The Milwaukee Post

18 • Milwaukee County Post • June 24, 2016 Reilly said that work will begin "tomorrow," but Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Cathy Stepp estimated it could be four to five years until Great Lakes water starts flowing to Waukesha. "We're just going to do our job on the ground and throughout the paperwork process of permitting to make sure everything is done within the law with- in the confines of that," Stepp said, "using sound science, common sense, partnering with the com- munity, and then it's a win-win both for the pub- lic and the environment." More than a dozen offi- cials from the city of Waukesha, Waukesha County and the Waukesha County Business Alliance were all on hand Tuesday in Chicago for the deci- sion. "It was very emotional; I was pretty choked up," said Dan Duchniak, Waukesha's Water Utility general manager, who has worked on the project since 2003. "It's a huge relief for us and for the city of Waukesha now that we know we have a solu- tion for the long term." Language amendments approved The declaration of find- ings used in the decision underwent several techni- cal edits during the Great Lakes Regional Body's deliberations throughout the spring. Those edits continued Tuesday with additional changes pro- posed by multiple states. Representatives from Michigan and Minnesota authored several language amendments to the draft decision, along with the addition of a performance audit, which would require the city of Waukesha and Wisconsin DNR to allow inspections of its water diversion operations with 30 days' notice. Each amendment passed with little discus- sion. Land from the towns of Delafield, Waukesha and Genesee, as well as the City of Pewaukee, had pre- viously been trimmed from Waukesha's applica- tion during the Regional Body's review after offi- cials raised concerns over the borders of the pro- posed service area. Duchniak said Tuesday his office still needs to speak with the DNR to fig- ure out how those areas will be handled. Based on estimates from the U.S. Geological Survey and the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey using Waukesha's 2014 with- drawal rates, the council deter mined there will actually be around a 1.6 MGD net increase over time in water to the Lake Michigan watershed "with cessation of the Applicant's withdrawals from the deep aquifer." Possible legal challenges While Tuesday's deci- sion marks the last step in the city's application process, the vote could be open to legal challenges from opponents. The Compact Implementation Coalition, a Wisconsin- based environmental group opposed to the diversion, said it will review the specific condi- tions adopted in the coun- cil's decision to "assess critical shortfalls and appropriate next steps" and pledged to act as a watchdog over Waukesha and the DNR. State Rep. Cory Mason, D-Racine, a vocal oppo- nent of Waukesha's diver- sion, said the council's vote set a "horrible prece- dent" for the future of the compact, adding that he will encourage legal action to require imple- mentation of the compact in its entirety. While it remains unclear whether any law- suit will come about, pro- ponents of the plan expressed confidence in the ability of the Compact Council's decision to with- stand legal questioning. "I think it's a possibili- ty," Reilly said, regarding a lawsuit. "But once again, I'm not going to worry about what may happen, I'm going to work on what's happening now. If there is a legal challenge then we'll decide how to handle it." Email: mmasterson@conleynet.com continued from Page 1 Water: Despite Great Lakes water approval, vote may be open to legal challenges Charles Auer/Conley News Service Waukesha's application for Lake Michigan water was approved Tuesday. "We're starting to aggressively market (the facade grant program)," Brooks said. "There's been some good interest in it so far." While the city is turning its attention toward the future, officials, including Brooks, also know the cor- ridor's rich past plays an important role in shaping decisions. As is the case with many downtown commercial districts, South Milwaukee's has long been noted for hosting local, independent shops, and Brooks said he does not see that scenario changing as future planning and marketing efforts pick up steam. "Our downtown can't beat Walmart, so (the cor- ridor) has to offer some- thing different — some- thing that sets it apart from what we have else- where," Brooks said. South Milwaukee's Walmart store is on the northern commercial cor- ridor. The roster of small busi- nesses has been in flux in recent years as reshaping efforts have grown. Some of the newest retailers dotting the corridor include Board Game Barrister, which special- izes in board games, and Moran's Pub, which touts itself as a soccer-themed watering hole. Brooks said there has been a groundswell of enthusiasm for the new establishments, and he has his hopes set on bring- ing other niche retailers into the corridor. "Quality is definitely an important part of it," he said of retail recruitment efforts. "We're looking for the right kinds of busi- nesses that will fit into the area." Robin Grams, South Milwaukee's economic development coordinator, said the vacancy rate along the downtown corri- dor currently hovers around 28 percent, though she noted it is a constantly moving figure. "We are very happy with the progress, and we know there are some great things to come," Grams said. "We are adding a steady stream of new busi- nesses at the moment." Brooks said he and other city officials and organiz- ers have their work cut out for them in the downtown area's ongoing evolution. He said he looks forward to the day the vacancy rate will be at zero percent. "One vacancy is too much, as far as I'm con- cerned," he said. Roots: South Milwaukee continues to work on its core with downtown events continued from Page 3 Charles Auer/Conley News Service South Milwaukee's downtown area during the farmers' market. The event is in its eighth year.

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