Clean Water News

As the new home of WISPIRG's environmental work, Wisconsin Environment can be contacted with any questions regarding this news release.  

MADISON—Today marks the last day that citizens can comment on the Department of Natural Resources’ proposed changes to Wisconsin’s shoreland zoning rules. These rules govern the way development can occur along lakes and rivers across the state. More than 10,000 Wisconsinites have commented, and WISPIRG alone has collected 7,000 more public comments in favor of updating these rules. A revision of the shoreland zoning rules would be the first significant update to these rules in more than 30 years.

“If there’s one thing everyone in Wisconsin values, it’s clean water,” said Eliza Simon, Clean Water Associate with WISPIRG. “The public has spoken and made it clear that Wisconsinites support better protections for our state’s lakes and waterways. The shoreland zoning rules should be updated to reflect this.”

The current statewide shoreland zoning rules were written in the 1960s, when small cabins still dotted the state’s more than 15,000 lakeshores. But today, development has increased as much as 200% in parts of the state, and instead of cabins, we see enormous mansions, condominium complexes, and resorts. At the current rate of development, all privately-owned shoreland will be developed by the year 2020.

“It’s no wonder so many people support new shoreland zoning rules,” Simon said of the 7,000 comments collected by WISPIRG. “People across the state want to enjoy beautiful views and clean water.”

Currently, 80% of Wisconsin’s lakes contain unsafe levels of phosphorous, which causes dangerous blue-green algae blooms. These blooms have been linked to several deaths over the last few years. Studies show that excessive phosphorous levels can be caused by high levels of shoreland development – in fact, newer, large-scale development has been shown to increase phosphorous runoff into waterways by 700%.

Supporters of WISPIRG’s position advocated not only for the adoption of the DNR’s proposed shoreland zoning rules, but also that these rules be strengthened in certain areas. Specifically, citizens supported four steps:

• Expanding natural buffer zones to 50 feet to prevent erosion and runoff pollution;
• Increasing minimum lot sizes so that more land along lakes is left open to filter harmful pollutants;
• Requiring larger lot sizes for condominiums, hotels, motels and resorts; and
• Paving over less of each lot to preserve more shoreland.

WISPIRG’s 7,000 comments were collected statewide through a massive summer citizen outreach effort. Citizens were also able to comment on the shoreland zoning rules during 11 public hearings held by the DNR between July 12 and August 4.

Click here to read "Protecting Wisconsin’s Legacy of Lakes: The Case for Stronger Shoreland Zoning Rules"