Overview of the Current Threats and Water Protection Efforts in the Region Presented by Dr. Jon F. Bartholic, Director October 26-27, 2009 Pilot House, Discovery World Milwaukee, WI Great Lakes Craft Brewers & Water Conservation

Applying Science to Decision-making Case Study: Michigan’s Water Withdrawal Tool

Topics Great Lakes Compact Process leading to the WWAT Components of the WWAT Slides of the operational system Conclusion and next steps

The Water Withdrawal Assessment Process Oversee the design and development of a “water withdrawal assessment tool” Develop methods, criteria, and definitions for establishing ‘adverse resource impacts’ for streams and lakes. Make recommendations on the policy aspects of the model. Adverse Resource Impact Means: Decreasing that part of the flow such that the streams ability to support Characteristic Fish Populations is Functionally Impaired. Groundwater Stream Flow Fish Populations science policy

1. The Withdrawal Model Model needs to know how much water is in the local aquifer Automatically determines where several nearest streams are. –Apportions the withdrawal effect among streams Calculates the likely reduction in flow due to the proposed withdrawal Rain and Snow – Recharge to area

Index Flow Stressful, low flow period

Characteristic Species Remaining Thriving Species Thriving 90% 80% Adverse Resource Impact Determining Impact For New & Expanding Uses GO GO w/local education Site review and conservation Site review & mitigation? Lawsuit?

Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool Conceptual Model System User Retrieve Location Specific Data Withdrawal Information Water Source Pumping Frequency Pumping Capacity Aquifer Type Input Information Real-time Modeling ABCD Adverse Resource Impact Zones Registration Administrative Agency Real-time Updates Water Accounting Updated Water Availability Rerun Model

Next Steps

Water Legislation cont. Senate Bill 860 (as enacted) PUBLIC ACT 185 of 2008 Require the DEQ, on October 1, 2008, to make available for testing and evaluation an internet- based waterwithdrawal assessment tool. House Bill 4343 (as enacted) PUBLIC ACT 184 of 2008 Require the DEQ to notify certain local entities by if a proposed withdrawal falls into a particular category. Allow the notified entities to form a water resources assessment and education committee in order to assess trends in water use in the withdrawal's vicinity and educate water.

1986-Amendments to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) 1994-State program was developed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) & Michigan Department of Public Health (MDPH) Protect Public Water Supply Wells through proactive land-use planning and management Wellhead Protection Program

Delineation

Source Water Protection

High Impact Targeting (HIT) System Use of the High Impact Targeting (HIT) GIS Web-accessible System is demonstrated in the following figures. Over the web, sediment risk maps can be examined and “zeroed” in on to locate high potential sediment delivery sources (fields).

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Questions & Answers