Conference targets solutions for Yahara Lakes

The woes of the Yahara Lakes are obvious: murky waters, noxious algae blooms, choking weeds.

The causes, too, are well known: nutrient pollution from farm fields and residential lawns, loose soil from construction sites, chemical contaminants from streets and parking lots, all swept into the lakes by storm water runoff.

The real question is how best to address these problems.

People who care about Dane County’s tainted jewels will consider the options in a daylong conference Oct. 10 at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.

“A Clean Future for the Yahara Lakes: Solutions for Tomorrow, Starting Today” is the theme of the meeting, hosted by the University of Wisconsin–Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.

Organizers hope to capitalize on momentum generated by an earlier conference on the Yahara Lakes in May 2007. The Nelson Institute co-hosted that gathering with the Yahara Lakes Association.

“Solutions for many of the lake’s problems are available, but they can be complex and potentially costly,” says Pete Nowak, a Nelson Institute professor and member of the conference planning committee. “Developing the resolve to implement them will require innovation, foresight, and extraordinary cooperation throughout the watershed.”

Citizens, scientists, public officials, advocates, farmers, business people, lakeshore property owners, and other stakeholders will participate in the Oct. 10 meeting. Anyone may attend, but pre-registration is required by Sept. 26. The $25 registration fee covers all conference materials, a continental breakfast, lunch, and refreshments.

For more information or to register, visit the Yahara Lakes conference Web site or contact Steve Pomplun, (608) 263-3063, spomplun@wisc.edu.

Conference co-sponsors are the Madison Community Foundation, Dane County Office of Lakes and Watersheds, American Family Insurance, Oscar J. Boldt Construction, Madison Gas & Electric, Grant Thornton LLP, Gathering Waters Conservancy, Clean Wisconsin, Alliant Energy, Weather Central, J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co., Yahara Lakes Association, Sustain Dane, and the City of Madison.