Scientists and managers have long recognized the utility and efficiency in connecting floodplain management, flood hazard mitigation, and wetland management, but government resources are not allocated in such a manner as to foster collaboration among these institutions. Funding is often tied to specific agency priorities and hazard mitigation and habitat conservation staff rarely collaborate. The goal of the Wetlands, Wildlife Habitat, and Flood Hazards in the Rock River Basin webinar series is to identify opportunities for emergency, floodplain, and wetland management agencies to work together to maximize the flood control and ecosystem service benefits of our wetlands, thereby saving financial and environmental resources and building community resilience to climate change.
Adaptive Management and the Rock River Basin TMDL
Mike Vollrath and Sarah MacFarland of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) discussed what adaptive management is, what it isn’t, and how it compares and contrasts with Water Quality Trading within the Rock River TMDL. Mike and Sarah demonstrated the use of the DNR’s Surface Water Data Viewer (SWDV) and how it can be used to aid in identifying areas of potential wetland restoration. Emphasis was placed on the SWDV floodplain mitigation benefits, communicating results, and integration in decision making with other programs, planning, and resource allocation.
SPEAKERS:
- Mike Vollrath, PH, CCA, NPS Coordinator& Rock River Basin TMDL Coordinator, WDNR Southern District
- Sarah MacFarland, Rock River TMDL Implementation Coordinator, WDNR Southern District
MATERIALS:
Vollrath/MacFarland PowerPoint Presentation
WEBINAR RECORDING:
Recording of the event