The Milwaukee Estuary became an Area of Concern in the 1980s because of historical contamination and changes to the rivers, fish consumption, water quality, and wildlife habitat. An Area of Concern is an area on the Great Lakes that has a history of significant environmental harm from human activities, preventing people and wildlife from fully using or enjoying the local waterways. Go to: www.epa.gov/great-lakes-aocs to learn more about the Great Lakes Area of Concern program.
The Milwaukee Estuary includes the three major rivers in Milwaukee – Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic – and Lake Michigan. More information on the projects happening in the estuary are shown on the map.
Our goal is to clean up our waterways so the Milwaukee Estuary is no longer considered an Area of Concern by the Environmental Protection Agency. To do this, we must clean up our rivers and Lake Michigan and restore their natural function by creating habitat, removing invasive plants and animals, planting vegetation, and reducing pollutants. Together, as a community, we have a historic opportunity to remove pollution from our waterways to support healthier fish and wildlife, and improve recreational opportunities, like fishing, swimming, and boating.
A Toxic Legacy: Cleaning Up Milwaukee’s Waterways
A toxic legacy is lurking beneath our Milwaukee rivers and must be removed before Milwaukee can more fully enjoy our waters. Our generation has the opportunity to leave our rivers better than we found them for future generations to enjoy.
Resources
- Fact sheets serve as proof points for the progress we’ve made and are planning down the road
Area of Concern
An Area of Concern is an area on the Great Lakes that has a history of significant environmental harm from human activities that prevents people and wildlife from fully using or enjoying the waterways.
Cleaned-up Waterways
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Restored Ecosystems
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Swimmable Beaches
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Learn About the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern
A Learn what the Milwaukee Estuary is, why it is listed as a Great Lakes Area of Concern, and what is being done to clean up our waterways so the Milwaukee Estuary is no longer considered an Area of Concern.
FAQs
- What is an Area of Concern?
An Area of Concern is an area on the Great Lakes that has a history of significant environmental harm from human activities, preventing people and wildlife from fully using or enjoying the local waterways.
- What is the Milwaukee Estuary?
The Milwaukee Estuary represents the meeting point of the three major rivers in Milwaukee – Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic – and Lake Michigan. This area has deeper water than elsewhere in the Milwaukee River Basin and is regularly dredged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for navigational purposes and remains an active port with roughly 250 ships a year passing through.
- Why is the Milwaukee Estuary Listed as an Area of Concern?
The Milwaukee Estuary became an Area of Concern under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement of 1987 because of historical contamination that endangered fish consumption, water quality, and wildlife habitat. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and other experts identified 11 Beneficial Use Impairments that must be addressed in order to clean up our waterways, restore local ecosystems, and improve outdoor recreational opportunities like swimming, boating, and fishing.
- How do we remove the Milwaukee Estuary from the list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern?An Area of Concern is officially removed from the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern when all Beneficial Use Impairments have been sufficiently restored. To do this, we must:
- Clean up our waterways by removing toxic sediments,
- Restore ecosystems by enhancing fish and wildlife habitat, and
- Enhance recreation opportunities by improving water quality.
- Who are the Waterway Restoration Partners?The Waterway Restoration Partnership is a group of long-standing, trusted partners in the community who have been working together for years to improve water quality in the area. With this once in a generation opportunity, the organizations are formalizing their partnership and redoubling their commitment to work together to clean up the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern.
- How is the community voice represented in the Area of Concern?
The Waterway Restoration Partnership Community Advisory Committee (CAC) plays a vital role in the Area of Concern process, ensuring that the work conducted by Area of Concern partners aligns with community priorities.The CAC is a 9 member group representing a diversity of professional experiences, race/ethnicity, and geography.