From centralized GIS tools to real-time work order tracking, learn how the latest release of AssetAlly supports proactive public works planning and simplifies day-to-day operations.
Curious how your utility project can qualify for principal forgiveness? In this Municipal Money Minute, where we offer financial insights for local impact, Bridgot Gsybers breaks down what municipalities need to know about SDWLP and CWFP grant funding cycles.
Illicit discharges can harm water quality and put MS4 communities at risk of non-compliance. With limited staff and complex systems, many municipalities struggle to keep up. See how smart tools and proactive planning are helping communities stay ahead.
When utility work extends onto private property, technical skills aren’t enough. Discover how clear communication and a respectful approach can make all the difference in project success and homeowner satisfaction.
A thorough lift station assessment goes far beyond a quick visual check. From site conditions and mechanical systems to electrical components and flow data, each step in the process uncovers key information that helps prevent failures, guide maintenance, and support long-term planning.
Wisconsin communities must assess and submit roadway ratings every two years. Ruekert & Mielke’s experts can help ensure accurate ratings, identify deterioration trends, and develop a cost-effective pavement management strategy to extend the life of your roads.
Municipalities can secure funding through Wisconsin DNR Urban Forestry Grants to support tree planting, maintenance, and education, ensuring a proactive approach to urban forest management. Partnering with Wachtel Tree Science, Ruekert & Mielke leverages GIS tools to inventory street trees and integrate critical data into municipal systems for efficient long-term planning.
As municipalities work to replace aging Lead Service Lines (LSLs) and comply with evolving regulations, careful planning and collaboration are essential. Ruekert & Mielke provides expert support in inventory management, GIS updates, and funding administration to help communities achieve compliance and ensure safe drinking water.
Unstable streambanks threaten infrastructure, water quality, and community safety, making resilient engineering solutions essential. Ruekert & Mielke’s expertise in natural channel design provides sustainable, cost-effective strategies that restore stability while enhancing ecological resilience.
Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. (R/M) is proud to announce the promotion of Jason Lietha, P.E., to Senior Vice President. With over 25 years of experience in civil engineering and infrastructure, Jason has been instrumental in optimizing operations and delivering exceptional client service. In his new role, Jason will focus on advancing operational strategies, enhancing project execution, and driving innovation to support the firm’s continued growth.
Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. (R/M) is proud to announce the promotion of Steve Wurster, P.E., CPSWQ, CFM, to President. Since joining R/M in 1999, Steve has played a vital role in the firm's success. His expertise in business development, client management, and project oversight has made a lasting impact. As President, Steve will lead R/M’s strategic growth, strengthen client partnerships, and advance innovative engineering solutions.
Effective MS4 management requires organized documentation and clear staff coordination to meet WDNR compliance. Without proper systems, municipalities risk non-compliance, increased costs, and inefficiencies. Leveraging GIS, transparency tools, and structured workflows can streamline processes and prevent missed deadlines.
As storms become more frequent and intense, municipalities face increasing challenges in managing flooding and keeping roads accessible. Advanced 2D/3D stormwater modeling provides a clear visual representation of flood risks, helping communities identify priority areas and explore cost-effective solutions. With expert guidance from R/M, municipalities can develop smart, data-driven strategies for a more resilient future.
Persistent sewer backups plagued a Thiensville neighborhood during heavy rains, with infiltration from aging pipes suspected as the culprit. Learn how the Village teamed up with R/M and MMSD to use innovative techniques to reduce infiltration (PP/II) and address sewer backups at no cost to homeowners.
Facing stricter phosphorus limits, the Stephensville Sanitary District teamed up with R/M and the Wisconsin Water Quality Clearinghouse to find an innovative solution. Through Water Quality Trading, they’re balancing phosphorus levels, reducing chemical use, and saving costs. Discover how this collaboration is setting a new standard for phosphorus reduction.
Wetland mitigation banking offers a promising solution to compensate for the loss of wetlands due to activities like municipal construction, private development, or agriculture. By restoring, creating, or enhancing wetland areas, these mitigation banks provide credits that developers can purchase to offset the environmental impacts of their projects. Instead of individually restoring wetlands for each project—a costly and complex task—developers can buy credits from established banks, streamlining the process and meeting environmental regulations more efficiently.
Why Are We So Concerned About Bats?
Bats play a crucial role in ecosystems by consuming agricultural and forest pests and acting as predators of biting insects. They also help reduce the spread of insect-borne diseases like the West Nile Virus. However, since 2014, bat populations in Wisconsin have been rapidly declining due to a fungal disease that causes high mortality rates among cave-dwelling bats.
This disease, known as White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), was first identified in New York in 2006 and has since spread across the U.S., reaching Wisconsin in 2014. WNS has led to the most significant decline in North American wildlife ever recorded, impacting many species of cave-hibernating bats. Some populations have experienced nearly 100% declines. In Wisconsin, WNS poses a severe threat to all four cave bat species: the Big Brown Bat, Little Brown Bat, Northern Long-Eared Bat (NLEB), and Tricolored Bat.
What Does This Mean for Your Project?
Due to the significant decline in Wisconsin’s cave-dwelling bat populations, all municipal projects must undergo a review to assess potential impacts on bats. This review is required before proceeding with later phases of the project. Identifying whether your project area contains suitable habitat for NLEBs can help expedite the permitting process.
Private development, agriculture, and utility projects do not require approval, but municipal projects do. Approval from both the state and federal governments is required before the project can begin.
Federal Approval: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (via the Information for Planning and Consultation Determination Key; IPaC DKey)
State Approval: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (via the Natural Heritage Inventory; NHI)
To avoid delays, aim to get approval from the IPaC DKey and NHI early in the project design phase (around 30% completion).
Does Your Project Area Have a Potential Habitat for Northern Long-Eared Bats (NLEBs)?
Suitable HabitatS
Trees and snags with a diameter of 3 inches or greater at breast height (dbh) that feature exfoliating bark, cracks, crevices, and/or cavities provide suitable habitat. Bats typically roost singly or in maternity colonies under bark or more often in cavities or crevices of live trees and snags. Suitable roosting habitats must be within 1,000 feet of a forest.
Other potential roosting sites include:
Bridges
Covered bridges
Culverts taller than 4 feet and longer than 130 feet
Old structures
Not Suitable Habitats
Trees located more than 1,000 feet from forested areas
Trees in predominantly urban, developed areas
Pure stands of trees less than 3 inches in dbh that lack larger trees
What If Your Project Is Not Cleared of Bat Habitat?
Contact Your Environmental Consultant: They can provide options, such as performing field surveys, to determine whether bat habitat is present in the project area.
Potential Roost/Habitat Survey: A trained biologist can assess the project area to confirm the presence of suitable habitat. Additional coordination with the USFWS/WDNR may be required for a final determination.
Conservation Measures: If habitat is present, measures such as tree clearing during the winter (August 16 to May 31) may allow the project to proceed without further conditions.
Habitat Conservation Plan: If impacts on bat habitat cannot be avoided, the existing habitat must be replaced or mitigated, typically at a 2:1 ratio. A mitigation plan must be submitted to the USFWS, and incidental take permits may be pursued through the WDNR.
R/m can help!
Do you need a review to assess the potential impact on bats on your future project site? Contact one of our experts today!
About the Author
Nicholas P. Connor, MS
Senior Biologist
Nick is a Senior Biologist with more than 10 years of experience managing and completing complex ecological-related projects from both public and private sector clients. He conducts or evaluates projects involving wetland delineations, potential wetland mitigation needs, cultural resource screens, archaeological reports, threatened and endangered (T&E) species reports, and storm water/erosion control plans.
Maintaining water quality is essential for the health and safety of any community, particularly for those that are classified as Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) communities or are governed by Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). These designations bring with them a set of stringent requirements to prevent pollution from contaminating local water bodies. Meeting these standards not only ensures compliance with environmental regulations but also contributes to the broader goal of protecting natural resources for current and future generations.
Hub Sites offer a centralized platform for municipalities to share vital community information, from polling locations to complex project data. Learn how these online portals enhance transparency, streamline workflows, and foster collaboration between local government and its residents.
The City of Franklin constructed a new interceptor to address increased development but soon faced severe odor complaints. To combat this niche issue, a multi-phase approach was implemented to effectively mitigate odors, allowing the interceptor to operate efficiently for the community.