- Shoreland-Wetland
Zoning - Jurisdiction
- Minimum Standards
- St. Croix Riverway
- Lower Wisconsin
Riverway [exit DNR]
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Population Study - Shoreland Buffers
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Related DNR Programs
Wisconsin's Shoreland Management Program
Leaving a Legacy for our Children and GrandchildrenA 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. Projects that eliminate or reduce this foundation add up -- and chip away at what we treasure. To protect clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, and natural scenic beauty, Wisconsin laws limit what changes can be made to land next to lakes and rivers and in shallow waters.
| Proposed Changes to our Shoreland Zoning Standards | Stories From the Shore | Shoreland Stewardship Awards | Homeowners Helper |
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Purpose of Shoreland-Wetland Zoning
Until recently, wetlands were often viewed as wastelands, useful only when drained for agriculture or filled for development. Today, however, wetlands are recognized as providing critical habitat for wildlife, water storage to prevent flooding and protect water quality, and recreational opportunities for wildlife watchers, anglers, hunters, trappers and boaters. While better understood and no longer destroyed as rapidly as they were during Wisconsin's first century of statehood, wetlands continue to be lost and degraded today.
One mechanism that is used to protect wetlands is the adoption of shoreland-wetland zoning ordinances by cities, villages and counties. Shoreland-wetland zoning is intended to protect the important functions that wetlands perform, including:
- Filtering pollutants, nutrients, and sediments to protect water quality in out lakes, rivers, streams, and wells,
- Storing runoff from heavy rains and snow melt to reduce flood damage,
- Providing essential habitat for fish, waterfowl, and a variety of other animals to ensure recreational opportunities,
- Acting as a shoreline buffer to protect against erosion from waves and currents, and
- Providing beautiful open spaces to enhance our quality of life, property values, and tourism.
For more information, contact:
Gregg Breese, Shoreland Team Leader,
(608) 261-6430
Quick Links
Related Sites
UW-Extension Center for Land Use Education
UW-Extension Lakes Program
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