UWO ERIC Supports 5-Year Plan

Today, the UW Oshkosh Environmental Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) provided a letter of support for the Menominee Park Shoreland Restoration 5-Year Plan, stating:

"This plan addresses important environmental impacts including reduction of pollutant loading from urban areas, increasing native shoreland plants to increase stormwater infiltration and decrease erosion, and promote selective wildlife at Menominee Park. Not only does this project improve stormwater infiltration, the vegetation deters geese from loafing along the shoreline and in nearshore water, which has been shown to negatively affect water quality."

Wild Ones Fox Valley Chapter Endorses Plan

This week, Wild Ones Fox Valley Chapter provided a letter of support for the shoreland restoration project and the 5-year plan.  According to Wild Ones:

"The plan for the Menominee Park Shoreland Restoration project generates and protects clean water, supports aquatic life, sustains the fragile water’s edge, deters unwanted animals, buffers extreme weather, supports pollinators and songbird life, is less costly to maintain, and provides beauty, interest and biodiversity."

Onterra Biologist Encourages Support for Restoration

Onterra, the firm responsible for the initial Miller's Bay assessment, provided a message of support for the current shoreland restoration efforts.  The Onterra Report concluded:

“Miller’s Bay shoreline is incredibly poor and provides no aesthetic, habitat, or buffering value to the bay. Turf maintenance along the bay’s shoreline leads to increased runoff of nutrients, sediments, and other pollutants to Lake Winnebago, while providing appealing loafing grounds to nuisance levels of Canada geese.”

Shoreland restoration was a recommendation made in the report, which can be viewed here.

On Wednesday, October 8, 2014 8:29 AM

City of Oshkosh Parks Department Staff and Common Council Members:

In June 2010, the Miller’s Bay, Lake Winnebago Aquatic Plant Management Plan finalized.  Within that plan, we recommended that the City of Oshkosh restore at least a portion of the Menominee Park shoreline to a more natural shoreland for several reasons:

·         Increased pollutant buffering (filtering) capacity of a natural shoreline over that of a shoreline composed of maintained turf grass.

·         Increased wildlife habitat value of a natural shoreline over a urbanized shoreline.

·         To act as a goose deterrent by reducing available loafing area in the park.

·         To bring the City in line with its own vision and resource management plan by buffering impervious surfaces near waterways and protecting sensitive resources such as water and shorelands.

Since the Miller’s Bay plan was finalized, the USEPA has released the results of the 2012 National Lakes Assessment.  Natural shoreland destruction was found to be the greatest factor degrading our lakes within the State of Wisconsin and nation.  Restoring shorelands to a more natural condition works to reverse that impact.

Finally, I was pleased to see that the City had moved in the right direction by allowing the restoration to occur.  The City set an excellent example for area residents, Winnebago shoreline property owners, and area municipalities by moving forward with the restoration.  By removing the restoration, the City would set an incredibly poor example and take a step backwards in its management of Miller’s Bay and Lake Winnebago.

Sincerely,

Tim Hoyman, CLM

Aquatic Ecologist

Onterra, LLC

City's Sustainability Advisory Board Endorses Restoration Plan

The city's Sustainability Advisory Board formally approved the Menominee Park Shoreland Restoration 5-year plan, adding, "The Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board strongly recommends that this plan be adopted for the health, vitality, and economy of Lake Winnebago and the City of Oshkosh."

Menominee Park Area Shoreland Restoration 5-Year Plan

The proposed Menominee Park Area Shoreland Restoration 5-Year Plan (2014-2019) is available online here.  The Final Draft is expected December 10, 2014.

Winnebago Lakes Council Commends and Endorses Shoreland Efforts

The Winnebago Lakes Council has provided an excellent letter of support for the Menominee Park Shoreland Restoration efforts, including: "The Winnebago Lakes Council fully supports the efforts to improve this waterfront resource and we are pleased to see the project has fulfilled every expectation."

Menominee South Neighborhood Association Endorses Plan

The newly formed Menominee South Neighborhood Association (MSNA), spanning the terrain between Irving and Washington and between Lake Winnebago and Broad St, has endorsed the Menominee Park Shoreland Restoration plan.  

Within the plan, MSNA plays an active role in leading the restoration effort near the water treatment facility.  Many members of MSNA have already been active members in the restoration effort.

Winnebago Audubon Endorses Shoreland Restoration Plan

In September 2014, the Winnebago Audubon provided a great letter of support for the Shoreland Restoration plan, adding, "What an outstanding, positive collaboration on a project that benefits the community as a whole and the environment!"

Rep. Hintz Endorses Shoreland Restoration

State Assembly Representative Gordon Hintz has endorsed the Menominee Park Shoreland Restoration project and five (5) year plan. Rep. Hintz played an important part in helping the city of Oshkosh secure the funds to complete the 2009/10 study of the Miller's Bay area.

 This study was highly critical of the city's shoreland management, suggesting that “Miller’s Bay shoreline is incredibly poor and provides no aesthetic, habitat, or buffering value to the bay. Turf maintenance along the bay’s shoreline leads to increased runoff of nutrients, sediments, and other pollutants to Lake Winnebago, while providing appealing loafing grounds to nuisance levels of Canada geese.”

Growing Oshkosh Lends Support to Restoration Plan

Growing Oshkosh, a group who has actively been involved in restoration efforts, has formally endorsed the Menomoinee Park Shoreland Restoration plan.

According to Growing Oshkosh director Dani Stolley: "As founder, farmer and CEO of Growing Oshkosh—a non-profit urban farm sowing, growing and sharing sustainable fish, food, flowers, jobs and hope in Oshkosh—I, along with my board of directors, staff and over 200 volunteers, whole-heartedly support the Menominee Park Area Shoreland Restoration 5-Year Plan (2014-2019)."