The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold seven public hearings throughout the state from July 24th through August 8th on new changes to the state’s shoreland zoning regulations. We strongly encourage you to attend these public hearings and urge waterfront property owners to do so as well. If you cannot attend the public hearings, you may submit written comments to the DNR through September 7th. The written comments should be sent by e-mail or mail to Toni Herkert (Toni.Herkert@dnr.state.wi.us), Bureau of Watershed Management, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, 53707. You may obtain more information about the hearing dates and locations and summary documents of the proposed changes to the rule at http://www.wisconsinhomeownersalliance.org/
Some of the proposed changes include:
New restrictions on house sizes — For all new construction within 300 feet of the water, no more than 10% of the lot can be covered in impervious surfaces (concrete, black top, footprint of structure, etc.). This includes roof tops, sidewalks, driveways, patios, and any other surface that will not allow water to infiltrate the ground. The impervious surface limit is raised to 20% of the entire lot if the property owner meets mitigation standards established by the county.