Wisconsin’s shoreland zoning standards need rewriting!

Clean Wisconsin supports the updated shoreland zoning standards (NR 115) that replace old, outdated and inadequate rules that remain in place from the 1960s. The rapid development of our shorelines in the past 40 years is devastating our waterways and eliminating fish and wildlife habitat at an alarming rate. We need to act quickly to update our inadequate shoreland zoning standards.

Clean Wisconsin supports the proposed rule because it is simple, provides more flexibility for property owners while protecting water quality, habitat and property values, and gives counties the flexibility to apply the shoreline management techniques that will work best to protect local water resources. Simply put – it focuses on the root issues: protecting water quality by preventing stormwater runoff and erosion from developed areas, and protecting shoreland habitat and scenic beauty by maintaining native vegetation.

It makes sense that development of hard surfaces (impervious) on more than 10% of the lot should be balanced with methods to stop stormwater runoff and protect habitat such as maintaining shoreline vegetation or installing rain gardens.

Multiple studies have demonstrated a clear relationship between the amount of impervious surface in a watershed and the decline of aquatic life in waterways – some indicate that 10 -15% impervious surface can cause a serious decline.

It is also reasonable to cap the amount of impervious surface at 20%. It is a simple calculation, it is easy to meet, and ensures all property owners are treated consistently and fairly.

The proposed rule allows existing buildings built too close to the water to be maintained in perpetuity, and even slightly expanded. This significant change in policy is acceptable as long as they are not allowed to expand in height or parallel to the shoreline, and as long as the impervious surface cap of 20% is approved – it would not be fair to other property owners who must comply with new standards if these older structures could engineer their way out of the impervious surface limit or build tall structures so close to the water.

While the proposed rule does a good job of protecting water quality and habitat, a stated intent of the rule is to protect natural scenic beauty. Maintaining shoreline vegetation is only one step – limiting the height of all new structures, including commercial and multifamily buildings, to 35 feet should be required with very few exemptions allowed.

For more detailed information please contact Will Hoyer at (608)-251-7020 x20 or whoyer@cleanwisconsin.org or go to the DNR’s website at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/dsfm/shore/news.htm