Preface
This Environmental Impact Statement of the University of
Wisconsin at
La Crosse, is for the purpose of completing requirements
to allow the
University to proceed with land fill plans on the
University owned
marsh land south of Gorder Road. This statement is
composed of seven
parts. They are:
1. A description of the proposed action.
2. The probable impact of the proposed action on the
environment.
3. Any probable or potential adverse environmental effects
which
cannot be avoided.
4. Alternative (s) to proposed project.
5. The relationship between local short-term uses of man's
environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long
term
productivity.
6. Irreversible and irretrievable commitments of
resources.
7. Discussion of problems and objections by federal,
state, local
and private persons.
Appropriate photographs, maps, etc. will be appended to
the sections
they apply to for ease of use and illustration.
-1-
A. Statement of Proposed Action
The parcel of marsh land, south of Gorder Road, and
bordering East
Avenue on the east was acquired in 1969. When the City of
La Crosse
installed “Gorder Road,” running east and west across the
marsh land,
they in effect sealed off the portion now owned by the
University
from the rest of the wildlife area.
This action greatly affected the wildlife in the southern
portion
of the marsh. The water overflowing from the La Crosse
River no
longer had access to the southern portion of the marsh.
The University of Wisconsin at La Crosse is a small land
locked
campus, with a shortage of outdoor physical education
facilities.
Present P.E. facilities are carried out on land owned by
the City
of La Crosse on a joint use basis. This Joint usage causes
serious
crowding conditions.
The approximate 33 acre site of marsh land would be an
ideal location
for various types of outdoor Physical Education
facilities. Among
them are:
1. Practice Football Field.
2. Field Hockey Field.
3. Soccer Field.
4. Archery Range.
5. Softball Fields.
-2-
Current enrollment projections for the years 1972, 1974,
1976, 1978,
1980 and 1986 are:
1972 7,130
1974 7,315
1976 7,680
1978 7,955
1980 8,000
1986 6,6l4
Of these enrollments 25 percent have historically been
enrolled in
the School of Health, Recreation and Physical Education.
In addition,
there is usually 90 to 100 students enrolled in
Recreation, and all
freshman are required to take some basic P.E. courses.
These large
numbers of students are now crowded into inadequate
outdoor spaces.
We propose to fill the present marsh site to an elevation
of 648.7
feet, or three feet above the present level of Gorder
Road. There
are no plans to construct buildings on this site. See
attachment.
-3-
B. Probable Impact of the Project on the Environment:
1. Air:
During filling and grading operations there would be some
fume emissions from trucks and bulldozers. These would be
in the amounts routinely encountered in such operations;
since this would be in an open area at least a
quarter-mile
(?) from the nearest residential area, normal dispersal
and
dilution effects of air movements would prevent any
accumulation
of damaging concentrations.
There would be no effect on prevailing wind currents.
2. Water:
A small amount of additional water would be required for
drinking fountains and restrooms. (Showers?)
Sanitary sewage facilities for the above could be tied
into
existing lines from Building and Grounds facility.
There would be no effect on waterways. Some shallow
temporary
ponds (spring snow melt) would be destroyed. These serve a
migrational resting -places for a small number of ducks
during
the spring. Equally good habitat is available within 100
yards.
-4-
3. Noise:
Vehicular noise during filling and grading will be of no
significance, since the area is not occupied by humans.
4. Fish and Wildlife:
The area under consideration is an isolated depression
which
accumulates water in spring due to seepage and snow melt.
There is no connection with any waterway, and there is no
fish population. Breeding habitat for amphibians will be
destroyed.
The water disappears in late spring, and the ground
typically
bakes. This area serves a limited number of songbirds and
small mammals.
5. Trees & Vegetation:
There are scattered individual trees of cottonwood and
willow
which would be destroyed.
6. Landscape:
The area will remain level as it is now, but be raised
three
feet above existing Gorder Road.
-5-
7. Typical Social Conditions:
Because of the remote location of the marsh land to
population
centers, there should be no significance on social
conditions,
8. Typical Economic Conditions:
There will be a definite advantage to students and
employees
of the University. By converting this waste land to
classroom
and recreational use we will be properly utilizing state
owned
land and providing an adequate facility on a campus where
there
is a shortage of adequate outdoor classroom space.
-6-
C. Probable Adverse Environmental Effect Which Cannot Be
Avoided:
There would be some unavoidable adverse effects on the
environment.
They would be minimal however. Examples are:
1. Air contaminants: There will be fume emissions from
trucks
and bulldozers, however, short duration of use and the
quarter mile distance to the nearest residential area
reduces
any ill effects. In addition, it may be possible to pipe
in dredge sand directly to the site, further reducing
air contaminant effects.
2. Equipment and Traffic Noises: Short duration of use by
motorized equipment, and distance to nearest residential
area would reduce the effect of any noise pollution.
3. Increased Vehicular and Traffic Patterns: The marsh
land
fill in question is bordered on the east by East Avenue
North,
on the north by Gorder Road and on the east by Lang Drive.
Lang Drive is a main north-south artery, linking North
La Crosse and South La Crosse. The land fill development
however, will not extend all the way to Lang Drive as the
ten
acres bordering it are privately owned. East Avenue north
and Gorder Road are secondary roads with relatively light
vehicular traffic. Construction of outdoor recreational
facilities should not significantly effect traffic
patterns.
-7-
4. Changes in Desirable Traffic Patterns: There are no
desirable
traffic patterns in existence on Gorder Road and East
Avenue
North at this time, so development of the area should not
impact on traffic patterns.
5. Changes in storm and sanitary sever discharges: there
will be
no change.
6. Interference with Wildlife Living Patterns: Wildlife
using
this area consists of small mammals, some amphibians, and
ducks. There is no water in this area and consequently no
fish population is present. Small numbers of ducks use
this
area as a migrational resting place in the spring. There
is
an adequate resting area with one hundred yards, however,
which is and can be used.
7. Wildlife Area Damaged and Obliterated: While the area
used
by small numbers of ducks, amphibians and small mammals
will
be filled, this approximately 33 acre site borders and
additional
78 to 80 acres of better suited land for wildlife use. The
additional bordering acreage is better suited because of
the
presence of water overflow from the La Crosse River. See
attachment.
8. Removal of Trees and Vegetation: Marsh vegetation and
the
scattered individual trees would be destroyed. While the
trees are few in number, there are some Willows and
Cottonwoods.
-8-
It would be our intent to replace all trees removed on a
two
for one basis, as well as be landscaped and beautify the
area.
9. Removal and/or Alteration of Landforms: There are no
prominent
or unusual landforms in the marsh area now. It is our
intent
to raise the level of the marsh to three feet above the
level
of Gorder Road.
10. Changes in Residential Population: There is no
residential
population adjacent to this marsh area.
11. Urban Congestion: There will be no addition or effect
on
urban congestion due to light traffic patterns and lack of
population in the area.
12. Threats to Health: If anything this project, by
removing a
breeding ground for mosquitoes, should be an improvement
to
public health.
-9-
D. Alternatives Considered:
One alternative considered other than filling the marsh
site for
outdoor recreational use, was to leave site as it now is.
Considering the vital need for outdoor recreational and
physical
education space by the University of Wisconsin at La
Crosse, the
alternative of not filling the land and utilizing it is
not feasible.
The adjacent wet marsh lands are more than adequate for
any wildlife
dislocated.
Another alternative would be to fill the marsh site and
develop it
into a park. Filling would, in this case, still cause the
relocation
of the existing wildlife to the adjacent wet marshlands.
Use of the land as a park, on a campus that is land poor
does not
seem to be the best use of university owned property.
No studies were made on the costs or feasibility of the
Park
alternative.
-10-
E. Relationship Between Local Short-Term Uses of Man's
Environment
and the Maintenance and Enhancement of Long-Term
Productivity.
1. There are no further facilities planned for the area.
No
buildings are planned to be constructed in the area.
2. The wildlife has already been affected by the
construction
of Gorder Road which shut it off from the rest of the
area, and
some of the wildlife has relocated to adjacent areas. No
changes to this area are planned which will be
irreversible.
The possibility of returning the area to its original
state
will be ever present. This could be accomplished by
removing
the fill and reconverting the area to marsh land. It is
not
anticipated that this will ever be a desired action.
3. Adverse effects of the actual construction will
decrease as
the project reaches completion. The general appearance of
the area is expected to improve and will be maintained so
as to enhance the visual quality of the area.
4. This project will implement the better economic use of
idle
land. There is a shortage of available physical education
space on the campus, causing overcrowding of physical
education
areas, inconvenience in properly teaching physical
activities,
and sometimes potentially dangerous situations where
different
types of activities which are in progress in adjacent
areas
conflict with each other. The use of this additional area
-11-
will help alleviate the problem.
Mosquitos have been and continue to be a problem to the
City
of La Crosse. The area of concern is a very good breeding
.
habitat for mosquitos, and its elimination as a marsh land
will rid the city of one of the mosquito-breeding areas.
-12-
F. Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of
Resources:
The nature of the marsh site as it now exists does not
allow for
land use. It is dry marsh, (caused by the construction of
Gorder
Road) with very little wildlife usage.
The University's land fill proposal, if approved, would
allow for
beneficial use of what is now wasteland. Rather than a
loss of
specific animal life only a relocation is involved to
close,
adjacent, wet marsh lands.
With proper preparation and landscaping, it would be
possible to
develop the site to blend and harmonize with surrounding
ecological
systems. Considering that there are no plans to construct
buildings
on this site, we do not feel that there is an irreversible
commitment
of resources.
-13-
G. Public Awareness of Objections to Project and
Resolution
A hearing was held on April 28, 1972 by the Department of
Natural
Resources, with interested parties in attendance. The
minutes of
that meeting are attached. There was an objection raised
by Ms.
Sandra Fletcher, interested citizen and member of the
Governor’s
Land Resource Committee. The attached minutes seem to
indicate
that Ms. Fletcher's concern was that of the university
being
given permission to dump fill on the area in question
without an
environmental assessment > rather than the proposed use of
the
land itself. This environmental assessment should remove
that
objection. The University of Wisconsin at La Crosse is
unaware
of any other objections.
-14-
Subject: University of Wisconsin – La Crosse Land File:
G-2361.1
Fill in the La Crosse River Marsh in the
City of La Crosse.
By: Larry A. Larson Date: May 5, 1972
On April 27, 1972 the writer, accompanied by L. A.
Posekany, DuWayne
Gebkin and George Meyer inspected the subject land fill
area. At the
present time the eastern end of this area has been filled
and a building
has been constructed on it. This is the area shown as a
building on
the plats submitted to Tom Lee a year ago. Access ramps
running south of
Gorder Road have been constructed of gravel. These access
ramps parallel
West Avenue. At the time of the inspection the entire area
which had
not been filled was under water. Reviewing the map, the
map indicated
the top of Gorder Road at a point between the two ramps
and in the vicinity
of the culvert through Gorder Road was at elevation
approximately 6450.
Using that as a reference, shots were taken showing that
the north end
of the 5-foot diameter culvert through Gorder Road at this
point of an
elevation at the top of the pipe, 3.8 feet below the top
of the road.
This would put the invert at the north end of the pipe at
elevation
about 636.2, water level was 1.7 feet deep indicating the
water level
in this area at the time of the inspection was
approximately 637.9. It
would appear that the 1965 flood in this vicinity was at
elevation
approximately 645.0 and has not been definitely confirmed.
On April 20, 1972, a meeting was held at the La Crosse
State Office
Building with the following people in attendance: Donald
Kasper, Bureau
of Fac. Mgt.; Terry Steiger, U.W. Systems Office; Sandra
Fletcher, citizen;
George E. Meyer, DNR, Legal Services; Harold Hettrick, DNR,
Madison;
David Harmes, DNR, La Crosse; Lewis Posekany, DNR,
Madison; Gordon E.
Slifer, DNR, Eau Claire; DuWayne Gebken, DNR, Madison;
Clarence Stoffel,
DNR, Eau Claire; Werner Radke, DNR, Eau Claire; Dale F.
Erlandson, DNR,
La Crosse; Harold J. Erickson, DNR, Eau Claire; and the
writer.
Mr. Steiger an engineer from the University Systems
Office, briefly
explained the plan. He indicated that the fill area was to
be used for
Physical Education purposes and they have constructed a
storage building
in the easterly end as planned. He indicated they are
setting excessive
settlement in this area and for that reason they will
probably build no
further buildings in the vicinity. He indicated settlement
in the amount
of three inches over the past six to nine months has
occurred. The
western area which they propose to fill would be filled to
elevation
640 as suggested by Thomas Lee and would be used for
practice softball
diamonds, tennis courts, and open use areas compatible
with flood plan usage. No buildings would be constructed.
At this point, Sandra Fletcher, who lives in La Crosse and
is on the Governor’s
Land Resource Committee explained her concern over this
project. She
indicated her research into the situation found that the
building
commission has approved $25,000 for use as access roads to
haul fill into
the area, but has not released the $250,000 for the whole
project. Mr. Steiger
-2- confirmed that aspect, indicating they did not intend to
ask for the $250,000
until the area was filled at least partially to allow for
development of the
ball diamonds, etc. Sandra Fletcher indicated that she was
having problems
determining if there was any inter-departmental
coordination on this project
since her contract with four to five office of the
Department did not reveal
any assurance that one office has any awareness of what
another office was
or was not doing. A brief discussion was held regarding
Assembly Bill 873
the Governor recently signed and the general concensus of
those from the
Department was that bill would require the University to
submit an
environmental impact statement relative to this project.
Mr. Steiger indicated approximately 340,000 cubic yards of
material would
be needed for the land fill. Their estimation of the cost
of this would be
$1 per yard if it were to be hired by contract to fill the
area immediately.
Therefore, it would be their intention to fill it over a
period of time
allowing people with suitable fill material to dump it at
this location.
After Miss Fletcher left, Mr. Steiger was informed that
our inspection of
the area indicated certain portions of it may be below the
ordinary high
watermark. With the water at present stage, this is
impossible to tell.
He was, therefore, informed that it will be necessary that
we wait until
water recedes so that we can go back into this area and
determine the ele-
vation of the ordinary high watermark at this point and
determine if the
fill will be placed in any portions of land below the
ordinary high
watermark. That of course would necessitate statutory
authority under
Section 31.11, Statutes, if a bulkhead line could in fact
be approved in
this area. The following procedure was developed for
further action on
this matter:
1. The University will stop any work in this area
including any fill which
they propose to place.
2. As soon as water recedes, DNR will determine the
ordinary high watermark.
3. Once that determination is made, Mr. Steiger will be
informed exactly
what authority is needed from DNR, including all aspects
such as Chapter 30,
Chapter 144, and Chapter 59.
4. Mr. Steiger will furnish the writer with six copies of
the map in
question which can be distributed to appropriate personnel
in the
Department.
After Mr. Steiger, from the University, left, discussion
was held with
Mr. Stoffel and Mr. Erickson relative to what review had
occurred on the
project at this point. Mr. Stoffel indicated it is their
normal procedure
to review a plan submitted by someone for approval of a
solid waste fill
area. If the plan appears acceptable, they wait until
filling actually
occurs and they review the procedure that is being used
and if that is
satisfactory they then issue a permit. He indicated no
environmental
review ever occurs. Mr. Meyer from Legal Section and
others present
-3- indicated they did not believe any section of this
Department could issue
a permit or approval without reviewing all aspects and
disciplines which
are charged to this Department by Statute. This matter
should be discussed
with Mr. Oehmeke and in particular with the Solid Waste
Bureau here in
Madison. There should be a manual code procedure adopted
relative to this.
As soon as the writer receives copies of letters which Mr.
Lagow has
written to the University from the Solid Waste Section, a
letter should be
written to Mr. Steiger informing him of the conclusions as
noted in the
memo.
Larry A. Larson
LAL:af
H. Agencies Consulted.
1. City of La Crosse
2. Department of Natural Resources.
3. University of Wisconsin System
Attached is correspondence relating to consultation with
the
above listed agencies.
-15-
State of Wisconsin \ BOARD OF REGENTS OF STATE
UNIVERSITIES
December 2, 1970
142 East Gilman Street (Mail: P.O. BOX 912)
Madison, Wisconsin 53701
Architect-Planning Offive
Phone (608) 256-3348
Department of Natural Resources
Division of Environment Protection
Bureau of Air Pollution and Solid Waste Disposal
Room 516 Pyare Square Building
P. 0. Box 450
Madison, Wisconsin
Attention: Mr. Samuel Lagow
Chief, Solid Waste Disposal Section
RE: License Application for Solid Waste Disposal Operation
Wisconsin State University - La Crosse
Dear Mr. Lagow:
The Board of Regents of State Universities is submitting
the
license application form for Solid Waste Disposal
Operation
at WSU - La Crosse, La Crosse 5 Wisconsin. As per the
Depart-
ment of Natural Resources1 requirements, two sets of the
fol-
lowing information are attached for your review:
A. Aerial photograph, scale 1" = 200', May, 1970.
B. Plot plan, scale 1" = 100', 2' contour intervals.
C. Soil Borings.
If you have any questions, or desire additional
information,
please contact Mr. Terry Steiger or Mr. Donald Gerhard of
this
office.
Sincerely,
Bert T. Anderson, AIA
Director of Architecture and Planning
Wisconsin State Universities
BTA:mh
STATE OF WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT 0F NATURAL RESOURCES
DIVISION OF ENVRIONMENTAL PROTECTION
LICENSE APPLICATION FOR
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL OPERATION
(A separate application is required for each site or
facility)
See Back of Application Form For Instructions
Application is hereby made to the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources, Division of
Environmental Protection, for a license to operate a solid
waste disposal site or facility
under provisions of Section 144.44, Wisconsin Statutes.
FOR LICENSING PERIOD OF JULY 1, 1970_THROUGH JUNE 30, 1970
TYPE OF DISPOSAL OPERATION: ( ) Sanitary Landfill ( )
Salvage Yard
( ) Modified Sanitary Landfill ( ) Incinerator
( ) Dump (X) Other Landfill__________________________
(Specify)
NAME OF OPERATOR; Wisconsin State University Address La
Crosse, Wisconsin
(Municipality, Firm, Person, Etc.)
NAME OF DISPOSAL OPERATION: NONE SIZE 38
(If Any) (Acres)
LOCATION: La Crosse La Crosse T. 16. N R.7.W. 32
(County) (City, Village, Town) (Township) (Range)
(Section)
NAME OF PROPERTY OWNER; State of Wisconsin, Board of
Regents Of State Universities
(Municipality, Firm, Person, Etc.)
RESPONSIBLE PERSON TO CONTACT; Donovan Riley, Vice
President, Business Affairs 6o8/785-l800-
(Name) (Title) (Telephone)
Address La Crosse, Wisconsin
AREA SERVED BY OPERATION: La Crosse
(Municipalities)
Population: Permanent 51,448
Seasonal
TYPE OF WASTES HANDLED: (Check One or More) ( ) Garbage (
) Trash ( ) Industrial
( ) Commercial (X) Demolition Material ( ) Liquid Waste (
) Salvageable Material
( ) Others
____________________________________________________________
(Specify)
ATTACH COPY OF LOCAL PERMITS, MAP SHOWING LAND USE WITHIN
1/4 MILE, AND DESCRIPTION OF
OPERATION
I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge, the
foregoing information and attached
details are accurate and complete.
12-3-70
Signature and Title of Applicant Executive Director
Wisconsin State Universities Svstem
FOR REGIONAL OFFICE USE ONLY
Site (Has) (Has Not) Been Field Investigated
Recommend ( ) License
Action: ( ) Conditional License
( ) License Denied
(Attach Explanation)
Signature Date
(Regional Director)
LEAVE THIS SPACE BLANK
Date
State of Wisconsin \ Department of Natural Resources
L. P. Voigt
Secretary
BOX 450
Madison, Wisconsin 53701
January 25, 1971
Report on Examination of Plans and Specifications
for the Sanitary Landfill to be Operated by
Wisconsin State University - La Crosse
There is submitted herewith a report on a review of plans
and specifications
in regard to a sanitary landfill to be operated by
Wisconsin State University -
La Crosse and to serve the City of La Crosse.
General Information
Ownership:
Board of Regents of the Wisconsin State Universities.
Location:
The proposed site, consisting of 38 acres, is located in
Section 32, T16N,
R7W, City of La Crosse, La Crosse County.
Site Investigation:
The site has been investigated by members of the Southern
District staff
and they recommend a license for the site be issued
subject to the con-
clusions and recommendations of this report.
Site Characteristics:
The site is located in the floodplain of the La Crosse
River. Soil borings
show that the site is underlain by layers of peat, sand,
and clay. The
site is well screened from surrounding residences but not
from roads on the
north and west of the site.
Materials to be Deposited:
It is proposed to use the site for the disposal of
demolition material such
as brick, concrete, and small amounts of wood.
Conclusions and Recommendations
From the review of the details of this proposal it is
believed that the
proposed sanitary landfill operation by Wisconsin State
University - La Crosse
will be satisfactory even though it is located in a
floodplain, subject to
the following conditions:
1. A gate shall be provided at the entrance to the site
and kept locked
when an attendant is not on duty.
Sanitary Landfill for Wisconsin State University - La
Crosse January 25, 1971 2.
2. A sign identifying and showing the license number of
the site, and
indicating the hours during which the site is open for
public use, penalty
for nonconforming dumping, and other pertinent information
shall be posted
at the site entrance.
3. No open burning be conducted.
4. The fill area is to be compacted and covered with 6
inches of earth
on a regular schedule, which may be no less frequently
than once per month
when the ground is unfrozen.
5. Demolition material be the only type of material
disposed of
at the site.
6. An exemption to the screening requirement for the north
and west sides
of the site is hereby granted subject to the following
conditions:
a. That the active dumping area be confined to as small an
area as
practical.
b. Material shall be placed in lifts not to exceed four
feet in depth.
c. Additional appropriate measures be taken as dictated by
operational
experience to insure that the operation does not create an
aesthetic nuisance.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jay G. Hochmuth, Engineer
Solid Waste Disposal Section
S. C. Lagow, Chief
Solid Waste Disposal Section
cc: West Central District
State of Wisconsin \ Department of Natural Resources
L. P. Voigt
Secretary
BOX 450
Madison, Wisconsin 53701
January 25, 1971
Mr. Bert T. Anderson, AIA
Director of Architecture and Planning
Wisconsin State Universities
142 East Gilman Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53701
FILE
The plans and specifications relating to the proposed 38
acre Wisconsin
State University sanitary landfill located in Section 32,
T16N, R7W,
City of La Crosse, La Crosse County, Wisconsin, have been
reviewed by
the Division of Environmental Protection.
Based on the investigation and review of the submitted
details, the
staff's opinion is that your proposal should provide for a
satisfactory
solid waste disposal operation provided the
recommendations in the attached
Division Report are followed. The site and operating plan
are, therefore,
tentatively approved subject to compliance with Chapter RD
51, Wisconsin
Administrative Code, and to fulfillment of the
recommendations listed in
the attached Division Report.
The Division of Environmental Protection reserves the
right to require
changes to the proposal should conditions arise making
such necessary prior
to the issuance of the license. If the proposed work is
not commenced
within two years from this date, a new application will
have to be submitted
prior to any site development.
Please review the attached Report on Examination of Plans
and Specifi-
cations to determine if the Report accurately sets forth
the details and
plans of your proposal. Particular attention should be
given to the con-
clusions and recommendations submitted by our staff.
You will be given ten days following the receipt of this
letter in which
to respond to any portion of this Report that is in error
or with which you
do not agree. If no response is received within ten days,
your license,
when issued, will be subject to compliance with the plan,
conditions and
recommendations as set forth in the Report on Examination
of Plans and
Specifications dated January 25, 1971.
Mr. Bert T. Anderson, AIA - January 25, 1971 2.
The license will be issued following receipt of a $50
license fee, a permit
from the City of La Crosse and zoning approval from the
appropriate agency
authorizing the use of this site for solid waste disposal
and upon completion
of a field inspection to determine acceptability of site
preparation.
Very truly yours,
Bureau of Air Pollution Control
and Solid Waste Disposal
S, C. Lagow, Chief
Solid Waste Disposal Section
Attachment
cc: West Central District
State of Wisconsin \ Department of Natural Resources
L. P. Voigt
Secretary
BOX 450 Madison, Wisconsin 53701
Mr. Terence C. Steiger, P. E.
Civil Engineer
Board of Regents of State Universities
142 East Gilman Street
P.O. Box 812
Madison, Wisconsin 53701
Re: Wisconsin State University - La Crosse Landfill Site
(South Gorder Road, East Land Drive)
Dear Mr. Steiger:
The proposed site is outside the floodway of the La Crosse
River. There-
fore, in accordance with the provisions of the Wisconsin
Administrative
Code NR 116, the proposed buildings must be constructed on
fill at or
above elevation 648 (M.S.L. 1912 ADJ.) Ths first floor of
the building
must be at or above elevation 649 M.S.L. datum. The fill
must extend
at elevation 648 at least 15 feet beyond the limits of any
structure.
To preserve sufficient area for flood storage it is
recommended that
filling at proposed land fill site be limited to elevation
640 M.S.L.
Very truly yours,
Bureau of Water & Shoreland Management
Thomas M. Lee, Chief
Flood Plain-Shoreland Management
TML:clw
cc: Charles Kozel - Eau Claire
RECEIVED: WSU-REGENTS ARCHITECTURE-PLANNING
MAR 5 1971
BTA
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DCG
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JAN
FILE
25.00
June 1, 1971
Dept. of Natural Pesourses
Sanitary Land Fill permit
INSPECTION DEPARTMENT
CITY HALL
P. O. BOX 945
LA CROSSE, WIS. 546O1
EUGENE R. DALLY, DIRECTOR
OFFICE HOURS
8:30 TO 9:30 A.M.
1:00 TO 2:30 P.M.
Phone: 782-3463
June 8, 1971
Mr. Terence E. Steiger, P. E.
Div. of Architecture & Planning
Wisconsin.State Universities
P. 0. Box 912
Madison, Wisconsin 53701
Received: WSU - Regents
Architecture - Planning
JUN 9 1971
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Re. Landfill Site for recreation are for Wisconsin State
University - La
Crosse, south of Gorder Road and east of Lang Drive, La
Crosse, Wis.
Dear Mr. Steiger:
We note that these premises are zoned residence flood
plain and that the laws of
the city permit schools and their accessory uses within
such a district.
You have informed that it is proposed to elevate this area
with fill containing
not more than 20% of materials subject to deterioration
(presumedly wood for
the most part). The laws of the city prohibit filling any
area with any material sub-
ject to deterioration, although in actual practice we
acknowledge some wood occa-
sionally gets into the fill, but we would not tolerate 20
%. We are of the belief
that the University does not have to comply with city
regulations on their own
premises but we certainly could not recommend what you are
suggesting regardless of
whether there will be a building on these premises or not.
We once had an area
filled in with an abundance of wood and we were constantly
confronted with rodent
problems and subterranean fires, to say nothing of the
fact that the land was totally
unsatisfactory for buildings, streets or other
constructions.
With reference to flood-plain requirements, Chapter 15.119
(B) of the Municipal Code
of the City of La Crosse provides, as a special provision,
that no fill shall be
allowed that adversely affects the efficiency of any
channel or flood way of any
tributaries to the main stream or river. We do not know of
any way this proposal
will affect the efficiency of any flood way but we are
wondering if fills of this
nature and magnitude have any effect on the elevation of
flood waters upstream. If
it has not been done already, we would suggest this point
be discussed with the
Department of Natural Resources.
Respectfully,
Eugene R. Dally
Director
Wisconsin State Universities System
142 East Gilman Street Mail: P. O. BOX 912 Madison,
Wisconsin, 53701
Division of Architecture and Planning
Phone (608) 266-3348
September 9, 1971
Department of Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Air Pollution and Solid Waste Disposal
Room 516, Pyare Square Building
P. O. BOX 450
Madison, Wisconsin
Attention Mr. Samuel Lagow, Chief, Solid Waste Disposal
Section
Gentlemen:
Re: License Application for Solid Waste Disposal Operation
Wisconsin State University - La Crosse
On December 2, 1970, ve supplied to your department an
application.with the required
information for a solid waste disposal operation which
would be limited to demolition
materials. Tentative approval was given by your department
on January 25, 1971,
and a license could be issued pending the following
requirements.
1. A $50 license fee. Attached is a check for $25, which
you indicated is
the processing fee for another state agency.
2. A permit from the City of La Crosse and zoning
approval. Section 13.351 (13)
Wisconsin Statutes indicates that the state is exempt from
local ordinances and
regulations. We have contacted the City of La Crosse and
informed them of our
plans for this area, and they have no objection to our
planned use. Attached is
a letter from their inspection department director.
The City of La Crosse has granted an easement to the Board
of Regents of Wisconsin
State Universities for the purpose of constructing two
entrances to the Solid Waste
Disposal site. These entrances will enable controlled
vehicular access to the
landfill operation.
Also attached is a copy of a letter from Mr. Thomas M.
Lee, Chief, Flood Plain -
Shoreland Management of your department, indicating that
we are outside the
floodway of the La Crosse River.
The recommendations in your "Report on Examination of
Plans and Specifications" will
be carried out when the site is developed for operation.
The license application form previously submitted should
be amended for the license
period of September 1, 1971, through August 31, 1972.
Sincerely,
Bert T. Anderson, AIA
Director of Architecture & Planning
Wisconsin State Universities
Wisconsin State Universities System
142 East Gilman Street Mail: P.O. BOX 912 Madison,
Wisconsin 53701
Division of Architecture and Planning
Phone (608) 266-3348
May 2, 1972
Deaprtment of Natural Resources
Division of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Air Pollution & Solid Waste Disposal
Room 516 Pyare Square Building
Madison, Wisconsin
Attention: Mr. Jay G. Hochrauth
Dear Mr. Hochmuth:
Re: UW - La Crosse
Solid Waste Disposal
As you requested, attached are copies of our file
correspondence relating to solid waste disposal
at our UW campus at La Crosse.
Sincerely,
Terence E. Steiger, P. E.
Staff Engineer
TES:mh
Enclosures
cc: Mr. Donovan Riley, w/enc.
State of Wisconsin \ Department of Natural Resources
May 22, 1972
L. P. Voigt Secretary
BOX 450 Madison, Wisconsin 53701
Mr. Terence C. Steiger, P.E.
Board of Regents of State Universities
142 East Gilman Street
P.O. Box 812
Madison, Wisconsin 53701
RECEIVED: WSU-Regents
Architecture-Planning
MAY 23 1972
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EJQ FILE
In Reply Refer To: 3520-2
G-2361.1
Dear Mr. Steiger:
Re: University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Land Fill
in the La Grosse River Marsh, City of La Crosse,
La Crosse County
This will acknowledge a meeting between yourself and
various representatives
of this Department on April 27, 1972 in La Crosse relative
to the land
fill in the La Crosse River Marsh by UW-La Crosse.
As noted at that meeting, it is possible that part of the
land fill area
in question may be below the ordinary high watermark. Such
fill would
then be a violation of Section 30.12, Statutes. Since the
area was
inundated at the time of tha meeting, a definite
determination of the
ordinary high watermark could not be made. This will be
done as soon
as water levels permit. It would appear from Mr. Larson's
report of
inspection of that meeting that the following steps are
now in order.
1. The University will stop any work in this area
including any fill
which they propose to place.
2. As soon as water recedes, the Department of Natural
Resources will
determine the ordinary high watermark.
3. Once that determination is made, Mr. Steiger will be
informed exactly
what authority is needed from the Department of Natural
Resources, including
all aspects such as Chapter 30, Chapter 144 and Chapter
59.
This is 100% Recycled Paper
Mr. Terence C. Steiger, P.E. - May 22, 1972 2.
We will be contacting you as soon as possible and we wish
to thank you
for your cooperation in this matter.
Very truly yours,
Bureau of Water and Shoreland Management
Edmund-M. Brick, P.E., Chief
Water Regulation Section
LAL:af
cc: L. A. Posekany
Arthur Oehmeke - Eau Claire
La Crosse Area Office
George Meyer
Solid Waste Section
Thomas M, Lee
Enclosures
May 31, 1972
REF. 3520-2
G-2361.1
Mr. Edmund M. Brick, P.E.
Chief, Water Regulation Section
Department of Natural Resources
P. O. Box 450
Madison, Wisconsin 53701
In re: UW-La Crosse Land Fill Area in La Crosse Biver
Marsh,
City of La Crosse, La Crosse County
Dear Mr. Brick:
This letter is a formal request by the University of
Wisconsin-La Crosse
that it be notified directly of any determination of the
ordinary high
watermark in the above captioned matter made by your
department.
We vould also appreciate an invitation to any future
meetings on this
matter whether they are held here in La Crosse or
elsewhere in the state.
Thank you for preparing minutes of the April 27th meeting
held here in
La Crosse. It constitutes our only source of information
on recent
developments in this matter vhich is vital to the
University.
Please understand that you vill have our informed
cooperation at all
times in this matter.
Sincerely yours,
Donovan W. Riley
Assistant Chancellor
Administration and Finance
DWR:em
cc: Mr. Robert W. Winter
Chancellor Kenneth E. Lindner
I. Reasons Why The Proposed Project Is Believed To Be The
Best
Course Of Action:
Space shortages giving rise to extremely crowded outdoor
classroom
conditions coupled with the most economical use of
university
owned land are the major reasons for believing this plan
the best
course to follow.
There are no space alternatives available to the
university except
acquiring additional residential property. Projected
enrollments
do not justify acquisition expense.
This project can and should be completed in a manner which
will
allow the site to blend and enhance the surrounding area.
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