Wisconsin Shorelands and Shallows Stewardship

In 2004 the Water Division took on the task of developing a creative strategy to improving Wisconsin's waterways by protecting and restoring sensitive areas know as the shorelands and shallows zone - the areas where land meets water in lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands. Wisconsin has a long tradition of protecting these areas, because of their significant environmental sensitivity and important contributions to water quality and biodiversity - however Water Division staff and Wisconsin citizens observe an ongoing degradation of these sensitive areas. At the end of 2004 Water Division staff presented a draft strategy for internal review - highlighting several key areas: Shorelands and Shallows stewardship, the need for a scientific assessment tool, the importance of combining regulations, incentives and enforcement to protect these areas, and providing state agency leadership on DNR managed lands.

Overwhelming in the conclusion of the initial draft strategy was the need for broader engagement with partners that impact and manage shorelands and shallows around the state. Thus in June 2006, the Water Division co-hosted a Shorelands and Shallows Summit in Stevens Point with UW-Extension and the Wisconsin Lakes Association. This summit brought together approximately 80 representatives of state agencies, local government, conservation organizations, forestry, agriculture, recreation, tourism, humanities, real estate, and construction and focused on discussion of challenges and opportunities for enhancing shorelands and shallows. Out of this meeting the summit planning team has identified key goals and is recruiting partners to accomplish these ideas. Please visit the UWEX website for details on the Summit, participation and key findings: UWEX Site: Shorelands and Shallows Summit Notes.

The following are some initial goals that the DNR strategy team developed in 2004.

1. Goal: Build common values and a sense of stewardship on shorelands and shallows by working with partners.

Performance Measures/Activities:

Hold a Shorelands and Shallows Summit with participation from a diverse group of stakeholders.
The Summit was held June 14, 2006 in Stevens Point. You can read about the event and join a discussion board set up to continue the conversation – please join in! UWEX Site: Shorelands and Shallows Summit Information.
Engage DNR staff from all Divisions in planning the summit.
The Summit had broad participation including from WDNR divisions. For more information, contact one of the initiative leads: Planning Team Members
Complete an assessment of attitudes towards shorelands and shallows.
Analyze and select a marketing approach to foster sustainable shoreline behaviors by landowners.

2. Goal: Support science-based decision-making for shorelands ands shallows.

Performance Measures/Activities:

Working with the Monitoring Team, develop a shoreland assessment tool.
Working with the Monitoring Team, ensure that all newly collected monitoring data is geo-referenced.

3. Goal: The DNR should take a leadership role in shorelands and shallows restoration and protection on its properties and through its programs.

Performance Measures/Activities:

Annually restore 5-10% of degraded DNR-managed shorelands and shallows miles.
Annually review 20% of DNR grants programs reviewed annually and modified to promote good shoreland stewardship.

Last Revised: Friday February 29 2008