Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 60.17
Liaison Mark Klapatch-Mathias
Submission Date Feb. 27, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Wisconsin-River Falls
IN-1: Innovation 1

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Blake Fry
Special Assistant to the Chancellor
Chancellor's Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
St. Croix Crossing Growth Management Advisory Team

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome :

Construction is underway on a new bridge over the St. Croix River, a nationally protected waterway, linking Oak Park Heights, MN with the Town of St. Jospeh, WI. UW-River Falls is a member of the St. Croix Crossing Growth Management Advisory Team (GMAT). The purpose of the GMAT is to mitigate the environmental impact of the population and economic growth that will likely result from the new bridge.


A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):

UW-River Falls and St. Croix County, WI co-sponsored and commissioned a study of the projected population and economic growth that will result from the new bridge. This study has been completed and the results have been shared with the GMAT and governmental bodies and communities that will be most greatly impacted by the growth. The last study conducted was over ten years old, so new data was essential.

For the next three years, UW-River Falls is providing funding to increase participation in the annual Protecting the St. Croix Conference. The funding is used to pay the registration fees for individuals, such as civic and elected leaders, that have traditionally not attended the conference.

The UW-River Falls Center for Innovation and Business Development is pursuing additional funding to assist communities along the path of the new bridge with planning and zoning. Many of these rural communities have not undertaken planning that will ensure economic growth proceeds in a planned manner, therefore reducing the environmental impact of new commercial and industrial enterprises.


A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of 5):
Yes or No
Curriculum ---
Research ---
Campus Engagement ---
Public Engagement Yes
Air & Climate ---
Buildings ---
Dining Services ---
Energy ---
Grounds ---
Purchasing ---
Transportation ---
Waste ---
Water Yes
Coordination, Planning & Governance Yes
Diversity & Affordability ---
Health, Wellbeing & Work ---
Investment ---

Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
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The website URL where information about the innovation is available :
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.