Local Government And Nelson Institute Cooperative On Spring Green Western Basin Water Issues

Office of the ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
West Square Building Phone: 608-355-327 505 Broadway, Baraboo, Wisconsin 53913 Fax: 608-355-3481

November 08, 2010

[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE]

LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND NELSON INSTITUTE COOPERATE ON SPRING GREEN WESTERN BASIN WATER ISSUES

The counties of Richland and Sauk, together with the towns of Buena Vista and Spring Green have partnered with the Nelson Institute of University of Wisconsin – Madison to explore, and discuss the water issues associated with the western basin of Spring Green. Three public forums will be held in Spring Green to involve residents in this initiative. The first of these sessions is scheduled for Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at the River Valley High School. It will begin at 6:00 p.m. with an open house at which representatives from Jewel Engineering, the DNR and the Nelson Institute will be available. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. and involve local government representatives, scientists from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Department of Natural Resources personnel.

Resident participation is critical to the success of all three forums. The primary function of this first informational forum is to listen to the questions, issues and concerns of local residents relative to these water issues. Pete Nowak, the Nelson Institute representative who will be moderating this first forum, emphasized the importance of communicating key questions in an objective fashion. These questions and issues will be brought back to the UW where attempts will be made to develop answers or strategies for future activities that will then be reported back to the local citizenry at the second forum early in 2011. Based on responses received, a set of recommendations will be developed and presented in the third forum to be held early in the spring of 2011.

The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies fosters interdisciplinary scholarship consistent with the ideals of the Wisconsin Idea - the boundaries of the university are the boundaries of the state where there is an obligation to solve the problems for all citizens of the state. It is in the spirit of the Wisconsin Idea that the Nelson Institute is partnering with local government and citizen groups to deal with issues that have eluded resolution to date. The Nelson Institute has been a pioneer in interdisciplinary studies, and it has been an incubator, laboratory, and model of collaborative education, inquiry, and public service for over 40 years.

If you are unable to attend, but would like to submit comments you are encouraged to do so. Comments or items for discussion can be e-mailed or mailed ahead of the meeting to:

e-mail: jdobratz@co.sauk.wi.us
mail: Office of the Administrative Coordinator
attn: Spring Green western basin
505 Broadway Street
Baraboo, WI 53913

All documents related to the meetings, meeting notices, and minutes will be posted at: http://www.co.sauk.wi.us/landconservation.

What: Discussion of Spring Green western basin water issues.
Where: River Valley High School
Little Theatre
660 Varsity Avenue
Spring Green, Wisconsin
When: Wednesday, November 17, 2010
6:00 p.m. open house with DNR, Jewell Engineering and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies
7:00 p.m. meeting begins

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