EM Insight 2025 Quarter 2: April - June
Quarterly News and Highlights from the Environmental Management (EM) Division
The EM Insight is a quarterly report from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Environmental Management (EM) Division that profiles some of the great results that our staff, teams and partnerships have achieved. The division is pleased to present the following highlights of our work from April - June 2025.
In This Edition
Headline News
New Webpage Highlights Drinking Water Success Stories
The Drinking Water and Groundwater program recently published a webpage that highlights success stories that resulted from collaboration between the DNR and its many partners. Success stories are helpful reminders of what is possible when groups work together and find creative solutions to often complex problems.
The first success story described a small community in northern Wisconsin that confronted a nitrate issue. Through partnerships, collaboration, time and commitment, the community pursued a creative option, alternative land use, to protect their drinking water. Check back for more featured success stories showing how the DNR and its allies protect public health and our water resources.
Triennial Standards Review Final Workplan Submitted To EPA
Every three years, the DNR reviews Wisconsin's water quality standards or related guidance to determine which standards need development or revision, as required by the federal Clean Water Act. This comprehensive evaluation, called the Triennial Standards Review (TSR), is an essential process to keep Wisconsin's surface waters swimmable, fishable and drinkable. The graphic below walks through the three-step process:
This past spring, the DNR completed revisions to the workplan based on comments received from stakeholders, including an assertion of Tribal Reserved Rights. The final workplan has been submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is available for viewing on the Triennial Standards Review webpage. A "Response to Comments" section is included as an appendix to the workplan in which each of the comments received is individually addressed.
Input from stakeholders remains invaluable to improving Wisconsin's water quality standards. There will be additional opportunities for engagement throughout the process of water quality standards revision and development as work gets underway.
DNR Encourages Residents To Reduce Food Waste
The DNR has launched a new set of webpages providing information to help residents, businesses and institutions prevent and reduce food waste and find alternatives to landfill disposal of food waste and other organic material.
The DNR's 2020-2021 Statewide Waste Characterization Study found that organics such as wasted food, food scraps and yard waste make up about 30% of the waste stream going to landfills in Wisconsin. Diverting organics from disposal saves landfill space and reduces methane emissions from landfills. Recycling organics can transform the materials into resources like compost, a nutrient-rich soil amendment or renewable energy through anaerobic digestion. Preventing food waste can also save households and businesses significant amounts of money each year.
The Sustainable Management of Organics webpage provides an easy way to access new webpages on the sustainable management of food and reducing food waste for commercial organizations, along with resources about composting and reducing food waste at home.
Estabrook Falls Fish Passage Construction Underway
Construction is underway on the Estabrook Falls Fish Passage Project on the Milwaukee River. It is part of the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern (AOC) efforts to help native fish (like northern pike and lake sturgeon) move upstream to reach vital spawning and nursery habitat. These native fish are weak jumpers and can't make it past barriers like Estabrook Falls, which is not a natural waterfall but a leftover feature from historical bedrock mining. While fish can occasionally pass during very high river flows, the falls typically act as a significant barrier. Estabrook Falls is the largest remaining barrier to fish passage in the lower Milwaukee River. This project will modify the falls to improve year-round fish movement and support a healthier, more connected river system.
Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District is the project lead, in partnership with the DNR and Milwaukee County Parks. Construction is anticipated to run through fall 2025. During construction activities, detours will be posted for temporary weekday closures of the west side trail of the Milwaukee River and weekday river closures. To learn more, visit the Estabrook Falls Fish Passage Project webpage on the Waterway Restoration Partnership website.
New and Updated Resources
Enviro-Nav: A New Resource To Support Businesses, You And Your Customers
The Wisconsin DNR's Sustainability and Business Support Program launched Enviro-Nav, a free online tool designed to help businesses understand and meet their environmental responsibilities, particularly related to air permitting and compliance. Building on the former Permit Primer, Enviro-Nav was developed with input from regulatory programs across the agency to provide a user-friendly, guided experience for businesses — whether starting up, expanding or reviewing compliance.
This free resource walks users through a series of questions about a company's operations, then produces a customized summary of applicable environmental requirements, relevant guidance materials and direct contact information for DNR staff. The DNR welcomes feedback to help continue improving Enviro-Nav.
Annual Awards And Awareness Campaigns
Celebration Of National Drinking Water Week
In celebration of National Drinking Water Week, May 4-10, 2025, the DNR featured the significance of drinking water safety, quality and quantity. The DNR emphasized the endless work of policymakers, scientists, system operators, well drillers, inspectors and water advocates who ensure everyone has access to safe, clean drinking water. Wisconsin has made progress with the state's most common groundwater contaminant – nitrate – by assisting farmers with the tools they need and providing well grants to support the replacement, reconstruction, treatment or abandonment of contaminated private wells.
A special thank you to all Wisconsin drinking water professionals who work hard every day to protect our state's vital natural resource. An additional kudos to Wisconsinites who do their part to protect drinking water by testing private water wells, conserving water and advocating for infrastructure improvements.
Wisconsin DNR Highlights Air Quality Progress And Ongoing Hurdles During Clean Air Month
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognizes Clean Air Month every May, emphasizing the importance of clean air and its impact on health and the environment.
This Clean Air Month, the DNR's Air Management Program highlighted the nonattainment challenges facing Wisconsin and shared resources available for individuals, businesses and communities to stay informed about air quality. Clean Air Month events kicked off with updates to the Clean Air Month website and an Air Quality Awareness Week/Clean Air Month post on Facebook. This May, the Air Management Program's outreach team also hosted the annual Air, Air, Everywhere Poetry contest and visited a Madison area elementary school, leading students through activities that highlighted the importance of air quality and its impact on health.
Social Media Spotlight
The average household loses almost $3,000 a year on food that is thrown out. Food Waste Prevention Week, April 7-13, is a great opportunity to learn about simple actions that can prevent a lot of food and money from going to waste.
- 65,110 impressions on Facebook
It's Clean Air Month, and now is the perfect time to learn about our air as Air Quality Awareness (AQA) week starts today, Monday, May 5!
- 13,406 impressions on Facebook
International Compost Awareness Week, May 4-10: The goal of International Compost Awareness Week is to build public awareness of the benefits of compost use and recycling organics, including food scraps and yard waste. Here are a few tips.
- 11,701 impressions on Facebook
Looking for an easy, cost-effective way to eat healthier and reduce your environmental footprint this summer? Give gardening a try.
- 7,400 impressions on Instagram