Patrick Goggin – Lakes Specialist UW-Extension Lakes / WI Lakes Partnership

The Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Google UWEX lakes Lake Tides… The Lake Connection Lake List CBCW CLMN

Shoreline buffers Buffer background information Mitigation definition Themes of Potential Mitigation Strategies Ten Common Themes of Effective Shoreland Restorations Q & A

What is a shoreland buffer? Interface between land and water--links together the world of water with terrestrial uplands Essential habitat for plants and animals—corridor between uplands and lowlands as well as between habitats along the shore. Important for water quality protection, water clarity, erosion control, and other functions.

Helps support our tourism industry Provides recreation users [water sports, fisherman, boaters, etc.] with a good experience Gives a pleasing environment/aesthetics Provides wildlife habitat Enhances water quality

Mitigation = Improvements = Lessening ‘Balancing measures that are designed, implemented and function to restore natural functions and values that are otherwise lost through development and human activities’. State minimum shoreland development standards provide a base level of protection for water quality, habitat & natural scenic beauty along our lakes & rivers. Mitigation strategies implemented by counties are steps lake communities can take toward enhanced wildlife viewing, better fishing, and cleaner water.

Policy for removal of dead, diseased or dying trees & shrubs Policy for removal quickly Get dangerous trees or shrubs removed now and replaced with native vegetation in a timely manner Mitigation strategy

Maintaining a view corridor 30 ft. viewshed. Work to include access points along the shoreline for docks, walkways, beach area, storage, etc. Use ecological design strategies to control runoff flow. Be lake friendly in placement. Mitigation strategy

Layers of vegetation Revegetation of all three tiers: trees, shrubs, and ground layer as well as wildflowers, grasses, sedges, & rushes. Take cues from what you see on property and at reference sites. Use drifts of vegetation to mimic nature. Shrub layer can be especially critical to wildlife and erosion control. Enhance existing native plants at the site / no mow areas. Mitigation strategy

Using native plants and ecological design principles Adapted to local climatic conditions. Add beauty to the landscape and preserve our natural heritage. Provide food and habitat for native wildlife. Produce long root systems to hold soil in place. Require less long-term maintenance if they are properly planted and established. Protect water quality by controlling soil erosion and moderating floods and droughts. Help slow down the spread of wildfire by staying greener longer. Decrease the amount of water needed for landscape maintenance. Mitigation strategy Select the right plant for the appropriate place to do a specific function. Use plants to reduce the force and slow the flow of water. Maximize the amount of vegetative buffers. Minimize areas of impervious surface. Rethink the size and location of lawn.

Find an undisturbed area of the lake with similar soil, moisture and light conditions and investigate it: What kinds of native trees, shrubs, wildflowers are there? What patterns are these plants found in at the site? Look to mimic what you see there in your revegetation efforts.

A plan is a good thing Native plant selection / work horse species. Watering plan. Nuisance animals like geese, deer, and muskrats addressed. Landowner perspectives and user needs are properly incorporated. Mitigation policy compliance is better assured. Mitigation strategy Who will do the plan--LWCD staff? How to get the plan approved and properly installed?

Pedestrian pathways, recreational access, pier location, etc. are lake friendly Use organic materials such as bark chips, chipped wood or other permeable material to line the pathway. Design the pathway with a curve to minimize runoff, especially on steep slopes. Place pathway within view corridor area. Pay attention to water movement at the site. Mitigation strategy

Identify an alternative action to bring a site into compliance For example, the possibility of leveraging a special assessment against a property to bring a site into compliance for a property owner who refuses to properly comply over time to code provisions. Other mechanisms identified by a county to facilitate compliance. Mitigation strategy

Flexibility built into code for property owners Point system example 3 ______ Active 35’ Buffer Zone 2 ______ Secondary Active 15’ Buffer Zone located between 35 and 50 ft. from OHWM 2 ______ Foot path only in Active Buffer Zone 2 ______ Passive 35’ Buffer Zone* 1 ______ Side Lot Buffer Area* 3 ______ Removal of Principal Building within 75’ of OHWM 2 ______ Removal of Accessory Building within 35’ of OHWM 1 ______ Removal of Accessory Building located between 35’ and 75’ of OHWM 1 ______ No non-principal accessory structures located within 75’ of OHWM 3 ______ Other Practices (Needs prior approval by Assistant Zoning Administrator or Zoning Administrator) ______ TOTAL POINTS 4 to 6 points needed depending on lake classification designation Mitigation strategy

Shoreland mitigation strategy Landscapers Wisconsin Lakes Local Lake Organizations Zoning Committee Corporation Counsel Lake Leaders WDNR Grants Program Land & Water Conservation Zoning office Nurseries / Green Industry Conservation Groups Contractors Property Owners Landscape Architects / Planners Mitigation strategy

Educating: lake citizens, elected officials, property owners, local media, etc. Mitigation strategy

Include the media—they can be your ally. Shoreland packets via zoning offices, lake associations, realtors, etc. Lake organization newsletters, annual meetings, etc.. Native plant group orders through LWCD’s, RC&D’s, lake groups, & others Web sites Mitigation strategy

Taking advantage of lake classification Lake classification can be a tool employed to help set protection measures for individual water bodies. Since 1999, Wisconsin Lakes (formerly WAL) has provided technical assistance to citizens and counties interested in establishing county lake classification. Lake classification is a locally-led process that allows counties to move beyond one-size-fits- all approaches to lake management. Grant funding is available to assist counties in using lake classification to update shoreland ordinances. Mitigation strategy

Miscellaneous items Temporary fencing. Deer / rabbit protection. Watering schedule effectively maintains buffer plantings. Maintenance over time. Recording mitigation on the property owner deed. Using shoreland restoration / mitigation agreements. Mitigation strategy

2010 Wisconsin Lakes Convention

Shoreland numbers for Wisconsin 47,162,014 meters of shoreline on our inland lakes (data from WDNR Hydro IV database on 1:24,000 sources) or over 29,304 miles. Shoreland mitigation is important to the future of Wisconsin lakes.

Ten Common Themes of Effective Shoreland Restorations 1. Partnerships Get it Done 2. Funding Can Take Many Forms 3. Plans Matter 4. Use Ecological Design Principles 5. Landowner Values are Met 6. Maintenance is Required 7. Address Erosion Control Concerns 8. Communication 9. Involve the Lake Community 10. Take an Adaptive Approach

Questions? Patrick Goggin /