Environment

Our environmental resources are not merely commercial assets available for sale to big business.

They are part of our public wealth, and contribute to making Milwaukee a vibrant and healthy city.

I plan to take aggressive leadership on environmental issues that affect public health and wellbeing, and work actively to ensure that the needs of the people of Milwaukee are not overlooked. City leaders must take our stewardship to heart and keep our water, land and air clean for younger and future generations.

WATER

Lake Michigan
Milwaukee sits on the Great Lakes, the largest fresh water resource on earth. Lake Michigan is the second-largest Great Lake by volume, the only one entirely in the U.S. These lakes link directly to the ocean, and millions of tons of cargo are still moved via the Great Lakes. Recreational boating, cruises, tourism and fishing are major economic components and public recreation including swimming, sunbathing and even surfing are popular.

The Great Lakes supply drinking water to tens of millions of people.

With issues like peak oil, global climate change and privatization of water, Milwaukee will take a front-and-center seat in environmental, water and transportation issues of the future.

We need to secure our water now. We need a long term plan that is going to ensure that we don’t sell off and privatize our water in the years to come. And we need to end the dumping of sewage into our fresh water, through aggressive programs to manage stormwater runoff.

Milwaukee River

Photo by Maureen KaneThe Milwaukee River, running through the heart of the 3rd District, is a gem to be enjoyed and cherished. We’ve seen many improvements in water quality since the North Ave. dam has been removed, even as it’s becoming overly-developed. We are loving it to death.

For years I’ve worked with other concerned citizens to limit the impact of development on, or near, our environmentally sensitive river bluffs. These bluffs are the habitat of endangered species and provide us humans with some of the best natural experiences for miles around. Overdevelopment in these areas has already led to storm water runoff issues, erosion, and clear cutting, all detrimental to the natural state of the river.

Photo by Sura Faraj
Currently, I’m part of the Milwaukee River Work Group, which is working in conjunction with environmental organizations, neighborhood associations and other organizations, to protect the natural river corridor north of the North Ave. dam to the city limits. We need leadership in the city that can ensure not only the passage of zoning and other protections, but the implementation of these protections.

I will be the leader who works with environmental organizations and city, state and federal legislators to ensure that the future of Lake Michigan and our rivers continue to positively affect Milwaukee’s culture and economy. Additionally, I will support state, national and international protective designations for our waterways including a strong Great Lakes Compact.

LAND
more coming soon.

AIR QUALITY
more coming soon.

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