MADISON, Wis. (AP) — State water experts want input on plans to improve water quality in lakes and rivers in 23 Wisconsin watersheds.
The Department of Natural Resources’ plans outline the conditions of each watershed, identify whether they’re impaired and can’t provide swimming, fishing and other opportunities and offer recommendations for improvement.
Water bodies include Rush and Bad Axe creeks in western Wisconsin; Willow River and Springbrook Creek in the north; Shawano Lake and the West Twin River in the northeast; and Bear Creek and the Galena River in the south.
The DNR will offer a webcast on the plans on July 13 and take comments through July 30.
DOT 83-10
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Media Contact: Office of Public Affairs
Tel.: (202) 366-4570
“The U.S. Department of Transportation is seeking public comment to help finalize a new strategic plan that returns the focus of transportation decisions to the people who use the transportation systems and their communities.” said Secretary Ray LaHood.
The plan, Transportation for a New Generation, helps set the priorities of the department and offers a blueprint for providing the traveling public with safe, convenient, affordable and environmentally sustainable transportation choices for the 21st century.
“In opening our strategic plan for the public comment, we are giving citizens the opportunity to directly influence the shape of upcoming transportation decisions,” said Secretary LaHood. “We encourage all interested individuals to read the plan and share their insights with us.”
The draft plan was developed through a deliberative interagency process and will be available for several weeks to receive comments and critiques from the public. A copy of Transportation for a New Generation can be viewed and public comment can be received at www.dot.gov.
The draft plan notes that during the 20th century, the U.S. benefited from building highway and aviation networks that fueled unprecedented economic prosperity and individual mobility and connected the nation’s cities, towns, and regions to the rest of the world. However, in the 21st century, policies and individual investment decisions for highways, public transit, railroads, seaports, inland waterways and airports often lacked an outcome-driven approach and at times conflicted with each other and with important national priorities. Transportation for a New Generation restores the focus of transportation decisions to the people and their communities.
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The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has developed a brief questionnaire for the public to provide feedback about the future of rail in Wisconsin. Responses will contribute to the development of policies and recommendations for the Wisconsin Rail Plan 2030.
WisDOT develops transportation plans in cooperation with the public, state and federal review agencies. The department will offer a variety of statewide public involvement activities throughout the Wisconsin Rail Plan 2030 planning process.
WisDOT released a draft Public Participation Plan 
for public review. The Public Participation Plan describes outreach activities the department will use in developing the Wisconsin Rail Plan 2030. Comments were due by March 10.
For more information on the Wisconsin Rail Plan 2030 planning process contact:
WisDOT Bureau of Planning and Economic Development
P.O. Box 7913, Room 901
Madison, WI 53707-7913
Telephone: (608) 266-8108
Fax: (608) 267-0294
E-mail: railplan2030@dot.wi.gov
greenbaypressgazette.com
Public transportation in the Green Bay metropolitan area is at a crossroads, and a bill in the state Assembly would give local residents a greater voice in the conversation.
The legislation, Assembly Bill 282, would give municipalities the authority to create regional transit authorities to run bus lines and other public transportation systems. An RTA would have greater flexibility and power than is permitted the existing Green Bay Metro transit operation.
Read the entire editorial
Attend the AB-723 Regional Transit and Jobs Investment Act
Assembly Hearing on
Thursday March 11
10:00 AM
417 North (GAR Hall), State Capitol
Contact your legislators and committee members by Monday and ask them to make sure that RTA bill AB-723 gets through committee.
This is an important step in advancing the RTA bill that will allow communities to create RTAs, to invest in transit and build stronger communities. Your support is critical. We need your help to ensure this bill gets through committee so it can reach a vote of the full legislature in April! Time is running out.
Transit facts, talking points, and Transit = Jobs Fact Sheet
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is requesting feedback by March 12, 2010, on its Sustainable Communities Planning Grants Program. The goal of this program is to support multi-jurisdictional regional planning efforts that integrate housing, economic development, and transportation decision making in a manner that empowers jurisdictions to simultaneously consider the interdependent challenges of economic growth, social equity and environmental impact.
