Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Person of the Year
The Pewaukee Chamber of Commerce has named Mary Schwister, president of the Pewaukee River Partnership, the 2007 Person of the Year. The James Murphy Ward was established in 1981 by the Pewaukee Chamber to recognize individuals who have demonstrated leadership in community or business activities. Mary will be honored at the banquet on January 23, 2008.
In her nomination letter Kelly Woldanski, director of the Pewaukee Park and Recreation Department, cited Mary's work to protect the wetlands as well as the Pewaukee River. In 2006/7 the PRP had formed a partnership with Pewaukee Park & Rec, the Lake Pewaukee Sanitary District and the Wisconsin DNR to build the 400 ft. wetland boardwalk and nine informational signs in Simmons Woods Park.
This past summer PRP worked under Mary's direction to clear brush as the first step in restoring Lynn Path, a walkway along the Pewaukee River. Plans are being developed to improve the adjacent river banks and bed.
Mary has also directed the PRP sense of place project called "Pewaukee Is Our Place". A total of 35 CD recordings have been made of the memories of long-term residents of Pewaukee. One propose of the project is to collect information about the historical interaction between the Pewaukee community and the Pewaukee River & Watershed. The project will produce 100 recordings and place copies of them in the Pewaukee Public Library as well as the Pewaukee Area Historical Society.
Labels: Awards, Pewaukee Is Our Place, Restoration Work, Wetland and River Research
Saturday, December 22, 2007
River Request
On October 23, 2007 PRP received a request from Atty Dan Fay of Pewaukee to consider investigation of the regulation of water depth in the Pewaukee River. His office is located along the River and he is concerned about frequent level fluctuations which affect both aquatic plants and animals.
Atty Fay's letter was discussed by the PRP Board of Directors at its November 8th meeting. A decision was made to forward the request to the membership at the November 29th meeting with the recommendation that a program be started to address the issue.
Labels: Downriver Impact Iniative, Restoration Work, Wetland and River Research
Monday, December 17, 2007
Siepmann Parking Lot Proposal
Jim Siepmann, developer of the Main Street Retail Center on Wisconsin Avenue, met with the Pewaukee River Partnership last July to explain plans for developing a "summertime" parking lot between the rear of the stores and the railroad tracks.
Because the outfall from Pewaukee Lake as well as the Pewaukee River would be directly impacted by this plan, Siepmann asked that PRP actually work with him to develop the site to control stormwater run off in a way that would be compatible with the River.
Siepmann Realty has continued with the process of obtaining the necessary permits to go ahead with this project. It is hoped that work on the project will be ready to start in the spring.
Because the outfall from Pewaukee Lake as well as the Pewaukee River would be directly impacted by this plan, Siepmann asked that PRP actually work with him to develop the site to control stormwater run off in a way that would be compatible with the River.
Siepmann Realty has continued with the process of obtaining the necessary permits to go ahead with this project. It is hoped that work on the project will be ready to start in the spring.
Labels: Parking Lot, Restoration Work
Monday, August 13, 2007
Parking Lot Proposal
The sucess of the Main Street retail center on Wisconsin Avenue in the Village of Pewaukee has been very good for the community. However, that very sucess has created problems.
The center is wedged between the beach at the east end of Pewaukee Lake and the railroad tracks. Because of the topography of the land, the street running between the stores and the beach is only two lanes wide with angle parking. At times traffic congestion is very severe. As popularity of the stores, restaurants and beach have grown, the need for additional summer parking has become crucial.
Jim Siepmann, developer of the retail center, recently met with the Pewaukee River Partnership to explain plans for developing a "summertime" parking lot between the rear of the stores and the railroad tracks. Because the outfall from Pewaukee Lake as well as the Pewaukee River would be directly impacted by this plan, Siepmann asked that PRP actually work with him to develop the site to control stormwater run off in a way that would be compatible with the River. Since this proposal is currently being developed, Siepmann has promised to return to PRP with further ideas.
The above photo was taken at the the outfall from Pewaukee Lake. It joins the Pewaukee River at the center of the photo. The Main Street retail center is located on the right of the outfall. The proposed parking lot would be built on the left.
Labels: Parking Lot, Restoration Work
Monday, June 18, 2007
Laidlaw Project
The Pewaukee River Partnership has begun work on a new river restoration project called the Laidlaw Project. Last week Paul Evert and Clarence Gerbig began by mowing the walking path along the Pewaukee River at the back of the Laidlaw Bus Company property.
Original work on this path goes back to the 1980's. A path had been laid out and a meeting place for the local Boy Scout Troops had been constructed. Even though maintenance work has been done on and off over the years, the area is in now need of major restoration. The path will be leveled in places and wood chips will be laid down. The overgrown brush will be cut down and removed. The riverbed and bank along the path will also be restored with native vegetation.
The scope of this project will probably extend over two to three years.
Labels: Laidlaw Project, Pewaukee River Partnership, Restoration Work
