Wisconsin Association of Lakes

From Wiscopedia

1 Mission
2 Issues
3 Accomplishments
4 Contact Information

[edit] Mission

The Wisconsin Association of Lakes is the only statewide nonprofit organization working exclusively to protect and enhance the quality of Wisconsin's 15,000 lakes. We believe that healthy lakes need strong representation and statewide advocacy for lakes, informed citizens actively engaged in decision-making, and a greater lake ethic shared by all those concerned about lakes.

Our goals include:

developing a network of informed lake citizens with the know-how and motivation to become highly active in statewide lake issues.

helping communities build a set of common goals, and create local partnerships to implement lake protection programs.

developing a strong base of lake organizations active in local and county government decision-making.

[edit] Issues

Environment

[edit] Accomplishments

Since our formation in 1992, the Wisconsin Association of Lakes has been successfully:

Advocating for sound lake policy
Advancing lake education
Strengthening local leadership

The accomplishments listed below are a direct result of the Wisconsin Association of Lake's work with our members and legislators to build a unique state lake management partnership in which citizens and their local lake organizations play a central role in preserving and protecting our state's lakes.

[edit] Advocating for sound lake policy

In 2007 we achieved increases in state funding for aquatic invasive species and polluted runoff programs. WAL advocated for several legislative initiatives to help our lakes—including a statewide ban on phosphorus in lawn fertilizer, a bill that would have made it illegal to transport aquatic invasive species. We actively involved in several administrative rule packages critical to Wisconsin lakes including the shoreland zoning rule, invasive species classification rule, and phosphorus criteria standards.

Past successes have included

Representing lake interests on a variety of statewide committees (1992-present)

Increased the Lake Protection fund by $1.4 million for lake classification grants (1997). Continued working to increase those funds to help support grants for lakes, rivers, and wetlands, as well as funding for counties to implement the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program.

Successfully worked to increase state funding for local boating safety patrols (1995-1996).

Successfully added non-profit organizations (such as Lake Associations) to the list of eligible parties for Lake planning grants, and increased cost sharing for grant programs to 75%. (1995-1996).

Worked to ensure that local governments can adopt boating ordinances to defend environmentally sensitive areas of a lake. (1995-1996)

Defended the Public Trust Doctrine contained in the Wisconsin State Constitution and Wisconsin citizen's ownership of our waters and lakebeds. We won a precedent setting Court of Appeals decision in the Dockominium case. (began in 1995, won in 2001)

Successfully worked with the legislature so that lake districts were given the authority to assume sanitary powers, and to operate boater safety patrols for which they could receive state funding. (1993-1994)

Supported the designation of "critical sites" for Priority Watershed projects to ensure the biggest problems in a watershed are addressed first. (1993-1994)

Increased funding to the Water Resources Account from the motorboat fuel tax. Funds used to establish lake protection grants and create state lake management specialist positions to provide technical assistance to lake communities and organizations. (1992)

Broadened Waterways Commission Grants to include the purchase of weed harvesting equipment, boater safety buoys, and navigational channel dredging (1992).

[edit] Advancing lake education

Providing technical and educational assistance to citizens and lake groups on statewide lake issues (1992-present)

Producing educational resources to inform our members about lake issues and current lake policy developments. Resources include our quarterly newsletter The Lake Connection, our monthly e-lake letter, periodic action alerts, and reports.

Producing resource manuals to provide legal guidance for lake communities including: Managing Private Sewage System—A Guide for Lake Districts; Local Boating Regulation in Wisconsin—A Guide for Lake Management Organizations; Pier Law and Regulations in Wisconsin—A Guide for Lake Management Organizations; and A Model Local Ordinance to Regulate Piers, Wharves, and Berths in Wisconsin.

Organizing lake education workshops (1995-present). The Wisconsin Association of Lakes has organized more than forty events reaching thousands of lake enthusiasts.

Helped establish education programs including Project WET for teachers; the Adopt-A-Lake program for youth (1993-94); the Lake Leaders Institute (Exits this site) for adults; and the Wisconsin Association of Lakes League of Students.

Learn about our upcoming and past workshops.

[edit] Strengthening local leadership

Helping to build a strong, effective support system for local lake organizations through the nationally recognized Wisconsin Lakes Partnership. (1992-current)

Working with county-wide lake groups and counties for local decision making that considers the needs of lakes

Supporting locally-led efforts to establish better shoreland and water quality protection through lake classification and shoreland protection/restoration incentive programs (1995-current)

Supporting the development and expansion of the Self-help Lake Monitoring Program. Over 1000 citizens are actively helping to monitor their lake's health. (1992-current)