The Village of Lake Delton, known for its  water skiing shows, is deeply invested in the appearance of its namesake lake, which drives its tourism-based economy.  Recently, the lake has been fouled with green water and algae blooms, caused by upstream polluted runoff that brings excess nutrients into the lake.  

The Village was apparently looking for a short-term fix to the dirty water that would allow water ski shows and other water-based recreation to continue unimpeded by unsightly and stinky algae.  What was their solution? Here's a hint, it involves a secret ingredient: "concentrated acid blue dye #9" also known as AquaBlue... 

No mine, for now, by the Menominee River 

Early this month, HudBay Mineral, the company that's been actively exploring gold and zinc mining within a zinc stone's throw from the Menominee River, the border river between Wisconsin Michigan's Upper Peninsula, announced it was pulling out.

The company stopped operations at that site "due to capital commitments to other development projects." 

While this is good news for any lover of that superb border river, Ron Henricksen, a resident of the area and active with the group the Front 40, says that he's only "happy for the moment."  HudBay's departure doesn't mean that the potential for mining is over forever.  Aquila Resources, HudBay's partner, has a 49% interest in that mine, and considers the site viable.  Aquila is the Canadian mining firm exploring for gold in Marathon County, Wisconsin.  

Flambeau mine is "exemplary," says judge
In other mining news, federal judge Barbara Crabb ruled this week that while toxic leaks from the retired copper mine near the Flambeau River at Ladysmith did break the law, she said the pollution was minimal and the mining company's environmental record was "exemplary."

It will be interesting to see how Judge Crabb's ruling affects mining companies' appetite for so-called "sulfide mining" in Wisconsin. That kind of mining, usually associated with gold, copper, zinc, nickel and similar minerals, has been stymied for years by Wisconsin's sulfide mining moratorium.  Under that law, a mining company has to prove a mine has been shut down and environmentally benign for at least 10 years before they could open the same kind of mine in Wisconsin.  (The moratorium does NOT apply to iron mines such as that proposed for the Penokee Hills last year.)

Reliable sources tell us that the mining companies are gearing up to not just relax iron mining regulations, but to do away with the sulfide mining moratorium. 

The mining companies will no doubt claim this Flambeau decision proves sulfide mining can be done -- even though the Flambeau mine was still oozing pollution 15 years after it was mined out.  Judge Crabb's ruling may obviate the need for mining interests to blow up the moratorium. 

River Alliance of Wisconsin, as a partner of the Southeastern Wisconsin Watersheds Trust (Sweet Water), is helping to launch a regional campaign to get the public to "give a woof and don't pollute" our lakes and streams.         

Respect Our Waters is a 12-week advertising campaign that features a puppet, Sparkles the Water Spaniel, to emphasize bad and good human behavior. Jeff Cesario, a Kenosha-born stand-up comedian who has won two Emmys and appeared on the "Tonight Show," "Late Show with David Letterman" and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," voices the wise-cracking, always vigilant Sparkles.    

Sweet Water, the Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network, 28 municipal partners, and the WI DNR are launching this multi-year marketing initiative to educate area residents on the actions they can take to help improve the quality of area rivers and Lake Michigan.    

In addition to the television advertising, in July and August, Sweet Water and Root-Pike WIN are conducting grassroots outreach. The two groups will be at more than 15 community events throughout southeastern Wisconsin to educate residents one-on-one. During those events, the groups will distribute 18,000 pet waste bags, provide native plants for rain gardens and give away rain barrels.  

 Watch all four videos on our website »  

There are dozens of ways to enjoy your rivers this summer, these Make a Date With A River events take advantage of three of our favorites...

PADDLE the Milwaukee River by moonlight on Thursday, August 2nd. Come along on one of the state's most unique paddling experiences - from river to Great Lake and back again, in the shadow of skyscrapers and under the light of the full moon.  For those interested in a bite or a drink afterwards, we will be convening at Trocadero, a nearby restaurant on Water Street.   

TUBE down the Tomorrow on Friday, August 10. Have some old-fashioned fun on an inner tube on this sweet little central Wisconsin stream, just out the back door of River Alliance friends Jake and Kris Barnes, and followed by new-fangled beer at the nearby Central Waters Brewery.