After Wisconsin's long and brutal winter, the arrival of spring is welcomed by all. For many, the change in weather can mean only one thing: It's time to grab your towel, bathing suit and some sunscreen and head for the lake. With more than 15,000 beautiful lakes to enjoy, Wisconsinites can be found everywhere fishing, swimming and boating, the hallmarks of the warmer season in Wisconsin.
However, the coming of spring also signals the start of another activity: construction. Shoreline property is a highly coveted building site for realtors, and research indicates that all privately owned lakeshores will be developed as soon as the year 2015.
This out-of-control development of our lakes is a very real and threatening problem.
The effects of overdevelopment can already be clearly seen in lakes like Menona and Mendota, where huge algae blooms choke out the natural aquatic life and make even college students think twice about jumping in.
The problem will only continue to grow as even more houses, resorts and condominium complexes are built on our shorelines, endangering the lakes we love.
So why is the state not protecting Wisconsin's lakes?
Recognizing that something needed to be done, the Department of Natural Resources began working to update the statewide shoreland zoning rules, NR 115, in 2002. These rules regulate development in unincorporated areas of Wisconsin, and having not been meaningfully updated since the 1960s, were severely outdated.
Three years later, in July and August 2005, the DNR took a proposed new rule out to public hearing. During this comment period, the DNR received a remarkable 12,000 public comments 10,000 of which favored stronger protections.
At the end of last summer, the DNR was poised to send a final draft of the rule to the Natural Resources Board by the following January. But now months later, and at the start of a new construction season, we find that no final rule has been sent.
In fact, the DNR has not issued a word about shoreland zoning since the close of the 2005 public comment period—they haven't even updated their What's New in Shoreland Zoning\ website.
The only update to be found on the subject was in a recent article in the Vilas County News-Review, revealing that the DNR plans to delay these rules for at least another year, revise them again, and hold a second set of public hearings sometime in 2007.
Gov. Jim Doyle, for his part, has said little publicly about these rules. He did, however, speak at the Wisconsin Realtors Association lobby day event in February 2006—an event that held stopping shoreland zoning as a top priority.
The public overwhelmingly recognizes what special interests and decision-makers ignore: Shoreland overdevelopment threatens the ability of all Wisconsinites to swim, fish, boat, and enjoy our lakes.
In addition, scientific evidence attests to the dangers of overdevelopment. Also, increased shoreline development has been directly linked to decreases in populations of bluegills and green frogs.
Updates to these critical shoreland protections are long overdue. We need stronger rules that increase lot sizes, strengthen natural buffer areas, and limit paved-over surfaces to adequately protect the water quality, wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, and recreation our lakes provide.
After a three-year long process, 12,000 public comments,and clear scientific evidence, it's time to say that enough is enough. Construction season 2006 is already upon us. By this time next year, Wisconsin's lakes need to be fully protected from overdevelopment.
Gov. Doyle should instruct the DNR to send the Natural Resources Board strong, protective shoreland zoning rules as soon as possible.
Madeline Hartjes is a freshman at UW-Madison majoring in biology and vocal performance. Her article appears special to The Cardinal. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
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