|
Greenseams® is a flood management and land purchasing program targeting properties in the floodplain or properties that exhibit features, like hydric soils, where wetlands once existed. The original goal was to preserve 10,000 acres. In 2001, the planning work was initiated, and in 2002, the first purchase was made.
Most of the acquisitions are outside MMSD’s jurisdictional sewer service area. I commend all MMSD Commissioners over the last 25 years who understood that water flows downhill and does not stop at municipal limits. They realize that we must manage flood water at the watershed scale to make a difference.
Greenseams® was originally called the Conservation Easement Program. In 2001, I visited Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist and explained the program to him. He loved the approach but said it needed a new name. As we looked at the watershed maps, it reminded me of my grandma’s patchwork quilts. I told the Mayor that the rivers looked like green stitches seaming the municipalities together. I came from that meeting and told my coworkers we were going to rename the program to Greenseams®.
Greenseams® also brought controversy. Many thought that MMSD would use eminent domain to force the property purchases; this was not the case. All the purchases have been through voluntary acquisitions, but some early public meetings were very controversial. At one meeting, the crowd thought that MMSD was going to use eminent domain, and I had to be escorted to my car by local police to make sure that I made it there safely.
|
