The City of Middleton is a member of the Madison Area Municipal Storm Water Partnership (17 central Dane County municipalities, Dane County and UW-Madison), which submitted a storm water discharge permit to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Rather than applying for the permit individually, these municipal entities joined forces to save time, money and resources. Their web site, www.myfairlakes.com, has a plethora of information on how citizens' daily activities can have a positive impact on Dane County's water resources.

In compliance with the provisions of Chapter 283, Wisconsin Statutes, and Chapters NR 151 and 216, Wisconsin Administrative Code, municipalities in Wisconsin must apply for a storm water permit in order to discharge storm water through a separate storm sewer system to waters of the State. The permit carries a requirement that municipalities submit to WisDNR an annual report of activities aimed at compliance with the requirements of the permit.

• WPDESPermit_2009-2014

• WPDESPermit_2004-2009

Storm Water Management Plan

Links to copies of the most recent reports for the City of Middleton are provided below. Note that the 2009-2010 report is scheduled to be posted in April, 2011. All subsequent reports will be biennial.

Loving The Lakes is Easy

Football, chill in the air, kids back in school, apples, leaf raking… all signs of fall. But leaves in the street this fall result in green lakes next summer. By keeping leaves and other yard waste out of the street, you are proudly displaying your love of Dane County’s lakes and streams.

Leaves or grass clippings in the street can get washed directly to the nearest lake or stream via storm drains when it rains. Even if the leaves never move, rain water running over and through them makes a nutrient-rich tea that’s carried directly to the storm drains promoting algae growth.

As the leaves turn glorious colors and fall onto lawns, it’s time to “Love Your Lakes, Don’t Leaf Them.” There are some easy alternatives to raking. Simply use your lawn mower to mulch leaves directly on your lawn. These shredded leaves act as a natural fertilizer returning nutrients to your lawn. If you prefer to bag your grass clippings and shredded leaves, empty them on your vegetable and flowerbeds or around your trees and shrubs to help suppress weeds. Compost your leaves and use them next year in your gardens.

If you rake, keep leaves on the terrace, not in the street. Check with your municipality for curbside collection dates and other requirements so that your leaves are at the curb for as short a time as possible.

For more information on “Love Your Lakes, Don’t Leaf Them,” or to obtain yard signs and brochures, visit www.myfairlakes.com or call 224-3746.

No matter how far you live from the water’s edge, storm drains lead to the nearest lake or stream. So, when you see someone keeping leaves out of the street, you know they’re showing their love for the lakes by keeping algae-feeding nutrients out of our surface waters.

Plant Dane!

Cost share program for native plant and seed projects in Dane County

• 2011 Plant Dane Flyer
• 2011 Work Shop Brochure