Safeguarding Our Shorelands for the Future

A refreshing dip in clean, clear water. Waking up to songbirds and going to bed to a chorus of frogs. Pulling in panfish one after another. These experiences all depend on having a healthy system of native plants and trees next to and in the shallow water.

Good fishing in the future generations depends on natural landscaping next to the water and in the shallow water. Wisconsin uses a variety of tools to protect these critical natural shoreland areas.

To protect these critical shoreland areas, Wisconsin works in partnership with local governments, citizens, and conservation groups using a variety of different tools.

Learn how these tools affect you and how you -- or your local organization or government -- can tap into the array of opportunities to protect the lakes and rivers you love.

• Financial incentives to encourage property owners to restore shorelands
• Buying sensitive shorelands
• Technical assistance and education
• Regulations including statewide minimum shoreline development standards and lake classification and protection. See: Proposed Improvements to the Shoreland Development Standards

How I can help as a property owner or prospective property owner

Protecting shorelands starts with buying the right property, understanding how current shoreland development rules will affect what you can do there, and putting into practice those simple steps that can help.

Buy the Right Property

These resources can help you make decisions that are good for you and for our lakes and rivers:

• Choosing the Right Waterfront Property [PDF 2.57MB]
• What the Landowner Needs to Know about Shoreland and Wetland Zoning [PDF 1.35MB]
• Ordinary High Water Mark [PDF 3.96MB]

Care for your lake or river beyond what the laws require

The state's minimum development standards provide only a base level of protection for water quality, habitat and natural scenic beauty along our lakes and rivers. Your county may require stronger protections, and there are many simple steps you can take that will help give you more and better wildlife viewing, better fishing, and cleaner water.

Here are some resources to get you started:

• Protecting Your Waterfront Investment: 10 Simple Shoreland Stewardship Practices [PDF exit DNR]
• Landscaping for Water Quality and Wildlife Habitat in Wisconsin [exit DNR] - Extensive web site with modules that walk you through every step of the process.
• Calculate how much water runoff your property creates and reduce it with these resources:
  • Controlling Runoff and Erosion from Your Property [PDF 998KB]
  • Self Evaluation Checklist for Water Runoff [PDF 598KB]
  • Mitigation calculator
    

Celebrate good stewardship at home and the lake or river you love

Celebrate what you do to keep your lakes and rivers healthy and help spread the word.

• Shoreland Stewardship Award - Get recognized for maintaining a natural landscape -- or restoring one -- that protects your lake or river.
• Stories from the Shore - Get a copy of this collection of stories, artwork, poems, photos, Native American lore and recipes from Wisconsinites about their favorite lake and river getaways and memories.

Contact Information

For more information, contact:
Gregg Breese, Shoreland Zoning Contact
Bureau of Watershed Management
(608) 261-6430