Comments To DNR On Waukesha Water Diversion Heavily Negative

The DNR has posted the several dozen comments it has received on Waukesha's proposed diversion of Lake Michigan water and return flow via the Root River into the Racine Harbor.

Nearly all are negative, ranging from short statements of concern - - some even hand-written - - about Root River flooding or Waukesha water conservation efforts deemed insufficient to lengthy documents written by scientists and local, regional and national organizations that raise substantial legal, hydrological and related technical issues.

Some of the criticism has been foreshadowed.

The DNR is reviewing Waukesha's proposal, has preliminarily found it does not justify the amount of water sought, and posted letters the letters it sent to Waukesha on the matter this month, here:

• Letter to Waukesha Water Utility dated Dec. 13, 2013 [PDF]
• Letter to Waukesha Water Utility dated Dec. 3, 2013 [PDF]

Still to come: the release of a DNR-produced environmental impact statement, formal hearings about it, and more reviews and hearings in the seven other Great Lakes states whose Governors would all have to approve the plan along with Gov. Walker before the nearly $200 million plan could get underway.

The comments are well worth reading.