Environmental Protection

Invasive Species

Invasive species are plants, animals and pathogens that are "out of place." A species is regarded as invasive if it has been introduced by human action to a location, area or region where it did not previously occur naturally (i.e., is not…

Lower Green Bay and Fox River Area of Concern

Public Review and Comment Opportunity The DNR is seeking public comments on a draft recommendation to remove the "Restrictions on Drinking Water Consumption or Taste and…

Grants and Funding Opportunities for Great Lakes Projects

Great Lakes funding opportunities become available through EPA and other federal agencies. You can find many grant opportunities by searching Grants.gov.

Nuisance Algae (Cladophora) in Lake Michigan

For the past few years, large quantities of decaying algae, called Cladophora, have been found along Wisconsin's Lake Michigan shoreline. As the algae and organisms trapped in the algae rot, they generate a pungent septic odor that many people…

Wisconsin's Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs)

St. Louis River Area of Concern

Public Review and Input Opportunity Draft 2024 Remedial Action Plan Update for the St. Louis River Area of Concern The DNR is seeking public feedback on the draft 2024 Remedial Action Plan Update for…

Wisconsin’s Great Waters Annual Photo Contest and Writing Project

Subscribe to receive updates and news about the Great Waters Photo Contest and Writing Project, including when the next calendar is available. Each year, the DNR's Office of Great Waters holds a photo contest and writing project. These…

Wisconsin's Air Quality Trends

There is a statewide network of 30 ozone monitoring sites and 18 fine particle (PM2.5) monitoring sites to measure ambient air quality in Wisconsin. In addition, the DNR monitoring network measures sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide,…

Air Toxics and Mercury

Air toxics, also called hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), are substances either known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health problems, including damage to the immune, neurological, reproductive and respiratory systems. These pollutants…

Sulfur Dioxide NAAQS Implementation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for criteria pollutants, including sulfur dioxide (SO2). On June 2, 2010, EPA revised the SO2 standard, establishing a one-hour primary standard of 75…