Sanitary Surveys of High Risk WI Beaches: Northern WI (1 of 2)
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Purpose

The Great Lakes are the recreational outlet for millions of individuals and the need to close beaches should be kept to a minimum. The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration has as a goal the 90 – 95% reduction in chemical, algal, and bacterial contamination through the identification of nonpoint source pollution, implicated as a major source of contamination to the recreational waters of WI. Pollution of the nearshore waters of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior not only poses a threat to public health, but also to the economic wellbeing and quality of life for WI residents. Pollution of nearshore water quality also has ramifications for ecosystem health.

Objective

In 2008 13% of Great Lakes beaches exceeded health standards; approximately 90% of those exceedances were attributed to unknown pollution sources. In this project, sanitary surveys will be conducted at all impaired beaches [CWA, 303(d)] in WI to identify pollution sources and drive mitigation. In years one and two of this project sanitary surveys (SS) will be conducted at all Wisconsin beaches listed (and proposed) on the 303d list. These beaches are located on the shores of Lakes Michigan and Superior, encompassing both rural and urban settings and various stages within the investigative process (none to fairly extensive monitoring with/without mitigation measures). The US EPA Sanitary Survey tool (routine and annual) will be used to conduct site assessments for the purpose of determining probable pollutant sources and suggesting mitigation measures.

Related Reports

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Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
Nearshore Health and NPS
GLRI_00E00586-0
2010
Active
 
Reports and Documents
Comprehensive Sanitary Survey Project for High Risk Wisconsin beaches - Northern WI (Lake Superior and Northern Lake Michigan. (Project 1 of 2 State-wide)
USEPA-GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INITIATIVE PROJECTS. GL-00E00587-0. Amsterdam Beach, Barkers Island Inner Beach, City of Kewaunee Beach (Selner Park), Crescent Beach, Fisher Park Beach, Hika Bay Beach, KK Road Beach, Kohler Andrae Picnic Beach, Kreher Park Beach, Maslowski Beach, Menominee Park Beach (Inland Demonstration Beach), Neshotah Beach, Point Beach Concession, Red Arrow Beach, Thompson's West End Park Beach, Van Ess Road Beach, Warm Waters Beach, WI Point Beach 2, and YMCA Beach.
Sanitary Surveys of High Risk WI Beaches: Northern WI (1 of 2), GLRI review, Kleinheinz
Sanitary Surveys of High Risk WI Beaches: Northern WI (1 of 2), GLRI proposal, Kleinheinz
 
Activities & Recommendations
Recreational Use Survey
The Great Lakes are the recreational outlet for millions of individuals and the need to close beaches should be kept to a minimum. The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration has as a goal the 90 – 95% reduction in chemical, algal, and bacterial contamination through the identification of nonpoint source pollution, implicated as a major source of contamination to the recreational waters of WI. Pollution of the nearshore waters of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior not only poses a threat to public health, but also to the economic wellbeing and quality of life for WI residents. Pollution of nearshore water quality also has ramifications for ecosystem health.
 
Watershed
Bayfield Peninsula Southeast
 
Waters
Lake Superior
Monitoring Data
Lake Details