highlights of work in Wisconsin

["Shannon Briggs" <briggssl@michigan.gov>]

This note was posted originally as a success story for the Coastal
Nonpoint Program (CNP).  Please see end of note for CNP contact
information.

Wisconsin Supports Bacterial Source Tracking:  As they do for saltwater

environments, funds granted through EPA's BEACH Act support beach 
monitoring programs along Wisconsin's beaches.  Two Wisconsin counties,

Door and Manitowoc, concerned about the high bacterial levels measured

at their beaches and the impact beach closings were having on their 
tourism industry, wanted to get to the root of the contamination 
problem.  However, BEACH Act funds are generally used for monitoring
and 
public notification of potential contamination. Therefore, with help 
from Wisconsin Coastal Nonpoint Program funds and other contributions 
from county and municipal governments, the Door Chamber of Commerce and

university research programs, the County Soil and Water Conservation 
Districts spearheaded team efforts to develop bacterial source tracking

programs and propose recommendations for addressing the identified 
source(s) in each county.  The interdisciplinary teams brought together

relevant county and municipal health, planning, storm water, parks and

rec and extension staff, WI DNR and SeaGrant representatives, and 
researchers from nearby universities to develop and implement source 
tracking strategies. 

The counties are both employing several different sampling protocols 
including rain event sampling, DNA typing, antibiotic resistance 
testing, and avian waste surveys (recording the number of bird
droppings 
along beach transects) to pin-point the source(s) of bacterial
pollution 
for each beach.  To compliment their sampling programs, they also
mapped 
the location of storm water outfalls and areas serviced by OSDS using 
GIS.  In Door County, the OSDS survey also catalogued which coastline 
sections the County Sanitarian Department has conducted sanitary 
surveys, noting when each section was surveyed, the percent of failing

systems identified, and the location of failing systems and those that

have been replaced.  This year, the county plans to conduct additional

sanitary surveys where existing data identified OSDS as a potential 
source of bacterial contamination.  Another component of the study 
involved developing a database of animal waste genetic signatures from

animals throughout each county.  Each species (cows, birds, other 
wildlife, and humans) should have an identifiable signature. 
Therefore, 
genetic samples from bacteria collected at each beach could be linked 
back to the possible sources(s) (nearby farms, bird roosts, or septic 
tanks) contributing to the contamination through the database. 

While the studies are still on-going and no definitive sources have
been 
identified yet, the teams have already begun to work with the local 
decision makers and the general public to educate them about the 
bacterial contamination problem and how the source tracking study will

help solve the problem.  This way, the decision makers will be ready to

take action based on the studies' recommendations.  For additional 
information, contact Vinni Chomeau at vchomeau@co.door.wi.us 
<mailto:vchomeau@co.door.wi.us> (Door County) and Tony Smith at 
tsmith@co.manitowoc.wi.us <mailto:tsmith@co.manitowoc.wi.us> (Manitowoc

County).  

Regular updates and success stories of the Coastal Nonpoint Program--a

forum to learn about what other state's are doing and get recognized
for 
all your hard work!!  Don't forget if you have something you would like

to share (big or small) send an email to allison.castellan@noaa.gov.  
The next addition should be coming out in a month.
<>< ~ ><> ~ <>< ~ ><>
Allison Castellan
Coastal Management Specialist
Coastal Programs Division
NOAA/NOS/OCRM
1305 East-West Highway SSMC4
Silver Spring, MD  20910
Ph:  301-713-3155 x225
Fx:  301-713-4367

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