Wisconsin beaches dirtiest in the nation
MADISON -- With temperatures across the state expected to be in the upper 80s and low 90s this weekend, it will be a great time to get out and enjoy Wisconsin's sun and surf. But Wisconsin residents will be heading to some of the dirtiest beaches in the nation, according to a recent report.
"Simply stated," says Melissa Malott, water program director, Clean Wisconsin, the state's largest environmental advocacy organization, "our beaches among the most contaminated in the nation, coming in at 26 out of 30 states ranked."
The Natural Resources Defense Council released its 19th annual Testing the Waters report, which compiles data on water quality and beach closings across the nation last week. The report found that 13 percent of beaches in Wisconsin on lakes Michigan and Superior violated public health standards for swimming, which is nearly twice the national average; the report ranked each state based on the percentage of beachwater samples that exceed the national daily standard. Additionally, 37 percent of the state's Great Lakes beaches do not undergo water testing.
"This report reiterates what we've known for years: We need to take better care of the Great Lakes," says Malott. "They are an amazing resource that has been neglected far too long."
Clean Wisconsin is working to reduce pollution that runs off farm fields and city streets as well as from factories and other industrial sources. Together these sources are primarily responsible for the water quality issues plaguing Wisconsin's lakes, rivers and streams. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 70 percent of water quality problems arise from manure, fertilizers and other harmful substances running off farm fields.
The Great Lakes offer more than 1,000 freshwater beaches stretching along 5,500 miles of shoreline. Wisconsin has 193 Great Lakes coastline beaches in 15 counties. Of these 193 beaches, 72 Tier 1 beaches, which are popular beaches or beaches located near potential pollution sources, are not being monitored.
The Testing the Waters report lists 18 of Wisconsin's Great Lakes beaches where water monitoring samples exceeded national standards for bacteria and pollution at least 25 percent of the time. Wisconsin's top 5 dirtiest beaches are: 1. Wisconsin Point Beach 2, Douglas County, Lake Superior 2. South Shore Beach, Milwaukee County, Lake Michigan 3. Fischer Park Beaches, Manitowoc County, Lake Michigan 4. Neshotah Beach, Manitowoc County, Lake Michigan 5. Eichelman Beach, Kenosha County, Lake Michigan
The full NRDC report is available online at www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/ttw/titinx.asp.
Aug 7, 2009 at 3:52 p.m.
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Fond memories of Lions Beach - a LONG time ago! I was just thinking of spending a weekend at one of Lake Michigan's beaches sometime this month...guess I'll do a little more research before picking the actual destination!
Aug 7, 2009 at 12:14 p.m.
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The DNR and the Gazette are too busy supporting industry in the rural areas to stop the dirty discharge into the streams.
Factory Farms are using too much water and releasing fertilizer into what is left.
Aug 7, 2009 at 11:47 a.m.
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maybe they should ban beaches, like they do everything else in this state.Wisconsin; state of national banning,its what we do here.come enjoy the controlling enviroment(lol)
Aug 7, 2009 at 11:46 a.m.
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I stand corrected, i was thinking about Palmer Park :) Maybe I'm getting too old and nostolgic lately, and need to head over to Rockport.
Aug 7, 2009 at 11:25 a.m.
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cleanEst
Aug 7, 2009 at 10:56 a.m.
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thanks for the info janesvillean :)
I object to the council's conclusion. Pour resources into a wading pool for only toddlers to enjoy, or a sandy recreational beach everyone of all ages can enjoy? Does anyone else remember the glory days at Lions? A clean beach, lifeguards, concessions, had to pay to enter, arcade games? Seems like Janesville has taken a severe nose dive over the years... and in general things dont look to be improving. Heck I even miss the BMX track (that used to exist at rotary gardens) over sniffing some flowers. Just my opinions :)
Aug 7, 2009 at 10:45 a.m.
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hiii98, the Gazette has covered in the past (remember the water park brouhaha?) how the city council decided to keep Lions Beach open but is basically spending its recreation money on Rockport Pool, to keep its investment there from falling apart. They have contemplated closing it completely but the public objected to that, so they leave it open but unstaffed.
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As for Wisconsin, the Great Lakes overall seem to be a bit dirtier than the ocean. Wisconsin is in the middle of the Great Lakes States, along with Illinois; Ohio, Indiana, and New York are doing worse, while Michigan and Minnesota are both doing much better, along with Pennsylvania (which proves that it's the beaches themselves, and point sources, rather than the lakes). Considering Wisconsin's overall view of itself it's surprising we are not doing as well.
Aug 7, 2009 at 10:25 a.m.
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I dont understand why the gazette doesnt run a story on the history of Lions Beach and how disgusting it has become. The city should sell it to a private company as they have poured all of their resources in that silly rotary gardens and none into having a decent clean beach. Nothing but bandaids, goose poop, diapers, garbage, weeds, and lower income families, with no life guard or anyone supervising. I personally value a beach more than i do a silly flower garden.
Aug 7, 2009 at 9:52 a.m.
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As long as there have been factories and fertilizer you have had pollution and as the years pass, uncontrolled pollution just gets worse until it's so bad we can actually see and feel it - too late. We need to plan AHEAD, not wait until we see 3-eyed fish and have unusually high cancer rates. Remember, we drink this water too - ick! Paper mills, other manufacturing plants and fertilizer run-off are polluting our waters faster than any "flatlander" or "cheesehead" ever could. It's hard to attack the proper offenders when we really know nothing about them or their EPA violations.
Aug 7, 2009 at 9:19 a.m.
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SORRY- MUST CORRECT MYSELF. CLEANIST WATER YOU HAVE EVER "SEEN" NOT seem. Better correct before someone gets on it!
Aug 7, 2009 at 9:18 a.m.
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We never had this problem until everyone started "escaping to Wisconsin" not only have our lakes become polluted look at the trash along the roadways. As a child we spent every summer in Bayfield, on Lake Superior it was the cleanist water you had every seem. Our lakes have too many boats, jet-skis, and flatlanders!
Aug 7, 2009 at 9:18 a.m.
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SOOOOOOOOO many years this state has "NOT" taken care of the quality of the water,they just figured this out,give me a break! This state must be related to MEXICO =don't drink or swim in the water. Nice to be compared to the dirtiest place,way to go Wisconsin!
Aug 7, 2009 at 9:10 a.m.
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Shouldn't the headline read "Wisconsin Beaches AMONG Dirtiest In Nation"? The article states we're the 4th dirtiest, but the headline makes you believe we are the dirtiest. Not to be picky, but its a bit misleading. Then again, they are out to sell newspapers.
Aug 7, 2009 at 7:57 a.m.
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DONT EVEN GO TO VISIT WI
Aug 7, 2009 at 7:37 a.m.
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It is from democratic people we have in office, all there waste is being found!
Aug 7, 2009 at 6:17 a.m.
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A great place to visit but don't go near the water.
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