St. Croix Headwaters Informational Meeting held in Gordon on 8/23/04
The purpose of the meeting was
To introduce Lisa Goodman (River Alliance of Wisconsin) to the St. Croix River headwaters area
To discuss the merits and feasibility of a standardized water quality monitoring effort for the St. Croix River segment above the Gordon Flowage
To consider a new organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of this river segment which would be responsible for water quality monitoring and helping with the elevation of the classification of this segment to “Outstanding Resource Water” (ORW)
Invited were Lisa Goodman, Kathy Bartilson (DNR St. Croix Basin Water Leader), John Haack (UW-EX and WAV), representatives from DCALS, Upper St. Croix Lake Association, Gordon Flowage Association and National Park Service (NPS), and several concerned citizens. All attended except a representative from NPS.
Discussion Summary
The water quality of the St. Croix River segment upstream from the Gordon Flowage is not currently being monitored. The WAV standardized river/stream water quality monitoring program (perhaps supplemented by some chemical testing) would provide data useful in better understanding St. Croix River headwaters water quality issues and status.
The cranberry bog upstream from the Gordon Flowage is suspected (by some local residents) to be artificially accelerating the natural aging of the flowage, but insufficient data has been gathered to prove or disprove this idea, and no plan of action currently exists.
A new organization should be started to conduct standardized citizen-based river monitoring in the St. Croix River headwaters and to help protect and preserve this area.
A “mini-basin” perspective would be the best way to use existing resources, to coordinate grant requests, to develop a comprehensive picture of water quality issues and status, and to enlist support from other organizations and agencies.
Specific Discussion Notes
Kathy Bartilson provided a brief history of the management of the St. Croix River segment upstream from the Gordon Flowage. The NPS currently manages the St. Croix River up to the dam at the Gordon Flowage, and the DNR manages the river from this point up to its headwaters. The properties adjacent to the St. Croix River segment, Lower Ox Creek, and the lower part of the Eau Claire River are a mixture of county-owned and privately-owned lands. A portion of the Eau Clair River upstream from its dam runs through state property.
While the Gordon Flowage and Upper St. Croix Lake have an “Outstanding Resource Water” (ORW) classification, the segment of the St. Croix River upstream from the Gordon Flowage, Lower Ox Creek, and the Eau Claire River currently have a “default” status.
Lisa Goodman explained that the River Alliance of Wisconsin, assisted by other organizations such as DCALS, is currently petitioning the DNR/Natural Resources Board to upgrade the status of the St. Croix River segment upstream from the Gordon Flowage to “ORW,” along with 99 other meritorious rivers/streams. This process is expected to take 2-5 years and the outcome is not known.
Northland Cranberries, Inc. manages a cranberry bog adjacent to, and co-mingled with the waters of, the St. Croix River just upstream from the Gordon Flowage The environmental impact of this bog on the St. Croix River and Gordon Flowage is unknown, however, some local residents suspect the bog of artificially accelerating the natural aging (eutrophication) process of the flowage
Water quality monitoring has been conducted at Upper St. Croix Lake and the Gordon Flowage for some time by the respective lake associations as part of the DNR Self-Help Citizen Lake Monitoring Program, but the St. Croix River segment upstream from the Gordon Flowage has not been monitored. No evidence has been found to-date linking the cranberry bog with any water quality issues at the Gordon Flowage. This might be because insufficient data has been collected and insufficient evaluation has been completed.
In the view of some local residents, the Cranberry Law of 1867 protects (isolates) cranberry growers from state water quality regulations. Historically, the Gordon cranberry bog owner (Northland Cranberries, Inc. since 1989) has not been responsive to local questions and concerns regarding Gordon Flowage water quality issues.
The idea of monitoring water quality at points along the St. Croix River segment upstream from the Gordon Flowage was discussed. Also discussed was the idea of monitoring the St. Croix River just downstream from the Gordon Flowage dam, perhaps in conjunction with the NPS.
The Water Action Volunteers (WAV) standardized river/stream water quality monitoring program was described by John Haack. No members present had received WAV training.
The idea of starting up an organization to conduct standardized citizen-based river monitoring in the St. Croix River segment and to help protect and preserve this segment was discussed. The scope would be the St. Croix segment upstream from the Gordon Flowage, a portion of Lower Ox Creek, a small portion of the Eau Claire River and a short segment of the St. Croix downstream from the Gordon Flowage dam.
To move forward with a more comprehensive and meaningful water quality monitoring program involving the lake/flowage and rivers mentioned, it was suggested that an effort be made to integrate activities into a St. Croix River “mini-basin” effort. The respective organizations would coordinate lake/river grant requests and view the St. Croix headwaters as an entity, as well as continuing with traditional activities. This cooperative “mini-basin” effort would hopefully include the NPS.
John Haack volunteered to provide WAV training in Gordon in late fall if schedules and logistics permitted.
It was agreed that DCALS would follow-up by continuing the “mini-basin” discussion within their organization and with the lake associations. DCALS would be a logical choice as the coordinative and lead organization.
After the meeting Lisa Goodman was given a tour of the St. Croix River at old Highway 53, at Cut-Away Dam road, and at the scenic overlook south of Solon Springs.
Follow Up
Another information meeting will be schedule before the end of 2004.
Northland Cranberries will be contacted and invited to attend the next meeting to participate (as an active stakeholder) in discussions.