Dane County Water Body Classification Project
Documents for download
Project Background
When the Lakes and Watershed Commission conducted public meetings on various amendments to the shoreland zoning ordinance a few years ago, a number of groups and individuals expressed concern that a "one-size-fits-all" approach to regulation and planning may not be the best for protecting and enhancing Dane County's water resources. In 2004, Dane County received a DNR Lake Classification grant to conduct a Water Body Classification Study including all navigable lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams within its boundaries. The County requested that the Dane County Regional Planning Commission take the lead in preparing the analysis and drafting the technical report. In April 2005 the Water Body Classification Study Phase I final report was completed and distributed to local units of government, public resource management agencies, and private conservation and environmental groups. The executive summary, complete report, and accompanying maps from Phase I, along with presentation handouts are available for download elsewhere on this page.
The water body classification study classifies lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams according to their current level of development and sensitivity to development. The result provides a range of protection, restoration, and enhancement strategies as well as various management actions that can be taken depending on the circumstances surrounding a particular site. In this manner a classification system allows water resource plans, policies, and programs to be tailored to the needs of the resource as well as the priorities of the community. It also provides a framework for guiding program resources, promoting cost-sharing opportunities and partnerships among various agencies and groups, as well as directing their efforts where they will have the greatest beneficial impact.
Based on a review and recommendation by the Lakes and Watershed Commission, Dane County has applied for and received another DNR Classification grant to develop a Phase II management program. The Phase I classification study provides the technical foundation for the Phase II management program now being developed.
Phase II will include public education about the Phase I study, broad community and stakeholder input to develop objectives and strategies appropriate to each water body class (including both regulatory and non-regulatory approaches) that build on the Dane County Comprehensive Plan.
Project partners are the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Dane County Office of Lakes and Watersheds, Dane County Planning and Development, and Dane County UW-Extension. The Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission serves as the Oversight Committee for Phase II management program development. The County Board must ultimately approve program or ordinance changes recommended by this project.
Contact Brian Standing, Dane County Planning and Development at 267-4115 for more information.
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