residential and commercial properties, farms, construction sites, automotive facilities, forestry operations, and others.
  • Good to the Last Drop? - (by Erik Ness, On Wisconsin, Winter 2003)
    Wisconsin, long rich in water, ponders a new era of scarcity - "...As big as they are — it takes 191 years for Lake Superior to replace its water, and ninety-nine years for Lake Michigan — the Great Lakes are vulnerable to the smallest things: the “just-in-case” fertilizer we put on our crops and lawns, where we pile our leaves. That’s because no matter how small these actions, your neighbors are probably doing them, too, and it all adds up. This pollution is called non-point, because instead of one big, bad pipe, the pollution comes from everywhere. ..."

Information about other water-related issues is available through the following links



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Last Revised: Wednesday August 20 2008