Groups ask DNR to protect Wisconsin rivers

WASCOTT - The Douglas County Association of Lakes and Streams joined more than 40 conservation organizations to petition for better protection of the state's northern rivers.

The petition, sent to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, is part of the Northwoods 100 Healthiest Rivers campaign.

Among the top 100 rivers the organizations are hoping to protect are the Amnicon, Black, Moose, Poplar, Spruce and St. Louis, as well as the headwaters of the St. Croix River in Douglas County.

"The St. Croix River segment deserves recognition because it is the headwaters of the National Scenic Riverway," said Fred Anderson, association president. Anderson said the petition was a perfect fit with the organization's mission. He said the idea behind the petition is to maintain the quality of the waters.

The petition includes 433 river segments, but the goal is to get the DNR to focus on the top 100 rivers, said Denny Caneff, director of the River Alliance of Wisconsin. The rivers and river segments include waterways in Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett and Douglas counties, and was endorsed by conservation organizations in all five counties. Lake Superior Greens, with headquarters in Superior, is among the organizations petitioning the DNR for more protection.

Midwest Environmental Advocates prepared the petition in collaboration with the River Alliance of Wisconsin after the organizations analyzed DNR information that showed some high-quality waters were not being given the legal protection needed to limit pollution.

"We support this petition because it makes sense -- protect the great rivers we have before it is too late," Caneff said. "That means placing legal limits on pollution before it occurs and educating the public about this great resource."

Caneff said the DNR will review the list and present the most deserving to the Natural Resources Board.

"We're trying to get these rivers listed in a more protective status to protect the quality and prevent deterioration," Anderson said.

For more information about the petition and waterways, visit the Midwest Environmental Advocates Web site at http://www.midwestadvocates.org/ or the alliance Web site at http://www.wisconsinrivers.org/.