Proposed High Capacity Well

Please send in comments on the high capacity well proposal for Utica Township. Deadline for comments is May 16.
Crawford Stewardship Project representatives and neighbors met by phone with Mr. Lawrence Lynch of the DNR and Mr. Darrell Long, the owner of the proposed high capacity well. This well could take as much as 500,000 gallons of water per day from our local aquifer.

Suggested actions:

Read the Environmental Assessment on the DNR website at: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/es/science/eis/eis.htm

Send Comments to: Lawrence.lynch@wisconsin.gov. Lawrence Lynch, Hydrogeologist, 101 S. Webster St., Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707, 608-267-7553. Email is preferred. Official comment deadline is May 16, but Mr. Lynch said he will take comments the week of May 16.

Highlights of the discussion:

• DNR Process: This proposal prompted a DNR Environmental Assessment because it is within 550’ feet of the North Branch of Copper Creek, which feeds into Copper Creek, a trout stream.
• No Public Hearing: There is no public hearing required or allowed for this type of application.
• Increase Comment Period: CSP requested and Mr. Lynch will ask at the DNR if there can be a time extension for comments. Presently, May 16 is the deadline.
• Well Capacity: The well is allowed to pump 500 gal/min. and up to 500,000 gallons per day at a maximum according to the EA and is 300 feet deep. EA states sporadic use as a plan, but does not require sporadic use.
• Creek Water Levels: At maximum use for 2 months, the North Branch of Copper Creek levels could be lowered by 30%, according to the DNR models, and a 30-40% flow reduction could occur with continuous pumping.
• Usage of the Well: Owner Darrell Long and the DNR EA states that the anticipated use is for emergencies and other situations as defined by the owner. The owner also plans to make a profit by selling the water. Commercial bottling is prohibited in the EA, but bottling can be done for “emergencies”. No other prohibitions are spelled out in the EA.
• Local Government/business: No local governments or businesses or agencies asked Mr. Long to put in the well for emergencies, and FEMA has no involvement or funding.
• Traffic: The EA does not cover potential truck traffic increases on local highways, which could produce up to 100 trucks per day carrying 5,000 gallons each if the well was operated at full capacity.
• Other wells: The DNR requirements do not cover other wells. If wells were affected due to constant use of the well, the DNR has no legal means of stopping pumping. Landowners would have to address those issues privately or in the courts.

Suggested Actions from the meeting for the EA and Proposal:

• Lower maximum water use: Define the maximum use at a lower level so that the North Branch of Copper Creek water levels would not be lowered, even with constant use. In addition, water removed and shipped out of the local aquifer is gone. Local uses returns much of the water to the aquifer.
• Define uses: Define clearly what the uses can be. Include a requirement for a defined sporadic use instead of the suggested sporadic use by the owner. Define clearly what this well cannot be used for besides commercial water bottling and a system to log who is purchasing the water.
• Emergencies: Define the term emergency. Right now the owner defines an emergency use and can, in fact, bottle water for that use.
• Creek levels: Install a water level gauge in the North Branch of Copper Creek. Include enforceable language in the permit such that if levels reduce, pumping will cease until the creek recovers to its full capacity. This branch feeds into Copper Creek, and provides 200 gallons of essential cold water per minute to this a well-used class I trout stream. Trout habitat brings tourism money to the area. And other species and local farmers rely on the Creek.