The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is beginning a public input process to determine what issues it will work on over the next three years to protect water quality in lakes, streams and rivers. This process is called the Triennial Standards Review and is required by the Clean Water Act. This review is an opportunity for the public to provide input on current water quality standards or guidance.

 

To begin this process, we are asking you to provide topics related to water quality standards that you believe should be considered for the 2021-2023 review. Topics that can be evaluated in the review include rules and guidance related to designated uses, water quality criteria, antidegradation and water quality variances. Though important, the following topics are outside the scope of this review: concentrated animal feed operations (CAFOs), groundwater, shoreline zoning, wetlands and dams.

 

After the topic suggestions are compiled, the DNR will provide an online survey for the public to rank which topics they feel should be the top priority for the DNR during the next few years. The DNR will host an online public hearing to answer questions and take comments on the topics or review process. Your input helps the DNR focus efforts to best protect the health of Wisconsin’s lakes, rivers and streams.

 

To submit your topic suggestions, use this form. Topic suggestions will be accepted until September 14, 2020. A preliminary list of topics that we already plan to consider is here (these do not need to be resubmitted).

For more information on the Triennial Standards Review process and past reviews, please visit http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/surfacewater/tsr.html.

 

If you have any further questions about the Triennial Standards Review, please contact Meghan Williams at: MeghanC3.williams@wisconsin.gov

 

We encourage you to share this invitation with others who may wish to submit a topic for consideration. We thank you for your input, which helps protect Wisconsin’s waters.