Milwaukee Watershed Conservation Plan, WI

Watercourse studies for three metropolitan Milwaukee rivers indicate that projected demographic trends will intensify existing flood problems. In response, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) is implementing the Conservation Plan, an innovative program designed to combat this problem. The Plan will complement traditional storm water management techniques. The Conservation Plan identifies undeveloped private properties, potentially at risk for development, which could provide future flood prevention benefits. The MMSD, which provides wastewater treatment and flood management services to 1.2 million people in 28 southeastern Wisconsin communities, has hired The Conservation Fund to implement the plan, which works only with willing sellers.

The Fund is presently contacting each landowner in the 42 highest priority sites to determine whether they are willing to sell a conservation easement on their development rights, or sell their property outright. MMSD will partner with local governments and/or land trusts to provide management on the properties acquired by the Fund.

In 2004 the Fund acquired more than 200 acres of land along river corridors containing hydric soils that can rapidly absorb millions of gallons of water if left undeveloped.