Wisconsin's Shoreland Management Program

Increased leisure time, improved transportation systems and greater interest in water-based recreation have led to a more intense shoreland development and subsequent problems of water pollution, unsuitable building sites, conflicting land use, overcrowding and removal of shore cover in the shoreland area. In response to this situation, the Wisconsin Legislature enacted the Water Resources Act of 1965 which, among other things, contained a requirement for establishing a county level statewide shoreland use controls along lakes and streams. These controls consisting of shoreland zoning, subdivision regulations, and sanitary codes are explained in detail in the paper. Wisconsin has thus been able to establish practical minimum standards and workable regulations in an area where there has previously been little experience.