The Nelson Institute Community Environmental Forum brings together speakers and audience members from all segments of the community -- businesses, state and local government, non-profit organizations, academia and others -- to learn about and discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the environment of Wisconsin, Dane County, and Madison. Our goal is to facilitate positive, productive and insightful interactions among this broad array of interests and UW-Madison students and faculty during each series.

Fall 2013
The Sustainability of Irrigation in Wisconsin

Agricultural irrigation is expanding significantly in several regions of the state, even as concerns are increasing about its possible effects on water resources and the adequacy of regulatory oversight. This is heightening issues of competing demand among agricultural, commercial, recreational and property interests. This Community Environmental Forum series will explore the science, geology, policy and law surrounding Wisconsin's critical groundwater resource.

October 15: Wisconsin's Groundwater Supply and Demand

5:30 - 7:00 PM, 1106 Mechanical Engineering

This session will explore interactions between groundwater and surface waters, the hydrology of the Central Sands region, and current well-permitting activity.

• Bill Bland, Professor of Soil Science, Environmental Studies and Agroecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison (MODERATOR)
• Ken Bradbury, Hydrogeology Program Leader, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey; PRESENTATION
• George Kraft, Director, Center for Watershed Science and Education, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; PRESENTATION
• Bob Smail, Water Supply Specialist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; PRESENTATION

October 29: Wisconsin's Groundwater Policies and Irrigation

5:30 - 7:00 PM, 1106 Mechanical Engineering

Watch video of this session

This session will examine policies, laws and regulations that govern high-capacity groundwater wells in Wisconsin.

• Bill Bland, Professor of Soil Science, Environmental Studies and Agroecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison (MODERATOR)
• Eric Ebersberger, Water Use Section Chief In the Bureau of Drinking Water and Groundwater, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
• Angela James, Senior Counsel, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
• Elizabeth Wheeler, Staff Attorney, Clean Wisconsin

Co-Sponsored by: