Natural Resources Planning

Habitat connectivity mapping project

At the May CARPC meeting, Jason Granberg (CARPC Restoration Ecologist-Biologist) gave the Commission an update on the habitat connectivity mapping project.
See sample maps and background information

Water Quality Plan: Appendix D Update
Urban Nonpoint Source Analysis Available
This report provides an overview of urban nonpoint source pollution, including the hydrology and the effects of urban nonpoint source pollution. It summarizes relevant existing federal, state, and local regulations, available models, and current monitoring of urban nonpoint source pollution in the region. Management considerations and recommendations are also discussed.
PDF file

DNR-Funded Brownfields Assessment Awards Available

In May 2012, the U.S. EPA awarded the Wisconsin Brownfields Coalition, consisting of the WDNR and six Wisconsin RPCs, a $500,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant to continue the Contractor Services arm of the Wisconsin Plant Recovery Initiative (WPRI) Assessment Monies (WAM) program. The WAM program has provided DNR-funded assessments at 20 sites throughout Wisconsin. With the $500,000 grant, the WDNR hopes to assess 12 small-scale, closed or closing manufacturing sites. The application process is now open! The program is open to local governments and qualifying property owners.

For more information and an application, please see the Contractor Services Awards web page or contact Jenna Soyer jenna.soyer@wisconsin.gov or 608-267-0543.

New Rule Now in Place for Use of Sediment from Storm Water Management Structures.
In response to an increasing number of storm water management structures and lack of an established process to regulate sediment removal and use, the DNR has developed an innovative rule, NR 528. This rule uses a cost-effective approach to help those responsible for the maintenance of storm water ponds manage the sediment accumulated in these ponds.

See DNR notice
More info about this at the WI DNR website

In its mission to provide for a safe, healthy and attractive environment for Dane County residents, the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission works with local units of government to develop and adopt a variety of environmental protection plans studies, and projects that incorporate both pollution control and resource protection. The plans recognize that land and natural resources perform critical environmental functions such as groundwater recharge and discharge, water quality improvement, erosion control, storage of floodwaters, wildlife habitat and scenic beauty. It is important that vulnerable lands and resources be identified and that their environmental functions be protected.

The following are a sample of plans and projects developed by the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission and its predecessor agencies.

Future Urban Development Areas
The CARPC in cooperation with area communities will be developing a 25-year Future Urban Development Area. The process will identify environmental issues including the impacts on natural and built systems, the efficient use of land, the ability to efficiently provide services to support the development, and farmland preservation planning. View resolution summary; More Info
Dane County Wetlands Resource Management Guide
The Dane County Wetlands Resource Management Guide is intended to support and encourage landowner and community-based wetland improvement projects. The Guide provides the overall framework and various options for land acquisition, conservation easements, cooperative agreements, and management projects by individuals and groups in the community. More Info
Infiltration Map Project
Maps developed to be used as a screening tool early in the planning/design/development process to identify relatively high infiltration areas, as well as areas with potential for enhanced infiltration through engineering techniques. More Info
Water Body Classification Study Phase 1
Water body classification involves grouping water bodies based on their physical vulnerability to human impacts and on the extent of development in their watershed. Classification systems are used to identify and target management strategies and techniques where they are needed most and have the greatest beneficial effect. View Study
Water Quality Plan
The Dane County Water Quality Plan is the official areawide water quality management plan for Dane County, Wisconsin. The purpose of the plan is to provide a policy framework and guidance for federal, state, and local water quality protection programs in Dane County. More info
Dane County Water Quality: Conditions and Problems
Environmental Corridors
Environmental corridors are continuous systems of open space in urban and urbanizing areas, that include environmentally sensitive lands and natural resources requiring protection from disturbance and development, and lands needed for open space and recreational use. They are based mainly on drainage-ways and stream channels, floodplains, wetlands, steep slopes, and other resource features, and are part of a countywide system of continuous open space corridors. View Fact Sheet
MMSD Collection System Study 2008
The Collection System Evaluation Study, provides analysis and plans for future wastewater collection capacity needed to serve the official 2030 population and employment projections and an estimated 2060 population.