Nicolet College Declines Proposed Municipal Well

On July 15, Nicolet College notified the City of Rhinelander that it declined the city’s proposal to install a municipal well on Nicolet College’s campus.

In a letter to the City Administrator, Nicolet College noted that the proposal was carefully considered by the Nicolet College Board of Trustees and college leadership. To inform the decision, the college held a community listening session, commissioned a peer review of materials related to the project’s environmental impact, and consulted with legal counsel. 

The board cited concerns about the high degree of uncertainty about the extent of the potential environmental impact on nearby marshland, private wells, and lakes. Additionally, the board encouraged the city to evaluate more long-term, sustainable initiatives, such as water treatment for contaminants and water conservation planning.

The college expressed its appreciation for its ongoing partnership with the city on initiatives that support their shared communities.

In the spirit of transparency, the college also shared the technical memo for the peer review of Well Site Inspection Report and related materials.