As the number and size of waterfront houses increased,
shoreland zoning regulations became necessary to protect water quality, fish
and wildlife habitat, and property values. In 2015 the Wisconsin legislature has
relaxed that protection and prohibited local control of shoreland zoning.
On Wednesday June 29th Iron County Lakes and
Rivers Alliance will sponsor a program on the changes in shoreland zoning
enacted by the legislature. Join us at
the Pines Beer Garden in Mercer, at 6:00PM, when Wisconsin state senator Janet
Bewley will discuss the loss of local control over our waters. Bob Martini,
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, retired, will explain how the new
laws affect shoreline protection.
Janet Bewley
represents Wisconsin’s 25th Senate District, which covers 7,500 square miles in
northwestern Wisconsin along both the Minnesota and Michigan borders and the
shore of Lake Superior. She was elected to the Senate in the fall of 2014
after serving two terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Janet’s 30-year professional
career in northern Wisconsin includes serving as Senior Community Development
Officer at the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority, Dean of
Students at Northland College and Executive Director of the Mary H. Rice
Foundation. Janet’s work for WHEDA included travel to every corner of
northern Wisconsin. 
Bob
Martini served 32 years at DNR leading the Wisconsin River cleanup, acid rain
research, Central Sands groundwater work, and dam licensing/removal work
statewide. He won the DNR's Brogan award in 1983 and was given the North American
River Management Society Career Achievement award in 2014. In retirement he has
served on about a dozen boards related to environmental protection and higher
education.
It is important for citizens to understand how the recent
legislation influences not only protection of water and wildlife and fish
habitat, but also the value of real estate. Previously counties and
municipalities could make rules more restrictive than state laws to protect the
shores of the lakes and rivers within those jurisdictions. Rules such as
waterfront lot size, dock size, and filling of wetlands must now comply with
state law. Come to the Pines at 6:00 PM,
June 29th to learn the significance of these changes.
Iron County Lakes Alliance was formed in 2001 and became the
Iron County Lakes and Rivers Alliance in 2012. The purpose of this non-profit
organization is to protect county waters through education and communication
and to advocate for riparian owners and lake and river associations in county
and state government. Membership is open to lake and river associations and to
individuals. Programs are free and open to the public. For more information or
to make your voice heard by joining ICLRA, email ironcountylakesandrivers@gmail.com
or call 715-476-2881.
