Action Alerts

Madison Lake Levels need to be reduced! Please take action today

The Madison lakes have reached record levels at least four times in the past 15 years, including 1993, 2000, August 2007, and, most recently (and memorably!) this June 2008. Besides these extreme events, levels in the lakes have often been allowed to exceed the maximum levels allowed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, wreaking havoc with the vegetation at Cherokee Marsh and other important wetland sites in the Yahara Lakes basin. Flooding has also impacted many homeowners in the area.

This doesn't have to continue! Please take action today!

If you live in Dane County, contact your Dane County board representative. If you live in the City of Madison, also contact your alderperson. Urge them to support lowering the levels of Lakes Mendota and Monona to protect Cherokee Marsh and other important wetland resources. Please also send a copy of your message to Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, and to Madison Audubon at masoffice@mailbag.com.

To find out who your elected representatives are and how to contact them, see:Dane County Supervisors - http://www.co.dane.wi.us/coboard/supervisor.aspx (a map is available on the site)City of Madison Alders - http://www.cityofmadison.com/council/findMap.cfmMayor's office - http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/mayor/contactMayor.cfmDane County Executive - falk@co.dane.wi.us

Background

Alder Michael Schumacher has introducing a resolution in the Madison Common Council asking the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to review and revise the current lake level order for Lake Mendota. Here's the link to the resolution.http://legistar.cityofmadison.com/detailreport/Reports/Temp/710200812516.pdf

It is estimated that we are currently losing seven feet of shoreline annually along the Yahara River near Cherokee Marsh. This is caused, in large part, by the levels at which we have traditionally managed Lake Mendota. Extreme events like those of last August and this June only increase the impact on the marshes around the lake. Efforts to restore Cherokee Marsh would be much more successful with lower lake levels.

For more information, contact either Peter Cannon, Program Chair, Madison Audubon Society (apcannon@gmail.com) or Karen Etter Hale, Executive Secretary, Madison Audubon Society (masoffice@mailbag.com).

Thanks for taking action to help save our lakes and wetlands!\