Living in Wisconsin allows us to experience all seasons, including the quiet snowy winter. Snowflakes cover the grass and turn into hills for our children to sled down and enjoy life. Warm cups of tea become our go-to; we feel warm and cozy with thick socks. Winter is Mother Patchas’ way to rest and recover, bringing us spring with an abundance of flowers and warm breezes that kiss our cheeks.
Each year, Milwaukee Riverkeeper releases an Annual River Basin Report Card, detailing the health of the Milwaukee River Basin’s three major waterways: the Milwaukee River, the Menomonee River and the Kinnickinnic River.
In December, many of us shift our focus to the holidays and spend time with family and friends. It’s also the time of year when government agencies pack in public hearings on important projects affecting our waterways. Please consider adding these important meetings to your holiday to-do list this month!
In 1968, Mayor Henry Maier called the Milwaukee River “an almost dead artery.” A year later, in Cleveland, the Cuyahoga River, fouled by industrial pollution, caught fire. Even in our nation’s capital, the Potomac River was so dangerous, falling in required a tetanus shot.
Enbridge Energy’s Line 5 oil pipeline carries 22 million gallons of light and synthetic crude oil and natural gas every day from Lake Superior to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, through the Straits of Mackinac to the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, ultimately crossing the St. Clair River to Sarnia, Ontario. The pipeline, originally constructed in 1953, has outlived its expected lifespan.