Environmental Protection

Protecting Wisconsin's Great Lakes

The Great Lakes contain 20 percent of the world's available fresh surface water supply. Great Lakes are critical to the health and welfare of all the Great Lakes states and especially for us here in Wisconsin. The DNR – together with local…

Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern

Public Review and Comment Opportunity Draft Remedial Action Plan Update for the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern The DNR is seeking public comments on the draft Remedial Action Plan Update for the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern. The document…

Lower Menominee River- Delisted Area of Concern

The Lower Menominee River was delisted as an Area of Concern in 2020. About About the Lower Menominee River AOC The Menominee River flows into Green Bay and forms the boundary between northeast Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

About Wisconsin's Great Lakes

About About Lake Michigan and Lake Superior

Invasive Species

Invasive species are plants, animals and pathogens that are "out of place." A species is regarded as invasive if it has been introduced by human action to a location, area or region where it did not previously occur naturally (i.e., is not…

Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern

Public Review and Comment OpportunityThe DNR is seeking public comments on a draft recommendation to remove the "Restrictions on Drinking Water Consumption or Taste and Odor Problems" Beneficial Use Impairment (BUI) in the Lower Green Bay and Fox…

Grants and Funding Opportunities for Great Lakes Projects

Great Lakes funding opportunities become available through EPA and other federal agencies. You can find many grant opportunities by searching Grants.gov.

Nuisance Algae (Cladophora) in Lake Michigan

For the past few years, large quantities of decaying algae, called Cladophora, have been found along Wisconsin's Lake Michigan shoreline. As the algae and organisms trapped in the algae rot, they generate a pungent septic odor that many people…

Wisconsin's Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs)

St. Louis River Area of Concern

Public Review and Input Opportunity Draft Remedial Action Plan Update for the St. Louis River Area of Concern The DNR is seeking public feedback on the draft Remedial Action Plan update for the St. Louis River Area of Concern. The draft 2023…