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Shoreland Protection Rule Revisions Move Forward: Focus Groups Finalize Recommendations By Toni Herkert, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Since we reported to you in the last edition of the Land Use Tracker, focus groups have been busy working on recommendations to change Wisconsin�s Shoreland Management Program (NR 115) and shoreland zoning laws. If all goes as planned, the public will have a second chance to comment at statewide public hearings next summer. The focus group recommendations shift how the state seeks to prevent polluted runoff from entering lakes and rivers. Currently, regulations are based on how, when and where shoreland structures were built. The new recommendations call for regulating new or remodeled structures based on their size and amount of impervious surface. To illustrate, different amounts of rain run off of structures based on the structure�s size and the amount of native plants, trees and shrubs left intact around it. Under options developed by the focus group, a property owner would be required to divert a portion of the expected runoff from a new structure or addition so that it could soak into the ground rather than entering lakes or rivers. They could achieve this goal by implementing various techniques, such as creating a rain garden, replacing a driveway with porous materials, or making sure gutters flow onto land rather than hard surfaces. Measures would also be required during construction to prevent exposed soil from entering lakes or rivers, such as lying mulched construction waste wood over bare soil. Projects not able to meet the minimum standards for reducing impervious surfaces or runoff would have to take measures to offset or "mitigate" polluted runoff coming from the site. These requirements comprise what�s called an "impervious surface standard." To make this standard easy to apply and consistent with other standards, it�s based on requirements for new construction that occurs away from lakes and rivers. These changes to the shoreland zoning law are still in the recommendation stage. In January 2007, these suggestions will be reviewed by a subset of county code administrators who will examine whether these ideas can be easily implemented and enforced on shoreland properties. Whether or not the focus group ideas are incorporated into NR 115 and become law, these approaches benefit Wisconsin�s lakes and rivers and the people who live along them. They safeguard clean water and the habitat necessary for healthy fish and wildlife, and in so doing protect shoreland property values. If you are thinking about making proactive changes to your shoreland property, please consider the resources and publications listed in the box below. Additional Resources "Resources on Shoreland Restoration" (Wisconsin DNR) "Rain Gardens Infiltrating Wisconsin!" (Wisconsin DNR) "Rain Gardens: A How-to Manual for Homeowners" (UW-Extension) "Wisconsin Soils Program" (Natural Resources Conservation Service)
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