City of Madison
Legislative File ID   11110
Type:   Resolution    Status:   Passed
Enactment Date:   8/8/2008    Enactment No.:   RES-08-00766
Title:  
To a) authorize the Common Council of the City of Madison to request that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources review authorized lake levels on Lake Mendota, b) request from Dane County a review of their policy on summer minimum and maximum lake levels and its potential impact on residential flooding and wetland deterioration, and c) direct the City Engineer, the Parks Division, and the City Attorney to work with the National Weather Service, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Cities of Middleton and Monona, and Dane County to establish pre-determined thresholds representing the onset of flooding for Lakes Mendota, Monona, and Waubesa.
Controlling Body:   BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Introduced:   6/26/2008    Version:   1
Final Action:   8/5/2008    Contact:   lveldran@cityofmadison.com
Name:  
To a) authorize the Common Council of the City of Madison to request that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources review authorized lake levels on Lake Mendota, b) request from Dane County a review of their policy on summer minimum and maximum lake
Extra Date 1:  
Requester:   BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Sponsors:  
Michael Schumacher, David J. Cieslewicz, Mark Clear, Larry Palm, Joseph R. Clausius, Satya V. Rhodes-Conway, Brenda K. Konkel, Judy Compton, Brian L. Solomon, Lauren Cnare, Marsha A. Rummel
Attachments:  
Legislative History
DateActing BodyAction TakenMotion
6/26/2008Council OfficeThis Resolution was Referred for Introduction
Notes: Board of Park Commissioners, Commission on the Environment, Board of Public Works
7/1/2008COMMON COUNCILThis Resolution was Refer to the BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
Notes: Additional Referral(s): Commission on the Environment, Board of Public Works
7/1/2008BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERSThis Resolution was Refer to the COMMISSION ON THE ENVIRONMENT
Notes:
7/1/2008BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERSThis Resolution was Refer to the BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS
Notes:
7/9/2008A motion was made by Schumacher, seconded by Wallner, to RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT - REPORT OF OFFICER. The motion passed by voice vote/other.
Notes:
7/9/2008BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERSCommissioner Schumacher stated the policy (resolution) is the product of a number of years of questions about lake levels in the Yahara Lakes system and a number of issues in the Cherokee Marsh area that have occurred this year with the winter snowfall and June rains eroding the marsh and wetland shores. This initiative by Ald. Schumacher came about after hearing both from his constituents and a presentation at the Habitat Stewardship Committee. He recognized Larry Nelson, City Engineer, Russ Hefty, Conservation Supervisor and LaVonne LaFave, Clerical and Program Support Manager, who have been instrumental in providing information to draft this Resolution. This resolution requests the DNR to review the lake levels established in 1979, to request that the county look at how they implement the summer minimum and maximum levels, and to work with the national weather bureau, the U.S. Geological Survey and possibly the Army Corps of Engineers to define thresholds of flooding and to also look at other solutions that could include dredging or engineering projects further downstream. This is a systemic issue and not only about Lake Mendota dumping water into Lake Monona, it is looking at the entire system ecologically, recreationally and safety, and environmentally with regard to flooding and the potential loss of life and property. Registered Speakers: Jim Hughes support Ald. Satya Rhodes-Conway Neutral Jon Becker Neutral Schumacher continued that there is no certainty this Resolution will change the DNR’s decision but this Resolution may persuade the DNR and County to work on this. The Resolution puts everyone on notice that if no action is taken now and something else happens in the future no one can hide and deny they knew of the problem. There are many organizations, such as the Friends of Cherokee Marsh, Yahara Clean, a UW group working on shoreline issues, and other advocacy groups, that can speak to the DNR and County about possible solutions. The City of Monona is also discussing a similar resolution. Commissioners congratulated Schumacher for his initiative on this issue. Neighbors along Sherman Avenue are supportive of this Resolution. It makes common sense to request this review. City Engineer Larry Nelson stated he was happy to see this Resolution moving forward. The Engineering Division had asked the DNR to consider this issue a year ago and the DNR finally said the request had to come from the Common Council. The rules that are in operation for this man made system date to 1979. Many things have happened in the watershed since that time. The past winter’s snowfall and this June’s record rainfall point to changes in the climate. There was a record elevation of Lake Monona at the highest it’s even been and shorelines are being battered. The extent of that damage won’t be known until the waters do actually recede. The hope is to create a dialogue not only with Madison, but also Middleton, Monona, and McFarland. It’s not just a case of pushing the water downstream, the movement of the water needs to be run as a system. Following the winter’s snow melt, county staff informed the Engineering Division they couldn’t get the lakes down to normal levels. The week-end storm in June put the area into flood stage and caused the release of untreated wastewater into Cherokee Marsh. The capacity at the treatment plant had been maxed out and in fact came close to flooding out the wastewater treatment plant itself. The DNR has many missions and goals to consider. One concern is changing the elevations in the spring might affect spawning fisheries. In the past when they have gone through requests such as this, many people with opposing views show up at the hearings. This resolution defines terminology because most people don’t know what the lake levels really are and will use words such as flood stage as opposed to maximum lake levels. First it must be determined that the rules from 1979 are being met. Next is to identify the elevation that needs to be maintained to minimize the risk for flooding. The DNR has been requested to make this determination at least twice in the past and did nothing. Commissioners expressed concern that the Resolution didn’t contain stronger language regarding a timeline for a response from the DNR. The target date is the spring of 2009. It is believed that public momentum will put pressure on the DNR. In the past the recreational constituency opposed any change but many shoreline owners and boaters are now in support of this request. A motion was made by Schumacher/Wallner to approve Resolution #11110 To a) authorize the Common Council of the City of Madison to request that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources review authorized lake levels on Lake Mendota, b) request from Dane County a review of their policy on summer minimum and maximum lake levels and its potential impact on residential flooding and wetland deterioration, and c) direct the City Engineer, the Parks Division, and the City Attorney to work with the National Weather Service, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Cities of Middleton and Monona, and Dane County to establish pre-determined thresholds representing the onset of flooding for Lakes Mendota, Monona, and Waubesa. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Notes:
7/16/2008BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKSA motion was made by Hewitt, seconded by Rewey, to Return to Lead with the Recommendation for Approval to the BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS. The motion passed by voice vote/other. Ald. Schumacher and Russ Hefty (Parks Department) presented the request and answered questions. Public Registered: Jim Hughes - 5310 Chinook Ln. - supports the project.Pass
Notes:
7/21/2008COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENTA motion was made by Palm, seconded by Rewey, to Return to Lead with the Recommendation for Approval to the BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS. The motion passed by voice vote/other. Russ Hefty (Parks Department) and Larry Nelson (City Engineer) presented the request and answered questions. Alder Schumacher was also present in support of the resolution. Public Registered: Peter Cannon - 420 Sidney St - supports the resolution Jim Hughes - 5310 Chinook Ln. - supports the resolutionPass
Notes:
8/5/2008COMMON COUNCILA motion was made by Ald. Clear, seconded by Ald. Schumacher, to Adopt. The motion passed by voice vote/other.Pass
Notes: 5 Registrant(s) in support wishing to speak; 1 Registrant(s) in opposition wishing to speak; 3 Registrant(s) in support not wishing to speak.
Approvals
ApproverDateApproval Status
Daniel Bohrod6/30/2008Approved

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