WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and SportsStimulus money coming to Wisc. to prevent water pollution

Stimulus money coming to Wisc. to prevent water pollution

MADISON (WKOW)-- One million dollars will help Wisconsin and Minnesota prevent water pollution.

Governor Doyle announced that he will allocate $65,000 of this funding to support existing collaborative efforts with Minnesota to improve water quality on the St. Croix River, including reducing runoff of nutrient rich soil from constructions sites and farms in both states.

"In Wisconsin, we are blessed with an abundance of fresh water," Governor Doyle said.  "From our rivers, to our lakes, to our Great Lakes, our waters define who we are. They drive our economy. They drive our recreation. They drive our way of life.  I am pleased to allocate $65,000 to help improve water quality on the St. Croix River.  Pollution is a continuing problem as populations along the river continues to increase.  Wisconsin and Minnesota must continue to work hard and work together to protect this natural resource."

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty met on Friday in Hudson, WI to reaffirm their commitment to restoring the St. Croix River.  Both Wisconsin and Minnesota have made state designations and actively manage the riverway together.

The $1 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be used for water quality management planning activities such as setting standards, monitoring the quality of the water, developing plans to restore polluted waters, identifying ways to protect healthy waters from becoming polluted, and developing plans to adapt to climate change.