MADISON, Wis. (AP) — State environmental, agricultural and health officials are starting to teach a legislative water pollution task force about the basics of hydrology in Wisconsin. Officials with the Departments of Natural Resource, Health Services and Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection gave the task force presentations during the panel’s first meeting Wednesday. DNR Environmental Management Division Deputy Administrator Jim Zellmer began with a slide-show on hydrologic cycles and contaminants, including pollution from stormwater run-off, phosphorous, nitrates, lead, arsenic and algal blooms. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos formed the task force in January. The committee’s co-chairman, Rep. Todd Novak, said Wednesday that the panel will travel to 11 sites around the state over the summer to learn about local water issues and he hopes to produce a report and offer legislation by fall.
