September 15 is the start of spawning season, so construction effecting some water crossings is racing to finish by that date. Please make sure to be present for all current water crossing constructions, and continue monitoring crossings that have had the pipe put in already. Send any documentation of fish spawning activity to Kyle McLaughlin at the Wisconsin DNR at Kyle.McLaughlin@Wisconsin.gov
A press release from Sierra Club touched on last weeks Aug 20 hearing and shared a construction update using monitoring observations logged through watchline5.com!
Notes on observing: If oil sheen is observed on any water surface and you can get close enough to touch, please do! Natural processes of decay also produce sheens on water surface, and the quickest way to determine if what you’re seeing is a potential violation is through touch. Petroleum based slick will reform if disturbed, while the natural sheen will break apart.
If rains or winds are forecast, before and after are good times to keep an extra close eye on erosion control devices.
Work on the 4 contested waterbodies started last week after a hearing on Aug 13. The Unnamed Tributary of the Brunsweiler River [pt 36, 37] is the most sensitive of these locations, due to ongoing legal and permit issues. Judge Anderson’s reasoning for deciding not to place an emergency stay on construction at this crossing was due to not having read all the materials.
Construction ongoing at Trout Creek, points 45, 46, 47
Stay lifted at Bay City Creek [pt 3] active construction
Stay lifted at Beartrap Creek [pt 6] and Little Beartrap Creek [pt4] active construction
Krause Creek- Construction Ongoing, Points 61, 62
Billy Creek- Construction Ongoing, Points 47-49
Tyler Forks- Construction Ongoing, Access roads can be observed from points 88 and 89.
Potato River- Construction Ongoing, Point 94
Silver Creek- Construction Ongoing, observations can be done from points 51,52,54