Regional Environmental Corridors September 2005 (Unprotected)

BAY-LAKE REGIONAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
CORRIDORS
A Coastal Resources Identification Project

for the Wisconsin Counties of
Brown, Door, Florence, Kewaunee,
Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto, and Sheboygan
SEPTEMBER 2005
PREPARED BY:
BAY-LAKE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
BAY-LAKE REGION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Name Title Representing Area or City Interest
Jim Bonnetti Chief of Operations and Maintenance U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Region
Jerry Smith, Field Biologist, St. Paul District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Region
Janet Smith Region 3 Director U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region
USDA Rural Development
Mark Brodziski Business and Commerce Program Director (RDA) Region
Federal Highway Administration
Dwight McComb Technology Advancement Engineer (FHWA) State
(Central Office) Planning and Budget
Don Uelmen Analyst WisDOT State
Chris Culotta (District 3) Planning Analyst WisDOT Region
Wisconsin Department of
George Boronow Lower Fox Basin, Water Team Leader Natural Resources Region
Dennis Russell Regional Director Commerce (DOC) Region
State Historical Society of
Richard Bernstein Smart Growth Coordinator Wisconsin (SHS) State
Planning Analyst Administration State
Parker Plitz Community Planner Oneida Nation of Wisconsin Region
Community, Natural Resource and Door County University of
Rob Burke Economic Development Educator Wisconsin-Extension Door County
Door County Planning
Robert Florence Director of Planning Department Door County
Community, Natural Resource and Florence County University of
Corrin Seaman Economic Development Educator Wisconsin-Extension Florence County
Community, Natural Resource and Kewaunee County University of
Merrit Bussiere Economic Development Educator Wisconsin-Extension Kewaunee County
Glen Selner Zoning Administrator Zoning Administrator Kewaunee County
Community, Natural Resource and Manitowoc County University of
Economic Development Educator Wisconsin-Extension Manitowoc County
Director, Manitowoc County Planning and Manitowoc County Planning
Mike Demske Park Commission and Park Commission Manitowoc County
Community Resource Development Marinette County University of
Shawn Kaskie Educator Wisconsin-Extension Marinette County
John Lefebvre Zoning Administrator Marinette County Zoning Marinette County
Oconto County University of
Dale Mohr Community Resource Development Agents Wisconsin-Extension Oconto County
Pat Virtues Zoning Administrator Oconto County Zoning Oconto County
Sheboygan County University of
Dave Such Community Resource Development Agents Wisconsin-Extension Sheboygan County
City of Green Bay Planning
Rob Strong Director of Planning Department City of Green Bay
Director of Planning and Economic City of De Pere Planning and
William Patzke Development Economic Development City of De Pere
City of Manitowoc Planning
David Less Planning Director Dept City of Manitowoc
Greg Buckley City Manager City of Two Rivers City of Two Rivers
Martin Olejniczak Community Development Director City of Sturgeon Bay City of Sturgeon Bay
Brian Miller City Engineer City of Marinette City of Marinette
Director of Planning and Economic
Paulette Enders Development City of Sheboygan City of Sheboygan
Thomas Romdenne City Administrator, Clerk Cities of Algoma City of Algoma
Joe Helfenberger Town Administrator Town of Hobart Town of Hobart
Dennis Deedering City Administrator City of Kiel City of Kiel
Brown County Planning
Chuck Lamine Director Commission Brown County
Jim Hunt District Conservationist NRCS Brown County Brown County
Oconto County Planning and
Jamie Broehm Community Planner Zoning Oconto County
Shelly Schaetz Environemntal Analysis and Review WDNR Region
Leakhena Au Fish & Wildlife Biologist US Fish & Wildlife Service Region
BAY-LAKE REGION
ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDORS
A Coastal Resource Identification Project
Author:
Angela M. Pierce
Natural Resources Planner
Maps by:
Tony D. Bellovary
GIS Coordinator
and
Joshua W. Schedler
GIS Specialist
Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission WCMP Agreement #85002-005.10

Suite 211, Old Fort Square BLRPC Contract #0401502
211 North Broadway
Green Bay, WI 54303
(920) 448-2820
Acknowledgement:
Funded by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management under the Coastal Zone Management Act, Grant
#NA03NOS4190106; and the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE ..................................................................................................................................... vii
Contents ..................................................................................................................................................................vii
Background............................................................................................................................................................viii
Purpose ....................................................................................................................................................................ix
Funding.....................................................................................................................................................................x
CHAPTER 1 : Introduction to Environmental Corridors ............................................................1
What are Environmental Corridors? .........................................................................................................................1
Historical Context.....................................................................................................................................................1
CHAPTER 2 : Defining Regional Environmental Corridors.......................................................3
Scope of Project........................................................................................................................................................3
Technical Advisory Committee ................................................................................................................................3
Mapping Environmental Corridors...........................................................................................................................4
Summary of Findings ...............................................................................................................................................4
Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridor Definition......................................................................................4
Methodology.............................................................................................................................................................5
CHAPTER 3 : Inventory of Environmental Corridor Definitions and Policy .............................7
Regulatory ................................................................................................................................................................7
Federal..................................................................................................................................................................7
Section 401 (Clean Water Act) .......................................................................................................................7
Section 404 (Clean Water Act) .......................................................................................................................7
State of Wisconsin ...............................................................................................................................................8
Chapter 30 and 31 (Wisconsin Statutes) .........................................................................................................8
Water Quality Management Planning - Sanitary Sewer Extensions ...............................................................8
Shoreland Zoning - General ............................................................................................................................8
Shoreland - Wetland Zoning ...........................................................................................................................8
Floodplain Zoning...........................................................................................................................................9
Farmland Preservation Program......................................................................................................................9
Non-Regulatory (Advisory)....................................................................................................................................10
Comprehensive Planning ...................................................................................................................................10
Regional Environmental Corridor Definitions...................................................................................................10
Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.............................................................................10
Dane County Regional Planning Commission ..............................................................................................11
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission..............................................................................12
Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission ...................................................................................................13
County-Defined Environmental Corridors .............................................................................................................13
Brown County ....................................................................................................................................................13
Door County.......................................................................................................................................................14
Florence County.................................................................................................................................................14
Kewaunee County ..............................................................................................................................................14
Manitowoc County.............................................................................................................................................15
Marinette County ...............................................................................................................................................15
Oconto County ...................................................................................................................................................16
Sheboygan County .............................................................................................................................................16
Local Environmental Corridor Definitions.............................................................................................................17
Comprehensive Plans .........................................................................................................................................17
Brown County ...............................................................................................................................................17
Door County..................................................................................................................................................17
Florence County ............................................................................................................................................17
Kewaunee County .........................................................................................................................................17
Manitowoc County........................................................................................................................................17
Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors i Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Marinette County...........................................................................................................................................18
Oconto County ..............................................................................................................................................18
Sheboygan County ........................................................................................................................................18
Consistent Environmental Corridor Definitions .....................................................................................................20
Standardization of Definitions................................................................................................................................20
CHAPTER 4 : Natural Resources of the Bay-Lake Region ......................................................23
Climate....................................................................................................................................................................23
Ecological Landscapes............................................................................................................................................23
North Central Forest...........................................................................................................................................25
Northeast Sands..................................................................................................................................................25
Forest Transition ................................................................................................................................................25
Northern Lake Michigan Coastal .......................................................................................................................25
Central Lake Michigan Coastal..........................................................................................................................26
Southeast Glacial Plains.....................................................................................................................................26
Geology ..................................................................................................................................................................26
Bedrock Geology ...............................................................................................................................................28
Quaternary Geology...........................................................................................................................................28
Topography.............................................................................................................................................................29
Niagara Escarpment ...........................................................................................................................................29
Soils ........................................................................................................................................................................31
General Soils Description ..................................................................................................................................31
Prime Agricultural Lands...................................................................................................................................31
Water Resources .....................................................................................................................................................31
Watersheds .........................................................................................................................................................34
Surface Waters ..............................................................................................................................................34
Priority Watersheds .......................................................................................................................................35
Non-Priority Watersheds...............................................................................................................................39
Surface Waters ...................................................................................................................................................42
Outstanding and Exceptional Resource Waters ............................................................................................43
Lakes .............................................................................................................................................................47
Rivers and Streams........................................................................................................................................48
Wild Rivers ...................................................................................................................................................49
Water Levels ......................................................................................................................................................49
Wetlands ............................................................................................................................................................50
Groundwater ......................................................................................................................................................52
Aquifers.........................................................................................................................................................52
Groundwater Contamination .........................................................................................................................53
Groundwater Recharge..................................................................................................................................53
Beaches...................................................................................................................................................................55
Beach Closings...................................................................................................................................................55
Wisconsin Beach Health Program.................................................................................................................55
Woodlands..............................................................................................................................................................56
Chequamegon/Nicolet National Forest ..............................................................................................................56
Point Beach State Forest ....................................................................................................................................56
Peshtigo River State Forest ................................................................................................................................57
Florence County Forest......................................................................................................................................57
Marinette County Forest ....................................................................................................................................57
Oconto County Forest ........................................................................................................................................57
Wildlife Resources .................................................................................................................................................57
Threatened and Endangered Species ......................................................................................................................58
CHAPTER 5 : Regional Environmental Corridor Definition ....................................................61
Features of the Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors ...............................................................................61
Navigable Waters...............................................................................................................................................61
Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors ii Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Navigable Waters Setback ............................................................................................................................62
Wetlands ............................................................................................................................................................65
Wetlands Buffer ............................................................................................................................................65
Floodplains.........................................................................................................................................................69
Steep Slopes .......................................................................................................................................................73
State Scientific and Natural Areas .....................................................................................................................77
State Wildlife and Fishery Areas .......................................................................................................................81
Public Parks and Recreational Areas .................................................................................................................85
State Parks.....................................................................................................................................................85
County Parks .................................................................................................................................................86
Recreation Trails ...........................................................................................................................................90
Historical/Archaeological Sites..........................................................................................................................92
National and State Register of Historic Places..............................................................................................92
National Historic Landmarks ........................................................................................................................96
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory.............................................................................................97
Significant Features Not Included in Environmental Corridor Definition .............................................................97
Small, Isolated Wetlands (Less than Two Acres in Size) ..................................................................................98
Unmapped Navigable Waters ............................................................................................................................98
Critical Habitats .................................................................................................................................................98
Ephemeral Streams and Wetlands......................................................................................................................98
Critical Groundwater Recharge Areas ...............................................................................................................99
Regional Environmental Corridors Maps .............................................................................................................100
Local Environmental Corridors........................................................................................................................100
CHAPTER 6 : Importance of Protecting Environmental Corridors ........................................107
Value of Connectivity...........................................................................................................................................107
Benefits to Preserving Environmental Corridors..................................................................................................108
Economic Benefits to Preserving Environmental Corridors ............................................................................108
Stormwater Management ............................................................................................................................109
Flood Control ..............................................................................................................................................110
Groundwater Recharge................................................................................................................................110
Recreation Areas .........................................................................................................................................111
Pollution Filtration and Carbon Sequestration ............................................................................................111
Economic Development ..............................................................................................................................111
Other Economic Benefits ............................................................................................................................112
Cost of Community Services (COCS).........................................................................................................112
CHAPTER 7 : Tools to Protect Environmental Corridors.......................................................115
Private Property Rights.........................................................................................................................................115
Public Trust ......................................................................................................................................................115
Riparian Rights ................................................................................................................................................116
Groundwater Rights .........................................................................................................................................116
Buffer Zones .........................................................................................................................................................116
Shoreland Buffer Zones ...................................................................................................................................116
Maintaining Connectivity .....................................................................................................................................117
Wildlife Crossings............................................................................................................................................118
Intelligent Transportation Systems...................................................................................................................119
In-Vehicle Technologies ..................................................................................................................................119
Speed Limit Reduction.....................................................................................................................................119
Roadside Reflectors and Mirrors .....................................................................................................................119
Other Countermeasures....................................................................................................................................119
Acquisition............................................................................................................................................................120
Land Trusts and Others ....................................................................................................................................120
Federal and State Funding Programs ...............................................................................................................120
Wisconsin Stewardship Fund ......................................................................................................................121
Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors iii Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Wisconsin Coastal Management Program...................................................................................................121
Acquisition Techniques....................................................................................................................................121
Land Donations ...........................................................................................................................................121
Land Dedication ..........................................................................................................................................122
Fee-Simple Purchase ...................................................................................................................................122
Conservation Easements .............................................................................................................................123
Acquisition of Development Rights Programs.................................................................................................123
Transfer of Development Rights Program ..................................................................................................123
Purchase of Development Rights Program .................................................................................................123
Restoration............................................................................................................................................................124
Stream Restoration ...........................................................................................................................................124
Daylighting..................................................................................................................................................124
Wetland Restoration.........................................................................................................................................125
Wetland Creation ........................................................................................................................................125
Wetland Enhancement.................................................................................................................................125
Wetland Reallocation ..................................................................................................................................125
Wetland Mitigation .....................................................................................................................................126
Wetland Reserve Program...........................................................................................................................126
Conservation Reserve Program...................................................................................................................127
Local Tools Available for Protection ...................................................................................................................127
Official Mapping..............................................................................................................................................127
Subdivision Regulations ..................................................................................................................................127
Conservancy Zoning ........................................................................................................................................128
Overlay Zoning ...........................................................................................................................................128
Conservation Subdivisions...............................................................................................................................129
Cluster Development........................................................................................................................................130
Additional Tools Available for Protection............................................................................................................130
Traditional Neighborhood Development .........................................................................................................130
Urban Growth Boundary..................................................................................................................................130
Planned Unit Development ..............................................................................................................................131
Waterfront Development Districts ...................................................................................................................131
Waters Classification .......................................................................................................................................132
Nonconforming Uses and Structures ...............................................................................................................133
Special Exemptions (Conditional Use Permits) ...............................................................................................133
CHAPTER 8 : Project Evaluation............................................................................................135
GIS Needs.............................................................................................................................................................135
Data Needs............................................................................................................................................................135
Data Scale and Accuracy ......................................................................................................................................136
Edge Matching......................................................................................................................................................137
Implementation .....................................................................................................................................................137
APPENDIX A: Lakes of the Bay-Lake Region ....................................................................139
APPENDIX B: Rivers and Streams of the Bay-Lake Region...............................................149
APPENDIX C: Species of Concern in the Bay-Lake Region ...............................................155
APPENDIX D: Model or Example Ordinances ....................................................................157
Conservation Subdivision.....................................................................................................................................157
Erosion and Sediment Control..............................................................................................................................157
Source Water Protection .......................................................................................................................................157
Official Map .........................................................................................................................................................157
Open Space Development.....................................................................................................................................157
Rural Cluster Development ..................................................................................................................................158
Stream Buffer .......................................................................................................................................................158
Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors iv Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Traditional Neighborhood Development ..............................................................................................................158
Transfer of Development Rights ..........................................................................................................................158
APPENDIX E: Common Types of Wildlife Crossing Structures.........................................159
APPENDIX F: Recommended Reading ...............................................................................163
Books....................................................................................................................................................................163
Publications ..........................................................................................................................................................163
Glossary .......................................................................................................................................165
Bibliography ................................................................................................................................171
Index ............................................................................................................................................175
Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors v Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1: Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridor Data Layers ..........................................................................4
Table 3.1: Comparison of Environmental Corridors Features....................................................................................21
Table 4.1: Outstanding Resource LAKES in the Bay-Lake Region...........................................................................43
Table 4.2: Outstanding Resource RIVERS and STREAMS in the Bay-Lake Region ...............................................44
Table 4.3: Exceptional Resource Waters in the Bay-Lake Region.............................................................................44
Table 4.4: Wetlands....................................................................................................................................................52
Table 5.1: State Natural Areas in the Bay-Lake Region.............................................................................................78
Table 5.2: State Wildlife and Fishery Areas of the Bay-Lake Region .......................................................................81
Table 5.3: Records of National and State Historic Places within the Bay-Lake Region............................................93
LIST OF MAPS
Map 0.1: Bay-Lake Region .......................................................................................................................................viii
Map 3.1: Status of Comprehensive Planning in the Bay-Lake Region ......................................................................19
Map 4.1: Ecological Landscapes ................................................................................................................................24
Map 4.2: Niagara Escarpment in the Bay-Lake Region .............................................................................................30
Map 4.3: Lake Michigan Basin and Sub-Basins ........................................................................................................33
Map 4.4: Watersheds ..................................................................................................................................................45
Map 5.1: Navigable Waters with Setback ..................................................................................................................63
Map 5.2: Wetlands with Buffer ..................................................................................................................................67
Map 5.3: Floodplains..................................................................................................................................................71
Map 5.4: Steep Slopes ................................................................................................................................................75
Map 5.5: State Natural Areas .....................................................................................................................................79
Map 5.6: State Wildlife and Fishery Areas ................................................................................................................83
Map 5.7: Environmental Features ............................................................................................................................101
Map 5.8: Environmental Corridors...........................................................................................................................103
Map 5.9: Community Environmental Corridors.......................................................................................................105
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1: Elements of an Environmental Corridor ....................................................................................................1
Figure 4.1: Geologic Time Scale ................................................................................................................................27
Figure 4.2: Geologic Eras...........................................................................................................................................27
Figure 4.3: Lake Michigan/Huron Historic Water Levels, 1918-2002 ......................................................................50
Figure 4.4: Groundwater Recharge and Discharge Areas ..........................................................................................54
Figure 5.1: Wisconsin Minimum Shoreland Zoning Standards .................................................................................62
Figure 7.1: Conservation Subdivision ......................................................................................................................129
Figure 7.2: Keyhole Development............................................................................................................................132
Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors vi Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

PREFACE
CONTENTS
The Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors Report contains a preface, eight chapters, six
appendices, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. The preface offers background information
on the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission, county environmental corridor mapping
projects the Commission has undertaken, and explains the purpose and funding for the report.
Chapter I offers a general definition of environmental corridors with some historical context on
environmental corridor planning.
Chapter II explains the process undertaken to define environmental corridors for the Bay-Lake
Region. It begins by describing the scope of the project and the technical advisory committee,
then the process of mapping environmental corridors, a summary of the findings, a definition of
environmental corridors for the Region, and lastly the methodology used in the mapping process.
Chapter III provides information on the regulatory controls and non-regulatory guidelines at
various levels of government to protect environmental corridor features and environmental
corridors as a whole. The chapter also evaluates the consistency of the various environmental
corridor definitions in Wisconsin.
Chapter IV provides information about the natural resources of the Bay-Lake Region, such as
climate, ecological landscapes, geology, topography, soils, water resources, woodlands, and
wildlife resources.
Chapter V describes each of the features that define environmental corridors in the Bay-Lake
Region, including mapping of the described features, the complete environmental corridors of the
Region, and an example of a community environmental corridor map. This chapter also evaluates
significant features that have not been included in the environmental corridor definition, and
why.
Chapter VI explains the importance of protecting environmental corridors, the many benefits they
provide, and the value of connectivity. This chapter provides examples of economic benefits that
may be attained from preserving environmental corridors.
Chapter VII provides extensive information on the various planning, zoning, and regulatory tools
available for protecting environmental corridor features, including restoration and acquisition
information.
Chapter VIII is the final chapter of the Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors report. It
provides an evaluation of the project, including a discussion on GIS needs; data needs, scale, and
accuracy; the edge matching process; and implementation.
The six appendices contain supplemental information for the reader. Appendix A and B contain a
table of the lakes, and rivers and streams (respectively) in the Region, Appendix C provides a
table of all species of concern in the Region, Appendix D contains model and/or example
ordinances that are available to protect environmental corridor features. Appendix C provides
examples of common types of wildlife crossing structures. Lastly, Appendix D lists books and
publications recommended for additional information on environmental corridor features and
Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors vii Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

planning. For ease of use, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index have been included at the end
of the report.
BACKGROUND
The Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission was created in April 1972 under section 66.945 of
the Wisconsin Statutes as the official area-wide planning agency for northeastern Wisconsin.
At the request of seven county boards within the region, Governor Lucey established the Bay-
Lake Regional Planning Commission by Executive Order 35. In December 1973, Florence
County joined the Commission, bringing the total number of counties within the region to eight.
The Commission serves a region in northeastern Wisconsin consisting of the counties of Brown,
Door, Florence, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto, and Sheboygan. The Bay-Lake
Region is comprised of 185 units of government: 8 counties, 17 cities, 39 villages, 120 towns,
and the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. The total area of the region is 5,433 square miles or 9.7
percent of the area of the State of Wisconsin (Map 0.1). The region has over 400 miles of coastal
shoreline along Lake Michigan and Green Bay and contains 12 major watershed areas that drain
into the waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan. The official Wisconsin Department of
Administration 2004 population estimate of the region is 574,623 persons or 10.4 percent of the
State of Wisconsin’s estimated population of 5,532,955 persons.
Map 0.1: Bay-Lake Region

Map 1
Bay-Lake Region
FLORENCE
MARINETTE
OCONTO
DOOR
KEWAUNEE
BROWN
MANITOW OC
SHEBOYGAN
Source: Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission, 2004.
Many of the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission's (“the Commission”) planning activities
require delineation of environmental corridors, such as comprehensive plans, watershed plans,
and sewer service area plans. With the changes in technology and the greater availability of
sources of digital mapping data, the Commission identified a need to delineate environmental
corridors based on a standard set of digital data. The Commission completed the first
environmental corridor identification project, Environmental Corridors (June 1999) for
Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors viii Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Manitowoc and Sheboygan counties, which has been beneficial to the counties and communities
in their planning efforts.
The Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission recognized that development is pressuring the
unique natural resource base of the Commission’s northeastern Wisconsin Region, particularly
the coastal wetlands, waterways, and wildlife habitat resources. The Commission, seeing a need
to identify protection mechanisms for these resources throughout the Region, began mapping the
valuable coastal, environmental, and cultural resources for each County in the Region.
The Commission received five consecutive Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP)
grants for each year from 2000 to 2004 to inventory and delineate the resources that make up
environmental corridors for Kewaunee County, Brown County, Marinette County, Oconto
County, and Door County respectively. These projects were well received by the communities
and interested citizens and proved useful in their planning activities.
As part of the WCMP-funding for the Door Peninsula Environmental Corridors, the
Commission outlined the project of bringing all the county environmental corridor reports
together in one concise report titled the Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors, which
commenced in April 2005. This report provided the Bay-Lake Region with an updated
environmental corridor definition and detailed mapping of environmental corridor delineations
for comprehensive planning throughout the Region, and addressed the needs of the local
communities for access to up-to-date, collated, digital data of natural and cultural resources. The
communities of the Bay-Lake will undertake shoreland zoning, subdivision reviews, sewer
service area planning, comprehensive planning, and multi-jurisdictional cooperation activities
(among other development-related programs), which depend upon the availability of detailed,
accurate, current, and consistent mapping of natural resources across county boundaries. Much
information was not consistently available before the completion of this project.
PURPOSE
Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors is consistent with 1999 Wisconsin Act 9 governing
land use planning in that it supports the goal of protecting natural areas as stated in s. 1.13(2)(c)
Wis. Stats. The delineation of environmental corridors provides a means of identifying sensitive
natural resources and features that may be impacted by future development.
Various agencies at the federal, state, regional, and local level have delineated environmental
corridors or environmentally sensitive areas utilizing a range of criteria. The various
environmental corridor definitions have been discussed in Chapter III. With a variety of
environmental corridors delineations existing throughout the communities of the Bay-Lake
Region, the Commission saw the need to define environmental corridors in a consistent manner
using digital data and geographic information system (GIS) software.
The Commission’s pilot environmental corridor delineation project, Environmental Corridors,
completed in 1999, was used to help identify natural resources data that was consistently
available throughout the State of Wisconsin, in either a digital or a hardcopy form. That pilot
project, completed for Manitowoc and Sheboygan Counties, has been used as the basis for
delineating environmental corridors for projects completed throughout the remaining counties of
the Bay-Lake region. This Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors report encapsulates the
information on each of those county environmental corridor reports.
Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors ix Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Environmental corridor information is used by communities for many planning related activities
such as zoning, subdivision reviews, sewer service area planning, and comprehensive planning
and it can provide a means for communities to address recreation and green space. With digital
information available on environmental corridors, communities have the capability to incorporate
detailed maps and inventories into their planning activities.
The Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors project had the following goals:
• Provide uniform GIS mapping of environmental corridors throughout the Bay-Lake
Region.
• Incorporate the environmental corridor mapping of each Bay-Lake county on a
uniform base and evaluate for consistency and edge matching.
• Protect local water quality through identification and encouraging the preservation of
environmental corridors and environmentally significant areas.
• Inform, educate, and provide outreach to promote the value of environmental
corridors and the protection of water quality.
• Make GIS environmental corridor maps available to WCMP, WDNR, and county and
local units of government for inclusion in land use plans and zoning ordinances.
• Provide environmental corridor information for evaluating sewer service area
extensions in the Bay-Lake region.
• Provide local officials with tools to protect environmentally significant areas.
FUNDING
The Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors project was funded at 50 percent by the
Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP). The WCMP is part of the Wisconsin
Department of Administration, with financial assistance provided by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
(OCRM) under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (amended). The WCMP was
established in 1978 to preserve, protect, and manage the resources of the Lake Michigan and
Lake Superior coastline.
Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors x Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDORS
WHAT ARE ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDORS?

Environmental corridors are areas on the landscape that contain and connect natural areas, green
space, and scenic, historic, scientific, recreational, and cultural resources. Environmental
corridors are known by many names, including greenways, environmentally significant areas,
green infrastructure, key environmental features, and conservation corridors. They often lie along
waterways and other natural features. When looking at aerial photography, environmental
corridors appear as long intertwining ribbons of natural vegetation and surface waters.
Environmental corridors are complex ecosystems that provide many ecological and human-
valued services, such as a improved water quality, means for wildlife movement, protection of
natural resources, groundwater recharge, recreation areas, and stormwater management, to name
a few. Typical features defining environmental corridors include perennial lakes, ponds, rivers
and flowages, perennial and intermittent streams, wetlands with a buffer, floodplains, public
parks, and recreation areas; areas of steep slope, unique or isolated woodland areas, historical and
archaeological sites, and other significant natural features and sites. Figure 1.1 illustrates how an
environmental corridor might appear on the landscape.
Figure 1.1: Elements of an Environmental Corridor
Source: Brown County Planning Commission. 1998.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Communities have been addressing the need for visual diversity of the natural landscape since
the earliest colonial plans. The “Philadelphia Plan”, drafted by William Penn and his surveyor
Thomas Holme in 1682, is an example of early identification of the need for natural spaces. The
plan incorporated public parks and green spaces, which have long been a part of communities to
meet recreational needs and improve mental health.
Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 1 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

In 1964, Wisconsin Governor Gaylord Nelson initiated a Statewide Recreation and Open Space
Plan. The plan was a study and inventory that identified the natural and cultural resources of the
state to form a network of environmental corridors.
In 1969, when Professor Ian McHarg wrote Design with Nature, he discussed the concept of
using the features of the environment to design road systems, neighborhoods, and communities.
In his book, he outlined the manner in which professional planners, decision-makers, and local
citizens could identify areas of the landscape that are the most suitable for development. The
overlay process he described would help identify those areas that were most threatened, and
contained sensitive environmental features.
Around the same time, Philip H. Lewis, Jr., professor emeritus of Landscape Architecture at the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, recognized that if our nation's natural and cultural features are
to be protected and saved for future generations, it is essential to inventory and map the sensitive
environmental features. “Identifying environmental corridors quickly leads us to the most critical
lands to preserve, providing a sound basis on which to make basic decisions about where to
build, where not to build, and how to build.” (Lewis, 1996)
Early inventories of the landscape revealed regional patterns of steep slopes, wetlands, and
surface waters. Professor Lewis reasoned that, if protected, these land patterns could act as
landscape guidelines to direct future growth. By plotting water, wetlands, and steep topography
within an integrated system, these patterns could be classified as “environmental corridors”.
Professor Lewis suggested that environmental corridors could then be used to establish priority
zones for future studies as a means to guide growth.
By working with local citizens, he developed 220 icons that depicted specific natural and cultural
features ranging from quality fish habitat to historic buildings. He found that 90 percent of these
features were found within the corridors containing the water, wetlands, and steep slopes. Lewis
called these particular areas "nodes of diversity”. He believed that people should protect and
enhance the corridors that contain a variety of features and values.
The environmental corridor approach has been used by many planning agencies across the nation
and in Wisconsin including Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Dane
County Regional Planning Commission, Brown County Planning Commission, East Central
Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, and Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission.

CHAPTER 2 : DEFINING REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDORS
SCOPE OF PROJECT
Prior to this Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors project, the Commission completed
six other environmental corridor studies for its region. The first study was the pilot,
Environmental Corridors, which was completed in June 1999 for Manitowoc and Sheboygan
counties. This 1999 project created the Commission’s definition of environmental corridors that
was used as a baseline to develop environmental corridors for the other counties in the Region.
Environmental corridor delineation projects throughout the Region created the following reports:
Coastal Resource Identification for Kewaunee County Using Environmental Corridors,
completed in December 2001; Brown County Environmental Corridors, completed December
2002; Marinette County Environmental Corridors, completed June 2003; Oconto County
Environmental Corridors, completed June 2004; and lastly, Door Peninsula Environmental
Corridors, completed April 2005.
All the Commission’s county environmental corridor projects, including the initial pilot, have
utilized a committee of citizens and/or professionals with knowledge of the natural resources of
the project county, along with available scientific data and methods as a means to determine the
elements to delineate environmental corridors. Data available in a digital format was used where
available; other data not available digitally had to be digitized from hard copy sources. The
outcome of the process was a uniform definition and a set of GIS elements applicable to the
identification and protection of environmental corridors.
TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

After the completion of environmental corridor delineations for each of the counties, the
Commission saw a need to revisit the standard environmental corridor definition originally
established by the Commission’s Technical Advisory Committee on Regional Land Use (TAC)
and ensure that the environmental corridors of each county flow consistently throughout the Bay-
Lake Region. Over the course of nearly a decade spent developing environmental corridor
definitions for each county within the Bay-Lake Region, additional data has became available,
and more recent environmental corridor reports for the counties have incorporated additional
data.
The Commission worked with the TAC to update the environmental corridor definition for the
Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors project as well as the Commission’s regional
comprehensive plan that will be completed by the end of 2005. The TAC provided the
Commission with technical expertise and valuable advice on the features that were proposed for
addition. Once the revised definition was agreed upon, a consistent delineation of environmental
corridors was applied throughout the Bay-Lake Region, which fulfilled the Commission’s goal of
region-wide environmental corridor coverage. The environmental corridor definition for the Bay-
Lake Regional Planning Commission can be found in Table 2.1. The members of the Technical
Advisory Committee on Regional Land Use are listed inside of the front cover of this report.

MAPPING ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDORS
The Commission utilized a digital U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) quadrangle base map as a
source for hydrologic data and as a base to digitize and overlay other information layers. After
the updated data layers of the environmental corridor were defined, they were compiled and
digitized into one file representing the environmental corridor layer.
Each environmental corridor feature (data layer) was represented individually by a color and
symbol scheme. Then, through an overlay process, each layer was merged and presented as a
single layer depicting the regional environmental corridors. The final report, complete with maps,
was supplied to each county in the Bay-Lake Region and GIS data was made available for their
planning work. The report is also available to the public through the Bay-Lake Regional Planning
Commission.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
The Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission completed the Bay-Lake Regional Environmental
Corridors study to delineate environmental corridors uniformly throughout the Region. The
study examined sources of data, identified limitations on the uses and availability of data, and
provided information on the benefits and methods of preserving environmental corridor features.
The final environmental corridor definition is a combination of the consistent features identified
through each of the Bay-Lake counties’ environmental corridor delineation process. The regional
environmental corridor includes natural features and sites that warranted some form of protection
or preservation, or natural features and sites that are already protected but, when included,
provided a more continuous landscape corridor.
Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridor Definition
The Commission compiled the data layers of the environmental corridors definition to delineate
them across the Region. The environmental corridors of the Bay-Lake Region have been defined
in Table 2.1 along with the data source of each feature.
Table 2.1: Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridor Data Layers

Features Sources
Navigable Water w/75-foot Setback USGS 1:24,000-scale quadrangle maps, local base maps
Wetlands w/50-foot Buffer WDNR Wisconsin Wetland Inventory maps
Floodplains FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps
Steep Slopes USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service
Public Parks and Recreation Areas WDNR and local
Historical/Archeological Sites Federal and State Historical Society
State Natural Areas WDNR
State Wildlife and Fishery Areas WDNR
Source: Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission; June 2005.
Some issues arose in the process of delineating environmental corridors, including the lack of
digital data or of consistent digital data for all the features defined as being part of the
environmental corridor, and the need for a common coordinate system and projection to unify the
data. Much of the data was already available digitally; however, some had to be digitized into the
GIS database in order to fill gaps in the data set. Once the delineation and analysis of the
environmental corridors was complete, the Commission was able to attain a consistent
environmental corridor across county boundaries.

Within the Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors report, the Commission has made
recommendations for the use of environmental corridors. Such recommendations include
continuing to work with local officials and citizens to gather data on features and issues of
importance related to environmental corridors and advocating the protection of the key resources
that form environmental corridors to help protect water quality.
METHODOLOGY
In order to provide consistency across county boundaries, the environmental corridor mapping
process began by mapping the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission’s (updated) standard
environmental corridor features. Again, this standard is defined as: navigable waters with a 50-
foot setback; WDNR wetlands with a 50-foot buffer; FEMA 100-year floodplains; areas of steep
slope from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS); Public Parks and Recreation Areas from the DNR and locally; Historical/
Archaeological Sites from the Wisconsin Historical Society; WDNR State Natural Areas; and
WDNR State Wildlife and Fishery Areas. A digital 1:24,000 quadrangle map provided the
common base on to which all the layers were overlaid and served as the primary source for the
hydrography layer.

CHAPTER 3 : INVENTORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDOR
DEFINITIONS AND POLICY
For the purposes of this report, environmental corridors were defined as linear features on the
landscape that represent a composite of the best remaining elements of the natural resource base
and/or natural landscape features that present natural hazards when developed, such as steep
slopes and floodplains. Environmental corridors are green space systems based on natural
resources and environmentally important lands. Defining environmental corridors presents a
process of identifying the valuable natural and cultural resources and features that are in need of
protection from development.
The Commission conducted an inventory of existing environmental corridor definitions to better
define what an “environmental corridor” is in northeastern Wisconsin, as well as to ensure that
the environmental corridors delineated by the Commission are consistent with existing
delineations within this area of the state. The inventory included a comparative analysis of the
regulatory and non-regulatory environmental corridor definitions at the federal, state, regional,
and local level. Regulatory environmental corridor definitions are those that are used by federal,
state, or local agencies to delineate and protect features through laws, ordinances, or
administrative rules; and non-regulatory environmental corridor definitions are those found in
planning documents and maps that are advisory guidelines voluntarily used by agencies and units
of government to identify valuable natural and cultural resources.
REGULATORY
Although there are no federal regulations dealing directly and specifically with the delineation
and protection of environmental corridors as a whole, both federal and state agencies have
responsibility for delineation and protection of specific environmental features that make up an
environmental corridor.
Federal
At the federal level, two sections of the federal Clean Water Act (Public Law 95-217), Section
401 and 404 are especially relevant to the protection of lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands,
which are significant features of environmental corridors.
Section 401 (Clean Water Act)
Section 401 of the Clean Water Act requires that federal permits comply with state water quality
standards. NR 299 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code was adopted to implement Section 401
certification requirements. NR 299 regulates activities that may discharge effluent into waters of
Wisconsin. Section 401 is in place to protect surface water features and wetlands, which are
significant elements of an environmental corridor.
Section 404 (Clean Water Act)
A federal permit program was established under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act authorizing
the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), to regulate the
discharge of dredged or fill-materials into all waters of the United States. Generally, the ACOE
jurisdiction applies to all lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. The term "discharge of fill
material", under Section 404, means the addition of any material used for the primary purpose of

replacing an aquatic area with dry land or of changing the bottom elevation of a water body,
including excavation or dredging of wetland soils. This section of the Clean Water Act further
protects surface water features and many wetlands, which are significant elements of
environmental corridors.
State of Wisconsin
Chapter 30 and 31 (Wisconsin Statutes)
Permits are required from the WDNR for many activities affecting navigable waters, as stated in
Chapters 30 and 31 of the Wisconsin Statutes. The Wisconsin courts have developed the “public
trust doctrine” pertaining to water laws in the state, which maintains that all navigable waters are
protected by the state for public use. For additional information on the public trust doctrine, see
the Public Trust section of Chapter 7.
Water Quality Management Planning - Sanitary Sewer Extensions
The State of Wisconsin’s requirements for sewer service area plans has a significant impact on
the delineation of environmental corridors in those areas of the state where sewer service area
plans are required. Many of the elements that form the basis for delineating environmental
corridors are listed in NR 121 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code as areas to be excluded
from sewer service areas. NR 121.05(1)(g)2c, “Areawide Water Quality Management Plans” lists
requirements for the content of these plans as follows:
“Major areas unsuitable for the installation of wastewater treatment systems because of physical or
environmental constraints are to be excluded from the service area. Areas to be considered for
exclusion from the sewer service area because of the potential for adverse impacts on the quality of
waters of the state from both point and nonpoint sources of pollution include, but are not limited
to, wetlands, shorelands, floodways and floodplains, steep slopes, highly erodible soils and other
limiting soil types, groundwater recharge areas, and other such physical constraints.”
Wisconsin also provides water quality standards and protection mechanisms for surface waters
and wetlands of the state under Chapters NR 102, “Water Quality Standards for Wisconsin
Surface Waters”; and NR 103, “Water Quality Standards for Wetlands” (Wisconsin
Administrative Code).
Shoreland Zoning - General
Under s. 59.692, Wis. Stats., all counties are required to adopt and enforce restrictive zoning of
shoreland along navigable streams and lakes in unincorporated areas. Shoreland zoning enables
the county zoning body to determine suitable uses of shorelands, based on the natural limitations
of each site. The minimum standards and criteria for regulation of shorelands are stated in NR
115 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, which includes zoning provisions, land division
controls, sanitary waste disposal regulations, administration and enforcement provisions, and
mapping provisions for identifying the shoreland zoning district. Shorelands are defined as areas
lying within 1,000 feet of lakes, ponds, and flowages; and within 300 feet of rivers and streams,
or to the landward side of the floodplain, whichever distance is greater.
Shoreland - Wetland Zoning
In addition to the general shoreland management requirements of NR 115, the code requires
zoning of shoreland-wetlands to provide substantial protection measures for wetlands located
within shoreland areas. Administrative Code Chapter NR 117 requires villages and cities to adopt

shoreland-wetland zoning ordinances. The permitted uses and administrative procedures for both
NR 115 and NR 117 are nearly identical.
Each unit of government when implementing shoreland-wetland protection measures are
required to have zoning regulations through the establishment of shoreland-wetland districts for
all shoreland areas identified as wetlands greater than two acres in size on the Wisconsin
Wetland Inventory maps prepared by the WDNR.
Floodplain Zoning
Under s. 87.30, Wis. Stats., counties, cities, and villages are required to adopt reasonable and
effective floodplain zoning ordinances for areas where flooding is likely to occur. NR 116 of the
Wisconsin Administrative Code states the minimum criteria for these regulations. The ordinance
must contain maps reflecting the best available data on the 100-year floodplain (floodway and
flood fringe) and define the land use restrictions in these areas. Floodplain zoning must include
those areas covered by waters during the 100-year regional flood (1-percent-annual-chance
flood). The flood fringe is that portion of the floodplain outside the floodway, covered by waters
during the regional flood, and generally associated with standing water rather than flowing water.
FEMA Map Modernization
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is implementing a map modernization initiative to
upgrade the floodplain mapping development process so the delineations would be created and
distributed in a GIS format. Up-to-date flood maps are important in managing flood risk. Due to
evolving land use, climate, new technology and other factors, flood maps change constantly.
The goal of the FEMA “Map Modernization Plan” is to upgrade the nationwide 100,000-panel
flood map inventory by:
• developing up-to-date flood hazard data for all flood prone areas nationwide to
support sound floodplain management and prudent flood insurance decisions;
• providing the maps and data in digital format to improve the efficiency and precision
with which communities can use this information;
• fully integrating FEMA's community and state partners into the mapping process to
build on local knowledge and efforts;
• improving processes to make it faster to create and update the maps;
• improving services to speed processing of flood map orders and raise public
awareness of flood hazards.
Farmland Preservation Program
The Farmland Preservation Program was designed to encourage farmland preservation planning
and zoning by towns and counties, to encourage the use of soil conservation practices by farmers,
and to provide property tax relief to farm families. This state program offers farmers an income
tax credit to offset a portion of their property taxes. Farmers become eligible for the program if
their county has adopted an agricultural preservation plan and their town or county has
established exclusive agricultural zoning in accordance with the plan.
Under s. 91.55 Wis. Stats., Wisconsin’s Farmland Preservation Program requires that county
agricultural preservation plans include several natural resource protection mechanisms in

addition to the requirements for preservation of agricultural areas. Specifically, ss. 91.55(1)(a)
and (b) Wis. Stats. requires policy statements and maps regarding protection of significant natural
resource, open space, scenic, historical, or archaeological areas. Most counties with adopted
farmland preservation plans have mapped out environmental corridors within these plans using
various definitions and features.
NON-REGULATORY (ADVISORY)
It is common practice for many planning agencies in Wisconsin to use environmental corridors as
regulatory tools within the designated sewer service areas (SSAs) under Chapter NR 121,
Wisconsin Administrative Code. However, the environmental corridor approach is used as a non-
regulatory tool more comprehensively by many planning agencies in Wisconsin, including the
Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, the Dane County Regional Planning
Commission, the Brown County Planning Commission, the East Central Wisconsin Regional
Planning Commission, and the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission.
Comprehensive Planning
In October 1999, Wisconsin enacted the land use legislation known as Comprehensive Planning
(s. 66.1001 Wis. Stats.). The objective of the legislation was to ensure that every county, city,
village, and town in the state be guided by a comprehensive plan by 2010.
Comprehensive planning is a nine-element outline for a community plan that addresses: issues
and opportunities; housing; transportation; utilities and community facilities; agricultural, natural
and cultural resources; economic development; intergovernmental cooperation; land use; and
implementation.
Many planning commissions establish non-regulatory environmental corridors in comprehensive
plans under the fifth element of the “Comprehensive Planning” law, the Agricultural, Natural
and Cultural Resources element (s. 66.1001(2)(e) Wis. Stats.), which states:
“A compilation of objectives, policies, goals, maps and programs for the conservation, and
promotion of the effective management, of natural resources such as groundwater, forests,
productive agricultural areas, environmentally sensitive areas, threatened and endangered species,
stream corridors, surface water, floodplains, wetlands, wildlife habitat, metallic and nonmetallic
mineral resources, parks, open spaces, historical and cultural resources, community design,
recreation resources and other natural resources.”
Although, environmental corridors have no regulatory protection within the comprehensive plans
alone, beginning on January 1, 2010, local land use actions must be consistent with a
comprehensive plan. This applies to zoning, annexations, official mapping, subdivision
regulation, etc. Any ordinance, plan, or regulation that relates to land use must be consistent with
the comprehensive plan. This means that a community needs to have a comprehensive plan in
place by January 1, 2010 if it intends to continue taking official actions regarding land use.
Regional Environmental Corridor Definitions
Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
All nine counties within the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC)
region fall within an identified sewer service area. Subsequently, with the adoption of Regional
Water Quality Management Plan for Southeastern Wisconsin in 1979, SEWRPC became the
water quality management agency in southeastern Wisconsin. Under NR 121 of the Wisconsin

Administrative Code, SEWRPC identifies major areas unsuitable for the installation of
wastewater treatment systems or the extension of sanitary sewers because of physical or
environmental constraints. Within the SEWRPC region, these areas are the delineated
environmental corridors.
SEWRPC has been delineating environmental corridors in southeastern Wisconsin since 1966
when it adopted a definition of environmental corridors as part of The Regional Land Use-
Transportation Study (November 1966). SEWRPC defines environmental corridors as areas in
the landscape containing highly valued natural, scenic, historic, scientific, and recreational
features. SEWRPC uses a weighted system to differentiate between primary and secondary
environmental corridors and isolated natural areas. Thus, a hierarchy of natural resource areas
was identified (i.e. primary environmental corridors, secondary environmental corridors, isolated
high-value resource areas, and other natural resource or resource-related areas). These areas were
identified through a point value system that applied weighted criteria to the individual resource
component, and criteria were assigned with respect to acreage, width, and length of the resource
feature.
• Areas having a point value of ten or greater with a minimum area of 400 acres and a
minimum length of two miles are designated as ‘primary environmental corridors’.
• Areas having a point value of ten or greater with a minimum area of 100 acres and a
minimum length of one mile are designated as ‘secondary environmental corridor’.
• Isolated areas having a point value of ten or greater with a minimum area of five acres are
designated as ‘isolated natural areas’.
Features used by SEWRPC to delineate environmental corridors include:
• Lakes • Steep slope (12 percent or greater)
• Perennial rivers or streams • Prairies
• Perennial shorelands (lakes, rivers, • Existing park or other open space site
streams) • Potential parks
• Intermittent streams • Historic structures
• 100-year floodplains • Historic cultural sites
• Wetlands • Archaeological sites
• Woodlands • Scenic viewpoints
• Wildlife habitats • State Natural and Scientific Areas
Dane County Regional Planning Commission
Environmental corridors have been a fundamental part of the Dane County Regional Planning
Commission’s (Dane County RPC) planning policies since 1973 when the Dane County RPC
developed and adopted the Dane County Land Use Plan. In 1979, the Dane County RPC refined
its delineation and definition of environmental corridors. In 1996, Dane County RPC defined
environmental corridors as “continuous systems of open space in urban and urbanizing areas”
that include “environmentally sensitive lands and natural resources requiring protection from
disturbance and development, and lands needed for open space and recreational use. They are
based mainly on drainageways and stream channels, floodplains, wetlands, steep slope, and other
resource features and are part of a countywide system of continuous open space corridors”
(Environmental Corridors, 1996).

Features used by Dane County RPC to delineate environmental corridors include:
• Lakes and ponds; • 100-year floodplains;
• Perennial streams; • Woodlands;
• Intermittent streams and • Steep slopes;
drainageways; • Unique vegetation or geology;
• Open channel (constructed) • Existing parks, greenways, conservancy
drainageways; land;
• Shoreland buffer strips adjacent to • Proposed parks, greenways, conservancy
streams and drainageways; lands.
• Wetlands;
• Shoreland buffer strips adjacent to
wetlands;
In 1975, the Dane County Regional Planning Commission was designated the water quality
planning agency for Dane County. In 1979, Dane County RPC adopted a Dane County Water
Quality Management Plan in which sewer service areas were identified. In 1986, environmental
corridors were first delineated and adopted as major areas unsuitable for the installation of
wastewater treatment systems or the extension of sanitary sewers because of physical or
environmental constraints. Under NR 121 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, the Dane
County RPC has the authority to review applications for the extension of sanitary sewers within
the sewer service areas of the county.
On October 1, 2004 the Dane County Regional Planning Commission (RPC) was dissolved. The
Community Analysis and Planning Division (CAPD) of the Dane County Planning and
Development Department was created by the County Board for an interim period through the end
of 2005 to ensure continuity of the urban service area amendment process and water quality
planning. The CAPD was subsequently granted water quality planning authorization through an
agreement between the County and DNR.
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
The East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (ECWRPC) delineates
environmentally sensitive areas as part of its sewer service area planning efforts. The ECWRPC
defines environmentally sensitive areas as geographic areas consisting of all lakes and streams as
shown on the USGS quadrangle maps and adjacent to shoreland buffer areas and all wetlands
shown on the Wisconsin Wetland Inventory Maps and floodways as delineated on the official
FEMA Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps.
Features used by ECWRPC to delineate environmental corridors include:
• Navigable streams with a 75-foot buffer;
• Wetlands;
• 100-year floodway;
• 30-foot buffer of non-navigable streams and drainageways with drainage areas greater
than 2000 acres;
• 20-foot buffer of non-navigable streams and drainageways with drainage areas more than
300 acres and less than 2000 acres;
• 15-foot buffer of non-navigable streams and drainageways with drainage areas less than
300 acres.

ECWRPC has been designated the water quality planning agency for its region and subsequently
has adopted sewer service area plans for much of its region, most recently with the adoption of a
Fox Cities Sewer Service Area Plan in 1997. Under authority granted by the WDNR through NR
121 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, environmentally sensitive areas have been identified
and adopted within the ECWRPC region for sanitary sewer review purposes.
Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission
The Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission (BLRPC) has been designated by the WDNR as
the water quality planning agency for the Marinette Sewer Service Area (SSA), the Sheboygan
SSA, the Oconto County - Green Bay West Shore SSA, the Village of Luxemburg SSA, and the
Manitowoc/Two Rivers SSA. BLRPC has subsequently completed sewer service area plans for
these areas. Under authority granted by the WDNR through NR 121 of the Wisconsin
Administrative Code, the BLRPC has identified natural features and sensitive environmental
areas that are to be excluded from sewer service areas. These areas are referred to as
“environmental corridors” in the SSAs, and include wetlands; shorelands; floodways and
floodplains; steep slopes or highly erodible soils near drainageways; groundwater recharge areas;
and other important natural, historical, archaeological and cultural features that warrant
protection from sewered development.
After reviewing existing federal, state, and local definitions and regulations, the BLRPC
determined a need to define two sets of criteria for environmental feature delineation: one set for
delineating “environmentally sensitive areas” (ESAs) for sewer service area planning under NR
121; and one set for delineating “environmental corridors” for all other community planning
work. The necessity for two separate definitions was based on the availability of information and
the regulatory nature of ESAs. Environmental corridors are based on uniformly available
information; some of the information required for ESAs under NR 121 was not available outside
of the SSAs, and thus, may not be included in environmental corridor definitions. In addition,
environmentally sensitive areas have regulatory backing that environmental corridors may lack.
For many communities, identifying environmental corridors may seem much less threatening
than identifying environmentally sensitive areas that have regulatory protections in SSAs.
COUNTY-DEFINED ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDORS

Although no counties in the Bay-Lake Region have regulations to specifically delineate and
protect “environmental corridors”, many delineate and protect certain environmental features of
the corridors as required by federal and state laws. County regulations protecting environmental
features include sewer service area planning, farmland preservation planning, shoreland zoning,
wetland district zoning, floodplain zoning, and natural features zoning.
Environmental corridors have been defined for all counties within the Bay-Lake region for use in
local planning efforts. However, some counties may refer to environmental corridors by another
name, such as in Florence County where they are referred to as key environmental features.
Brown County
The Brown County Environmental Corridors (October 2002, Bay-Lake Regional Planning
Commission) report defines the environmental corridors of the Brown County with the original
standard Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission definition and included additional features
identified by the Door Peninsula Environmental Corridor Technical Advisory Committee.

Features of the Brown County environmental corridors include:
• Navigable waters with 75-foot • Federal, State, county and local public
setback parks and recreation areas
• Wetlands with 25-foot buffer • Unique natural and scientific areas
• 100-year Floodplains • Unique or isolated woodland areas
• Areas of steep slopes (greater than • Historic and archaeological sites
12 percent) • Other unique natural features
• State or Federal wildlife areas
Door County
The Door Peninsula Environmental Corridors (June 2005, Bay-Lake Regional Planning
Commission) report defines the environmental corridors of the Door Peninsula with a 75-foot
buffer on wetlands and included additional features identified by the Door Peninsula
Environmental Corridor Technical Advisory Committee.
Features of the Door County environmental corridors include:
• Navigable waters with 75-foot • Historical/Archeological sites
setback • State Wildlife Areas
• Wetlands with 75-foot buffer • Natural Areas Inventory sites
• 100-year Floodplains • Niagara Escarpment
• Areas of steep slopes (12 percent or • Significant Coastal Wetlands
greater) • Significant Wildlife Habitat and Natural
• WDNR Land Legacy Places Areas
• State Natural Areas • Other features of significance
• Public Parks and Recreational Areas
Florence County
In 2001, the Florence County Board of Supervisors adopted the Florence County Land Use and
Lake Protection Plan (Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission). The plan established a
definition of “environmental corridors”, known as “key environmental features” in Florence
County.
The key environmental features/environmental corridors include:
• Wetlands;
• Floodplains;
• Areas of steep slope (12 percent or greater);
• Water resources and a 75-foot setback;
• Upland woodlands;
• State Scientific and Natural Area
Kewaunee County
The Coastal Resource Identification for Kewaunee County Using Environmental Corridors
report (2001, Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission) defines the environmental corridors of
Kewaunee County with the original standard Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission
definition.

Features of the Kewaunee County environmental corridors include:
• Wetlands (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)
• 100-year floodplains
• Areas with slopes greater than or equal to 12 percent
• Lakes, rivers, streams and ponds
• 75-foot lake and river setback
• 25-foot buffer around wetlands
Other features that are part of the Kewaunee County environmental corridor definition include:
• Designated Scientific and Natural • Unique geology
Areas • Wetland mitigation sites
• Unique and isolated woodland areas • Unique wildlife habitats
• Scenic viewsheds • Parks and recreations areas
• Historic and archaeological sites • Other locally identified features
Although this definition of environmental corridors was never officially adopted by Kewaunee
County, it has been widely used by local communities in their planning process.
Manitowoc County
The Environmental Corridors report prepared in 1999 (Bay-Lake Regional Planning
Commission) defines the environmental corridors of Manitowoc and Sheboygan County with the
original standard Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission definition.
Features of the Manitowoc County environmental corridors include:
• WDNR Wetlands • Lakes, rivers, streams and ponds
• 100-year floodplains • 75-foot lake and river setback
• Areas with slopes greater than or • 25-foot buffer around wetlands
equal to 12 percent
Other features that are part of the Manitowoc County environmental corridor definition:
Marinette County
The Marinette County Environmental Corridors report (2003, Bay-Lake Regional Planning
Commission) defines the environmental corridors of Marinette County with the original standard
Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission definition, along with additional features identified by
the Marinette County Environmental Corridor Technical Advisory Committee.
Features of the Marinette County environmental corridors include:
• WDNR Wetlands • Areas with slopes greater than or
• 100-year floodplains equal to 12 percent
• Navigable waters

• 75-foot navigable water setback • State Natural Areas
• 25-foot buffer around wetlands • Historical/Archeological sites
• Wild Lakes and Rivers with a 400- • Public Parks and Recreational Areas
foot buffer • State Wildlife Areas
• WDNR Land Legacy Places • Significant Coastal Wetlands
• Unique wildlife and fish habitats • Other sites of local significance
• Rustic Roads
Although this definition of environmental corridors was never officially adopted by Marinette
County, it has been used by local communities in their planning process.
Oconto County
The Oconto County Environmental Corridors report (2003, Bay-Lake Regional Planning
Commission) defines the environmental corridors of Oconto County with the original standard
Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission definition, along with additional features identified by
the Oconto County Environmental Corridor Technical Advisory Committee.
Features of the Oconto County environmental corridors include:
• Areas with slopes (12 percent or • Public Parks and Recreational Areas
greater) • Historical/Archeological sites
• Navigable waters with 75-foot • State Wildlife and Fishery Areas
setback • Natural Areas Inventory sites
• Wetlands with 75-foot buffer • Critical Groundwater Recharge Areas
• 100-year Floodplains • Significant Coastal Wetlands
• WDNR Land Legacy Places • Significant County Natural Areas
• State Natural Areas • Other sites of local significance
Although this definition of environmental corridors was never officially adopted by Oconto
County, it has been used by local communities in their planning process.
Sheboygan County
The Environmental Corridors report prepared in 1999 (Bay-Lake Regional Planning
Commission) defines the environmental corridors of Manitowoc and Sheboygan County with the
original standard Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission definition.
Features of the Sheboygan County environmental corridors include:
• WDNR Wetlands • Lakes, rivers, streams and ponds
• 100-year floodplains • 75-foot lake and river setback
• Areas with slopes greater than or • 25-foot buffer around wetlands
equal to 12 percent
Other features that are part of the Sheboygan County environmental corridor definition include:

LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDOR DEFINITIONS
Environmental corridors are often locally defined as part of the comprehensive planning process.
The Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission identifies and delineates environmental corridors
based on the Commission’s standard definition, unless the community desires a varying
definition. The Commission’s definition of environmental corridors will be included in the
comprehensive plan for the Bay-Lake region.
Comprehensive Plans
As of May 2005, comprehensive plans have been completed for many of the communities in all
of the Bay-Lake counties; however, only Brown County has completed a County Comprehensive
Plan and the Kewaunee County Comprehensive Plan is in progress. Of the 184 communities
(including counties, but excluding the Oneida Tribe of Indians) in the Bay-Lake Region, 90
communities, or 49 percent have completed a comprehensive plan. However, several of these
plans were drafted before the Wisconsin Comprehensive Planning Legislation, s. 66.1001 Wis.
Stats., and therefore, do not follow the elements required by that law. As of May 2005, 50
comprehensive plans are in various stages of completion throughout the Bay-Lake Region and 44
communities are without a comprehensive plan completed or proposed. As of May 2005, the
Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission completed, or was in the process of completing, 86
comprehensive plans for communities within the Region. For the status of community
comprehensive plans in the Bay-Lake Region, see Map 3.1.
Brown County
Of the 24 communities in Brown County, 12 have an adopted comprehensive plan and eight of
them have been completed under Wis. Stats. 66.1001. Twelve communities have a
comprehensive plan in progress that is being prepared under Wis. Stats. 66.1001.
Door County
Of the 19 communities in Door County, 11 have an adopted comprehensive plan and five of them
have been completed under Wis. Stats. 66.1001. Two communities have a comprehensive plan in
progress that is being prepared under Wis. Stats. 66.1001. Six communities have no
comprehensive plan completed or proposed.
Florence County
Of the eight communities in Florence County, all eight have an adopted comprehensive plan;
however, none of them was completed under Wis. Stats. 66.1001.
Kewaunee County
Of the 14 communities in Kewaunee County, two have an adopted comprehensive plan and both
of them have been completed under Wis. Stats. 66.1001. Twelve communities, as part of the
county comprehensive planning efforts, have a comprehensive plan in progress that is being
prepared under Wis. Stats. 66.1001.
Manitowoc County
Of the 30 communities in Manitowoc County, 15 have an adopted comprehensive plan and eight
of them have been completed under Wis. Stats. 66.1001. Four communities have a
comprehensive plan in progress that is being prepared under Wis. Stats. 66.1001. Eleven
communities have no comprehensive plan completed or proposed.

Marinette County
Of the 25 communities in Marinette County, eight have an adopted comprehensive plan and six
of them have been completed under Wis. Stats. 66.1001. Eight communities have a
comprehensive plan in progress that is being prepared under Wis. Stats. 66.1001. Nine
Oconto County
Of the 28 communities in Oconto County, 22 have an adopted comprehensive plan and 12 of
them have been completed under Wis. Stats. 66.1001. None of the communities has a
comprehensive plan in progress that is being prepared under Wis. Stats. 66.1001. Six
Sheboygan County
Of the 28 communities in Sheboygan County, eleven have an adopted comprehensive plan and
four of them have been completed under Wis. Stats. 66.1001. Eleven communities have a
comprehensive plan in progress that is being prepared under Wis. Stats. 66.1001. Six

Map 3.1
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Source: Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission, July, 2005.

CONSISTENT ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDOR DEFINITIONS
Several features are consistently identified as being part of an environmental corridor. All
definitions in use at the local, state, and federal level recognize surface waters as a valuable
resource that should be protected. The features that are consistently used to delineate
environmental corridors are related to surface waters in some manner. Table 3.1 compares the
features used by each unit of government to define environmental corridors. Such features
include wetlands, floodplains, shoreland buffers, areas of steep topography, and woodlands.
STANDARDIZATION OF DEFINITIONS
Table 3.1 indicates the features common to all the definitions of environmental corridors across
the state that the Commission analyzed. All definitions included surface waters, wetlands, and
floodplains, while most also included areas of steep slope and shoreland buffers. The greatest
differences were in the type and width of shoreland buffers, the width of wetland buffers, and the
inclusion of wildlife habitat and parks.
The Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission’s definition merges other environmental corridor
definitions by including many of the shared features, creating a uniform shoreland buffer, and
acknowledging that existing park and recreation areas are part of the system of environmental
corridors. The Regional environmental corridor definition was updated as part of this study so
that it varies from the original by adding State Natural Areas and State Wildlife and Fishery
Areas, and by increasing the wetlands buffer from 25 to 50 feet. The Commission will use the
revised definition of environmental corridors in all of its planning work including updating
delineations completed as part of previous plans that do not meet, or exceed, the newly
established criteria.

Table 3.1: Comparison of Environmental Corridors Features
Unit of Government
Feature Bay-Lake NR 121 SEWRPC ECWRPC Dane Brown Door Florence Kewaunee Manitowoc Marinette Oconto Sheboygan
RPC County County County County County County County County County
Lake
Perennial river or
stream
Perennial Shoreland
(lake, river, stream)
Intermittent Stream
Intermittent
Shoreland
Shoreland Buffers
Floodway
100-Year
Floodplain
WDNR Wetlands
Wetland Buffer
Stormwater
Detention and
Retention Facilities
Woodlands
High Value Wildlife
Habitat
Medium Value
Wildlife Habitat
Low Value Wildlife
Habitat
Significant
Geological Feature
Steep Slope (20
percent or greater)
Steep Slope (12 to
19 percent)
Prairie
Existing rural open
space site
Existing park or
recreation site
Passive Park and
Open Space Areas
High Value
Potential park
Medium Value
Potential park
Low Value Potential
park
Historic Structure
Historic Cultural
Site
Archaeological Site
Scenic Areas and
Vistas
State Natural Area
Natural Area of
Statewide or greater
significance
Natural Area of
Countywide or
Regional
Significance
Natural Area of
Local Significance
Physiographic
Features
Groundwater
Recharge and
Discharge Areas
Hydric and Organic
Soils
Undeveloped Lake
Frontage
Wetland Mitigation
Sites

CHAPTER 4 : NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE BAY-LAKE REGION
CLIMATE
The Bay-Lake Region typically experiences continental weather with some modification by Lake
Michigan and Green Bay. The cool waters of the lake and bay delay spring, while relatively
warm water in fall retards early frost. Summers, on average, are mild due to the region’s
proximity to water that moderates daily extremes.
About two-thirds of the annual precipitation falls during the growing season. It is normally
adequate for vegetation, although drought is occasionally reported. The climate is most favorable
for dairy farming; the primary crops are corn, small grains, hay, and vegetables.
The growing season averages 118 to 150 days. The average date of the last spring freeze varies
from the first week to the last week of May. The first autumn freezes occur in early to mid-
October.
The long-term mean annual precipitation ranges from 31 to 32 inches over most of the Bay-Lake
Region. Ice forms on Green Bay in late December and generally covers the bay by mid-January.
During mild winters, the bay may not freeze completely. Ice breakup usually occurs in early
April.
The average seasonal snowfall varies from 55 inches in the north to 48 inches in the south. The
mean dates of the first snowfall of consequence, an inch or more, occur in early November. The
snow cover acts as protective insulation for grasses, autumn seeded grains, and other vegetation.
The approximate humidity conditions for the Bay-Lake Region in winter ranges from an average
nighttime maximum of about 80 percent to a daytime minimum of about 70 percent. Relative
humidity in the summer averages 85 percent at night and 60 percent in the daytime.
ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPES
The Wisconsin DNR has mapped Wisconsin into areas of similar ecological potential and
geography into units known as Ecological Landscapes. This classification is based on
aggregations of subsections from the National Hierarchical Framework of Ecological Units
(NHFEU) (Avers et al. 1994). The NHFEU and the Ecological Landscape systems delineate
landscapes of similar ecological pattern and potential across the state in a way that is meaningful
and useful to resource administrators, planners, and managers.
The Bay-Lake Region falls into six of these Ecological Landscapes or Eco-Regions. These
include Southeast Glacial Plains, Central Lake Michigan Coastal, Northern Lake Michigan
Coastal, Forest Transition, Northeast Sands, and North Central Forest. Map 4.1 shows the
Ecological Landscape of the Bay-Lake Region.

Map 4.1
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Source: WDNR; Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission, 2005.

North Central Forest
The North Central Forest Ecological Landscape occupies much of the northern third of
Wisconsin. Its landforms are characterized by end and ground moraines with some pitted
outwash and bedrock controlled areas. Kettle depressions and steep ridges are found in the
northern portion. Two prominent areas are the Penokee-Gogebic Iron Range in the north
extending into the state of Michigan and Timm’s Hill in the south. Soils consist of sandy loam,
sand, and silts. Forests cover approximately 80 percent of the area, with northern hardwood
species dominating. A variety of wetland communities are also present, both forested and non-
forested.
Northeast Sands
The Northeast Sands Ecological Landscape occupies a relatively, narrow, vertical band of land in
northeast Wisconsin. This landscape formed in glacial outwash sand plains and has steep
outcropping of Precambrian bedrock knolls formed from basalt, rhyolite, and granite. Sandy
ground and end moraines are interspersed in the landscape. Most of this area is forested,
primarily with aspen and some northern hardwoods. The area contains several important river
systems, as well as extensive wetlands.
Forest Transition
The Forest Transition Ecological Landscape supports both northern forests and agricultural areas.
The eastern and western portions of the landscape are on moraines of the Wisconsin glaciation.
The growing season is long enough to support viable agriculture. Soils are diverse ranging from
sandy-loam to loam or shallow silt loam, and from poorly drained to well drained.
Approximately 60 percent of the landscape is non-forested, though most of the eastern portion
remains forested. Ecologically significant areas are found within this landscape as it lies along
the Tension Zone between northern and southern landscapes of Wisconsin.
Northern Lake Michigan Coastal
The Northern Lake Michigan Coastal Ecological Landscape includes Green Bay, as well as the
northern part of the Door Peninsula. Its landforms consist of the Niagara escarpment, a
prominent dolostone outcropping along the east side of Green Bay; a lacustrine plain along the
west side of Green Bay; and ground moraine elsewhere. The influence of Lake Michigan
moderates extreme temperatures. Soils are very diverse; in some areas, lacustrine sands are found
overlying clays or bedrock within only a few feet of the surface. In the Door Peninsula, soils are
typically stony loamy sands to loams. Poorly drained sands are common in the lake plain or in
depressions between dunes and beach ridges. On the western side of Green Bay, the ground
moraine is composed mostly of moderately well drained, rocky sandy loams interspersed with
lacustrine sands and clays, and peat and muck are common. Current vegetation consists of more
than 60 percent non-forested land, most of which is in agricultural crops, with smaller amounts
of grasslands, wetlands, shrublands, and urbanized areas. Forested lands are dominated by maple-
basswood, with smaller amounts of lowland hardwoods, aspen-birch, and lowland conifers. High
quality areas of exposed alkaline bedrock beach occur on the northern Door Peninsula, providing
habitat for many rare plants. In addition, several islands off the Door Peninsula provide critical
habitat for rare species and colonially nesting birds.

Central Lake Michigan Coastal
The Central Lake Michigan Coastal Ecological Landscape stretches from southern Door County
west across Green Bay to the Wolf River drainage, then southward in a narrowing strip along the
Lake Michigan shore to central Milwaukee County. Summers are cooler, winters are warmer, and
precipitation levels are greater in the eastern part of this landscape than at locations farther
inland, owing to the influence of Lake Michigan. Dolostones and shales underlie the glacial
deposits that blanket virtually all of the Central Lake Michigan Coastal Ecological Landscape.
The dolostone Niagara Escarpment is the major bedrock feature, running across the entire
landscape from northeast to southwest. Series of dolostone cliffs provide critical habitat for rare
terrestrial snails, bats, and specialized plants. The primary glacial landforms are ground moraine,
outwash, and lakeplain. The topography is generally rolling where the surface is underlain by
ground moraine, variable over areas of outwash, and nearly level where lacustrine deposits are
present. Important soils include clays, loams, sands, and gravels. Certain landforms, such as sand
spits, clay bluffs, beach and dune complexes, and ridge and swale systems, are associated only
with the shorelines of Lake Michigan and Green Bay. Today approximately 84 percent of this
Ecological Landscape is non-forested. The remaining forest consists mainly of mesic maple-
basswood or maple-beech types, or lowland hardwoods composed of soft maples, ashes, and
elms.
Southeast Glacial Plains
The Southeast Glacial Plains Ecological Landscape makes up the bulk of the non-coastal area in
southeast Wisconsin. This landscape is made up of glacial till plains and moraines composed of
glacial materials deposited during the Wisconsin Ice Age. Agricultural and residential uses have
significantly altered the historic vegetation. Most of the rare natural communities are associated
with the Niagara Escarpment or large moraines. Agriculture and urban land uses dominate, with
forested areas occupying about 10 percent of the area.
GEOLOGY
Two different types of geologic settings, Quaternary geology and bedrock geology, characterize
the Bay-Lake Region. Quaternary geology refers primarily to the effects that continental
glaciations have had on the region within the last 20,000 years and to a lesser extent, the surface
effects of more recent erosion and deposition. Bedrock geology refers to the much older, solid
rock layers that lie beneath Quaternary sediments. Figure 4.1 and Figure 4.2 illustrate the time
span for each of these geologic time periods.

Figure 4.1: Geologic Time Scale
Source: Dr. Andrew MacRae, The University of Calgary, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, 1996.
Figure 4.2: Geologic Eras
Source: USGS, Geologic Time, 1997.

Bedrock Geology
The bedrock units, which underlie the Bay-Lake Region, range in age from Precambrian at depth,
to Silurian at the surface. The oldest are impermeable crystalline rock of Precambrian age at
depths that average more than 1,500 feet below the land surface.
The northern part of the region is underlain by some of the oldest and most complexly formed
rocks in Wisconsin. These rocks, many of which are over one billion years in age, were formed
during the Precambrian Era. The northern bedrock is a continuation of the Canadian Shield and
consists of Lower Precambrian and Middle Precambrian Rocks. The rocks consist largely of
granites and various other igneous and metamorphic rocks that are estimated to be 5,000 to
15,000 feet in thickness.
In the central and southern part of the region, these rocks are overlain by consolidated
sedimentary rocks of Cambrian, Ordovician, and Silurian ages. These sedimentary rocks are
solidified marine sediments that dip southeast towards the center of Lake Michigan at
approximately 45 feet per mile.
Silurian dolostone, often referred to as Niagara, is the uppermost bedrock in the southern portion
of the region. The dolostone bedrock, exposed in outcroppings along the bluffs near the waters of
Green Bay, reaches thicknesses up to 580 feet.
Rocks underlying the Niagara dolostone are not visible in the region. Below the Niagara
dolostone, is a shale formation known as Maquoketa. It reaches a maximum thickness of 450
feet. The Maquoketa Shale overlies a dolostone formation, termed Platteville-Galena, which is
approximately 500 feet in thickness. This rock formation, in turn, overlies Cambrian sandstones,
which are 450 feet thick. All of these sedimentary rock formations overlie Precambrian igneous
rocks.
The Silurian or "Niagara" dolostone is perhaps the most notable bedrock unit within the region.
The rock dips gently to the southeast and is best exposed along the northern shore of Green Bay
as a 60 to 90 foot cliff in the region. This cliff is known as the "Niagara Escarpment". The
Niagara escarpment is a 650-mile geologic landform, made up of Niagara dolostone that crosses
state and national borders. The sickle-shaped cuesta (a ridge with a steep face on one side and a
gentle slope on the other) begins in western New York State and runs through central Ontario
into Michigan, ending in south-central Wisconsin. Within the Bay-Lake Region, the Niagara
Escarpment starts at Washington Island at the tip of Door County and follows southwesterly
along the western edge of the Door Peninsula to the northeast side of the city of Green Bay; it
then turns more southerly and becomes covered with glacial till for several miles throughout
Kewaunee County, it reappears in the regions of Ledgeview and Morrison in southern Brown
County. Map 4.2 displays the location of the Niagara Escarpment in the Bay-Lake Region.
Quaternary Geology
The last glacial ice of Quaternary glaciation, which left northeastern Wisconsin approximately
10,000 years ago, modified the bedrock surface by scouring highlands and depositing material in
lowlands created by pre-glacial erosion. Four types of Quaternary deposits are recognized within
the region, including till, glaciofluvial sediments, shoreline deposits, and organic deposits.
Till, or unstratified drift, is a mixture of unsorted, angular to round-shaped sediments ranging in
size from clay to boulders. Tills are ice-contact deposits originating directly from glacial ice.

Unlike till, glaciofluvial sediments are sorted by particle size that delineates the stratification.
Glaciofluvial sediments were deposited in a fluvioglacial environment involving glacial meltwater
flow. Each individual layer of glaciofluvial sediments are characterized by a given grain size,
ranging from pebbles and cobbles to sand, or finer.
Ground and end moraines are two types of topographic landforms found in the region that consist
primarily of till. A ground moraine is an irregular surface of till that was deposited by a receding
glacier. The steeper slope points in the direction from which the glacier advanced. An end moraine
is an accumulation of earth, stones, and other debris deposited at a glacier’s end stage.
At least one type of topographic landform consisting of glaciofluvial sediments occurs in some
areas of the Bay-Lake Region. This type of topographic feature is an outwash plain, which is an
apron of well-sorted, stratified sand and gravel deposited by glacial meltwater. Glaciofluvial
deposits, which contained large ice blocks that eventually melted, were pitted with depressions
known as kettles. Glaciofluvial deposits of sand and gravel surround many drumlins; but these are
often covered with a thin silt cap.
The most prominent ancient shoreline in the area is that of the Nipissing Great Lakes phase, which
usually occurs at an elevation of 600 to 605 feet above sea level. The highest ancient shoreline in
the area is that of the Algonquin phase, which occurs at elevations between 620 and 658 feet above
sea level.
TOPOGRAPHY
The attractiveness of the Bay-Lake Region is due, in part, to a variety of topographic features.
The general topography of the study area is characterized by a gently rolling landscape broken by
the Niagara Escarpment and areas of steep slope.
Niagara Escarpment
The Niagara Escarpment is a geologic structure known as a cuesta, which has a steep slope on
one side and a gentle slope on the other. The Niagara Escarpment spans an arch of hundreds of
miles from Niagara Falls, New York through Ontario, Canada to Door County and continuing
southwest through Kewaunee, Brown, Manitowoc, Calumet, Fond du Lac, and Dodge Counties.
Map 4.2 displays the location of the Niagara Escarpment as it runs the length of the Door
Peninsula.
The Niagara Escarpment began forming about 400 to 450 million years ago when large areas of
North America were covered by shallow tropical seas. Organic and inorganic materials deposited
at the bottom of these ancient seas formed the rocks of the escarpment. Inorganic materials
included fine rock particles, such as clay and sand and the organic materials consisted of the
remains of living marine creatures that populated the seas. The ancient seas receded for the last
time about 250 million years ago, exposing the strata of the sea floor to the forces of erosion and
powerful earth movements. Movement deep within the earth’s crust tilted and bent the flat
stratified rocks of the ancient sea floor, which contributed to the formation of the steep slope face
of the escarpment and bent it into a gentle arch. The mechanism of the hard and soft rocks
eroding at different rates has allowed the steep slope of the Escarpment to develop. Soft shales
erode at a much faster rate then the harder dolostone above, creating such a large overhang that
the undercut rock breaks away under its own weight. The broken rock then tumbles down the
brow, collecting at the bottom of the ledge. This material is called the talus.

Map 4.2
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Bay-Lake Region
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Source: Joanne Kluessendorf and Donald G. Mikulic; Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission, 2005.

SOILS
Soil is composed of varying proportions of sand, silt, clay, gravel, and organic material. The
composition of a soil affects the specific properties of that soil. These properties must be
evaluated prior to any development.
General Soils Description
The general character soil is largely the result of various glacial depositional processes. Outwash
soils were formed from glacial deposits that were derived from local bedrock formations.
Organic soils developed under a forest cover consisting mainly of conifers and hardwoods in the
north, in a cool and relatively moist climate. Sandy soils were formed from parent materials
derived from sandstone bedrock pulverized by glacial ice.
Soils, in part, determine how much rainfall or snowmelt directly flows into the rivers, lakes, and
wetland, and how much infiltrates the ground. Water that infiltrates the ground replenishes soil
moisture and recharges the groundwater system. Soils are grouped into general soil associations
that have similar patterns of relief and drainage. These associations typically consist of one or
more major soils and some minor soils. The general soil types can be divided into three broad
categories: areas dominated by soils formed in glacial till; areas dominated by soils formed in
glacial outwash and till; and areas dominated by organic soils. Within the Bay-Lake Region,
there are 27 different soil associations.
The soils in the Bay-Lake Region are diverse ranging from sandy loam to loam, or shallow silt
loam, and from poorly drained to well drained. In some areas, lacustrine sands are found
overlying clays or bedrock within only a few feet of the surface. In the Door Peninsula, soils are
typically stony loamy sands to loams. Poorly drained sands are common in the lake plain or in
depressions between dunes and beach ridges. On the western side of Green Bay, the ground
moraine is composed mostly of moderately well drained, rocky sandy loams interspersed with
lacustrine sands and clays, and peat and muck. Important soils in the southern part of the region
include clays, loams, sands, and gravels.
Prime Agricultural Lands
The USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) defines prime farmland as land
that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed,
fiber, forage, oilseed, and other agricultural crops, with minimum inputs of fuel, fertilizer,
pesticides, and labor, and without intolerable soil erosion. Prime farmland includes land that is
being used currently to produce livestock and timber. It does not include land already committed
to urban development or water storage.
Two classes of prime farmland are identified; those areas that are considered prime farmland at
all times and those areas that are considered prime farmland only where drained. The rest of the
region is classified as not prime farmland.
WATER RESOURCES
Wisconsin is divided into three major water basins each identified by the primary waterbody into
which the basin drains. In Wisconsin, there is the Lake Superior Basin, Mississippi River Basin
and the Lake Michigan Basin. The Bay-Lake Region is wholly contained within the Lake
Michigan Basin. The larger Major Basins are hydrologically divided into sub-basins or Water

Management Units (WMUs). Of the 24 sub-basins in Wisconsin, five (wholly or in part) are
within the Bay-Lake Region. These are the Upper Green Bay Basin, the Lower Fox River Basin,
the Lakeshore Basin, the Sheboygan River Basin, and a small part of the Milwaukee River Basin
in southern Sheboygan County. Map 4.3 displays the Lake Michigan Basin and the sub-basins in
the Bay-Lake Region.

Map 4.3
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Watersheds
A watershed is defined as an interconnected area of land draining from surrounding ridges to a
common point such as a lake or stream confluence with a neighboring watershed. All lands and
waterways can be found within one watershed or another.
The Bay-Lake Region encompasses some of the most scenic and critical watersheds within
Wisconsin. The Region has 42 watersheds and they are all part of the Lake Michigan basin;
therefore, all the watersheds in the Bay-Lake Region’s eight counties drain to Lake Michigan
through Green Bay, major rivers, or direct drainage to the Lake.
Surface Waters
Major surface waters within the planning area include Lake Michigan and the bay of Green Bay,
the Fox River, and the Menominee River. The largest surface water resource within the region is
the bay of Green Bay and Lake Michigan.
Outstanding and Exceptional Resource Waters
The Bay-Lake Region has 88 Outstanding Resource Waters and 5 Exceptional Resource Waters.
Wisconsin's “Outstanding and Exceptional Resource Waters Program” was designed by the State
to maintain the water quality in Wisconsin's cleanest waters. Outstanding and Exceptional
Resource Waters have been designated as such in NR 102.10 and NR 102.11 of the Wisconsin
Administrative Code, Water Quality Standards for Wisconsin Surface Waters. An Outstanding
Resource Water is a lake or stream having excellent water quality, high recreational and aesthetic
value, high quality fishing, and free from point and nonpoint source pollution. An Exceptional
Resource Water is a lake or stream exhibiting the same high quality resource values as an
Outstanding Resource Water, but it may be impacted by point or nonpoint sources of pollution or
have the potential for receiving a wastewater discharge from a non-sewered community in the
future. Table 4.1 lists the Outstanding Water Resource Lakes in the region that have been
designated by the state of Wisconsin under Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 102. NR 102
establishes water quality standards for different classes of surface waters in the state.
Table 4.1: Outstanding Resource LAKES in the Bay-Lake Region
Outstanding Resource Lakes County
Edith Lake Florence
Keyes Lake Florence
Lost Lake Florence
Perch Lake Florence
Riley Lake, South Florence
Caldron Falls Flowage Marinette
Archibald Lake Oconto
Bass Lake Oconto
Bear Paw lake Oconto
Boot Lake Oconto
Chain Lake Oconto
Source: Wisconsin Administrative Code, NR 102, 2001.
The following streams and rivers have been designated as outstanding or exceptional resource
waters by the state of Wisconsin. Table 4.2 lists the rivers, streams, and creeks that are
Outstanding Water Resource waters and Table 4.3 lists the Exceptional Water Resource waters in
the Bay-Lake Region. They have been designated as such by the state of Wisconsin under

Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 102. NR 102 establishes water quality standards for
different classes of surface waters in the state.
Map 4.4 displays the watersheds within the Bay-Lake Region. These watersheds have been
classified as either Priority or Non-Priority watersheds for water quality purposes by the
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Three watersheds, the Fox (the Fox River
watershed includes the East River, Duck Creek, and Apple/Ashwaubenon Creeks Priority
Watersheds), the Menominee, and the Sheboygan Rivers, have been designated as Great Lakes
Areas of Concern (AOCs) by the International Joint Commission. AOCs are required to have a
Remedial Action Plan (RAP) and implement the RAP to address contamination issues in the
watershed.
Priority Watersheds
The Wisconsin Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Abatement Program (NPS Program) was
created in 1978 by the State Legislature and is managed by the WDNR. This program selected
priority watersheds based on numerous factors including, but not limited to the potential for
unique species to respond positively to nonpoint source controls and sensitivity to phosphorus
loading. The program has provided financial and technical assistance to landowners and local
governments to reduce nonpoint source pollution by addressing land management activities that
contribute to urban and rural runoff. The Program funds such activities as implementation of
watershed and lake projects; installation of best management practices; reductions in
sediment/soil loss from uplands, streams, and gullies; phosphorus reductions from barnyards and
croplands; and activities to protect the shoreline and habitat in a watershed or lake.
As of January 2004, 16 watersheds within the Bay-Lake Region have been designated as Priority
Watersheds. Each of the 16 priority watersheds have been listed below with a brief description.
Apple/Ashwaubenon Creeks Watershed was designated a priority watershed in 1994. It is 113

square miles in size, of which approximately 60 percent lies within Outagamie County and 40
percent is located within Brown County. There are 171 miles of named and unnamed streams in
the watershed, all of which empty into the Fox River. Apple Creek, a 24-mile creek, is usually
dry except for scattered pools near road crossings and toward the mouth of the river where it
drains into the Fox River. Sources of nonpoint pollutants include stormwater runoff, erosion,
phosphorous loading from upland agricultural fields, cattle pasturing along stream banks and
hills, and sedimentation. Ashwaubenon Creek, a 15-mile sluggish, hard water stream, flows
through agricultural and residential Brown County. In the agricultural portion of the stream, the
stream banks and hills are bare and eroded due to cattle pasturing. The residential portion of the
stream is filled with litter and debris. Land use in the watershed is primarily agriculture and
residential, though industrial areas do exist in the urban areas of Green Bay and the north side of
Appleton. Many intermittent tributaries discharge to Apple and Ashwaubenon Creeks and serve
as the transport system for rain runoff; the headwaters are often dry in summer.
Branch River Watershed was designated in 1993. It is located eight miles southeast of the city of
Green Bay and approximately 15 miles northeast of the city of Manitowoc. It drains 107 square
miles of land in Brown and Manitowoc Counties and is located within the Manitowoc River
Basin. Approximately 41,656 acres of the Branch River Watershed lies within the boundaries of
Manitowoc County and 27,020 acres within Brown County. Land use in the Branch River
Watershed is primarily dairy farming with the intensity of cropland, pastures, and cattle numbers

appearing to be the greatest in the headwaters of the watershed. Most of the watershed’s
population lives in rural unincorporated areas. Sources of rural nonpoint pollutants occur from
barnyard runoff, stream bank erosion, gully erosion, and sediment loading from croplands.
Duck Creek Watershed was designated in 1994. Of its 152-square mile area, 62 percent lies in
Outagamie County with the remaining 38 percent in Brown County. Duck Creek is a 42-mile
hard water stream that originates in Burma Swamp, located in central Outagamie County, and
winds northeast until it empties into Green Bay, just north of the city of Green Bay. Land use in
the watershed is predominately agricultural in the upstream portions with growing residential use
in and near the Green Bay metropolitan area. Sources of nonpoint pollutants include
sedimentation and phosphorus from upland agricultural fields. Upland areas account for well
over 80 percent of the overall load. Eroding stream banks and improperly managed livestock
operations are also contributors of nonpoint pollution.
East and West Branch Milwaukee River Watershed was designated in 1984. It covers 266 square
miles and is located in portions of Dodge, Fond du Lac, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, and Washington
counties. Land cover is primarily rural with agriculture dominating. Sources of nonpoint
pollutants included wetland drainage, and urban and agricultural runoff contributing nutrients
and sediment.
East River Watershed was designated in 1986. This watershed drains areas of land situated
between the village of Wrightstown and Lake Michigan. The watershed area includes the East
River Watershed (148 square miles), the lower portion of the Fox River from the village of
Wrightstown to the bay of Green Bay (28 square miles), and the small streams to the east side of
the bay of Green Bay (33 square miles). The East River Watershed drains approximately 209
square miles and contains more than 260 miles of streams. The watershed lies mostly in Brown
County (99 percent), with a portion in Calumet and Manitowoc Counties. The majority of the
population resides in incorporated areas primary concentrated in the metropolitan area of the
cities of Green Bay and De Pere, and the villages of Ashwaubenon, Allouez, and Bellevue. The
predominant land uses within the watershed are rural, consisting of agricultural and related open
space uses, including woodlands and wetlands. Sources of rural nonpoint pollutants include
sediment loading from cropland and eroding stream banks, polluted runoff from barnyards and
feedlots, and runoff from winter-spread manure. Sources of urban nonpoint pollutants include
construction sites, freeways, industrial areas, commercial areas, and residential areas.
Kewaunee River Watershed was designated in 1982. It traverses central Kewaunee County and
eastern Brown County. Of the watershed’s 139 square miles, 82 percent lies in Kewaunee
County. The watershed is predominantly agricultural. Sources of rural nonpoint pollutants most
commonly found in this watershed include sediment from crop and stream bank erosion, polluted
runoff from barnyards and feedlots, and runoff from winter-spread with livestock manure.
Little River Watershed was designated in 1983. It is located in northern Oconto and southern
Marinette Counties on the east shore of Green Bay. It included the lands draining to Little River
and its tributaries. The Little River joins with the Oconto River about 11 stream miles from
Green Bay. The watershed covers 218 square miles: 205 square miles in Oconto County and 13
square miles in Marinette County. The watershed is mostly rural in nature with about two-thirds
of the area in agricultural use and one-third in uncultivated wetlands. Dairy farming is the major
type of agriculture in the area, with few other types of livestock operations and very little cash

grain. The only incorporated area within the watershed is the village of Lena. Sources of
nonpoint pollutants included upland erosion, stream bank erosion, barnyard runoff, and manure
spreading runoff.
Lower Manitowoc River Watershed was designated in 1979. The Lower Manitowoc River
watershed includes the 168-square mile area of land that extends from the confluence of the
North and South branches of the Manitowoc River and flows easterly approximately 36 miles
before entering Lake Michigan. More than 90 percent of this part of the watershed is within
Manitowoc County; the remaining portions lie in Brown and Calumet counties. Most of the land
use along the river is agricultural and sources of nonpoint pollutants included cropland and
stream bank erosion, and barnyard runoff.
Middle Peshtigo and Thunder Rivers Watershed was designated in 1995. The Middle Peshtigo
and Thunder Rivers Watershed is located in central Marinette County and northeastern Oconto
County. The land use in this 194-mile basin consists of mostly forested areas with some rural
residential, recreational, and a small amount of agriculture in the southeast portion of the
watershed. Sources of nonpoint pollutants include runoff from agriculture and forestry areas.
North Branch Manitowoc River Watershed was designated in 1979. The watershed is part of the
Lake Michigan basin. The main stem of the Manitowoc River, formed by the confluence of the
North and South branches of the Manitowoc River, flows easterly approximately 36 miles before
entering Lake Michigan. Most of the land use along the river is agricultural. The North Branch of
the Manitowoc River Watershed is a 77-square mile area of land tha is primarily in northeastern
Calumet County, but has a small part in northwestern Manitowoc County. Sources of nonpoint
pollutants include cropland and stream bank erosion, and barnyard runoff.
Pensaukee River Watershed was designated in 1994 or 1996. The Pensaukee River Watershed is
a 164-square mile drainage basin located approximately 25 miles north of the city of Green Bay
and 12 miles east of the city of Shawano. Most of the watershed’s population lives in rural
unincorporated areas. Farming is of vital importance to this area’s economy, as agriculture
companies are the predominant land use in the watershed. Sources of rural nonpoint pollutants
include sediment from crop and stream bank erosion, polluted runoff from barnyards and
feedlots, and runoff from winter-spread with livestock manure. Population trends in the
watershed appear stable, with population and new home construction projected to increase
steadily through the year 2015. This is due largely in part to the expansion of State Highway 29
west from Green Bay, as well as the previous expansion of U.S. Highway 41 north of the city of
Green Bay.
Pigeon River Watershed was designated in 1995. The Pigeon River is a 30-mile long tributary of
Lake Michigan that lies within the Sheboygan River Basin. It forms at the confluence of the
Pigeon and Meeme River Branches near the Sheboygan-Manitowoc county line. Sources of
nonpoint pollutants include sedimentation, stream bank erosion, and construction and feedlot
runoff.
Red River and Sturgeon Bay Watershed was designated in 1992. This 139-square mile drainage
area is a sub-basin of the Twin-Door-Kewaunee basin that is located within the southern portion
of the Door County peninsula, and Kewaunee and Brown Counties. The only incorporated area in
the watershed is the city of Sturgeon Bay, where the majority of the watershed’s population lives.
Unincorporated areas include the villages of Brussels and Dyckesville. Sources of nonpoint

pollutants in the watershed come from animal lot runoff, winter-spread manure, cropland
erosion, improperly sited manure storage, stream bank erosion, and urban runoff. Pollutants
found in runoff from agricultural and urban lands include sediment, phosphorus, nitrogen,
bacteria, pesticides, and oxygen demanding materials. In addition, urban runoff may contain
heavy metals and a large number of toxic organic chemicals (i.e. PCBs). Karst features such as
sinkholes, caves, swales, exposed bedrock, and fracture traces are prevalent in many areas of the
watershed.
Sevenmile - Silver Creeks Watershed was designated in 1986. The Sevenmile - Silver Creeks
Watershed includes Silver, Calvin, Pine, Point, Fisher, and Centerville creeks. Agriculture is by
far the dominant land use, making up 87 percent of all land uses in the watershed (WDNR,
1997). Sources of rural nonpoint pollutants most commonly found in this watershed include
sediment from crop and stream bank erosion, polluted runoff from barnyards and feedlots, and
runoff from winter-spread of livestock manure.
Sheboygan River Watershed was designated in 1985. The Sheboygan River originates in east-
central Wisconsin and drains an area of land situated between Lake Winnebago and Lake
Michigan. The watershed is a sub-basin of the larger Sheboygan River drainage basin that
includes the Sheboygan River, the Pigeon River, Mullet River, Onion River, Black River, and
direct tributaries to Lake Michigan. The Sheboygan River Watershed drains approximately 260
square miles. The watershed lies in portions of four counties: Sheboygan County, having the
largest contributing drainage area with about 52 percent of the watershed; Fond du Lac County,
containing about 30 percent of the watershed; Calumet County, containing about 7 percent; and
Manitowoc County, making up about 11 percent of the watershed. The majority of the population
living in the watershed resides in incorporated areas, primarily concentrated in the metropolitan
area of Sheboygan and Sheboygan Falls, the city of Kiel, and the village of Kohler. Land uses in
the watershed are primarily rural. Most of the land is used for agricultural purposes, with milk
production and dairy products being the predominant industry in all four counties. Sources of
rural nonpoint pollutants most commonly found in this watershed include sediment from crop
and stream bank erosion, polluted runoff from barnyards and feedlots, and runoff from winter-
spread of livestock manure. Sources of urban nonpoint pollutants include construction sites,
freeways, industrial areas, commercial areas, and residential areas. The Sheboygan River
Watershed is the most studied watershed in the Sheboygan River Basin. Many researchers have
conducted studies to determine the effects of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) uptake in fish and
wildlife in the lower 14 miles of the Sheboygan River. This section of the river is listed as a
Federal Superfund site. The U.S. EPA and others are currently evaluating clean up alternatives
for this site.
Upper Door Peninsula Watershed was designated in 1984. It includes the northern portion of the
Door County peninsula from the Sturgeon Bay ship canal to the northern tip of the county,
including Washington Island and Chambers Island. The Upper Door has a mix of rural
agricultural land use and tourist-associated land use. The interior of the peninsula from Sturgeon
Bay north to a line drawn from approximately Fish Creek to Bailey’s Harbor is predominantly
agricultural land use. North of the line, agricultural land use exists to a much lesser degree and
fallow lands are common. The shoreline of Sturgeon Bay, Green Bay, and Lake Michigan are
lined mostly with seasonal residential dwellings. Sources of nonpoint pollutants included eroding

agricultural lands, eroding stream banks and roadsides, poorly manages livestock wastes, erosion
from both established and developed urban areas, and stormwater runoff from urban areas.
Non-Priority Watersheds
The other 26 watersheds within the Bay-Lake Region have been designated as Non-Priority
Watersheds through the Wisconsin Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Abatement Program (NPS
Program). Each of the twenty-eight non-priority watersheds have been listed below with a brief
description.
Ahnapee River Watershed covers northern Kewaunee County and southern Door County. This
136-mile watershed contains the Ahnapee River, which flows through predominantly agricultural
lands and wetlands. The watershed is particularly susceptible to groundwater degradation due to
its shallow soils and exposed, fractured dolostone bedrock. Sources of nonpoint pollutants
include sediment deposition and nutrient enrichment from agricultural land erosion. This
watershed received a “high” groundwater ranking for selection as a priority watershed project.
Black River Watershed is located entirely within Sheboygan County and contains the 11-mile
Black River. It is characterized primarily as natural lowlands with adjacent agricultural areas.
Sources of rural and urban nonpoint source pollutants include channel modification, construction
site erosion, and increased imperviousness contribute to flashy flows, increased nutrients,
bacteria, and sedimentation.
Brule River Watershed is located in Florence County and creates the border between northeast
Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This 195-mile watershed is predominantly forested
with some residential and industrial land uses. Nonpoint source pollutants include sedimentation,
produced largely in part to forestry management practices, highway and residential construction,
and power generation. Other sources include stream bank erosion, and water and wind erosion
from farmland.
East Twin River Watershed, which is 184 square miles, is located in northeastern Manitowoc
County and southeastern Kewaunee County. The primary land use is agriculture, but some
industrial land uses border the river in the city of Two Rivers. Urban development is restricted
primarily to the Two Rivers area. Sources of nonpoint pollutants include cropland erosion,
stream bank, woodlot pasturing, gully erosion, and construction site and barnyard runoff.
Little Peshtigo River Watershed is located in southwestern Marinette County and extends in
eastern Oconto County. The land use is largely agricultural with scattered areas of wetlands and
small, forested areas. There are some water quality problems resulting from nonpoint sources
runoff into the lakes and streams. This watershed drains into the Peshtigo River.
Lower North Branch Oconto River Watershed lies in central Oconto County with small portions
extending into Marinette and Menominee Counties, along with overlapping into the Headwaters
Basin (Forest and Langlade Counties). There are a number of inland lakes throughout the basin
and wetlands are abundant in the southeastern portion of the watershed. A large part of the
watershed is forested with some areas of agricultural lands found in the lower reaches of the
Peshtigo Brook.
Lower Oconto River Watershed is located in central Oconto County with small portions
extending into northern Shawano and eastern Menominee counties and drains into Green Bay.

There is some agricultural activity along with a few small communities and three hydroelectric
power dames in this watershed.
Lower Peshtigo River Watershed is located in southeastern Marinette County where the Peshtigo
River drains into Green Bay. The watershed includes the city of Peshtigo and part of the City of
Marinette. A portion of the watershed is forested with some agricultural use. There are some
large areas of wetlands in the watershed.
Middle Inlet and Lake Noquebay Watershed was designated in 1992. It is located entirely within
Marinette County in the Upper Green Bay Basin. The watershed area is a 156-square mile
drainage basin that drains to The Outlet and Peterman Brook. The entire watershed drains to the
Peshtigo River, which in turn drains to the bay of Green Bay. Seasonal residents and weekend
vacationers make up a large portion of the rural population. Approximately one-half of the
village of Crivitz lives within the watershed boundary. Rural land use dominates this watershed,
with forests being the predominant land cover. Agriculture, primarily dairy farming, is the next
predominant land use. Sources of nonpoint pollutants are mainly of agricultural sources from
eroding agricultural lands and stream banks, field application of manure, fertilizers and
pesticides, and runoff from livestock wastes. There is little developed land in the watershed, but
urban lands do contribute some nonpoint sources of pollutants including storm sewers, roads,
ditches, and riparian development.
Mullet River Watershed is about 88 square miles and it originates at the outlet of Mullet Lake in
Fond du Lac County, running northeast into Sheboygan County. The river then runs east and
drains into the Sheboygan River near Sheboygan Falls. Land use in the Mullet River watershed is
primarily agricultural. Sources of nonpoint pollutants include runoff from barnyards, eroding
agricultural lands, and stream bank erosion.
North Branch Milwaukee River Watershed was designated in 1984. The North Branch
Milwaukee River Watershed is located in portions of Sheboygan, Ozaukee, and Washington
counties and has a drainage area of 150 square miles. Land cover is primarily rural with
agriculture dominant. Sources of nonpoint pollutants included runoff from animal waste,
sedimentation from crop fields, urban construction sites, and stream bank erosion.
Onion River Watershed was designated in 1980. The Onion River Watershed was one of the first
watersheds targeted under the Nonpoint Source Water Pollution Abatement Program. The
watershed covers about 98 square miles and has 124 miles of streams. It flows southerly for
about half its length before turning northward, entering the Sheboygan River in the city of
Sheboygan Falls. Belgium Creek is the only major tributary to the Onion River. Land use in the
watershed is primarily agricultural. The entire village of Waldo, most of the village of Belgium,
and small portions of the village of Cedar Grove, and the city of Sheboygan Falls comprise the
urban areas of the watershed. Sources of nonpoint pollutants included sedimentation, agricultural
and urban runoff, pasturing practices, and stream bank erosion.
Otter Creek and Rat River Watershed originates in Forest County (Headwaters Basin) and most
of the watershed is within the Headwaters Basin. A small portion of the watershed extends into
east-central Marinette County. The watershed streams are comprised mostly of trout streams with
a small number of warm water streams. Wetlands are found throughout the watershed and the
majority of the watershed is wooded and wild with a small amount of agricultural use.

Pemebonwon River and Middle Menominee Watershed is located in Florence and Marinette
counties and covers 291 square miles. The watershed is predominantly forested and flows to the
Menominee River. Nonpoint source pollutants include sedimentation (produced largely from
forestry management practices), highway and residential construction, stream bank erosion, and
water and wind erosion from farmland.
Pike River Watershed is located in Marinette County. This 285-square mile area is sparsely
populated and largely undeveloped, and is listed as a Wild River*. Woodland and wetlands
predominate in the watershed. Nonpoint source pollutants include sedimentation from forestry
management practices, and residential construction.
*A Wild River is designated as such in the Wisconsin Statutes Section 30.26. The Statute states that the Wild Rivers
must remain in a free flowing condition containing no dams or other artificial development or structures that hinder
the flow of the stream, and they must remain in a natural condition, free from most development or alteration. For
more information, see the “Wild Rivers” section of this chapter under the heading of “Rivers and Streams”.
Pine River Watershed is located in Florence and northern Forest counties and has an area of 343
square miles. The Pine River is 89 miles in length. The area is sparsely populated and largely
undeveloped, and is listed as a Wild River. Woodlands, wetlands, and undeveloped open space
cover more 92 percent of the watershed.
Plum and Kankapot Creeks Watershed is an 84-square mile watershed of primarily agricultural
land located mostly in Outagamie and Calumet Counties with a portion in southwestern Brown
County. The watershed includes the village of Wrightstown in Brown County, most of the Fox
Cities area from Kaukauna to Appleton, and village of Sherwood in Calumet County. Plum
Creek is a 19-mile stream with poor water quality. The headwaters are intensively farmed. The
lower reaches have very steep banks that prohibit pasturing and cropping. Sources of nonpoint
pollutants include cropland erosion, stream bank pasturing in the upper reaches, and barnyard
runoff. Kankapot Creek is a 9-mile stream with poor water quality. Sources of nonpoint
pollutants include stream banks and gully erosion. The watershed is currently eligible for
selection as a priority watershed under the Wisconsin Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement
Program.
Popple River Watershed is located in Florence and northern Forest counties and has an area of
231 square miles. The Popple River is the main tributary to the Pine River. It is over 62 miles in
length and averages a width of 60 feet. The area is sparsely populated and largely undeveloped.
The Popple River is listed as a Wild River.
Sauk and Sucker Creeks Watershed includes a small portion of Sheboygan County, but is
predominately in Ozaukee County. Sauk and Sucker Creeks flow southward entering into Lake
Michigan in and near Port Washington. Agriculture is the dominant land use in the Sauk and
Sucker Creek Watershed; however, it is an urbanizing watershed. Sources of nonpoint pollutants
include erosion from construction sites, run off from impervious surfaces, agricultural runoff,
stream bank erosion, and sedimentation.
South Branch Manitowoc River Watershed was designated in 1979. The watershed is part of the
Lake Michigan basin. The south branch of the Manitowoc River flows easterly to Lake
Michigan. Most of the land use along the river is agricultural. The South Branch Manitowoc
River watershed includes a 189-square mile area of land that extends from the confluence of the
North and South branches of the Manitowoc River. More than 90 percent of this part of the

watershed is within Manitowoc County; the remaining portions lie in Brown and Calumet
counties. Sources of nonpoint pollutants included cropland and stream bank erosion, and
barnyard runoff.
South Branch Oconto River Watershed is situated in west-central Oconto County, extending into
Menominee County and a small portion in Langlade County (Headwaters Basin). The majority of
the streams in this watershed are trout waters. Most of the inland lakes are located in the northern
half of the watershed, and wetlands areas are found in the southern half of the watershed.
Stony Creek Watershed is a small watershed in eastern Door County with a portion extending
into northeastern Kewaunee County. Stony Creek is 14 miles long and has been ditched in some
sections. The watershed is particularly susceptible to groundwater quality problems due to
prevalent shallow soils and the exposed, fractured dolostone bedrock. Land use is mainly
agricultural, with limited residential development. Sources of nonpoint pollutants include
sediment deposition and nutrient enrichment from agricultural land erosion. This watershed
received a “high” groundwater ranking for selection as a priority watershed project.
Suamico and Little Suamico Rivers Watershed is located in Brown County and southern Oconto
County and includes the village of Suamico. The watershed, which drains to Green Bay, is a mix
of urban and agricultural land uses and is rapidly urbanizing. Sources of nonpoint pollutants
include erosion from construction sites, runoff from impervious surfaces, agricultural runoff,
stream bank erosion, and sedimentation.
Upper Peshtigo River Watershed originates in Forest County (Headwaters Basin) and most of the
watershed is within the Headwaters Basin. The watershed extends into Marinette County
including Caldron Falls Flowage and a small portion of Oconto County. It is largely forested with
abundant wetlands throughout much of the watershed. Some recreational and agricultural lands
are present as well.
Wausaukee and Lower Menominee Rivers Watershed with a drainage area of 187 square miles,
begins at the junction of the Wausaukee River with the Menominee River and flows in a
southeasterly direction into the west side of the bay of Green Bay. It located within Marinette
County and bordered on the east side by the State of Michigan. Nonpoint source pollutants
include sedimentation (produced largely in part to forestry management practices), highway and
residential construction, power generation, stream bank erosion, and water and wind erosion
from farmland.
West Twin River Watershed consists of 180-square miles located in north central Manitowoc
County, southeastern Brown County, and a small portion extends into southwestern Kewaunee
County. The primary land use is agriculture, but some industrial land uses border the river in the
city of Two Rivers. Urban development is restricted primarily to the Two Rivers area. Sources of
nonpoint pollutants include cropland erosion, stream bank, woodlot pasturing, gully erosion, and
construction site and barnyard runoff.
Surface Waters
Major surface waters within the planning area include Lake Michigan and the bay of Green Bay,
the Fox River, and the Menominee River. The largest surface water resource within the region is
the bay of Green Bay and Lake Michigan.

Outstanding and Exceptional Resource Waters
The Bay-Lake Region has 88 Outstanding Resource Waters and 5 Exceptional Resource Waters.
Wisconsin's “Outstanding and Exceptional Resource Waters Program” was designed by the State
to maintain the water quality in Wisconsin's cleanest waters. Outstanding and Exceptional
Resource Waters have been designated as such in NR 102.10 and NR 102.11 of the Wisconsin
Administrative Code, Water Quality Standards for Wisconsin Surface Waters. An Outstanding
Resource Water is a lake or stream having excellent water quality, high recreational and aesthetic
value, high quality fishing, and free from point and nonpoint source pollution. An Exceptional
Resource Water is a lake or stream exhibiting the same high quality resource values as an
Outstanding Resource Water, but it may be impacted by point or nonpoint sources of pollution or
have the potential for receiving a wastewater discharge from a non-sewered community in the
future. Table 4.1 lists the Outstanding Water Resource Lakes in the region that have been
designated by the state of Wisconsin under Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 102. NR 102
establishes water quality standards for different classes of surface waters in the state.
Table 4.1: Outstanding Resource LAKES in the Bay-Lake Region

Outstanding Resource Lakes County
Edith Lake Florence
Keyes Lake Florence
Lost Lake Florence
Perch Lake Florence
Riley Lake, South Florence
Caldron Falls Flowage Marinette
Archibald Lake Oconto
Bass Lake Oconto
Bear Paw lake Oconto
Boot Lake Oconto
Chain Lake Oconto
The following streams and rivers have been designated as outstanding or exceptional resource
waters by the state of Wisconsin. Table 4.2 lists the rivers, streams, and creeks that are
Outstanding Water Resource waters and Table 4.3 lists the Exceptional Water Resource waters
in the Bay-Lake Region. They have been designated as such by the state of Wisconsin under
Wisconsin Administrative Code NR 102. NR 102 establishes water quality standards for
different classes of surface waters in the state.

Table 4.2: Outstanding Resource RIVERS and STREAMS in the Bay-Lake Region
Outstanding Resource Waters County Outstanding Resource Waters County
Logan Creek Door Little Harvey Creek (tributary) Marinette
Mink River Lost Creek (tributary)
Black Earth Creek (above the easternmost CTY KP crossing) MacIntire Creek (tributary)
Brule River and Tributaries Florence Sackerson Creek (tributary)
Montagne Creek (tributary) Shinns Creek (tributary)
Riley Creek (tributary) Sidney Creek (tributary)
Pine River/Popple River* and Tributaries Smeesters Creek (tributary)
Chipmunk Creek (tributary) Springdale Brook (tributary)
Cody Creek (tributary) Whiskey Creek (tributary)
Haley Creek (tributary) Cedarville Creek
Haymarsh Creek (tributary) Otter Creek
LaMontagne Creek (tributary) Holmes Creek
Lepage Creek (tributary) East Thunder Creek
Lunds Creek (tributary) North Fork Thunder River
Martin Creek (tributary) Eagle Creek
Olson Creek (tributary) Little Eagle Creek
Patten Creek (tributary) Plumadore Creek
Pine Creek (tributary) Meadow Brook
Riley Creek (tributary) Upper Middle Inlet Creek
Rock Creek (tributary) Middle Inlet Creek
Simpson Creek (tributary) Wausaukee River
Seven Mile Creek (tributary) Little Wausaukee Creek
Wakefield Creek (tributary) Coldwater Brook
Woods Creek (tributary) Medicine Brook
Little Popple River South Branch Miscauno River
Little Scarboro Creek Kewaunee Miscauno River
Pike River* and Tributaries Marinette Swede John Creek
Little South Branch Pike River (tributary) South Branch Pemebonwon River
Camp D Creek (tributary) Spikehorn Creek
Camp F Creek (tributary) Silver Creek
Camp 9 Creek (tributary) Little Silver Creek
Cole Creek (tributary) Sullivan Creek
Glen Creek (tributary) North Branch Beaver Creek & Tributaries
Harvey Creek (tributary) First South Branch Oconto River Oconto
North Branch Harvey Creek (tributary) Second South Branch Oconto River
South Branch Harvey Creek (tributary) South Branch Oconto River
Hemlock Creek (tributary) Hills Pond Creek
Holloway Creek (tributary) Nichols Creek Sheboygan
K.C. Creek (tributary) *Wild & Scenic Rivers
Table 4.3: Exceptional Resource Waters in the Bay-Lake Region

Exceptional Resource Waters County Portion
North Branch Oconto River Oconto
South Branch Oconto River Oconto
Casco Creek Kewaunee T24N R24E S19 downstream of Rock Ledge to Kewaunee River
Branch River Manitowoc
Ben Nutt Creek Sheboygan Class II Portion to Junction with Mill Creek

Map 4.4
Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors
Brule Riv
er Watersheds
Pine River
Bay-Lake Region
Popple River
Pemebonwon and
Middle Menominee Rivers
Upper Peshtigo River
Pike River
Upper Peshtigo River
Otter Creek and Rat River Wausaukee and

Lower Menominee Rivers
Upper Door County
Middle Peshtigo
and Thunder Rivers Middle Inlet
and Lake Noquebay
South Branch
Oconto River
Lower North
Branch Oconto River
Lo
we
r Pe
y
sh
unt
Little Peshtigo River ti go
Co
Ri
ve
or
r
Do
per
South Branch
Up
Oconto River
Little River
Lower Oconto River

Shawano Lake Red River
and Sturgeon Bay
Pensaukee River
Stony
Creek
Suamico and
Ah
Little Suamico Rivers

nap
ee
Riv
er
Duck Creek
Kew
au nee R
iv e r
er
Riv
st
Apple and
Ea
Ashwaubenon Creeks
East Tw
in
W
es
River
tT
wi
nR
Plum and
Br
iv
Kankapot Creeks
er
an
ch
Ri
ve
r
North Branch
Manitowoc River
Lower Manitowoc River

45
Sevenmile
South Branch and Silver Creeks
Manitowoc River
Pige
on
Rive
Sheboygan River
.
r
M
ul
le
tR
iv
er
East and West

On
Branches Milwaukee River

i on
Ri
Black River
ve
10 5 0 10 20
r
North Branch
Milwaukee River
Sauk and Sucker Creeks Miles
Lakes
There are 1,314 lakes within the Bay-Lake Region. Appendix A lists the lakes of the Region, the
county, and their size, depth, and location. Of the 1,314 documented lakes in the Region, only
about 54 percent have actually been named. The acreage of the Region’s lakes varies greatly,
ranging from 1 acre to 2,409 acres with Lake Noquebay in Marinette County. Only 286 or 41
percent of the Region’s lakes are larger than 20 acres, but they
constitute more than 91 percent of the surface area of the Most Common Lake Names in
Region’s inland lakes. The total inland lake surface acreage in the Bay-Lake Region:
the Region approaches 38,000 acres. The depth of the Region’s MUD LAKE 12
also varies a great deal, ranging from one foot to a maximum BASS LAKE 7
LOST LAKE 7
depth of 119 feet in Elkhart Lake (Big Elkhart Lake) in LONG LAKE 6
Sheboygan County. Map 5.1 displays all of the navigable PERCH LAKE 6
waters, which includes lakes, of the Bay-Lake Region. Source: WDNR, Wisconsin Lakes Book, 2001.
In addition to the inland lakes, portions of Lakes Michigan and Green Bay lie within Wisconsin’s
boundaries. Lake Michigan is one of the Great Lakes that together add nearly 6.5 million acres of
water to Wisconsin. Although Lake Michigan is far from being contained “within” the Region,
much of its western shorelands lie within county boundaries of the Bay-Lake Counties. Green
Bay, which is a part of Lake Michigan, it is often studied independently as the Bay is very
different from the rest of Lake Michigan and is quite separated by the extent of the Bay.
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is the second largest Great Lake by volume, and the sixth largest lake in the
world with a total area of 67,900 square miles, 307 miles long, and 118 miles wide. It is bordered
by the States of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan and it is the only Great Lake entirely
within the boundaries of the United States and drains a land area of 45,600 square miles. Within
the Bay-Lake Region, Lake Michigan borders on Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, and Sheboygan
counties. The Lake Michigan bottom type consists mainly of bedrock on exposed shores, and
sand within the bays and shallow shores. Access for larger pleasure crafts is restricted to harbor
sites because of the rocky, shallow, and sandy shores. Smallmouth bass, northern pike, and
yellow perch are the dominant sport fishes, with the occasional walleye and rainbow trout. Most
sport fishing occurs in the bays.
Green Bay
The Bay of Green Bay is an arm of Lake Michigan. It starts on the south-west coast of Michigan's
Upper Peninsula and runs along the east coast of Wisconsin. It is separated from the rest of the
Lake Michigan by the Door Peninsula in Wisconsin, the Garden Peninsula in Michigan, and the
chain of islands between them. Green Bay is some 120 miles long, with a width ranging from
about 10 to 20 miles. The Fox River flows into the head of the bay at the city of Green Bay.
The Green Bay shoreline covers portions of Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, and Oconto
Counties. The Door County shoreline alone is 133 miles long and contains 11 islands.
The Green Bay fishery consists of yellow perch, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and walleyes.
Public access is available from several roads, public hunting grounds, public access sites with
boat ramps, and navigable water from the Little Suamico, Oconto, Menominee, Peshtigo,
Suamico, and Fox Rivers, and Duck Creek. Green Bay has one of the most productive Great

Lakes fisheries, but it has received decades of wastes from a very large concentration of pulp and
paper mills.
PCB contamination in the Green Bay is another unfortunate outcome of the pulp and paper mills
that existed along the Fox River. Decades of discharge from the mills into the Fox River-Green
Bay system has lead to its present contamination level of an estimated 50,000 kilograms (110,000
lbs.) of PCBs. The majority of the PCB contamination exists in the Fox River, but a significant
amount of the PCBs transfer into Green Bay. Remediation efforts continue in hopes of removing
much of the PCBs from the Fox River and halting the transfer from the Fox River to the Green
Bay.
In addition to the inland lakes, portions of Lakes Michigan and Green Bay lie within Wisconsin’s
boundaries. Lake Michigan, of the Great Lakes, is one of the largest freshwater bodies in the
world, and together the Great Lakes add nearly 6.5 million acres of water to Wisconsin. Although
Lake Michigan is far from being contained “within” the Region, it has coastal areas that lie
within county borders of the Bay-Lake Region. Green Bay, which is a part of Lake Michigan, it is
often studied independently as the Bay is very different from the rest of Lake Michigan and is
quite separated by the extent of the Bay.
Rivers and Streams
The Bay-Lake Region contains over 300 major waterway systems. Map 5.1 displays all of the
navigable waters of the Bay-Lake Region and the table in Appendix B lists all the rivers and
streams of the Bay-Lake Region. The following is a bit of information on a couple of the major
rivers/streams in each county in the Region.
Brown County
The larger waterway systems in Brown County include the East River, which traverses about 41
miles, and the Fox River, which traverses about 20 miles.
Door County
The larger waterway systems in Door County include Stony Creek, which traverses about 16
miles, and Sugar Creek, which traverses about 11 miles.
Florence County
The larger waterway systems in Florence County include the Pine River, which traverses about
49 miles, the Brule River, which traverses about 37 miles, and the Popple River, which traverses
about 32 miles.
Kewaunee County
The larger waterway systems in Kewaunee County include the Kewaunee River, which traverses
about 28 miles in Kewaunee County, with about two miles of it in Brown County. Another large
waterway system in Kewaunee County is half of the East Twin River, which traverses about 21
miles in Kewaunee County, with the other 21 miles in Manitowoc County.
Manitowoc County
The larger waterway systems in Manitowoc County include the Manitowoc River, which
traverses about 36 miles, and Mud Creek, which traverses about 23 miles in Manitowoc County.

Marinette County
With 106 rivers and streams, Marinette County has more waterways than another other county in
the Bay-Lake Region. The larger waterway systems in Marinette County include the Menominee
River, which traverses about 101 miles, with about 20 miles of it in Florence County. Another
large waterway system in Marinette County is the Peshtigo River, which traverses about 98
miles.
Oconto County
The larger waterway systems in Oconto County include the Oconto River, which traverses about
54 miles, and the North Branch Oconto River, which traverses about 52 miles.
Sheboygan County
The larger waterway systems in Sheboygan County include the Sheboygan River, which traverses
about 56 miles in Sheboygan County, with about nine miles of it in Manitowoc County. The
Sheboygan River, which flows 65 miles through Sheboygan and Manitowoc Counties, is the
longest waterway in the Bay-Lake Region. Two other large waterway systems in Sheboygan
County are the Onion River, which traverses about 37 miles, and the Mullet River, which
traverses about 33 miles.
Wild Rivers
The Bay-Lake Region contains all or parts of the only three rivers in the state with a “Wild
River” designation, the Pike River in Marinette County, the Pine River in Florence and Forest
counties, and the Popple River in Florence and Forest counties. A Wild River is designated as
such in the Wisconsin Statutes Section 30.26. The Statute states that the Wild Rivers must
remain in a free flowing condition containing no dams or other artificial development or
structures that hinder the flow of the stream, and they must remain in a natural condition, free
from most development or alteration.
Chapter NR 302 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code establishes a management program
designed to protect legislatively designated Wild Rivers from development, afford people an
opportunity to enjoy the rivers in their natural and free-flowing condition, and to assure the well-
being of Wisconsin's tourist industry by attracting out-of-state visitors, which the legislature has
deemed to be in the public interest. NR 302 ensures that there will be no development, including
campgrounds adjacent to the shorelines within a 400-foot protection zone of a Wild River. In
addition, there will be no development beyond the protection zone and up to at least a ¼ mile
from either side of a Wild River, except when necessary to accommodate the users of the Wild
River area.
Water Levels
The last several years have seen a dramatic drop in the water levels of Lake Michigan and the bay
of Green Bay. The drop in water levels has had a significant effect on the use of the bay and
rivers feeding to it. With lower water levels, more of the shoreline is exposed and wet areas
become dry. In December 1999, the water level of Lakes Michigan and Huron continued to
decline, passing the Low Water Datum elevation of 577.5 feet above the International Great
Lakes Datum of 1985 (Figure 4.3).
According to the US Army Corps of Engineers (Detroit District), evaporation is the cause of
much of the drop in lake levels over the past few years. Warmer-than-average water temperatures

have occurred in the past few summers, causing greater than average evaporation of lake water
when the cold fall winds arrive. Brisk, dry, cold winds blowing over exposed warmer waters
hastens evaporation and lowers water levels. According to the Army Corps, Lakes Michigan and
Huron lose about one inch of water a week to evaporation in October. If an unusually cold air
mass settles over a much warmer lake, the same amount of evaporation, or more, may occur in
just a few days. Since Lakes Michigan and Huron rise and fall together, a drop of one inch in
water level is a loss of about 784 billion gallons of water to the atmosphere.
During times of low lakes levels, cargo-loading ships in some Great Lakes harbors and inter-
connecting channels are vulnerable to being set down on the bottom if there is a temporary drop
in water level caused by an atmospheric pressure change, or a shift in wind direction to strong
winds blowing offshore.
Large declines in lake levels can create large-scale economic concern for the commercial users of
the water system. Shipping companies and hydroelectric power companies can suffer economic
repercussions when harbors and/or marinas are not deep enough to allow certain ships to dock.
Increased costs and impacts of dredging are an additional concern with low water levels.
Water level drops have exposed areas in the lower portion of the bay of Green Bay that are now
being used as habitat by waterfowl and other wildlife. The decreasing water depth in the bay has
exposed areas that were previously under several feet of water, forming new sandbars and shoals.
Figure 4.3: Lake Michigan/Huron Historic Water Levels, 1918-2002
S
ource: US Army Corps of Engineers, 2003.
Wetlands
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, wetlands are areas where water is
at, near, or above the land surface long enough to be capable of supporting aquatic or hydrophilic
vegetation. Other common names for wetlands are swamps, bogs, or marshes. Wetlands serve as
a valuable biological resource and provide scenic open spaces in both urban and rural areas.

Wetlands act as natural pollution filters, makings many lakes and streams cleaner and drinking
water safer. They retain storm and floodwaters and often act as groundwater discharge areas.
Filling or draining of wetlands is costly, destroys the productive capacity of the ecosystem, and
can adversely affect surface water quality and drainage. Finally, they provide valuable and
irreplaceable habitat for many plants and animals.
Because of their importance, there are strict regulations regarding wetlands. Wisconsin
Administrative Codes NR 115 and NR 117 fall under the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources, and mandate that shoreland wetlands be protected in both the
rural and urban areas of the state. In the unincorporated areas, NR 115 provides the legislation to
protect wetlands of two acres or more that are within the jurisdiction of county shoreland zoning
ordinances. Wetlands not in the shoreland zone are protected from development by the federal
government and the WDNR through Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and NR 103,
respectively. It should be noted that all wetlands, no matter how small, are subject to WDNR and
possibly federal regulations, if they meet the State definition.
Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, and Oconto counties all fall within the boundaries of the
Special Wetlands Inventory Study (SWIS); a joint federal and state effort to study wetlands of the
Green Bay area. More than 4,000 of the 6,000 wetlands mapped by the WDNR have been field
verified and a database has been created that classifies and characterizes each wetland. The SWIS
database includes information on academic studies, agency records, Superfund site information,
underground storage tank inventories, Remedial Action Plan location information, identification
of some sites for restoration or enhancement of wetlands, as well as bibliographic information.
The database also includes data on each wetland, identifying its site name, WDNR abbreviation,
unique ID, location, watershed, USGS watershed code, quadrangle name, owner, evaluator, date,
sources used, remarks, adjacent land use, disturbance, acreage, a brief narrative, and a number of
other pieces of information related to the wetland’s hydrologic properties, water quality and
habitat.
Within the Bay-Lake Region, there are thousands of acres of wetlands (Table 4.4). Many of these
wetlands are large complexes associated with lowland areas in western Sheboygan and
Manitowoc counties, eastern Oconto and Marinette counties, western Brown County adjacent to
the bay of Green Bay, and the eastern side of the Door Peninsula adjacent to Lake Michigan. The
WDNR has identified large wetland acquisition and restoration projects in two areas of the
Region: the Green Bay West Shore Wildlife Area and the Mink River estuary in Door County.
The Green Bay West Shore area contains some of the major wetland complexes within the
Region including County Line Swamp and Peshtigo Harbor; Sheboygan Marsh; Mink River
Estuary; Brazeau Marsh; and Collins Marsh. Map 5.2 displays the wetlands of the Bay-Lake
Region with a 50-foot buffer.

Table 4.4: Wetlands
A cres o f
C ou n ty W etlan d
B row n 2 8 ,2 57
D oo r 5 0 ,9 90
Flo rence 4 9 ,9 74
K ew aunee 2 7 ,4 36
M anito w oc 4 8 ,7 58
M arinette 21 2 ,9 97
O conto 15 9 ,7 17
Sheb oygan 4 0 ,4 47
TO TAL 61 8 ,5 76
Source: WDNR, 1990; BLRPC, 2003.
These wetland areas are vital to many rare and threatened species. Over the years, many smaller
wetlands have been drained and filled for agriculture and development purposes. In the past,
wetlands were considered wastelands and often the only acceptable use recognized for them was
to drain them. Today, we know that wetlands serve many important functions, such as flood
prevention, essential wildlife habitat, groundwater recharge, and when adjacent to waterways,
they act as filters by slowing incoming surface water and allowing sediments to settle. Continued
education and proper management practices can go a long way to preserve wetland areas and
allow them to serve their valuable natural functions.
Groundwater
Groundwater is an important natural resource. Less than half of the precipitation we receive in
the Bay-Lake Region, seeps into the ground and recharges our aquifers.
Aquifers
The Bay-Lake Region Planning area’s groundwater reserves are held in four principal aquifers;
the sand and gravel aquifer, the eastern dolostone aquifer, the sandstone and dolostone aquifer,
and the crystalline bedrock aquifer.
Sand and Gravel Aquifer is made up mostly of sand and gravel deposited from glacial ice or in
river floodplains. These deposits reach up to more than 300 feet thick in some places in the
planning area. The glaciers reached a thickness of almost two miles and transported a great
amount of glacial drift. As the ice melted, large amounts of sand and gravel were deposited and
formed outwash plains. Pits formed in the outwash where buried blocks of ice melted. The sand
and gravel aquifer was deposited within the past 1 million years. Because the top of the sand and
gravel aquifer is also the land surface for most of Wisconsin, it is highly susceptible to human-
induced and naturally occurring pollutants.
Eastern Dolostone Aquifer is perhaps the most common aquifer in the area. It occurs from Door
County to the Wisconsin-Illinois border. It consists of Niagara dolostone underlain by Maquoketa
shale. These rock formations were deposited approximately 400 to 425 million years ago. The
amount of water held from a well in this aquifer depends mainly on the number of fractures the
well intercepts. In areas where fractured dolostone bedrock occurs at, or near, the land surface,
the groundwater in shallow portions of the western dolostone aquifer can easily become
contaminated. In Door, Kewaunee, and Manitowoc Counties, there is little soil to filter pollutants
carried or leached by precipitation. This means little or no filtration takes place once the water

reaches large fractures in the dolostone resulting in many groundwater quality problems. The
Maquoketa shale layer, which is beneath the dolostone was formed from clay and does not
transmit water easily. Therefore, it is important as a barrier or shield between the eastern
dolostone aquifer and the sandstone and dolostone aquifer.
Sandstone and Dolostone Aquifer consists of layers of sandstone and dolostone bedrock that
vary greatly in their water-yielding properties. The rock formations that make up the sandstone
and dolostone aquifer were deposited approximately between 425 and 600 million years ago. In
dolostone, groundwater mainly occurs in fractures whereas, in sandstone, water occurs in pore
spaces between loosely cemented sand grains. In eastern Wisconsin, this aquifer lies below the
eastern dolostone aquifer and the Maquoketa shale layer. These rock types dip slightly to the east,
south, and west, away from north central Wisconsin, becoming much thicker and extending to
greater depths below the land surface in the southern part of the state. In eastern Wisconsin, most
users of substantial quantities of groundwater tap this deep aquifer to obtain a sufficient amount
of water.
Crystalline Bedrock Aquifer is composed of various rock types formed during the Precambrian
Era when the rocks in the sandstone and dolostone aquifer began to be formed more than 4,000
million years ago. During this lengthy period, sediments were deposited in ancient oceans;
volcanoes spewed forth ash and lava; mountains were built and destroyed, and molten rocks from
the earth’s core flowed up through cracks in the upper crust. The rocks remaining today have a
granite-type crystalline structure and are the base rocks that underlie the entire state. These dense
base rocks are not uniformly spaced; therefore, in order to obtain the water that is stored and
transmitted through cracks and fractures in the rock, a well must intersect the cracks and
fractures. The crystalline bedrock aquifer oftentimes cannot provide adequate quantities of water
for larger municipalities or industries. Many wells in the crystalline bedrock aquifer have
provided good water; however, most of these wells do not penetrate deeply into the rock.
Groundwater Contamination
In Wisconsin, the primary sources of groundwater contamination are agricultural activities,
municipal landfills, leaky underground storage tanks, abandoned hazardous waste sites, and
hazardous/toxic spills. Septic tanks and land application of wastewater are also sources for
possible contamination. The most common groundwater contaminant is nitrate-nitrogen, which
comes from fertilizers, animal waste storage sites and feedlots, municipal and industrial
wastewater and sludge disposal, refuse disposal areas, and leaking septic systems.
Another significant groundwater contamination issue in northeast Wisconsin is arsenic
contamination in water supplies occurring from exposing oxygen to arsenic-rich bedrock
horizons. The arsenic found in Wisconsin is naturally occurring, deposited in the bedrock layers
millions of year ago. The arsenic from the bedrock is being released into the groundwater and
drawn into wells. Increased water demands have lowered the water table allowing oxygen to get
into the aquifer, creating chemical reactions that release arsenic into the water.
Groundwater Recharge
Groundwater recharge, along with water conservation, is the best and most economical remedy
available to tackle dropping groundwater levels. It is difficult to decrease our dependence on
water when it is viewed as an infinite resource. Even a little water conservation consciousness

can go a long way. However, since water conservation is a difficult task that may take a
generation or more to become an accustom practice; addressing groundwater recharge obstacles
is a remedy that should be utilized now.
Groundwater recharge occurs naturally when rainfall and surface waters are transmitted to the
aquifer. Most areas, unless composed of solid rock or covered by impervious surfaces, allow a
certain percentage of total precipitation to reach the water table. However, some areas have
greater infiltration levels than others. Areas that transmit a relatively greater volume of
precipitation are often referred to as "critical" groundwater recharge areas.
The amount of water that infiltrates to the groundwater depends on vegetation cover, slope, soil
composition, depth to the water table, the presence or absence of confining beds and other
factors. Recharge is promoted by natural vegetation cover, flat topography, permeable soils that
have not been compacted, a deep water table, and the absence of confining beds. Under the force
of gravity, groundwater generally flows from high areas to low areas. Thus, high areas, such as
hills or plateaus are likely to be the area where aquifers are recharged and low areas, such as
wetlands or streams are where the water discharges. However, in many instances aquifers occur
beneath streams or wetlands, so those areas can also be important recharge areas. Typical
recharge and discharge areas are depicted in Figure 4.4.
Figure 4.4: Groundwater Recharge and Discharge Areas
Source: Washington State, Department of Ecology, Ground Water Resource Protection

Handbook. 1986.
Water infiltration is severed in areas of urban development that create impervious surfaces such
as parking lots, structures, compact soils, etc. Better land use decisions, particularly in critical
groundwater recharge areas, could enable needed recharge to the aquifer as well as limit
contamination. Making better land use decisions, even if they limit development, is more
economical than tackling the expense of costly groundwater contamination and the search for
alternate water supply sources.
Ideally, a community would be equipped with a current map of the locations of significant
groundwater recharge areas in order to make better land use decision in those areas. However,
such groundwater recharge mapping is unavailable in almost all of the Bay-Lake counties. The
only known exception is the upper Door County area. The Bay-Lake Regional Planning
Commission is vigorously pursuing resources to undertake the task of utilizing GIS to map all the

groundwater recharge areas in the Region to provide its communities with necessary land use
planning tools. This GIS data could be used along with such land use management tools and as
zoning ordinances, subdivision ordinances, site plan reviews, design standards, best management
practices, purchase or transfer of development rights programs, public education activities,
household hazardous waste collection, and water conservations programs.
BEACHES
Beaches are popular recreational areas in the Bay-Lake Region. There are 98 Lake Michigan
beaches within the Region offering a variety of shoreland and water activities. However, the
beaches may not be as clean as one might think. Since 2003, after an amendment to the Clean
Water Act required beach monitoring of all Great Lakes beaches, the region has seen a
significant increase in beach closing due to unhealthful conditions.
Beach Closings
In recent summers, many beaches in Wisconsin and elsewhere have closed for days at a time, due
to harmful bacteria in the water. The worst offender is Escherichia coli (commonly known as E.
coli), which can infect people who ingest food or water contaminated with human or animal
feces. E. coli can have serious health effects.
While most cases of E. coli illness have been traced back to contaminated food, sickness can also
occur after swimming in water that is contaminated with the bacteria. That is the problem being
experience at Wisconsin’s beaches. The causes for high levels of bacteria in Lake Michigan are
varied. Weather conditions like high winds and heavy rainfall can cause a rise in bacteria levels,
as can hazy skies and warm days. Conversely, several dry, windless days in a row can lead to
stagnant water - perfect for producing certain bacteria.
An additional issue in recent years, particularly in Milwaukee, is the problem of raw sewage
seeping into the lake from aging sewer pipes and storm sewer overflows. In the Bay-Lake
Region, the likely contributions of bacteria are attributed to human waste, runoff from nearby
farms and fields, and the huge flocks of seagulls and geese that live along Wisconsin shores.
While the increase in beach closings is likely a result of more diligent testing and reporting, the
health of the beaches in the region is nevertheless disturbing to those who live and play on Lake
Michigan’s shores. In addition, many beaches in the region have no monitoring programs in
place so beaches stay open even when bacteria levels may be high.
As of 2005, Wisconsin has no uniform standards for monitoring the bacteria levels on its
beaches, but some counties, including Door and Kewaunee, are working with the EPA, WDNR,
UW-Milwaukee Water Institute, and local health departments to make statistics available to the
public on a daily basis via website or telephone.
Wisconsin Beach Health Program
In 2003, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation and collaboration with
local, state, and federal authorities, began implementation of the federal BEACH (Beaches
Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health) Act of 2000. The BEACH Act is an amendment
to the Clean Water Act requiring all coastal states, including Great Lakes states, to develop
programs for effective water quality monitoring and public notification at coastal recreational

beaches. EPA has made grants available to participating states to develop and implement a
statewide beach program.
Under the Wisconsin Beach Program, the WDNR gives grants to communities along Lake
Michigan and Lake Superior to monitor beach water for elevated bacteria levels. This
information is made available to the public so beach visitors can make informed choices about
how to use beach water resources. For more information about the Beach Program and updates
on beach water quality, visit the Beach Health website at www.wibeaches.us.
WOODLANDS
Woodlands throughout the Bay-Lake Region are comprised primarily of sugar maple, yellow
birch, American beach, basswood, red oak, red pine, hemlock, sugar maple, paper birch, aspen,
and white cedar, and small stands of the northern hardwood species. Also present in the region
are balsam firs, white spruce, black spruce and tamarack. These woodlands offer an aesthetic and
natural purpose, and provide habitat to many flora and fauna. There are many major forests
located in the Bay-Lake Region.
Chequamegon/Nicolet National Forest
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is located in northern Wisconsin, covering over a
million and a half acres. The Chequamegon side of the forest covers about 858,400 acres in
Ashland, Bayfield, Sawyer, Price, Taylor, and Vilas counties. The Nicolet side covers nearly
661,400 acres in Florence, Forest, Langlade, Oconto, Oneida, and Vilas counties. The Nicolet
side of the forest comprises two ranger districts. The Eagle River and Florence ranger districts
have been combined into a single unit - the Eagle River-Florence Ranger District, with ranger
stations located in Eagle River and Florence. The Lakewood and Laona ranger districts have also
been combined into a single unit, called the Lakewood-Laona Ranger District. District
headquarters offices are located in both Lakewood and Laona at the old ranger office sites.
In March 1933, shortly before President Herbert Hoover left office, he issued a proclamation
establishing the Nicolet National Forest. The headquarters were located in Park Falls. A second
office was opened in Rhinelander to handle land acquisition in the eastern part of the state. The
Chequamegon was established as a separate national forest in November 1933, by President
Franklin Roosevelt, from the Nicolet's westernmost lands. At that time, Park Falls became the
headquarters for the Chequamegon and Rhinelander the headquarters for the Nicolet.
In April 2004, the Forest Service completed the 2004 Land and Resource Management Plan for
the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forests. The Forest Plan provides guidance for all resource
management activities on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forests. It establishes forestwide
multiple-use goals and implementing objectives; management requirements (known as
Forestwide Standards and Guidelines); management area direction, including area-specific
standards and guidelines, desired future conditions and management practices; identification of
lands suited or not suited for timber management; monitoring and evaluation requirements, and
recommendations to Congress for additional Wilderness.
Point Beach State Forest
Point Beach State Forest is located along Lake Michigan just north of the city of Two Rivers in
Manitowoc County. The point juts seven miles into Lake Michigan, and the six-mile beach

occasionally yields pieces of 19th century ships that sank in the area. There is also an interpretive
center and indoor group camps.
Peshtigo River State Forest
The Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPSC) “Peshtigo River Purchase” comprised
approximately 70 miles of the Peshtigo River frontage and approximately 9,200 acres (not
including submerged land associated with the river's flowages) in northern Marinette County.
The majority of the property lies approximately 20 miles northwest of Crivitz with the Potato
Rapids flowage lying approximately three miles north of Peshtigo. A section of the purchase is
adjacent to Tommy G. Thompson Centennial State Park.
Florence County Forest
The Florence County Board approved the establishment of a county forest largely of county-
owned lands in the eastern half of Florence County. The Board approved the first entry of 26,841
acres in 1935. The early phases of development consisted mainly of planting vast open areas
using the Civilian Conservation Corps. The first timber sale was made in 1941; and with the
exception of 1943, sales have been made annually to date. Today the county forest has more than
36,000 acres.
People seeking recreational pursuits such as hunting, fishing, and camping utilize the forest. It
serves as an outdoor classroom for all ages, due to the diversity of plants and animals available
for observation. The county forest is managed to enhance wildlife populations and for timber
production. The forest plays a major role in the economy of Florence County by providing
employment in the production and manufacture of forest products.
Marinette County Forest
The Marinette County Forest is comprised of approximately 231,000 acres and ranks as the
second largest county forest in Wisconsin. The majority of these lands are open for the public to
enjoy. Revenues from timber sales average $1,500,000 per year, which goes directly into the
county operating budget. The county forest also supplies about 60,000 cords of wood a year for
forest industries.
Oconto County Forest
The Oconto County Forest is composed of 89 management compartments ranging in size from
88 acres to nearly 1,022 acres. Within the county forest boundaries, approximately 70 percent of
the land is county owned with most of the remaining 30 percent in small private holdings. With
the movement towards the computerization of the county forest maps, compartments and stands
will change during this planning period. Most Oconto County forestlands are open for public use
and for foot travel. In addition, the county forest is served by a network of town, county, state,
and federal highways. A system of roads and trails provide seasonal access to much of the
forestland. Most of the unsurfaced roads are quite serviceable except for short periods during
spring breakup. The Oconto County Forest, with approximately 42,274 acres, is one of the
smaller county forests in the State.
WILDLIFE RESOURCES
Fish and wildlife habitat areas have been delineated according to their level of quality and
importance in many of the coastal areas of the Bay-Lake Region as part of a Fish and Wildlife

Habitat Study prepared by the WDNR in 1976. In this study, habitat areas were identified as
being top, medium, or low quality areas, which measures the capability of supporting various
types of wildlife habitat. The WDNR is developing an update to the 1976 study titled,
“Wisconsin’s Strategy for Wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need”, which is in “draft”
form as of June 2005.
Major wildlife species using these habitats include songbirds, deer, ruffed grouse, and squirrels.
Other common species include snowshoe hare, coyote, gray fox, raccoon, skunk, and porcupine.
Black bears and grey wolf are prevalent in the northern part of the Region. Muskrat, mink,
beaver, and otter have been identified in the wetland areas. Several species of gulls, terns, geese,
and ducks inhabit the area, and some of the old fields provide habitat for pheasants. Wolf,
woodchuck, meadow vole, American toad, snapping turtle, Canada goose, and wild turkey are
common throughout the northern areas of the Region. The Bay-Lake Region lies within an
important migratory corridor for songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors. These birds,
possibly including some threatened or endangered species, use the wooded and wetland areas for
food and rest.
A majority of the large remaining wooded and wetland areas within the region have been
designated as Class 1 (most desirable) wildlife habitats by the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources. The variety of habitat types within the planning area is a key to the number of species
found in the area. The high bluff shoreline woodlands, the wetlands, the grassy fields, and inland
woodlands are each vital to certain species. Many of the plants that can be found in the planning
area include cottonwood, early buttercup, white oak, red oak, white pine, red pine, ground
juniper, green ash, black ash, alder, bluegrass, butterfly weed, cattail, and many others.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has also designated the waters of Green Bay
and Lake Michigan as Class 2 (desirable habitat) fish habitat. Fish species that may be found
include small mouth bass, yellow perch, northern pike, rock bass, rainbow trout, lake trout, and
brown trout.
THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES

Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, an “endangered species” is any species that is in
danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range (excluding species of the
Class Insecta determined to be a pest whose protection under the provisions of this Act would
present an overwhelming and overriding risk to humans). A “threatened species” is any species
that is likely to become an endangered species within the near future throughout all or a
significant portion of its range. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in the Department of the
Interior, and the NOAA Fisheries Service in the Department of Commerce, share responsibility
for administration of the Endangered Species Act.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources designates species as threatened or endangered
for species that live within the borders of Wisconsin, regardless of how common they are in other
states. In Wisconsin, threatened and endangered species are protected by the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources under NR 27 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code. This law
regulates the sale, transport, taking and possession of state endangered and threatened plant and
animal species.

The Bay-Lake Region is ecologically rich, made evident by the fact that many rare birds, fish,
turtles, snakes, frogs, butterflies and other invertebrates, plants, and communities occur within
the Region, including six federal listed species. Many of the species found within the Region are
considered rare because their populations and habitat are declining throughout their range. These
species are of aesthetic, ecological, cultural, educational, historical, medicinal, recreational,
and/or scientific importance to the land and people.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources (BER) keeps
records on the endangered resources of Wisconsin as part of their Natural Heritage Inventory.
The Bay-Lake Region has many special concern, threatened, and endangered species. Although,
exact locations of the species can not published, care should be taken before development occurs
to leave potential habitats undisturbed for these flora and fauna. Appendix C lists all the
threatened and endangered species in the Bay-Lake Region as identified in the Wisconsin DNR
Natural Heritage Inventory.

CHAPTER 5 : REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDOR DEFINITION
The selection of data layers for the Bay-Lake regional environmental corridor definition involved
identification of features and sites that are valuable to the each of the counties within the Region,
as well as those valuable on a regional scale. Such features form significant areas that support
native species, maintain natural ecological processes, sustain water resources, and contribute to
the well-being and quality of life for the people residing in the Bay-Lake Region.
FEATURES OF THE BAY-LAKE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDORS

The Bay-Lake Region environmental corridor definition includes:
• Navigable waters with a 75-foot • Public Parks and Recreation Areas
setback • Historical/Archaeological Sites
• WDNR Wetlands with a 50-foot buffer • WDNR State Natural and Scientific
• 100-year Floodplains Areas
• Areas of steep slope (12 percent or • WDNR State Wildlife and Fishery
greater) Areas
The following information provides a description of each feature/data layer of the Bay-Lake
Region environmental corridor definition.
Navigable Waters
In 1911, the State Legislature enacted a statutory definition that considered streams and lakes
navigable if they are "navigable in fact for any purpose”. (1911 Wis. Laws ch. 652). As
developed in subsequent court decisions, a stream is "navigable in fact" if it is possible to float a
canoe or small recreational craft at sometime during the year (DeGayner & Co., Inc. v. DNR, 70
Wis. 2d 936, 236 N.W.2d 217 (1975); Village of Menomonee Falls v. DNR, 140 Wis. 2d 579,
412 N.W.2d 505 (Ct. App. 1987)). For a stream to be considered navigable it has to have
regularly recurring periods when it is navigable or it has “navigable periods lasting long enough
to be conducive to recreational use” (Id.). The current legislation on navigability was found in
Wisconsin Statutes 30.10 and states:
Declarations of navigability.
(1) LAKES. All lakes wholly or partly within this state which are navigable in fact are declared to
be navigable and public waters, and all persons have the same
(2) STREAMS. Except as provided under sub. (4)(c) and (d), all streams, sloughs, bayous and
marsh outlets, which are navigable in fact for any purpose whatsoever, are declared navigable to
the extent that no dam, bridge or other obstruction shall be made in or over the same without the
permission of the state.
NR 115.03(5) of Wisconsin Administrative Code defines Navigable waters as “Lake Superior,
Lake Michigan, all natural inland lakes within Wisconsin and all streams, ponds, sloughs,
flowages and other waters within the territorial limits of this state, including the Wisconsin
portion of boundary waters, which are navigable under the laws of this state.”

The USGS quadrangle base maps provided the source of hydrologic data for the Bay-Lake
Regional Planning Commission to identify and map navigable waters. Map 5.1 displays the
navigable waters of the Bay-Lake Region with a 75-foot setback.
Navigable Waters Setback
The minimum building setback of 75-feet from navigable waters was established in the
Wisconsin shoreland zoning standards. Unless an existing structure is present, a setback of 75
feet from the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) is required for all buildings and structures
(including decks) except piers, boat hoists, and boathouses and certain gazebos. NR 115.03(6) of
the Wisconsin Administrative Code defines the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) as “the point
on the bank or shore up to which the presence and action of surface water is so continuous as to
leave a distinctive mark such as by erosion, destruction or prevention of terrestrial vegetation,
predominance of aquatic vegetation, or other easily recognized characteristic.”
According to the draft revision of the shoreland zoning standards (NR 115 of the Wisconsin
Administrative Code), riparian owners seeking a permit to alter their nonconforming structure
that lies within the 75-foot setback are required to take actions to mitigate the potential impacts
of their project on the primary buffer/vegetation protection area within 35-feet of the OHWM
(Figure 5.1).
Figure 5.1: Wisconsin Minimum Shoreland Zoning Standards
Source: University of Wisconsin – Extension. Wisconsin Water Law. 2001.

Map 5.1
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Navigable Waters with Setback
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Wetlands
The federal definition of wetlands includes three elements - water, saturated soil, and wetland
vegetation. The Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) in 33 C.F.R. s. 328.3(b) defines wetlands as:
…those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration
sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation
typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs,
and similar areas.
The ACOE has jurisdiction to regulate wetlands that are considered “waters of the United States”
under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The definition of waters of the United States includes
wetlands “adjacent” to navigable Waters and artificially created wetlands.
Wisconsin defines wetlands in s. 23.32(1) Wis. Stats. as “an area where water is at, near, or above
the land surface long enough to be capable of supporting aquatic or hydrophytic vegetation and
which has soils indicative of wet conditions”.
The Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission obtained wetland delineations from the Wisconsin
Wetland Inventory (WWI) Data. The WDNR - Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat
Protection is the custodian for the digital WWI geographic data layer. Wetland delineations are
digitized from 1:24,000-scale ratioed and rectified photographic base maps. The WDNR
obtained the wetland delineations and classifications from air photo interpretation and field
verification of 1:20,000-scale black-and-white infrared stereoscopic aerial photography. In most
areas of Wisconsin, only data on wetlands greater than two acres in size is available. The
wetlands of the Region are displayed on Map 5.2.
Wetlands Buffer
Environmental corridor definitions typically include a buffer on wetlands. The Dane County
Regional Planning Commission’s 1996 Environmental Corridors study established a 75-foot
wetland buffer where existing development does not already encroach closer. Brown County
established a 50-foot wetland buffer as a component of the “Environmentally Sensitive Areas”
defined in the Sewer Service Area Plan for Brown County. Oconto County selected a 75-foot
buffer on wetlands in the development of their environmental corridor definition in 2004. The
Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission advises at least a 50-foot buffer be included around
wetlands. A 50-foot wetland buffer would offer setback protections for wetlands that are a little
closer to the setback protections provided to waterways (75-feet). Map 5.2 displays the wetlands
of the Bay-Lake Region with a 50-foot buffer.
Although the width of a wetland buffer should vary by significance of the wetland, buffers
surrounding all wetlands are commonly supported, not only for the protection of the wetlands
and the benefits they provide, but also for the value of vegetation areas surrounding wetlands.
Studies such as Wetland Buffers: Use and Effectiveness (Washington State Department of
Ecology, 1992) and Benefits of Wetland Buffers (Emmons and Olivier Resources Inc., 2001),
encourage wetland buffers greater than 50 feet. Such studies present information affirming that
buffers less than 50 feet are marginally effective in protecting wetlands.

Map 5.2
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139 FLORENCE
Wetlands with Buffer
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Floodplains
The Wisconsin Legislature recognizes that floodplain zoning is a necessary tool to protect human
life and health, and to minimize property damage and economic loss. Municipalities are required
by NR 116 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code to adopt reasonable and effective floodplain
zoning ordinances within their respective jurisdictions to regulate all floodplains where serious
flood damage may occur. A floodplain is the area subject to flood hazard in a 100-year flood (1-
percent-annual-chance flood), which has a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in
any given year.
Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission obtained floodplain information from National Flood
Insurance Program Flood Insurance Rate maps produced by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA). The floodplain information was transferred into the GIS database from FEMA
paper maps at scales of 1:24,000 for unincorporated areas, and 1:12,000 or greater for
incorporated areas. Flood hazard boundary maps, flood insurance rate maps, flood boundary-
floodway maps, County soil survey maps, or other existing County floodplain zoning maps were
used by the Commission to delineate floodplain areas in the Region. The 100-year floodplains of
the Bay-Lake Region are displayed on Map 5.3.

Map 5.3
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139 FLORENCE
100-Year Floodplains
COUNTY
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Bay-Lake Region
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139
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Source: FEMA; Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission, 2005.
Steep Slopes
Steep slopes are defined (for planning purposes) as areas of land that rise greater than 12 percent
in angle. This translates to 1.2 feet of elevation change for every ten feet of area. Areas of steep
slopes are prone to erosion if the vegetation is not maintained and are unsuitable for
development. For that reason, the Regional Technical Advisory Committee has included steep
slopes (slopes at 12 percent or greater) as an element of the environmental corridors. The Bay-
Lake Regional Planning Commission has inventoried the steep slopes of the Region using county
NRCS soil surveys, which were updated digitally in early 2004. All soils of slope type D, E and F
were categorized as steep slopes having a slope of 12 percent or greater. The steep slopes of the
Region appear on Map 5.4.

Map 5.4
(
139 FLORENCE
Steep Slopes
COUNTY
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Bay-Lake Region
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139
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Source: NRCS; Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission, 2005.
State Scientific and Natural Areas
State Natural Areas (SNAs) are tracts of land or water that represent the remaining pristine native
landscapes of Wisconsin as it existed prior to intensive European settlement. They harbor natural
features essentially unaltered by human activity or have substantially recovered from disturbance
over time. The State Natural Areas program, established in 1951 under ss. 23.27, 23.28 and 23.29
Wis. Stats., is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR).
SNAs have been designated under one or more of the following categories:
Outstanding natural community
Critical habitat for rare species
Ecological benchmark area
Significant geological or archaeological feature
Exceptional site for natural area research and education
The Wisconsin State Natural Areas program was established to designate sites that are in natural
or near natural condition for scientific research, the teaching of conservation biology, and most of
all, preservation of their natural values and genetic diversity for the future. These areas are not
intended for intensive recreation use, but instead to serve the mission of the Natural Areas
Program. Their mission is to locate and preserve a system of State Natural Areas harboring all
types of biotic communities, rare species, and other significant natural features native to
Wisconsin.
The Bay-Lake Region has 54 State Natural Areas, which are listed in Table 5.1 along with the
county in which each is found. The Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission has gathered the
inventory of SNAs from the online files of the WDNR State Natural Areas program. Map 5.5
displays the locations of the SNAs in the Bay-Lake Region.
Kewaunee County is the only county in the Region without a State Natural Area. Door County
has the most State Natural Areas in the Region, as well as the State, with 24 SNAs. Sauk County,
which is in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin in the Baraboo Hills, is a very close second with 23
SNAs.

Table 5.1: State Natural Areas in the Bay-Lake Region
State Natural Areas of the Bay-Lake Region County
1 Red Banks Alvar Brown
2 Holland Red Maple Swamp Brown
3 Baileys Harbor Boreal Forest and Wetlands Door
4 Bayshore Blufflands Door
5 Big and Little Marsh Door
6 Coffey Swamp Door
7 Ellison Bluff Door
8 Europe Bay Woods Door
9 Jackson Harbor Ridges Door
10 Kangaroo Lake Door
11 Marshall's Point Door
12 Mink River Estuary Door
13 Moonlight Bay Bedrock Beach Door
14 Mud Lake Door
15 Newport Conifer - Hardwoods Door
16 North Bay Door
17 Peninsula Park Beech Forest Door
18 Peninsula Park White Cedar Forest Door
19 Rock Island Woods Door
20 Sister Islands Door
21 The Ridges Sanctuary Door
22 Thorp Pond Door
23 Toft Point Door
24 White Cliff Fen and Forest Door
25 Whitefish Dunes Door
26 Brule River Cliffs Florence
27 Fox Maple Woods Florence
28 Grandma Lake Wetlands Florence
29 Spread Eagle Barrens Florence
30 Wisconsin Slough Florence
31 Cherney Maribel Caves Manitowoc
32 Point Beach Ridges Manitowoc
33 Two Creeks Buried Forest Manitowoc
34 Vanderbloemen Bog Manitowoc
35 Wilderness Ridge Manitowoc
36 Woodland Dunes Manitowoc
37 Bloch Oxbow State Natural Area Marinette
38 Dunbar Barrens State Natural Area Marinette
39 Marinette County Beech Forest State Natural Area Marinette
40 Miscauno Cedar Swamp State Natural Area Marinette
41 Seagull Bar Natural Area State Natural Area Marinette
42 Barney Creek Oconto
43 Charles Pond Oconto
44 Glocke Lake Oconto
45 Hagar Mountain Oconto
46 Snow Falls Creek Oconto
47 Butler Lake Flynn's Spring Sheboygan
48 Cedar Grove Hawk Research Station Sheboygan
49 Crooked Lake Wetlands Sheboygan
50 Johnson Hill Kame Sheboygan
51 Kettle Hole Woods Sheboygan
52 Kettle Moraine Red Oaks Sheboygan
53 Kohler Park Dunes Sheboygan
54 Rhine Center Bog Sheboygan
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; 2005.

Map 5.5
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MANITOWOC Table 5.1 in the Text
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State Wildlife and Fishery Areas
Since 1876, the State of Wisconsin has been acquiring State Wildlife Areas (SWAs) and State
Fishery Areas (SFAs) to meet conservation and recreation needs. SWAs and SFAs are public
lands and/or waters managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission researched SWAs and SFAs from the online files
of the WDNR State Wildlife Recreation program and parcel maps to locate the sites in the Bay-
Lake Region. The Bay-Lake Region has 24 WDNR designated State Wildlife and Fishery Areas,
which are listed in Table 5.2 along with the county in which each is found. Map 5.6 displays the
locations of the SWAs and SFAs in the Bay-Lake Region.
Table 5.2: State Wildlife and Fishery Areas of the Bay-Lake Region
State Wildlife and Fishery Areas of the Bay-Lake Region County
1 Littletail Unit - Green Bay West Shores Brown
2 Longtail Unit - Green Bay West Shores Brown
3 Sensiba Unit - Green Bay West Shores Brown
4 Peats Lake Unit - Green Bay West Shores Brown
5 Holland Wildlife Area Brown
6 C.D. Besadny Fish and Wildlife Area Kewaunee
7 Collins Marsh Wildlife Area Manitowoc
8 Kiel Marsh Wildlife Area Sheboygan/Manitowoc
9 Pine-Popple Wild Rivers Florence
10 Mud Lake Wildlife Area Door
11 Gardner Swamp Wildlife Area Door
12 Miscauno State Wildlife Area Marinette
13 Town Corner State Wildlife Area Marinette
14 Amberg State Wildlife Area Marinette
15 Lake Noquebay State Wildlife Area Marinette
16 Peshtigo Harbor State Wildlife Area Marinette
17 Peshtigo Brook Wildlife Area Oconto
18 Oconto River Fishery Area (South Branch) Oconto
19 Rush Point Unit - Green Bay West Shores Oconto
20 Oconto Marsh Unit - Green Bay West Shores Oconto
21 Pecor Point Unit - Green Bay West Shores Oconto
22 Pensaukee Unit - Green Bay West Shores Oconto
23 Charles Pond Unit - Green Bay West Shores Oconto
24 Tibbett Suamico Unit - Green Bay West Shores Oconto
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; 2005.

Map 5.6
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MANITOWOC Table 5.2 in the Text
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Public Parks and Recreational Areas
The Bay-Lake Region boasts some of the most popular parks in the state as well as some of the
most picturesque areas. Door County along has more state parks than any other county in the
State, allowing visitors many opportunities to utilize the region’s shoreline. The Region also
boasts a number of state and local trail facilities including the Ahnapee Trail, Mountain-Bay
Trail, the Fox River Trail, and the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The following inventory
provides a description of some of the public parks and recreation areas offered throughout the
Region.
State Parks
Copper Culture State Park is a 48-acre park features a Native American burial ground from the
Copper Culture over 2,000 years ago. It is a locally owned park museum offering a detailed look
at the life and times of the Copper Culture. The site includes a 15-acre short-grass prairie and is
adjacent to the Oconto River. There is an admission charge.
Fisher Creek State Recreation Area is a 123-acre area with nearly a mile of Lake Michigan
shoreline, scenic wooded bluffs, grasslands, and wetlands. It is managed by Manitowoc County.
Heritage Hill State Park is a 40-acre outdoor museum in Green Bay featuring 25 structures from
Wisconsin's past. The park functions as a living history museum and state park that recreates life
in northeastern Wisconsin with actual and reconstructed buildings and artifacts spanning the
periods between 1672 through 1905. There is an admission charge.
Kohler-Andrae State Park is one of the last natural preserves along the Lake Michigan shore, and
is open for everyone to explore and enjoy. This 1,000-acre scenic spot on the shore of Lake
Michigan offers a peaceful setting year round with campgrounds, picnic areas, trails, a nature
center, a bathhouse, and approximately two miles of beach.
Newport State Park located northeast of Ellison Bay on the tip of the Door Peninsula, is
Wisconsin’s only formally designated “Wilderness Park”. It contains 2,373 acres and 11 miles of
Lake Michigan shoreline. Cool winds off Lake Michigan create habitats similar to boreal forests
supporting plant life typically found in Canada. The Park contains evergreen and hardwood
forests, wetlands, and upland meadows, and offers an interpretive center, naturalist program, and
38 miles of trails, all of them open for hiking. Of these, 17 miles are open to off-road bicycles. In
the winter, 26 miles of trails are available for cross-country skiing, including 12.5 miles groomed
and tracked for classical skiing, 2 miles groomed for skate skiing, and 4.5 miles are open for
snowshoeing.
Peninsula State Park is a 3,776-acre state park that was established in 1909 and is now one of the
largest and most well attended state parks in Wisconsin. Peninsula State Park, considered
“Wisconsin's most complete park”, receives over one million visitors annually. The Park has
nearly seven miles of Green Bay shoreline and contains a landscape of forests, meadows,
wetlands, and 150-foot rocky bluffs. The park offers a wide variety of summer and winter
outdoor recreational activities. Nature and hiking trails, snowmobile, and cross-country ski trails,
mountain bike trails, a beach, a picnic area with concessions, a boat launch, a nature center, and a
lighthouse are facilities available for park visitors. The majority of the park is forested, mainly
with white birch and other northern hardwoods. The large acreage and mostly undeveloped
character of the park makes it a prime natural area for the Region.

Potawatomi State Park is located on the shores of Sturgeon Bay. The park is owned and run by
the Wisconsin DNR and consists of nearly 1,200 acres of flat to gently rolling terrain, with steep
slopes along the shoreline. Most of the park is heavily wooded. The park offers year-round
activities including, but not limited to, camping, hiking, swimming during the summer, and
cross-country skiing during the winter. A 75-foot observation tower rises above the forest
canopy, giving a panoramic view of Sawyer Harbor. On a clear day, the view from the Park's
observation tower reaches 16 miles across Green Bay.
Rock Island State Park is a 912-acre island in Lake Michigan, accessible only by ferry from
Washington Island. There are stone buildings on the island that were built by a wealthy inventor
who owned the island between 1910 and 1945. Cars, and even bikes, are not allowed on Rock
Island, but there is 10 miles of hiking trails, including a one-mile interpretive trail, 40 reservable
campsites, a naturalist program, and 5,000 feet of beach.
Governor Tommy G. Thompson Centennial State Park, a 2,187-acre park, is 13 miles northwest
of Crivitz in Marinette County. The site protects 5,300 feet of shoreline on Wood and Huber
Lakes and protects Handsaw Creek and Woods Outlet, both excellent brook and brown trout
waters. The main parcel creating the park is the 1,987-acre Paust Woods Lake Resort and about
200 acres of wild-looking lakefront purchased from Wisconsin Public Service Corporation on
Caldron Falls Reservoir.
The park includes frontage on two inland lakes - Woods Lake and Huber Lake - as well as
several cold, clear trout-inhabited streams. Wildlife abounds on this extensively forested site;
deer, grouse, and turkey are the most abundant. The natural balance of wooded upland and
wetland provides diverse natural habitats and the ability to support many recreational activities.
Though it was established in 2000, the park is not yet open to the public. Master planning for the
park is currently underway.
Whitefish Dunes State Park is an 865-acre day use park set along Lake Michigan. It was
established in 1967 to protect the fragile dune environment. Whitefish Dunes has more visitors
than any other day use park in Wisconsin. Its shoreline, composed of sandy shoreline and rocky
bluffs, extends nearly 3 miles. An observation deck offers views of the park's forests, wetlands,
and the shoreline, which displays intriguing ice formations on frigid Lake Michigan waves in the
winter. The park offers features for people with disabilities including an accessible beach grid
system and interpretive loop. Whitefish Dunes has 14 miles of hiking trails, of which 11 miles
are groomed for winter skiing. The park also offers a 2.5-mile multi-use winter trail for
snowshoers and hikers. Whitefish Dunes State Park is also a designated State Natural Area
offering a combination of natural features including rugged Lake Michigan shoreline, dense
upland forest, shoreline on an interior lake, a winding creek with wetlands, and the highest sand
dunes in Wisconsin.
County Parks
Brown County
Bay Shore Park lies along the Niagara Escarpment and offers scenic hiking trails, breakwater and
boat launch facilities, fishing sites, a playground area, and camping.
Brown County Park is a lightly forested area of which Duck Creek flows through. The park
offers picnic spots, restroom facilities, and a pet exercise area.

Fonferek’s Glen is a 74-acre park located along Bower Creek in the Town of Ledgeview. The
park features a plethora of geologic features including a 30-foot waterfall, limestone cliffs, and a
stone archway that can be viewed from scenic hiking trails.
L.H. Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve contains 920 acres of forest, meadows, and wetlands that
serves as a refuge for a wide range of waterfowl, wildlife, and plants. The park offers 9 miles of
hiking trails that are also groomed for cross-country skiing during the winter months. An
interpretive center located on the preserve provides a variety of educational opportunities
throughout the year.
Lily Lake Park is a heavily wooded park that surrounds Lily Lake. A shelter is located within the
park for picnicking and special events.
Neshota Park is located where the King Creek and Neshota River meet. The park contains 260
acres of scenic riverbed, steeply sloped valleys, and wooded hills that visitors can enjoy by the
use of hiking trails or bridle paths for horseback riding. During the winter months, the park is a
popular location for cross-country skiing, sledding, and snowmobiling.
T.A. Pamperin Park is a highly developed park that offers a scenic hiking trail that follows Duck
Creek, volleyball courts, wooded picnic areas, and a playground area.
Way-Morr Park is a 32-acre park that provides ample recreational opportunities including picnic
areas, a playground area, tennis and volleyball courts, and a baseball diamond.
Wequiock Falls, one of Brown County's smaller parks, contains a large ravine featuring a close-
up inspection of the Niagara Escarpment rock formation. In spring, the flow from Wequiock
Creek forms a picturesque waterfall that gradually slows through the dry summer season.
Wrightstown Park is located along the Fox River and features a boat launching ramp and docking
facilities as well as space for picnicking.
Door County
Bailey’s Harbor Ridges Park is a 30-acre park that provides scenic hiking trails through the
Bailey’s Harbor Wildlife Sanctuary. The park is also home to two range lighthouses that are no
longer in operation.
Cave Point County Park in Sevastopol lies on 19 acres and features wave-worn limestone edges
and underwater caves. The park offers a vast picnic area, a ½-mile hiking trail, and shoreline
access.
Chaudior’s Dock Park is a 5-acre park is located in the Town of Union on the bay of Green Bay.
The park offers a boat launch and sites for fishing and picnicking.
Door Bluff Headlands County Park is a 155-acre park located in the township of Liberty Grove
and has remained mainly undeveloped for recreational use. The park features scenic views of
vertical bluffs and a variety of tree and plant species.
Ellison Bluff Park is a 55-acre park located south of Door Bluff Headlands Park. The park offers
a picnic area as well as a viewing site that provides a beautiful view of Green Bay.
Forestville Dam County Park is a 79-acre park that lies along the east side of the Forestville
Pond. The park features a small boat launch as well as access to the Ahnapee State Trail and the
Ahnapee River.

Frank E. Murphy County Park is a 10-acre park in Egg Harbor Township that provides a sand
beach, boat launch, picnic facilities, bathhouse for swimmers, and a fishing dock.
Lily Bay County Park is located in the town of Sturgeon Bay and is the smallest of the Door
County Parks. The park offers a boat launch, swimming, and fishing.
Lyle-Harter-Matter Sanctuary County Park is located in the township of Jacksonport and features
a 40-acre wildlife sanctuary that serves as a nesting ground for various species of waterfowl. The
park has remained undeveloped for recreational purposes.
Meridian County Park is contiguous with Lyle-Harter-Matter Sanctuary. The park covers 92
acres and has remained largely undeveloped except for a small wayside located on the southeast
corner that provides picnic and bathroom facilities.
Olde Stone Quarry County Park is a 9-acre park located in Sevastopol featuring fishing, a boat
launch, restroom facilities, and picnicking.
Percy Johnson County Park is a 5-acre park located on the eastern side of Washington Island.
The park offers facilities for picnicking and swimming.
Robert La Salle County Park is an 8-acre park located in the township of Clay Banks that features
440 feet of public access to Lake Michigan along the Southern Door County Shoreline. The park
offers swimming, picnic areas, and volleyball courts.
Sugar Creek County Park is a 40-acre park that has remained mostly undeveloped. The park
features a boat launch, picnic areas, and volleyball courts and is a popular location for smelt
fishing.
Tornado Memorial County Park is a 3-acre park located in the town of Gardner. In 1927 the
property became the first county park created in Door County and is currently recognized by the
Door County Historical Society as a historical site. The park features picnic and restroom
facilities.
Florence County
Lake Emily Park is located in the town of Commonwealth featuring hiking, picnicking, camping,
a boat launch, and a beach for swimming.
Keyes Lake County Park is located in the town of Commonwealth that offers trails for hiking,
biking, and cross county skiing and a boat launch.
West Bass Lake Park is located in the town of Homestead offering camping, swimming, and a
boat launch.
Kewaunee County
Bruemmer County Park is a 76-acre recreation site located about one mile west of the city of
Kewaunee. The park primarily functions as a passive recreation area and features picnic areas,
playground equipment, hiking trails, and a small zoo.
Manitowoc County
Cherney Maribel Caves Park is a 75-acre park located in the town of Cooperstown and was the
first park developed by Manitowoc County. The park features a rugged cliff line that contains
several caves. Popular activities at the park include sightseeing, hiking, and picnicking.

Horse Shoe Lake Park is an 8.5-acre park featuring picnic facilities, playground equipment, and a
pier for boat launching and fishing.
Long Lake County Park is a 4.5-acre park that lies along the northeastern shore of Long Lake.
The park features a boat launch, fishing pier, picnic area, playground equipment, and restroom
facilities.
Lower Cato Falls Park is an 84-acre park located in the town of Cato. The lower section of the
park includes unique rock formations and a waterfall along the river. Two wooded stairways are
provided for access from the upper portion of the park, down the steep escarpment, to the lower
portion of the park. The park offers picnicking, hiking, and nature trail walks.
Point Creek Conservation Area is located in the town of Centerville and consists of 39 acres of
woodlands, meadows, estuary, wetlands, and coastal bluffs. The park features scenic hiking trails
and sites for bird watching.
Silver Lake Park is a 12-acre park featuring well-equipped picnic facilities and a boat launch.
Walla Hi Park is a 160-acre park located in southwestern Manitowoc County about four miles
outside of the city of Kiel. The scenic kettle moraine landscape of the park ranges from wooded
areas to open grassy spaces. In addition, small springs and streams flow through the park.
Popular activities at the park include fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, and picnicking.
Marinette County
12-Foot Falls Park is a 160-acre park located in the Town of Dunbar on the North Branch of the
Pike River featuring red pine plantations, a waterfall, rustic camping, and trout fishing.
Dave's Falls Park is a 66-acre park located south of Amberg featuring a spectacular waterfall,
picnic area, and a bridge over the Pike River.
Goodman Park is a 240-acre park located in the Town of Silver Cliff that offers trout fishing, a
bridge over Strong Falls, huge red pines, 2 day-use lodges, a hiking-skiing trail, and camping.
Lake Noquebay Park is a 12-acre park east of Crivitz that provides a beach, a boat landing, a day-
use lodge, a bathhouse for swimmers, and picnic facilities.
McClintock Park is a 320-acre park in the Town of Silver Cliff on the Peshtigo River with three
bridges over some rapids, a picnic area, camping, trout fishing, and an attractive hardwood-
hemlock timber stand.
Menominee River Park is a 65-acre park located north of Marinette that provides a beautiful view
of the Menominee River, a picnic area, and a boat landing.
Michaelis Park is a 2-acre park located south of Marinette, next to the Little River Golf Course. It
provides a view of Green Bay with swimming and picnicking.
Morgan Park is a 160-acre park on Timm’s Lake in the Town of Niagara that provides a
campground with electricity for each site, swimming and a beach on Timm's Lake, a lodge, lake
and stream fishing, a boat landing, a playground, a rock outcroppings and an overlook.
Old Veteran's Lake Campground is an 80-acre campground on Old Veteran’s Lake and High
Falls Reservoir that provides boating, fishing, camping, and swimming.

Thunder Mountain Park is a 160-acre park with a view of western Marinette County, including
High Falls Flowage. It provides hiking, picnicking, fishing, swimming and camping.
Twin Bridges Park is a 90-acre park on the High Falls Reservoir of the Peshtigo River that
provides camping with electricity on each site, picnicking, boating, swimming, fishing, a
playground, and a scenic, rocky outlook on High Falls Flowage.
Veteran’s Memorial Park is a 320-acre park located west of Crivitz on the Thunder River. It
offers a bridge over a waterfall, a pool at the bottom of the falls, camping, trout fishing, and a
large day-use area.
Oconto County
D.E. Hall County Park is located on the bay of Green Bay just north of the city of Oconto. The
park provides swimming, fishing, a boat launch, and picnic tables on three acres of county owned
land.
Fischer (Chute Pond) Memorial Park is located south of the town of Mountain on Chute Pond.
The park is 145 acres of county owned land with 100 campsites, group camping, swimming,
fishing, a boat launch, picnic tables, grills, a shelter, and a playground.
Grange County Park is located northwest of the city of Oconto on two acres of county land on
Little River. The park offers swimming, fishing, picnic tables, and a shelter.
North Bay Shore Recreation Area is located north of the city of Oconto in the bay of Green Bay.
The recreational area includes 20 acres of county owned land with 33 campsites, swimming,
fishing, a boat launch, and picnic tables.
Patzer Park is a county owned park located on the Oconto River north of the city of Gillett on
County Highway H. The park includes a boat landing, a pier, and benches.
Pioneer Park is a small park located in Stiles that provides picnic facilities and hiking trails.
Riverside Park is located south of the city of Gillett on three acres of county land on the Oconto
River. The park includes a swimming and fishing area, a boat launch, and picnic tables. Riverside
Park is owned by Oconto County and is located approximately one mile south of the city of
Gillett on County Highway BB.
Wheeler Lake Picnic Ground is a 5-acre park located in Lakewood featuring picnic facilities, a
boat launch, and fishing.
Sheboygan County
Broughton Sheboygan Marsh Park is a 30-acre developed park featuring the Marsh Lodge, a full
service restaurant and tavern, and Broughton Lodge, a multi-purpose facility. The park also offers
64 fully developed campsites that include showers, playground equipment, picnic areas, a boat
launch, and fishing piers. County snowmobile trails are also accessible during the winter months.
Gerber Lakes Public Fish & Wildlife Area is open to the public for multiple outdoor recreation
uses. No development is planned on parklands other than to provide for off-road parking.
Recreation Trails
Ice Age National Scenic Trail, one of only eight national scenic trails in the United States, will
eventually be a one-thousand mile walking/hiking trail located in, and unique to, Wisconsin.

About 600 miles of the Trail are now
available for use. The route of the trail
approximates the last stopping point on
the terminal edge of the most recent
continental glaciations. The trail varies
to include features of the glacial
landscape, communities, and portions of
the "Driftless Area" of southern
Wisconsin. Congress recognized the
national significance of the trail by
designating it a National Scenic Trail
(NST) in 1980. The State of Wisconsin
designated the trail a State Scenic Trail
in 1987. The Ice Age National Scenic
Trail has its terminus in Potawatomi
State Park in Door County (see picture
above) and additions to the trail are being developed in Kewaunee and Manitowoc counties.
Ahnapee State Trail, a former railroad line, is a multi-use trail that spans about 30 miles between
Casco, Algoma, and Sturgeon Bay. The eight to 10-foot wide limestone trail winds through
farmlands and wetlands. The trail is used for biking, hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, and
cross-country skiing. It interconnects with 95 miles of snowmobile trails in Kewaunee County
and 275 miles of trail in Door County.
Fox River State Recreational Trail stretches 13.5 miles from downtown Green Bay to Greenleaf.
From the Trailhead, approximately 5.4 miles of the urban section of the trail is asphalt-paved.
The southern portion of the trail south of Heritage Road allows horseback riding on bridle paths
along side the trail corridor. During the summer of 2002, St. Vincent WholeHealth developed a
"Health Trail" along a portion of the Fox River Trail in Allouez, providing trail users with an
outdoor fitness challenge course. Also located in the Allouez section of the Fox River Trail is St.
Francis Park with its picturesque gazebo and park benches overlooking the Fox River. St. Francis
Park provides a relaxing resting spot for trail users and picnickers. Dogs are allowed on the trail
on 5-foot leashes and owners must carry a waste pick-up device or bag with them when using the
trail.
Mountain-Bay State Trail is a county-operated 80.5-mile rail bed trail that passes through a wide
variety of landscapes between the Wausau and Green Bay areas. Named for two geological
features it connects - Rib Mountain in Marathon County and Green Bay in Brown County - the
trail is built on the former Chicago and Northwestern right-of-way. Trail users must use streets
and roads through Shawano. The trail allows hiking, touring bikes, and snowmobiles.
Nicolet State Trail is a county-operated 44.5-mile former rail corridor through forests and farms
of northeast Wisconsin. The northern half is surrounded by the Nicolet National Forest.
Oconto River State Trail is a county-operated 18-mile trail between the Oconto and Stiles
junction. It goes near Copper Culture State Park and parallels the Oconto River offering
opportunities to fish, or float part of the river then hike or bike back on the trail.

Historical/Archaeological Sites
The preservation of ancient and historic sites offers residents and visitors a special sense of place
and a feeling of continuity and association with the past. As communities plan for growth, they
should preserve archaeological, historical, and cultural places, from rural landscapes to urban
neighborhoods. Archaeological, historical, and cultural resources provide aesthetic, educational,
and economic benefits that will continue to improve the quality of life. The Bay-Lake Regional
Planning Commission acquired the locations of historic and archaeological sites from the Federal
and State Historical Society files, existing archaeological reports and community maps.
The National Historic Register recognizes properties of local, state, and national significance.
Properties are listed in the National Register because of their associations with significant
persons and events, their architectural or engineering significance, or because they contain
important information about historic districts. The Wisconsin Register of Historic Places, created
under s. 44.36 Wis. Stats., was designed to preserve and protect historical and archaeological
sites in Wisconsin.
Portions of the Bay-Lake Region have been settled since the 1700s. Subsequently, there are many
buildings of historical importance within the region. For the purpose of this plan, only historic
districts on the state and/or national registry have been listed. Care should be taken when
excavation is done within the Bay-Lake Region, since there is the possibility of disturbing a
historical or archeological site. The State of Wisconsin requires any findings of human bones to
be reported enabling the State Historical Society to investigate Wisconsin Statute 157.70. Land
developers trying to obtain state permits from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
on any development involving federal monies are required to be in compliance with Section 106
of the National Historic Preservation Act and 36 CFR Part 800: Protection of Historic Properties.
National and State Register of Historic Places
The Wisconsin National Register of Historic Places lists 194 records of historic places and/or
districts within the Bay-Lake Region as of June 2005. Table 5.3 provides a list of Bay-Lake’s
historic places obtained from the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Table 5.3: Records of National and State Historic Places within the Bay-Lake Region
Count County Historic Name Community
1 Brown Astor Historic District Green Bay
2 Brown Baird Law Office Allouez
3 Brown Broadway - Dousman Historic District Green Bay
4 Brown Broadway - Walnut Historic District Green Bay
5 Brown Brown County Courthouse Green Bay
6 Brown Chicago and North Western Railway Passenger Depot Green Bay
7 Brown Cotton House Allouez
8 Brown De Pere Lock and Dam Historic District De Pere
9 Brown De Pere Public Library De Pere
10 Brown East Moravian Church Green Bay
11 Brown Fisk, Joel S., House Green Bay
12 Brown Fort Howard Hospital Allouez
13 Brown Fort Howard Officers' Quarters Allouez
14 Brown Fort Howard Ward Building Allouez
15 Brown Fox Theatre Green Bay
16 Brown Grassy Island Range Lights Green Bay
17 Brown Hazelwood Green Bay
18 Brown Henry House Suamico
19 Brown Holy Cross Church and Convent Green Bay
20 Brown Kaap's Restaurant Green Bay
21 Brown Kellogg Public Library and Neville Public Museum Green Bay
22 Brown Lawton, C. A., Company De Pere
23 Brown Little Kaukauna Lock and Dam Historic District Rockland
24 Brown Main Hall De Pere
25 Brown Milwaukee Road Passenger Depot Green Bay
26 Brown Mueller-Wright House Wrightstown
27 Brown North Broadway Street Historic District De Pere
28 Brown Oakland - Dousman Historic District Green Bay
29 Brown Rioux, Angeline Champeau, House Howard
30 Brown Rockwood Lodge Barn and Pigsty T. Green Bay
31 Brown Smith, J.B., House and Granary T. Green Bay
32 Brown Tank Cottage Allouez
33 Brown Union House Hotel De Pere
34 Brown Wisconsin State Reformatory Allouez
35 Door Anderson Dock Historic District Ephraim
36 Door Bailey's Harbor Town Hall/Mc Ardle Library Baileys Harbor
37 Door Baileys Harbor Range Light Baileys Harbor
38 Door Bohjanen's Door Bluff Pictographs Liberty Grove
39 Door Bouche, J.B., House Brussels
40 Door Bullhead Point Historical and Archaeological District Sturgeon Bay
41 Door Cana Island Lighthouse Baileys Harbor
42 Door Carnegie Free Library Sturgeon Bay
43 Door Chambers Island Lighthouse Gibraltar
44 Door Christina Nilsson Baileys Harbor
45 Door Church of the Atonement Gibraltar
46 Door Claflin Point Site Gardner
47 Door Clearing, The Liberty Grove
48 Door Cupola House Egg Harbor
49 Door Draize, August, Farmstead Union
50 Door Eagle Bluff Lighthouse Gibraltar
51 Door Englebert, Frank and Clara, House Brussels
(Continued)

52 Door Ephraim Moravian Church Ephraim
53 Door Ephraim Village Hall Ephraim
54 Door Frank O'Connor (bulk carrier/shipwreck) Baileys Harbor
55 Door Falque, Joachine J., House Brussels
56 Door Fleetwing Liberty Grove
Free Evangelical Lutheran Church - Bethania Scandinavian
Door Ephraim
57 Evangelical Lutheran Congregation
58 Door Gibraltar District School No. 2 Ephraim
59 Door Globe Hotel Baileys Harbor
60 Door Globe Hotel Baileys Harbor
61 Door Hillside Hotel Ephraim
62 Door Iverson, Andreas, House and First Public School Ephraim
63 Door Jischke's Meat Market Sister Bay
64 Door Joint Brussels and Gardner District School Number One Brussels
65 Door LOUISIANA (Shipwreck) Washington
66 Door Larson, L. A., & Co. Store Sturgeon Bay
67 Door Little Lake Archaeological District Washington
68 Door Louisiana Street/Seventh Avenue Historic District Sturgeon Bay
69 Door MERIDIAN (schooner) Shipwreck Site Liberty Grove
70 Door Monfils, Joseph, Farmstead Brussels
71 Door Namur Belgian-American District Union
72 Door Noble, Alexander, House Gibraltar
73 Door Peterson, Peter, House Ephraim
74 Door Pilot Island Light Washington
75 Door Pilot Island NW Site Liberty Grove
76 Door Plum Island Range Rear Light Washington
77 Door Porte des Morts Site Liberty Grove
78 Door Pottawatomie Lighthouse Washington
79 Door Rock Island Historic District Washington
80 Door Sherwood Point Light Station Nasewaupee
81 Door Sturgeon Bay Canal Lighthouse Sturgeon Bay
82 Door Sturgeon Bay Post Office Sturgeon Bay
83 Door Third Avenue Historic District Sturgeon Bay
84 Door Thordarson Estate Historic District Washington
85 Door Thorp, Freeman and Jesse, House and Cottages Gibraltar
86 Door Vangindertahlen, Louis, House Brussels
87 Door Vorous General Store Gibraltar
88 Door Water Tower Washington
89 Door Welcker's Resort Historic District Gibraltar
90 Door Whitefish Dunes - Bay View Site Sevastopol
91 Door Zachow, William, Farmstead Liberty Grove
92 Door Zahn, Albert, House / Bird's Park Baileys Harbor
93 Door Zahn, August, Blacksmith Shop and Residence Baileys Harbor
94 Florence Fay Outlet Site (47FL13) Long Lake
95 Florence Fern School Fern
96 Florence Florence County Courthouse and Jail Florence
97 Kewaunee Ahnapee Brewery Algoma
98 Kewaunee Dettman, Art, Fishing Shanty Algoma
99 Kewaunee Halada, George, Farmstead Montpelier
100 Kewaunee Kewaunee County Sheriff's House and Jail Kewaunee
101 Kewaunee Kewaunee Post Office Kewaunee
(Continued)

102 Kewaunee Marquette Historic District Kewaunee
103 Kewaunee Massart Farmstead Casco
104 Kewaunee Pilgrim Family Farmstead West Kewaunee
105 Kewaunee St. Lawrence Catholic Church Franklin
106 Kewaunee Tug "Major Wilbur Fr. Browder" Kewaunee
107 Manitowoc Central Park Historic District Kewaunee
108 Manitowoc Eighth Street Historic District Manitowoc
109 Manitowoc FRANCIS HINTON (steamer) Manitowoc
110 Manitowoc Frenchside Fishing Village Two Rivers
111 Manitowoc Green Bay Road Bridge Manitowoc Rapids
112 Manitowoc Heins, Carl Gottlieb, House Manitowoc
113 Manitowoc Island Village Site Eden
114 Manitowoc Loreto Shrine Chapel Manitowoc
115 Manitowoc Lutze Housebarn Centerville
116 Manitowoc Manitowoc County Courthouse Manitowoc
117 Manitowoc Rawley Point Light Station T. Two Rivers
118 Manitowoc Rock Mill Cooperstown
119 Manitowoc Saint Luke's Church Complex Two Rivers
120 Manitowoc Sexton's House Manitowoc
121 Manitowoc St. Gregory's Church
122 Manitowoc St. Mary's Convent Saint Nazianz
123 Manitowoc Two Rivers Post Office Two Rivers
124 Manitowoc USS COBIA (submarine) Manitowoc
125 Manitowoc Vilas, Joseph, Jr., House Manitowoc
126 Marinette Amberg Town Hall Amberg
127 Marinette Bijou Theatre Building Marinette
128 Marinette Chautauqua Grounds Site Marinette
129 Marinette Dunlap Square Building Marinette
130 Marinette Independent Order of Odd Fellows - Lodge #189 Building Marinette
131 Marinette Lauerman Brothers Department Store Marinette
132 Marinette Lauerman, F.J., House Marinette
133 Marinette Lena Road School Pound
134 Marinette Milwaukee Road Depot Marinette
135 Marinette Peshtigo Fire Cemetery Peshtigo
136 Oconto Beyer Home Museum Oconto
137 Oconto Boulder Lake Site Oconto
138 Oconto Campbell, John G., House Doty
139 Oconto First Church of Christ, Scientist Oconto
140 Oconto Holt and Balcom Logging Camp No.1 Lakewood
141 Oconto Holt-Balcom Lumber Company Office Oconto
142 Oconto Jones, Huff, House Oconto
143 Oconto Krause, Daniel E., Stone Barn Chase
144 Oconto Mathey Building Lena
145 Oconto Mountain School Mountain
146 Oconto Oconto County Courthouse Oconto
147 Oconto Oconto Main Post Office Oconto
148 Oconto Oconto Site Oconto
149 Oconto Scofield, Gov. Edward, House Oconto
150 Oconto Smyth Road Bridge Lakewood
151 Oconto St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Guild Hall and Vicarage Oconto
(continued)

152 Oconto St. Peter's and St. Joseph's Catholic Churches Oconto
153 Oconto Weber Lake Picnic Ground Shelter
154 Oconto West Main Street Historic District Oconto
155 Oconto White Potato Lake Garden Beds Site Brazeau
156 Sheboygan "Hetty Taylor" Shipwreck Sheboygan
157 Sheboygan American Club Kohler
158 Sheboygan Balzer, John, Wagon Works Complex Sheboygan
159 Sheboygan Blackstock, Thomas M. and Bridget, House Sheboygan
160 Sheboygan Cole Historic District Sheboygan Falls
161 Sheboygan Downtown Historic District Sheboygan Falls
162 Sheboygan Foeste, Henry Store, Building Sheboygan
163 Sheboygan Franklin Feed Mill Herman
164 Sheboygan Friendship House Sheboygan
165 Sheboygan Garton Toy Company Sheboygan
166 Sheboygan Glenbeulah Mill/Grist Mill Glenbeulah
167 Sheboygan Gooseville Mill/Grist Mill Sherman
168 Sheboygan Hotel Laack Plymouth
169 Sheboygan Huson, Henry H., House and Water Tower Plymouth
170 Sheboygan Imig, Henry and Charles, Block Sheboygan
171 Sheboygan Jung Carriage Factory Sheboygan
172 Sheboygan Jung Shoe Manufacturing Company Factory Sheboygan
173 Sheboygan Kletzien Mound Group (47-SB-61) Sheboygan
174 Sheboygan Kohler Company Factory Complex Kohler
175 Sheboygan Kohler, John Michael, House Sheboygan
176 Sheboygan Mission House Historic District Herman
177 Sheboygan Onion River Flouring Mill/Grist Mill Waldo
178 Sheboygan Plymouth Post Office Plymouth
179 Sheboygan Riverbend Kohler
180 Sheboygan Robinson, Charles, House Greenbush
181 Sheboygan Robinson-Herrling Sawmill Greenbush
182 Sheboygan Roth, Henry and Henriette, House Sheboygan
183 Sheboygan Sheboygan County Courthouse Sheboygan
184 Sheboygan Sheboygan Post Office Sheboygan
185 Sheboygan Sheboygan Theater Sheboygan
186 Sheboygan St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church Sherman
187 Sheboygan Taylor, David, House Sheboygan
188 Sheboygan Third Ward School Sheboygan
189 Sheboygan Thomas, I. C., Drug Store Sheboygan
190 Sheboygan Villa Laun Rhine
191 Sheboygan Villa Von Baumbach Elkhart Lake
192 Sheboygan Wade, Sylvanus, House Greenbush
193 Sheboygan Windway T. Sheboygan
194 Sheboygan Wolff - Jung Company Shoe Factory Sheboygan
- National Historic Landmarks

Source: Wisconsin Historical Society and Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission. June 2005.
National Historic Landmarks

In 1935, the U.S. Congress charged the Department of the Interior with the responsibility for
designating nationally significant historic sites, buildings, and objects and promoting their
preservation for the inspiration and benefit of the people of the United States. The National

Historic Landmarks program was established to identify and protect places possessing
exceptional value in illustrating the nation's heritage. The places that "possess exceptional value
or quality in illustrating and interpreting the heritage of the United States" are designated
“National Historic Landmarks”. National Historic Landmark designation recognizes properties
that are important to the entire nation. National Historic Landmarks are listed in the National
Register of Historic Places. Only 3 percent of properties listed in the National Register of
Historic Places are designated as National Historic Landmarks (National Park Service). Their
preservation is an irreplaceable legacy.
The Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission contains two National Historic Landmarks. One is
the “Oconto Site”, a prehistoric burial ground in the city of Oconto within the Copper Culture
State Park. Tools of the Old Copper Culture people, who occupied the northern Midwest about
2500 BC, have been found in association with human burials at this site. The other National
Historic Landmark in the Region is the COBIA, USS submarine in the city of Manitowoc, which
“serves as a symbol of the great industrial achievement and effort of the people of Wisconsin
toward the winning of World War II”. In 1970, it was dedicated as an International Memorial to
submariners throughout the world.
Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory
The Wisconsin Historical Society maintains an architecture and history inventory that contains
data on buildings, structures, site, objects, and historic districts that exhibit Wisconsin’s history.
The Wisconsin Historical Society maintains a permanent record of a wide range of historic
properties such as the round barns, log houses, metal truss bridges, small town commercial
buildings, and Queen Anne houses that make up Wisconsin’s cultural landscape.
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires that all federal agencies consider
how their activities affect historic properties. Thus, each time a government agency funds,
licenses or assists an undertaking, the project must pass Section 106 review. If properties are
found that may be eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, the sites are
evaluated and placed in this list.
Some properties have not been placed in the National Register because of the objections of the
property owner. However, they have been designated as “eligible for listing” in the National
Register.
In June 2005, an online search for records in the Bay-Lake Region on the Architecture and
History Inventory found 13,809 records. However, some properties may have been altered or no
longer exist, and many are privately owned and not open to the public. The inventory is available
online at the Wisconsin Historical Society website and is searchable by City, Village, and Town
or through an advanced search with such options as township, range, or section; style and form;
wall material, etc.
SIGNIFICANT FEATURES NOT INCLUDED IN ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDOR

DEFINITION
Four features; small, isolated wetlands (less than two acres in size); unmapped navigable waters;
ephemeral streams and wetlands; and groundwater recharge areas have been identified as being
significant and important for protection, but lack of data has prevented their inclusion in the
environmental corridor definition.

Small, Isolated Wetlands (Less than Two Acres in Size)
Small, isolated wetlands less than two acres in size were not included in the final environmental
corridor map because the information was not available on wetlands of that size at the time this
study was done. However, wetlands less than two acres may still be very important and many
need protection whenever possible.
Studies have shown that small, isolated wetlands provide essential habitat for amphibians, birds,
and migrating waterfowl. They can hold large quantities of water for a long time during wet
seasons, which helps to control flooding. They are also important in transforming damaging
pollutants that run off the landscape, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, thereby minimizing their
adverse impacts on downstream rivers and lakes.
Unmapped Navigable Waters
Many navigable waters have not been formally mapped and therefore are not displayed as
navigable waters on a USGS or other map. Navigability can also change over time; waterways
that were not navigable can become navigable due to climatic or landscape changes in the area,
such as development and/or the creation of additional of impervious surfaces. Additionally,
waterways that were navigable can become non-navigable. Therefore, it is important that a
Wisconsin DNR Water Management Specialist is contacted before pursuing any project that
could impact a waterway of Wisconsin, whether it appears on a map or not. Any project that
would affect the waters of the State may require a permit under the authority of Chapter 30 of the
Wisconsin Statutes, including crossings and modifications of navigable waters and connected
wetlands. WDNR can make a navigability determination and conclude how the project can
proceed.
Critical Habitats
While northeast Wisconsin has historically supported a wide variety of flora and fauna,
urbanization, agriculturalization, and deforestation has had significant and adverse impacts on
biodiversity. Many habitat types have been virtually eliminated and most have been seriously
degraded. Despite Federal and State regulatory processes and measures designed to protect rare,
threatened, and endangered species, they continue to suffer detrimental impacts from
development that destroys their habitat. Additionally, a “critical habitat” designation under the
Endangered Species Act has no effect on development where a Federal agency is not involved,
which encompasses most of the development in northeast Wisconsin, nor does it protect State-
listed critical species.
A comprehensive inventory of important natural areas and critical habitats on which to base land
use planning decisions, is presently not available in a concise and collated form, nor is it accessible
to all users charged with making land use decisions. GIS data on critical habitats could be a
valuable planning tool to raise awareness of critical species and offer a method to aid in their
survival. However, such data must be developed as not to jeopardize the safety of critical species by
revealing their precise locations.
Ephemeral Streams and Wetlands
Ephemeral streams and wetlands generally occur in the upper reaches of a watershed, the
headwaters, and only flow after heavy rain or snowmelt when soils are saturated. The Army
Corps of Engineers defines ephemeral streams as flowing water only during, and for a short

duration after, precipitation events. Ephemeral streams are small, often unnamed drainage swales
or depressions in the ground; they are small streams that are often nothing more than a roadside
ditch that provides drainage to an intermittent or continuous flow stream. Some commonly used
names for ephemeral streams include stormwater channel, drain, swale, gully, or ditch. Many
agricultural or roadside ditches were once natural meandering streams that have been
straightened and/or deepened.
As defined by the Environmental Protection Agency, ephemeral wetlands temporarily hold water
in the spring and early summer or after heavy rains. Periodically, these wetlands dry up, often in
mid to late summer. They are isolated without a permanent inlet or outlet, but may overflow in
times of high water. Ephemeral wetlands are usually free of fish, which allows for the successful
breeding of certain amphibians and invertebrates.
Small, ephemeral streams and wetlands are the source of the nation’s fresh waters, so changes
that degrade these headwater systems affect streams, lakes, and rivers downstream. Land use
changes near small streams and wetlands can impair the natural functions of such headwater
systems. Changes in surrounding vegetation, development that paves and hardens soil surfaces,
and the total elimination of some small streams reduces the amount of rainwater, runoff, and
snowmelt that the stream network can absorb before flooding. Ephemeral streams and wetlands
protect water quality by storing and modifying potential pollutants such as fertilizers and manure,
and trap excess sediments that would otherwise harm fish habitat, create more dredge material,
and contribute to pollutant loading
Ephemeral steams and wetlands are very productive spawning and rearing habitat, and numerous
amphibian and fish species rely on such areas for habitat and reproduction. For example, northern
pike, a scare top predatory species, depends on ephemeral streams for successful reproduction,
using ditches and small streams in the spring to work their way to marshes to spawn. Pike may
travel more than 15 miles inland in water less than ten inches deep to lay their eggs, therefore,
shallow water is an important component to their reproduction (Northern Pike, Rost).
The loss of ephemeral streams and marshy areas near open water can reduce populations for
many aquatic species. Fish will not spawn in shoreline areas that have been disturbed, such as
shoreland property that has been dredged or filled for a beach.
A simple and inexpensive method for local government to protect ephemeral streams is by
establishing an open waterway ordinance to keep natural streams and roadside ditches open and
free flowing for protection of both in-stream and riparian zone fish and wildlife habitat. An open
waterway ordinance would protect the natural resource value of roadside and agricultural ditches,
while still maintaining their original intention to drain water off and away from roads and
farmland.
In addition, vegetated riparian buffers would contribute in the protection of ephemeral steams.
No stream is too small for a buffer. In fact, buffers are perhaps most needed for low-order
intermittent or ephemeral headwater streams because these waterways represent the major
conduits of sediment entering the system.
Critical Groundwater Recharge Areas
As discussed in Chapter 4, protection of groundwater recharge areas is important to ensure good
water quality and quantity for both human use and as a water source for streams and wetlands. In

developed areas, groundwater recharge is difficult because much of the land surface is covered
with pavement and roofs, causing rainwater and snowmelt to flow away rather than seep into the
ground. In some places, groundwater becomes contaminated with livestock manure, human
sewage sludge, fertilizers, and pesticides because of insufficient topsoil layers to filter the water
before reaching the aquifer. Mapped data on critical groundwater recharge areas for land use
planning is a necessary tool to limit contamination, protect drinking water supplying, and
maintain healthy waterways.
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDORS MAPS

The Bay-Lake Regional definition of environmental corridors was mapped by overlaying the
identified data layers using Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission’s Geographic Information
System (GIS). The features were mapped in two ways, initially as separately colored features on
a base map of the Region, then as a single combined feature, which allowed each individual
feature to be reviewed, and enable the refinement of individual feature delineations where
necessary. Map 5.7 displays each feature of the environmental corridor for the Region, and Map
5.8 displays the environmental corridors of the Bay-Lake Region as a single feature.
Local Environmental Corridors
Environmental corridor mapping is available for each county, city, village, and town in the Bay-
Lake Region. Displaying the environmental corridors at a local level makes them more usable for
incorporation into planning activities. Environmental corridors for any community in the Bay-
Lake Region are available by contacting the Commission’s GIS department. Some environmental
corridor data may also be available by accessing the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission’s
web mapping site at http://maps.baylakerpc.org. Map 5.9 is an example of a community
environmental corridor map.

Map 5.7
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Source: WDNR; FEMA; NRCS; Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission, 2005.
Map 5.8
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CHAPTER 6 : IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING ENVIRONMENTAL
CORRIDORS
Over the years, development has consumed natural areas and green space at an alarming rate.
This development often occurs without well-designed land-use plans, resulting in sprawl
development, fragmented natural areas, development of productive farmland, and disrupted
ecological functions. Such unplanned development has led to the loss of many significant natural
areas, the degradation of water resources, the fragmentation of green spaces, the loss of
ecological services, and increased costs of public infrastructure and services leading to increased
taxes.
Proper land use planning can minimize large investments in roads, sewers, schools, police and
fire protection, and the other public infrastructure that is needed for residential and commercial
development. As commercial and residential development is added to a community, new
infrastructure and services must be expanded to accommodate them. Communities are forced to
provide services across a larger geographic area leading to increased infrastructure costs and
ultimately higher taxes. Many studies show that farming and forestry generates considerably
more revenue than they require in public infrastructure and services, whereas residential
development has the opposite effect.
Environmental corridor planning can ease the negative affects of rapid development on essential
ecological processes, such as the loss of riparian areas and wetlands that protect and improve
water quality and ease the burden of stormwater runoff. Establishing environmental corridors and
enforcing their protection is a means of direct development to more suitable areas in order to
preserve precious natural features and the valuable ecological processes they provide.
VALUE OF CONNECTIVITY
Connectivity is essential for the survival of numerous wildlife species. Many wildlife populations
are unable to flourish, and countless ecological processes will not function if natural connections
are severed, leaving only “islands” of natural area. In addition to wildlife concerns, fragmented
areas may be less effective in providing such benefits as stormwater re/detention, snow and wind
protection, usable green space, and pollution filtration, to name a few. A planned connection of
natural landscape features and stream corridors – parks, State Natural Areas, riparian areas,
wetlands, woodlands, and other green spaces – is critical to maintain fundamental ecological
processes and services, and to maintain the health of wildlife populations and water quality.
The desired outcome for environmental corridor planning is a green space system that functions
as an ecological whole. By making environmental corridors the framework for conservation,
communities can plan for interconnected natural areas. Where isolated islands of nature exist,
environmental corridor planning can help identify opportunities to restore vital ecological
connections. It is important to note that environmental corridors do not require, or even imply,
public ownership of all land in the system. Privately owned land, particularly farms fields and
woodlands can play an important role in an environmental corridor system.

BENEFITS TO PRESERVING ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDORS
The following information provides a list of benefits and reasons for preserving and protecting
the natural resources associated with environmental corridors. Identifying and protecting
environmental corridors enables a community to:
• Identify areas where development could lead to public health or safety problems
and assists the community in restricting development in such areas. Unsuitable
areas include those subject to flooding, steep slopes, unstable soils, high noise
exposure (such as near airports), or areas where development could pollute or
endanger water supplies.
• Consider the resources that contribute to the overall quality of community life,
such as areas of unique or valuable scenery or vegetation, wildlife habitat, and
needed buffer areas between development and adjacent incompatible land uses.
• Preserve natural drainage systems (including drainageways, floodplains, and
wetlands) to avoid future expensive drainage and flooding problems; and in most
developing areas, allows the community to provide surface drainage at a much
lower cost than storm sewers.
• Direct development away from soils that pose problems for construction and
development, and thus avoid the construction and ongoing maintenance problems
and property damage associated with development on unsuitable soils. Although
steep slopes are the only unsuitable soils that are mapped as an element of the
environmental corridor, it should be recognized that most of the lands in
environmental corridors have soils with severe limitations for development, such
as wetlands or floodplains.
• Acquire environmental corridor lands and use some of them to satisfy the green
space and recreation needs of a community. Using environmental corridors for
green space and recreational purposes is a very economical way for a community to
satisfy the green space and recreation needs of its citizens. However, not all of the
environmental corridor lands are suitable or needed for recreation.
Economic Benefits to Preserving Environmental Corridors
Interconnected green space systems benefit people, wildlife, and the economy. Strategic
placement of environmental corridors reduces the need for public infrastructure such as roads,
sewers, and utilities, freeing public funds for other community needs. Environmental corridors
provide important services such as flood control, stormwater management, snow and wind
protection, recreational areas, educational settings, pollution filtration, and encourage economic
development. Furthermore, environmental corridors help maintain a community’s aesthetic or
historical value.
Investing in environmental corridor systems can often be more cost effective than conventional
public works projects. For example, in the 1990s, New York City saved spending billions on new
water filtration and treatment plants by purchasing and protecting watershed land in the Catskill
Mountains. Likewise, many communities have dramatically reduced the need for costly disaster
relief and flood damage repair efforts by purchasing threatened floodplain properties and
replacing them with greenways that can safely absorb the floodwaters.

Stormwater Management
Stormwater discharges are generated by runoff from land and impervious areas such as
compacted soil, paved streets and driveways, parking lots, and rooftops. Rainfall and snow
events often wash polluted runoff into waterways, which adversely affects water quality. Most
stormwater discharges are considered point sources that require a U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit.
Environmental corridors act as “natural” stormwater management systems that enhance water
quality by reducing surface runoff and providing opportunities to protect riparian vegetation and
filter stormwater. The quantity and quality of stormwater moving through the system changes as
a watershed is developed. Development creates more stormwater runoff as soil that would
normally absorb rainwater is replaced by impervious surfaces. Gutters, drains, and storm sewers
further concentrate stormwater and often send it directly into streams and lakes. Rather than
using expensive concrete channels and underground pipes, communities can use vegetated
swales, constructed wetlands, green space, rain gardens, and other practices to contain and treat
stormwater in a more environmentally and economically-conscious way.
NR 216
To meet the requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act, the WDNR developed the Wisconsin
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) Stormwater Discharge Permit Program that is
regulated under the authority of NR 216 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code. As part of the
EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, the WPDES Stormwater Program
regulates discharge of stormwater in Wisconsin from construction sites, industrial facilities, and
selected municipalities.
The federal Phase II Final Rule requires nationwide coverage of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer
Systems (MS4s) that are located within the boundaries of a Bureau of the Census-defined
urbanized area based on the latest decennial Census (“urbanized area” has been defined in the
glossary at the end of this document). There are 16 urbanized areas in Wisconsin, including about
220 designated cities, villages, towns, and counties. There a two urbanized areas in the Bay-Lake
Region, Green Bay urban area, and Sheboygan urban area. The Green Bay urban area includes
Allouez (village), Ashwaubenon (village), Bellevue (village), Brown (county), De Pere (city), De
Pere (town), Green Bay (city), Hobart (town), Howard (village), Lawrence (town), Ledgeview
(town), Pittsfield (town), Scott (town), and Suamico (town). The Sheboygan urban area includes
Herman (town), Howards Grove (village), Kohler (village), Lima (town), Mosel (town),
Sheboygan (city), Sheboygan (county), Sheboygan Falls (city), Sheboygan Falls (town),
Sheboygan (town), and Wilson (town). Of the urbanized areas in the Bay-Lake Region only the
village of Howards Grove, the town of Mosel, Sheboygan (County), the town of Sheboygan
Falls, and the town of Sheboygan are covered under a MS4 permit or have submitted an
application to WDNR.
In addition, NR 216 requires stormwater permit coverage of all MS4s serving a population over
10,000 that are located outside of an urbanized area. In Wisconsin, there are 20 communities
with populations over 10,000 existing outside of urbanized areas. There are three communities in
the Bay-Lake Region, Manitowoc, Marinette, and Two Rivers, that fall under this regulation.
However, it makes good economic sense for any sized community to plan for natural stormwater
management, such as environmental corridors, before development eliminates the option.

The ultimate goal of the WPDES Stormwater Program is to prevent the transportation of
pollutants to Wisconsin's water resources via stormwater runoff. Beyond regulatory stormwater
management, WDNR supports a wide variety of voluntary stormwater management activities,
including projects funded through the Urban Nonpoint Source, and Stormwater and Targeted
Runoff Management Grant Programs. The University of Wisconsin - Extension and EPA Office
of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds have additional information available about stormwater
management from the scale of a residential rain garden through construction site erosion control
plans for multi-acre construction sites.
Flood Control
Environmental corridors such as wetlands, floodplains, and riparian buffers provide flood
control, saving communities billions in mitigation and disaster relief efforts. They act to retain
water during dry periods and hold it during flooding events, thus keeping the water table high
and relatively stable. Additionally, protected environmental corridors that include floodplains
prevent development in flood prone areas, thereby minimizing flood damage by taking
development out of dangerous areas and allowing the waters to overflow their banks and release
their force without causing damage or death.
For planning and regulatory purposes, floodplains are defined as the areas, excluding the channel,
subject to inundation by the 100-year recurrence interval flood event (1-percent-annual-chance
flood). Such an event has a 1-percent chance of being reached or exceeded in severity in any
given year. It should be noted that the 100-year recurrence interval floodplain or 1-percent-
annual-chance flood contains within its boundaries the areas inundated by floods of less severe
but more frequent occurrence such as every five years (20-percent-annual-chance flood), ten
years (ten-percent-annual-chance flood), or 50 years (two-percent-annual-chance flood).
Floodplains are not suited to urban development because of flood hazards and high water tables,
as well as inadequate soils. These areas are, however, generally suitable locations for green space
areas and environmental corridors.
Groundwater Recharge
Groundwater aquifers can be recharged (or refilled) directly by precipitation moving down
through the soil and rock layers or by infiltration from surface water sources such as lakes, rivers,
streams, and wetlands. Conversely, groundwater may discharge to surface water sources. The
quantity of groundwater discharge may be a significant portion of input into the surface water
source and can affect water quality accordingly.
Natural groundwater recharge is affected by human activities on the ground surface. For
example, the drainage of wetlands increases the movement of water off the land surface, which
reduces the water infiltration that eventually becomes groundwater. A reduction in groundwater
recharge can seriously reduce the water level in nearby shallow wells.
Groundwater has great economic value. Many communities rely solely on groundwater as a water
supply source that would need to be replaced, at some cost, should that groundwater become
polluted or depleted. Natural areas free of development (e.g. pavement, rooftops, and compacted
soil) provide sites of groundwater recharge. Environmental corridors aid in protecting these
valuable groundwater recharge areas.

Ideally, the best way to protect groundwater supply is to know the locations of groundwater
recharge areas and ensure they remain in their natural state. Groundwater recharge mapping is a
valuable planning tool for any community; however, it is usually not available for most areas in
Wisconsin. Every effort should be made on the part of communities to acquire such information.
In addition, it is important to be conservative with water use. The benefits of water conservation
by individuals is often underestimated, but less stress on groundwater supplies from
municipalities would greatly aid the aquifer in maintaining sustainability.
Recreation Areas
Environmental corridors may help strengthen the local economy by stimulating community
revitalization and creating jobs related to recreation and tourism. Environmental corridors
provide improved general environmental health; recreational, research, and educational
opportunities; maintain opportunities for hunting and fishing; and add to the aesthetics of the
area. They provide essential breeding, nesting, resting, and feeding habitats and predator escape
cover for many fish and wildlife. Thereby, environmental corridors can be profitable by creating
recreational and educational opportunities. Visitors/tourists to the area spend money at
restaurants, hotels, and stores; and that spending translates into jobs.
Pollution Filtration and Carbon Sequestration
Environmental corridors provide pollution filtration and contribute to the maintenance of good
water quality by serving as traps that retain nutrients, pollutants, and sediments, thereby
preventing them from reaching streams and lakes. In addition, environmental corridors, green
spaces, and wooded areas provide a less commonly considered benefit, carbon sequestration,
which plays an important role in moderating climate. As trees and vegetation grow, they remove
carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen. Forests provide a very significant carbon sink
that helps to combat accelerated global warming, thus Wisconsin’s forests are a significant
hindrance to this ominous trend.
A recent study, Economic Values of Protecting Roadless Areas in the United States (Colorado
State University; 2000) that focused on natural, continuous green space, estimated the value of
climate regulation from forests at $35 per acre per year and an additional $35 per acre for waste
treatment services such as recovering mobile nutrients and cleansing the environment. Keep in
mind that these are year 2000 values, and these services have probably increased in value over
time.
Economic Development
A vibrant economy ensures that financial resources are available to maintain environmental
quality. Taxable properties that are adjacent to environmental corridors, parks, and other planned
green space generate greater overall revenue for a community. It is commonly known that homes
located near parks and green space generally sell for more than similar home in other areas.
Experience also shows that businesses are more successful when located where quality of life
indicators are high.
Planned environmental corridors, parks, and trails help communities develop the characteristics
and reputation of being a desirable place to live. Boulder, Colorado; Portland, Oregon; Seattle,
Washington; and Raleigh, North Carolina are examples of well-known communities that have
successfully attracted new businesses and retained existing ones based in part on the presence

and accessibility of environmental, recreational, and cultural/historical amenities associated with
environmental corridors and other green space.
Other Economic Benefits
Environmental corridors provide many other economic benefits by preventing a community from
the expensive and potentially harmful results from disasters that can arise from development in
unsuitable areas. If environmental corridor areas are protected then the risks of building in areas
with soils rated poor for development, such as wetlands are reduced. Additionally, with
floodplains and waterway setbacks included in environmental corridor definitions, the costs of
stream bank stabilization, flood damage, and waterway clean-ups are reduced.
Development in Areas of Unsuitable Soils
Wetlands pose severe limitations for development. In general, these limitations are related to the
high water table, and the high compressibility and instability, low bearing capacity, and high
shrink-swell potential of wetland soils. These limitations may result in flooding, wet basements,
unstable foundations, failing pavements, and weakened sewer and waterlines. In addition, the
development of wetland soils, particularly roads,
Excerpt from Wisconsin Land
foundations, and public utilities, involve significant and Legacy Report
costly site preparation and maintenance costs.
PROVIDING SERVICES TO NEW
Stream Bank Stabilization DEVELOPMENTS – FISCAL IMPACTS
The roots of riparian trees and shrubs help hold stream When new housing developments are
proposed and built, a community’s
banks in place, preventing costly erosion. Trees and plants property tax base increases, with
along stream banks and lakeshores can reduce soil erosion corresponding increases in the collection of
because their roots hold the soil together, making it more property taxes. However, the additional
revenues generated by the new residential
difficult for waves, currents and runoff to wash the soil developments, in some cases, may not
away. Vegetation also reduces the impact of raindrops on offset the costs of providing the additional
infrastructure and services. That is, the cost
exposed soil, decreasing erosion. Thus, maintaining a of building, maintaining, and staffing new
vegetated strip along streams, rivers, and lakes reduces the schools, fire and police stations, roads,
potential for soil erosion and helps to achieve clear, sewers, landfills, and other infrastructure
can end up costing communities more than
attractive waterways. the revenues generated by the new
development.
Clean-up and Dredging Costs of Streams and Rivers
Riparian vegetation traps sediment, nutrients, and pollutants, Of course, residential areas are developed
in varying densities, with widely ranging
helping keep the water clean and healthy. Runoff water is home values, and are located different
slowed as it moves through plants and litter, thus much of distances from existing and new
infrastructure. Similarly, some communities
the sediment, nutrients, and pollutants that are carried along have excess “capacity” in their school,
will be dropped before reaching lakes, rivers and streams. wastewater treatment, water supply and
Plant roots are able to take up the nutrients that have other systems, while other communities
need to build new infrastructure when new
dissolved in the runoff and soaked into the soil, and the developments occur. As such, residential
plant itself holds back soil runoff, further reducing the developments vary in their fiscal impact –
amount of pollution and sediment flowing into lakes and some may result in a fiscal benefit, others
in a fiscal deficit. Studies, both in
streams, thereby minimizing costly clean-ups and dredging. Wisconsin and nationally, have found the
generally the higher the population’s
Cost of Community Services (COCS) density in a community, the less expensive
it is to provide community services per
When it comes to development, it is commonly believed unit.
that “growth pays for growth”. However, many reports have Source: Wisconsin Land Legacy Report. WDNR. 2002.

discredited the belief that in order to pay for services and infrastructure, we need to encourage
investments in new development projects. A direct result of this thinking has been the trend
towards development sprawl, declining quality of life, causing loss of farmland, green space, and
many benefits provided by natural areas. See the excerpt from the Wisconsin Land Legacy
Report, Providing Services to New Developments – Fiscal Impacts.
Many community leaders expect that the taxes generated by growth will pay for the increased
costs of sprawl, but in many instances, this has not been the case. American Farmland Trust
developed the Cost of Community Services (COCS) methodology to measure the net fiscal
contribution of different land uses, including residential, commercial, industrial, farm, forest, and
green space. With a COCS study, citizens and community leaders can make more informed land
use decisions. COCS studies are an inexpensive way to determine net fiscal contribution of
different land uses to local budgets.
Numerous studies across the nation show that farmland, forests, and green space generate taxes
while requiring few services. More than 80 COCS studies conducted nationwide by American
Farmland Trust and others, such as Cost of Community Services Studies: Making the Case for
Conservation, and several done by Wisconsin Land Use Research Program shows that privately
owned green spaces generate more in local revenues than they require in services. Thus,
sometimes it makes more economic sense to purchase and preserve green space than it does to
allow it to be developed.
The permanent protection of a parcel will not prevent development, but will more likely redirect
it. Over the long term, the amount of development a given community or county is likely to see
will probably not change because of conservation. Instead, the conservation of certain key parcels
may influence the location and pattern of development, which may make providing municipal
services more efficient and less costly; help a community or county meet its other goals, such as
providing more recreation; and it may make other property in the community or county more
valuable, resulting in increased tax revenues.

CHAPTER 7 : TOOLS TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDORS
There are many tools available to the Bay-Lake region and local communities to protect
environmental corridors. By adopting environmental corridors protection regulations, the Bay-
Lake region and local communities show their intent to preserve environmental corridors and
provide a basis for negotiating with developers for land dedication.
Furthermore, by delineating and incorporating environmental corridors into county and
community plans, a legal basis is established for the regulation of land through zoning or other
regulatory means. This is particularly appropriate for required zoning such as floodplain zoning
and wetland zoning, as well as non-mandated zoning, such as conservancy zoning. Local
communities or counties can protect environmental corridors through a combination of
regulation and acquisition. Some measures of protection can be established through floodplain,
shoreland, wetland, and conservancy zoning.
It may be necessary to acquire lands through dedication or purchase where public access is
required for recreation, for provision of structures such as stormwater detention basins, or where
access is needed for public maintenance of stream channels and structures. Public acquisition can
also protect important resource areas vulnerable to development and not adequately protected
through zoning or other regulatory means. Conservation easements may be used for instances
where fee-simple title is not an option or is not necessary.
PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS

The issue of property rights is often raised in response to zoning, and the extent zoning can be
applied in restricting the use of private property. By restricting the use of property, in some cases,
the property owner may believe the value is thereby lowered, resulting in a "taking" without
compensation. The landmark case in Wisconsin, Just v. Marinette County (56 Wis. 2d 7 (1972)),
addressed just such an issue and has set precedence in Wisconsin. The plaintiffs argued that
Marinette County unjustifiably depreciated the value of their property when they were issued a
fine and ordered to restore a wetland filled without a permit in a shoreland-conservancy zoning
district. The Wisconsin Supreme Court, however, upheld the zoning ordinance, ruling that a
"taking" had not occurred, and that the ordinance was not confiscatory or unreasonable. The court
ruled that the plaintiffs wrongly based the loss of value claim not on the land in its natural state,
but on what it might be worth if the property were filled and used for residences.
Common tools used to protect environmental features such as conservation zoning also do not
take away the property owners rights to develop because no development density is taken away
and no land is taken for public use unless the landowner or developer wants it to be. Often
development can occur at the same density as originally planned, just more compactly with, for
instance, a different pattern.
Public Trust
The public trust doctrine defines the concept that Wisconsin holds all navigable waters of the
state in trust for the public. The public trust policy was originally established to protect the right
of commercial navigation on state waters, but has now been expanded to protect fishing, hunting,
and swimming rights, as well as the right to use navigable waterways even when the water is
frozen.

The public trust doctrine also protects the rights of citizens to enjoy scenic beauty along
navigable waterways. The doctrine is significant in many ways, but most importantly, because it
defines the state’s property rights over natural and navigable waterways. The public trust doctrine
and other federal, state, and local laws and regulations limit riparian landowners’ use of water
and their shoreland property.
Riparian Rights
The doctrine of riparian rights in Wisconsin governs private landowners’ use of natural
waterways. It explains that landowners of property adjacent to natural streams or lakes (riparian
landowners) have an equal right with other riparian owners to the reasonable use of the water.
These privileges include the right:
¾ to direct or consume water for domestic, agricultural, or industrial purposes;
¾ to access the water for boating, swimming, and recreation, including the exclusive
use of shoreland to the water’s edge;
¾ to the bounty of the streambeds;
¾ to construct piers and similar structures; and
¾ to additions of shoreland from natural processes.
These rights are protected under law though they are subject to two restrictions. The first is a
common law restriction of reasonable use enacted to prevent individuals from taking their share
of water to the detriment of others. Whether a use is reasonable will depend largely on the impact
it has on other riparian landowners and the public.
Second, riparian rights are subject to the ultimate rights of the public under the public trust
doctrine and federal, state, or local regulations. These regulations may restrict or prohibit certain
activities or require a permit.
Groundwater Rights
Groundwater rights are a very important aspect of property rights. Landowners originally had the
right to draw as much groundwater as they desired, even to the detriment of their neighbors’
supply. Water regulations were changed when lawmakers determined that the cost of unlimited
access to the waters outweighed the benefits. Thus, the law was revised in 1974 so that property
owners were allowed to draw as much groundwater as they required as long as it did not cause
unreasonable loss to another property owner.
BUFFER ZONES
Buffer zones, or buffer strips, are becoming an increasingly important tool of protection to
improve water quality and conserve fish and wildlife populations. A buffer zone is a linear band
of vegetation adjacent to a waterway to maintain or improve water quality by trapping and
removing various nonpoint source pollutants. Buffer zones occur in a variety of forms, including
vegetated buffers, grassed waterways, or forested riparian buffer zones. In the absence of proper
buffer zones, there may be a greater need for water treatment facilities and other expensive
restoration techniques.
Shoreland Buffer Zones
A shoreland buffer zone is the strip of vegetation that lines the shore of a lake, a vegetated ring
around the lake. Ideally, a shoreland buffer zone should be at least 20 feet wide and have a three-

storied complex of tall trees, shorter trees or shrubs, and ground level vegetation such as ferns,
creepers, and grasses. In some cases, relatively small buffer strips can be effective in removing
nutrients and pollutants; however, studies have shown that a 30-foot vegetated buffer zone better
absorbed contaminants before they reached the lake (Effectiveness of Shoreland Zoning
Standards to Meet Statutory Objectives; Bernthal; WDNR; 1997).
Research has clearly demonstrated that vegetated riparian buffers can help mitigate sediment and
nutrient inputs. Research from around the country suggests that buffers between a minimum of
33 feet and maximum of 400 feet can accomplish the necessary filtration. The bulk of the data
suggests that buffers between 50 feet and 100 feet wide are generally appropriate for filtration of
sand and silt on moderate slopes. Higher slopes and finer materials will increase the necessary
width of the buffer. All of the data suggest that buffer width be tied to soil type and slope
(Stream Setback Technical Memo; Robins; Napa County Conservation, Development, and
Planning Department; 2002).
A shoreland buffer zone protects water quality and increases the aesthetics of the lake by
preserving its natural appearance. The vegetation will offer a more private, quiet, and lower
maintenance lot that provides a natural means of erosion protection and enhances fish habitat by
shading the shallow water. Natural shoreland vegetation stabilizes shorelines, and traps polluted
runoff and eroded soil, which prevents destruction of spawning beds and other productive areas
within lakes and streams abundant with aquatic life. The vegetation litter acts as a sponge to soak
up rain and slowly release it to plant roots or ground seepage to recharge groundwater areas; it is
also broken down and digested by insects and microorganisms that in turn provide food for fish
and other predators. The vegetation provides critical habitat for many birds and small mammals,
and when the vegetation is draped over the water, it provides nursery areas for many fish species.
MAINTAINING CONNECTIVITY
Aside from directly converting land to another use, development has an indirect impact on the
remaining landscape. As land is converted, it is fragmented into smaller and more isolated
patches of natural space. The remaining landscape pattern significantly alters the way the natural
systems can function. Although parks, natural areas, and other environmental corridor elements
are important in and of themselves, their maximum benefit to plant, animal, and human
communities is provided when they are connected as a system.
Different wildlife species respond differently to habitat fragmentation, as each species utilizes
different habitats. Any change in a species’ habitat will affect their ability to survive. Some
wildlife populations can adapt to an urban edge, others will be unable to survive in what remains
of their habitat. Fragmented habitat is unable to support the same density of species diversity and
population as a similarly contiguous area of land.
Fragmentation occurs primarily from residential and commercial development, but it also arises
when habitat has been divided by roads, railroads, drainage ditches, dams, power lines, fences, or
other barriers that may prohibit the free movement and migration of plant and animal species.
Utilities and transportation facilities can be quite detrimental to wildlife. In addition to the direct
impacts of vehicle collisions, roads have far-reaching impacts on wildlife and their habitat.
Passing vehicles create noise and chemical pollution that reach far beyond the pavement. By
altering the physical environment, roads and highways modify animal behavior. To avoid them,
many species shift home ranges, change movement patterns, and even reproductive and feeding

behaviors. In addition, roads act as a barrier to movement, which can cause inbreeding and
population declines.
In rural areas, where much of the land bordering roadways is wilderness and open areas, animal
road crossings are common and unpredictable. Combining animal crossing with increased traffic
volumes during vacation and hunting seasons leads to a greater potential for animal-vehicular
accidents, posing a serious threat to rural road safety.
Wildlife Crossings
Because roads are such prominent – and permanent – parts of the landscape, extra effort is
needed to reduce their impact on the surrounding natural environment and make them more
crossable for wildlife on the move. Solutions range from reducing speed limits and adding
cautionary signage to building passages. One solution is to incorporate a “wildlife crossing” by
determining where wildlife tends to cross a particular stretch of land and then build an underpass
or land bridge into the design of the road. Wildlife Crossings are not a cure-all, but they can go a
long way toward reconnecting fragmented habitat.
Wildlife Crossing
Wildlife Crossings have been used for a long time
in Canada and Europe and have been very
beneficial for both animals and humans. Road
modifications made with nature in mind reduce
car collisions with animals and support the health
of local wildlife populations.
In the U.S., Florida is the leader in establishing
Wildlife Crossings throughout the state for species
such as the endangered Florida panther and the
Florida black bear. Currently, the Montana DOT
has incorporated 42 wildlife passages, from small Florida Route 46 was elevated over this underpass so
fish culverts to an open-span overpass (U.S. Dept. crossing animals could clearly see from one side of the
road to the other.
of Transportation). Source: U.S. DOT, Federal Highway Administration. 2003.
Under the Federal Highway Administration’s Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, or
TEA-21, funding support is available for wildlife crossings on both new and existing roads.
TEA-21 and an expanded "Transportation Enhancements" category will assist states and
communities with crossing structures and habitat connectivity measures. Presently, TEA-21 has
an extended deadline of May 31, 2005. On February 9, 2005, the chairperson of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee introduced legislation to reauthorize surface
transportation programs. The bill was titled “Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users”, or
TEA-LU. It is unclear how available funding will evolve as TEA-LU is considered.
For more information on wildlife crossings, see the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S.
DOT), Federal Highway Administration website, www.wildlifecrossings.info, or Appendix B for
common types of wildlife crossing structures. The U.S. DOT’s Wildlife Crossings website
includes a searchable database that contains case histories of attempts to solve wildlife/highway
interaction issues. In some cases, the goal is safety, such as dealing with the growing issue of
deer/vehicle collisions. In other cases, ecological impacts are the issue.

Intelligent Transportation Systems
Some communities are addressing the concerns of animal-vehicular accidents by deploying
intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to warn motorists of real time animal crossings. ITS
sensors detect the presences of large animals on public roadways and warn drivers prior to
entering the area. The warnings are displayed using a flashing yellow light above a stationary
roadside sign.
ITS demonstration installations are being explored in Wisconsin and are supported by the Federal
Highway Administration and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. However, ITS
capabilities in Wisconsin are not being used to address animal-vehicular accidents at this time;
but research is being done regarding the usefulness and cost-effectiveness of this approach.
Another possibility being explored for future deployment is to use a radio station or an in-vehicle
warning device such as a radar detector to relay ITS warnings.
In-Vehicle Technologies
The availability of in-vehicle technologies that might help drivers avoid an animal-vehicular
accident has grown in recent years. The design details of these technologies vary, but most
combine sensing devices and displays. Their primary objective is to show the driver where an
animal is located, typically at night, soon enough to avoid an animal-vehicular accident. Some
concerns do exist about the effectiveness and usefulness of these devices as they are currently
designed. There is potential for false or multiple indications that can limit their reliability; much
like false alarms from radar detectors. In addition, with the introduction of any new technologies
that interface with the driver of a vehicle, there are always concerns about driver compliancy,
information overload, and distraction.
Speed Limit Reduction
A decrease in posted speed limits on roadways may be beneficial in limiting the number of
animal-vehicular accidents. Speed limit reduction can provide a driver with additional time and
distance to react to observed conflicts and allow time to stop or adjust the speed of the vehicle
toward an animal. The obvious flaw in this approach is that its effectiveness is reliant on drive
compliancy.
Roadside Reflectors and Mirrors
Roadside reflectors and mirrors have been applied as a potential countermeasure to reduce
animal-vehicular accidents for several decades. These devices reflect (or mirror) the light from
oncoming vehicle headlights onto adjacent roadside areas. The primary objective of such devices
is to reduce nighttime animal-vehicular accidents by using reflected/mirrored light to alarm
animals enough that they will not cross the roadway.
Other Countermeasures
Many other countermeasures to prevent animal-vehicular accidents have been researched for use
or are currently in use now. Such examples include:
° Animal Crossing Signs
° Vehicle-Mounted Whistles
° Roadway Lighting
° Deicing Salt Alternatives - This countermeasure addresses the deer-vehicle
accidents, as deer are attracted to road salt.

° Deer-Flagging Models - This countermeasure addresses the whitetail deer-vehicle
accidents by mimicking the alert deer send to one another by flashing their white
tails.
° Intercept Feeding - Intercept feeding is the practice of strategically placing food to
lure animals away from roadways and/or stop animals with food before they cross a
roadway.
° Repellents - This countermeasure utilizes the application of repellents on roadside
vegetation to deter animal browsing.
Various techniques have been used or researched to address habitat connectivity and wildlife-
vehicle accidents. Many can be helpful and should be used along with thoughtful design of utility
and transportation facilities. These systems can be very effective in addressing issues of habitat
fragmentation. However, for some areas, measures that are more comprehensive such as
acquisition may be necessary.
ACQUISITION
One of the most effective tools to preserve environmental corridors is through acquisition. Where
public access is required for recreation, utilities such as stormwater detention basins, or where
access is needed for public maintenance of stream channels and structures, the public rights to
the environmental corridor lands must be acquired. In some instances, public acquisition may be
necessary for environmental corridor areas that cannot be adequately protected by regulation.
When regulatory controls are not available or feasible, it is often necessary to move to some
degree of acquisition. Land trusts and federal and state funding programs can be instrumental in
the process of acquiring environmental corridor land.
Land Trusts and Others
Land trusts and other similar environmental organizations have an enduring interest in protecting
natural resources and preserving natural heritage. Land trusts and landowners work together to
create a protection strategy that meets the conservation needs of the land and the financial needs
of the landowner. Acquisition is a typical tool used by land trusts to preserve natural areas.
Wisconsin is home to more than 50 active land trusts that protect and manage over 100,000 acres
of land with significant ecological, scenic, recreational, agricultural, cultural, or historic value
(Gathering Waters Conservancy; 2003). Various land trusts and environmental organizations are
active throughout the Bay-Lake Region. Such as the Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust, Door
County Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, and Glacial Lakes Conservancy, to name a very
few.
Federal and State Funding Programs
Environmental corridors should be funded the same as built infrastructure, as primary budgetary
items, to spread the costs of construction and maintenance across a large group of users and
ensure that all components connect to achieve maximum functionality. While not funded in the
same way as public works efforts, there are some Federal and State funding programs available
to assist or finance acquisitions. Wisconsin Stewardship Fund and the Wisconsin Coastal
Management Program are two funding programs used to finance acquisitions in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Stewardship Fund
The Wisconsin Stewardship Fund was created by the Wisconsin Legislature in 1989 to protect
and restore critical wildlife and fish habitat, preserve high quality natural areas, improve water
quality, and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation. The State Legislature authorizes general
bonding to fund acquisition of land to expand recreational opportunities and protect
environmentally sensitive areas. Local units of government, the Department of Natural
Resources, and local non-profit conservation organizations are eligible to receive grant funding
to achieve these goals. Activities that are eligible for funding include the following:
• Planning and development of new trails and maintenance of existing trails.
• Habitat restoration through the restoration of wetlands and grasslands.
• Recreational development through the maintenance and upgrading of existing parks and
other properties.
• Aid to local units of government for the development of community parks and acquisition
of land for public outdoor recreation.
• Establishment and expansion of urban green space through the purchase of open,
undeveloped land or the purchase of rights to open lands.
• Stream bank protection through fee-simple acquisition or purchase of easements along
stream banks. A special allocation of funds has been made under the Stewardship
Program to acquire land that is on or adjacent to rivers in urban areas.
Wisconsin Coastal Management Program
The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP) is within the Wisconsin Department of
Administration, and is overseen by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Council. The program
was established in 1978 to sustainably preserve, protect, and manage the resources of the Lake
Michigan and Lake Superior coastlines.
The WCMP provides financial assistance to governmental entities for public access acquisitions
of coastal lands that have a direct relationship to the Great Lakes and will remain open to the
public. Funding is provided from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under
the amended Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. Fee-simple acquisitions are preferred, but
the WCMP will also consider easements and other less-than-fee-simple acquisitions.
Acquisition Techniques
Acquisition of the property or partial rights to the property may be accomplished in several ways,
such as land donations, land dedication, fee-simple purchase, or purchase of lesser interest in the
property (e.g., conservation easements). Cities, villages, towns, and counties are also authorized
to acquire and develop property for a variety of purposes such as parks, recreation, public use,
and natural resource protection under Wisconsin Statutes (s. 62.22, Wis. Stats.).
Land Donations
Land donations are voluntary gifts of land or partial rights to land from landowners to local units
of government, a county, a community, or a land trust to preserve the land. The entity receiving a
land donation usually bears no cost; thus, it is the preferred method of property rights acquisition.
Landowners usually donate their land because they want to preserve the land in its natural state;
however, they also receive a reduction in their property tax burden and a charitable deduction on
income tax returns for the full-market value of the land or property rights. The donation may also

reduce federal estate tax liabilities. Properties without conservation value can also be donated to
a land trust so they may sell it to support the land trust's work.
A land donation may be the best preservation strategy for environmentally-conscious landowners
having no further use for the property; having highly appreciated property; wishing not to pass
their land to heirs; wanting to reduce estate tax burdens, or wishing to be relieved of the burdens
of land management. A landowner may also establish a life estate condition on their property,
which arranges for their property to be donated, or sold to a unit of government or land trust
when they or their direct heirs die.
Land Dedication
Some zoning, such as subdivision ordinances or Planned Unit Development (PUD) may require a
developer to dedicate a portion of the subdivision or PUD for a park, green space, drainageway,
or access to waterways. However, the developer may pay fees during the land development
process instead of land dedication to local government. Land dedication is a commonly used tool
to acquire environmental corridors on developing lands.
With adopted environmental corridor delineations, a community or county has a basis for
negotiating with developers for land dedication. The adopted environmental corridor delineation
could be used by the community to negotiate development away from the designated areas. Loss
of development potential could be minimized with density trade-offs for the developer as a way
to enhance the development and protect a particular environmental corridor area.
Dedicated environmental corridor lands can meet the green space and recreation needs of the
community. However, not all land dedications will be entirely able to fulfill recreation and green
space needs as required by the community or county ordinance.
Fee-Simple Purchase
Fee-simple purchase of property is the most traditional method used by local units of government
to acquire public green space and recreational areas. Fee-simple acquisition involves the outright
purchase of a specific piece of property for complete ownership with unrestricted rights. In
situations where extensive wildlife habitat exists on privately owned land or a fragile species
habitat is present, it may be necessary to acquire the land completely for habitat protection. A
community may also desire to purchase a sensitive resource area that is not being adequately
protected by regulatory means and preserve the area or use it for passive recreation.
Federal and state cost-share funding programs are common sources of financial assistance for
local units of government to purchase and develop recreational areas. Private sector assistance in
the purchase of recreational and green space lands is common. Private environmental groups,
such as the Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society, and Wisconsin Wetlands Association,
acquire and protect significant natural areas by means of donation or purchase. Local volunteer
groups, social organizations, and civic groups often purchase land to develop and maintain a park
or green space. Private foundations are also becoming more involved in the acquisition and
protection of environmentally valuable property.
A unit of government may also seek a first right of refusal agreement with the owner of an area
within the designated environmental corridor. With this agreement, the community or county is
offered the first opportunity to purchase when a landowner decides to sell their property.

Conservation Easements
In cases where a fee-simple purchase is not necessary, the purchase of less-than-fee-interest in a
property may be adequate. A less-than-fee-interest acquisition or conservation easement allows a
unit of government or private organization to purchase partial control and rights, while the
original landowner maintains partial rights, such as limited land use. Specific rights are
purchased from the landowner to preserve natural areas.
Conservation easements involve specific ownership limitations for the affected part of the
property. A conservation easement usually preserves natural resources such as water quality,
wildlife habitats, or scenic beauty.
Access easements are another common type of easement in which public access on private lands
is purchased for hiking, fishing, or other recreational purposes, or for maintenance of facilities.
Purchase of access easements may be appropriate where public access is desired only for
recreational activities, construction, or utility maintenance.
Acquisition of Development Rights Programs
Acquisition of development rights programs such as transfer of development rights (TDR) and
purchase of development rights (PDR) programs allow a piece of property to be preserved or
achieve limitations on development by enabling the future development potential of the property
to be purchased or transferred to another site.
Transfer of Development Rights Program
A TDR program allows the future development potential of one piece of property (the “sending”
site) to be transferred or relocated to another piece of property (the “receiving” site). The
transferred development potential may be measured in a number of ways such as area, dwelling
units, or parking spaces. “Sending” areas are designated areas where the community wants to see
land preserved or at least limited development, such as prime farmland and environmentally
valuable areas. The future development potential can be transferred to "receiving" areas that the
community has designated as appropriate for new or additional development such as areas well
served by public infrastructure and services.
Purchase of Development Rights Program
Under a PDR program, a landowner voluntarily sells his or her rights to develop a parcel of land
to a public agency or a conservation organization. The landowner retains all other ownership
rights attached to the land, and a conservation easement is placed on the land and recorded on the
title. The buyer (often a local unit of government or conservation organization) essentially
purchases the right to develop the land and retires that right permanently, thereby assuring that
development will not occur on that particular property. The landowner is generally compensated
for the value of the right to develop the land and the seller retains the title to the land and can sell
it or pass it on to other family members; however, the use of the land is forever restricted to the
use designated under the PDR program.
In Wisconsin, the town of Dunn created a successful PDR program in 2000 and a couple years
later the town of Bayfield follow suit with a PDR program to preserve farmland. The town of
Bayfield is using the PDR program to provided fruit growers with an alternative to selling their
land for development.

RESTORATION
Restoring natural systems is far more expensive than protecting undeveloped land, and over the
long term, artificially created wetlands and other restoration projects often fail to function as well
as their natural counterparts. It is important for communities to think more proactively and less
reactively. It is important and cost effective to identify and protect environmental corridors in
advance of development, as restoration may not be an option or can have limited outcomes.
Central Park in New York City could not be created today nor could the Forest Preserve District
of Cook County, Illinois, or many of the nation’s other great parks and conservancies. However,
in situations where development has already occurred, it is important to assess where restoring
environmental corridors would benefit people and nature. Environmental corridor plans should
set acquisition and restoration priorities, and communities should identify opportunities to
reconnect isolated habitat islands. Stream and wetland restorations are the most commonly used
practices to restore significant natural areas and important ecological functions.
Stream Restoration
Increases in human population, and industrial, commercial, and residential development place
heavy demands on stream corridors. Many streams have been polluted, diverted, straightened,
confined in concrete, put in pipes, had their associated wetlands filled, and often have been
changed beyond recognition from the affects of development. These development activities
manipulating stream corridor systems for a wide variety of purposes, including domestic and
industrial water supplies, irrigation, transportation, hydropower, waste disposal, mining, flood
control, timber management, recreation, and aesthetics. Modern engineering has altered many
streams, often to the point of rendering the stream incapable of performing essential ecological
functions. Streams and stream corridors evolve with, and in response to, surrounding ecosystems.
Changes within a watershed will affect the physical, chemical, and biological processes occurring
within a stream corridor, producing an unhealthy watershed that cannot sustain the conditions
needed for improved water quality and aquatic life management.
Stream restoration includes a broad range of actions and measures designed to enable stream
corridors to recover to a healthy, sustainable state. The first and most critical step in
implementing restoration is to; if possible, halt the disturbance activities that are causing
degradation of the system. Stream restoration actions may range from passive approaches that
involve removal or a reduction of degrading activities, to active restoration that involves
intervention and installation of measures to repair damages to the structure of stream corridors,
such as daylighting project to “unbury” a stream.
Daylighting
Daylighting deliberately exposes some or all of the flow of a previously covered river, creek, or
stormwater drainage. Daylighting projects restore waterways that were buried in culverts or
pipes, covered by decks, or otherwise removed from view. After a daylighting project, a
waterway will be re-established in its old channel where feasible or in a new channel interlaced
between structures or landscape obstacles. Some daylighting projects recreate wetlands, ponds, or
estuaries.
Daylighting can provide multiple benefits that improve the functional value of a waterway and/or
urban stormwater system such as increased capacity for flood control, lower water velocities that
reduce downstream erosion, removal of water from combined sewers, improvements to water

quality, improve aquatic habitat and provide riparian corridors for wildlife. Daylighting can
revitalize neighborhoods, increase property values, and benefit nearby businesses. It can be cost
effective compared to the expense of repairing a failing culvert or constructing stormwater
management infrastructure.
Ultimately, the best approach to address buried waterways is to prevent them from being buried
in the first place. A stream protection ordinance that discourages culverting of open waterways
can go a long way in preventing the necessity for a daylighting project.
Wetland Restoration
Wetland restoration reestablishes degraded and destroyed natural wetlands where they once
existed. Wetlands that have been filled and drained retain their characteristic soil and hydrology,
allowing their natural functions to be reclaimed. However, wetland restoration is a complex
process that requires planning, implementation, management, and monitoring.
Large restorations should not be the only wetland recovery efforts considered. Small restorations
are as ecologically important as the large. Many small isolated wetlands provide critical habitat
for reptiles and amphibians. Small wetlands are often filled and lost at a greater rate than large
prominent wetlands with more protection or obstacles to development.
Many types of restoration-related activities such as creation, enhancement, reallocation, and
mitigation, differ from an actual restoration because they do not renew a native ecosystem in the
same location it once existed.
Wetland Creation
According to the U.S. EPA definition, a “wetland creation” involves the “manipulation of
physical, chemical, or biological characteristics of the present landscape to develop a wetland
that did not previously exist”. With a wetland creation, the wetland is constructed in an area that
was not a wetland in the recent past (within the last 100 to 200 years) and is not adjacent to any
other wetlands. Successful establishment of a wetland results in additional wetland acres.
Typically, a wetland is created by excavation of upland soils deep enough to establish an
appropriate hydrology that will support the growth of wetland species.
Wetland Enhancement
A “wetland enhancement” involves the “manipulation of the physical, chemical, or biological
characteristics of a wetland (undisturbed or degraded) site to heighten, intensify, or improve
specific functions or for a purpose such as water quality improvement, flood water retention or
wildlife habitat” (U.S. EPA). Wetland enhancements do not create additional wetland acres; they
only change existing wetland functions. However, keep in mind that changing one wetland
function can lead to a decline in another wetland function. For example, increasing the area of
deep water by digging out portions of an emergent wetland may provide more waterfowl habitat,
but may decrease foraging and cover habitat for aquatic species.
Wetland Reallocation
Wetland reallocation applies to activities in which most or all of an existing wetland has been
converted to a different type of wetland (U.S. EPA). For example, changing an emergent wetland
to a pond, converts the habitat from one wetland type to something different.

Wetland Mitigation
Wetland mitigation refers to the “restoration, creation, or enhancement of wetlands to
compensate for unavoidable adverse impacts that remain after all other alternatives are
considered” (U.S. EPA). Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, wetlands may legally be
destroyed if there is compensation for their loss through restoration, creation, or enhancement of
other wetlands. Wetland mitigation provides a means of compensating for the effects of
construction in wetlands. In theory, this strategy should result in "no net loss" of wetlands.
The Wisconsin Wetland Mitigation Law (1999 Wisconsin Act 147) gave the WDNR authority to
consider compensatory mitigation, which created NR 103, Water Quality Standards For
Wetlands, and NR 350, Wetland Compensatory Mitigation (Wisconsin Administrative Code).
The applicant must follow the sequence of “avoid, minimize, and then compensate” by:
1) Avoid the adverse impacts to the wetland by not taking a certain action or parts of
an action.
2) Minimize the adverse impacts to the wetland by altering the project.
3) Compensate for the adverse impacts to the wetlands by replacing or supplying a
substitute wetland.
NR 103 is based on the federal Section 404 process and establishes when and how the WDNR
can consider mitigation in decisions. Through the NR 103 process, a Practicable Alternative
Analysis is developed to evaluate alternatives to avoid and minimize wetland impacts, and
evaluate wetland functions and values to determine that the project will have no significant
adverse impacts to the wetland. The key elements of NR 350 involve:
• A sequence of compensatory mitigation
• Replacement ratios
• Requirements for sound planning and design of compensation sites
• Mitigation banking
Mitigation Banking
Mitigation banking creates a process in which the party that affects a wetland is not personally
required to replace the wetland, but rather can purchase “credits” whereby another party will
create the wetland for them. Mitigation banking creates a “bank sponsor” that develops a
compensation site and enters a legal agreement with the agencies to sell “credits” to permittees
who need mitigation. The concept of mitigation banking was created in NR 350 of the Wisconsin
Administrative Code, which establishes the approval process for banks, responsibilities of bank
sponsors and the WDNR, and a registry of approved banks.
Wetland Reserve Program
The Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) is a voluntary program offering landowners the
opportunity to receive cost share payments for restoring wetlands on their property. Landowners
who choose to participate in WRP may sell a conservation easement or enter into a cost-share
restoration agreement with USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to restore
and protect wetlands. The landowner voluntarily limits future use of the land, yet retains private
ownership. The landowner and NRCS develop a plan for the restoration and maintenance of the
wetland. The program offers landowners three options: permanent easements, 30-year easements,
and restoration cost-share agreements for a minimum of ten-year duration.

The USDA and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service administer the program with assistance from
the Wisconsin DNR. Recent acreage information from NRCS shows that between 1992 and April
1998, approximately 11,312 acres of wetlands have been restored and 11,312 acres of associated
upland buffer protected through the WRP program. WRP has an annual goal of restoring 10,000
acres of wetland and protecting 10,000 acres of associated upland buffer.
Wildlife habitat is the most obvious of benefits from these vast wetland restorations. Other
significant benefits include floodwater retention, groundwater recharge, and filtration of
pollutants and sediments from agricultural runoff. Many farmers deciding to retire or cease
farming are financially pressed to sell their farms, in many cases to developers. WRP allows
farmers to restore the land and help improve the environment.
Conservation Reserve Program
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) allows the federal government to enter into contracts
with agricultural landowners to remove highly erodible cropland and cropped wetlands from
production in return for annual payments per 10-year contract. The Consolidated Farm Service
Agency (CFSA) administers the program and the US F&WS and Wisconsin DNR coordinate
wetland restoration activities on these lands.
LOCAL TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR PROTECTION

Communities and counties in Wisconsin have many tools available to them to protect
environmental corridors. Such tools include official mapping, subdivision regulations,
conservancy zoning, conservation subdivisions, cluster development or open space zoning, and
special zoning regulations.
Official Mapping
Municipalities in Wisconsin have the authority to establish an official map showing existing and
proposed public facilities including streets, highways, and parks. Cities and villages have the
authority to include waterways or drainage features on the official map if the waterway is
included in a comprehensive surface water drainage plan.
An official map is intended to implement a community master plan for infrastructure and
recreation and to express the community's intent to reserve certain areas. It can be used to
prohibit the construction of buildings or structures on land that has been designated for current or
future public use, providing the community the opportunity to acquire the site through dedication
or purchase. The successful implementation of an official map can serve to guide sensible and
systematic community development by setting aside areas for public improvements in
anticipation of actual need. For example, the official map can be a useful planning tool to
preserve areas for future stormwater management practices and facilities, which can include
natural areas.
Subdivision Regulations
The subdivision of land involves the division of a tract of land into separate parcels. For the
purpose of sale or building development, Wisconsin law requires a survey and an approved and
properly recorded plat for any division of land where the act of division creates, within five years,
five or more parcels or building sites of 1.5 acres each or less. Any city, village or county that has

established a planning agency may adopt ordinances governing land division that are more
restrictive than the provisions outlined in the Wisconsin Statutes.
Local ordinances may include natural resource preservation objectives, such as providing for
stormwater management facilities, environmental corridors, and erosion control. Many
subdivision regulations address environmental and green space considerations. The existing
location of streams and drainageways, wetlands, lakes, rock outcrops, wooded areas, and other
natural resource and environmental features often require mapping as part of a subdivision plat
submittal. The regulation may require dedication of land to the public for resource protection,
green space, or recreation purposes. Regulations frequently require that plat site designs
recognize environmental features and consider them in the site design process. Hazardous and
sensitive areas or those with severe limitations for development, such as flood prone areas, areas
of steep slope, or poor drainage areas, may be identified in the regulations as areas prohibited
from development or with development restrictions. In less hazardous, yet environmentally
significant areas, permitted development may be subject to added controls.
Land divisions at a smaller scale than a subdivision of land are referred to as certified surveys.
Local subdivision ordinances often require certified surveys to comply with provisions relating to
general requirements, design standards, and required improvements that are applied to
subdivisions.
Conservancy Zoning
Cities, villages, and counties have authority to enact conservation zoning, made up of
floodplains, shorelands, wetlands, steep slopes, and other resource areas beneficial to the
community. Certain natural resource lands are included in conservancy districts to not only
preserve and protect those lands, but to deter the costs associated with development in unsuitable
areas. For example, development on steep slopes may result in accelerated erosion and runoff, or
emergency vehicle access problems. To address these hazards, a community may enact restrictive
regulations to discourage or limit development in these hazard-prone or sensitive areas. If a local
unit of government wishes to utilize conservancy zoning to protect environmental corridor lands,
overlay zoning should be considered.
Overlay Zoning
Overlay zoning, similar to floodplain or shoreland zoning, is probably the most appropriate
approach to using conservancy zoning to protect environmental corridor lands. Overlay zoning
places restrictions on land located in the designated overlay zone. The basic zoning district
(residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, etc.) remains in effect for the parcel. That
portion of the land parcel within the overlay zone would be permitted the same uses as the basic
zoning district, but would be subject to additional restrictions regarding permitted uses. The
restrictions could include limiting density requirements, setback or buffer strip requirements,
erosion and runoff controls, vegetative management requirements, land or easement dedication
provisions, and other similar restrictions. In addition, detailed review of specific development
proposals will be desired in many cases, and can be specified in the overlay zoning ordinance by
means of a conditional use permit or planned unit development procedures.
When using an overlay conservancy zoning approach to protect environmental corridor lands, the
best approach is to attach specific limitations and restrictions to the particular resource element

(steep slope, wetland, floodplain, buffer strip, etc.). This method ensures the restrictions or
limitations are clearly based on, and related to protecting the environmental corridor functions.
Conservation Subdivisions
A conservation subdivision is a residential development where half or more of the developable
land area is designated as undivided, permanent green space. The result is usually achieved by
designing the neighborhood more compactly, allowing for consistent green space, and avoiding
patchiness. The design typically achieves the same overall number of dwellings that are
permitted in a conventional layout. The roads within a conservation subdivision are contoured to
the landscape, rather than traditional gridline streets. Conservation subdivisions aim to create an
interconnected system of green spaces weaving throughout a community.
Conservation subdivision design provides several economic advantages over conventional
development. Conservation subdivisions can reduce the costs associated with development on
wetlands, floodplains, or steep slopes by avoiding areas where such conditions exist. The
compact layouts of conservation subdivisions reduces street pavement and curb and gutter, allow
for shorter water and sewer lines, require less stormwater management infrastructure, and result
in lower maintenance costs associated with infrastructure. Additionally, the natural area
preserved in conservation subdivisions reduces the need for local government to provide public
green space and recreation areas.
Developers and realtors can benefit during the marketing and sales period by capitalizing on the
amenities such as trails, waterways, green space, and recreation areas that have been preserved
within the development (Figure 7.1). Siepmann Realty in Waukesha, Wisconsin has successfully
marketed and sold many lots by informing potential customers that the purchase of a one-acre lot
in one of their conservation subdivisions comes with the use of more than 80 acres of green space
and recreational areas. In addition, homes in conservation subdivisions tend to appreciate faster
than homes built in conventional developments (Arendt, 1996).
Figure 7.1: Conservation Subdivision
The sketch on the left illustrates a conservation subdivision layout by Siepmann Realty and the photo on the
right provides an example of one of the many amenities offered with the conservation subdivision.
Source: Siepmann Realty (Tree Tops Subdivision and Hunters Lake Subdivision). 2003.

Cluster Development
Cluster development is principally the same concept as conservation subdivisions minus the
focus on creating connectivity between open spaces. Cluster development or open space zoning
is a residential design and zoning technique used to protect natural, cultural, or recreation
features of the landscape, while allowing new development.
Clustering concentrates development on land with less conservation value, and allows
homeowners in the development to share undivided ownership and enjoyment of the portion of
the property remaining in a scenic and natural condition. The land can be managed by a
homeowner’s association, land trust, or the town. Cluster development decreases the developer’s
costs for infrastructure construction, and increases both the initial and the resale value of each lot,
resulting in economic incentives for the developer and attraction to the buyer. In addition, the
cost to the community to provide services is lower because less infrastructure maintenance and
development is required, such as sewer and water service, road maintenance, and the additional
land will alleviate stormwater management challenges.
ADDITIONAL TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR PROTECTION

Several local regulations have been described in this text and many more can be used to develop
a comprehensive approach for protection of green space and environmental corridors. At the
discretion of the community, the need to maintain significant environmental resources can be
addressed by fashioning ordinances to regulate development and maintain certain conditions in a
particular area.
Some other planning tools include traditional neighborhood developments, urban growth
boundaries, planned unit developments, waterfront development districts, waters classification,
shoreland zoning, and special exemptions (conditional use permits).
Traditional Neighborhood Development
A traditional neighborhood development (TND) is a planning concept that is based on the
principles of traditional small town neighborhoods. TNDs create compact, mixed-use
developments with residential, commercial, and civic buildings located within close proximity.
Both residential and commercial TNDs can encourage efficient use of the land and provide
services and public infrastructure at a lower cost, and potentially broaden the tax base of a
community by mixing land uses.
TNDs are pedestrian-friendly and encourage the safe and efficient use of multiple modes of
transportation. They are designed at a human scale with a focus on walkable communities
without catering to vehicles, which includes a consideration of walking distances, building
height, and road widths, and the careful design of street signs and lights, sidewalks, bike lanes
and other infrastructure. Developments that provide a clear sense-of-place feeling not only
require careful design and consideration, but also adequate green space and recreation areas.
Significant environmental and cultural features of a site should influence the way the TND is
designed.
Urban Growth Boundary
An urban growth boundary (UGB) is an officially adopted and mapped delineation that divides
an urban area from its surrounding countryside of open lands, farms, forests, watersheds, and

natural areas. UGBs are delineated to discourage sprawl at the urban or suburban fringe and are
established for periods lasting typically 20 years or more. The firm planning boundary prevents
development in rural areas so that they will stay rural. By designating areas for 20 years, an UGB
gives a distinct shape to each urban community while preserving the rural functions and character
of the countryside. UGBs serve as a growth management tool to protect surrounding natural areas
and control or phase growth, in order to discourage sprawl and promote more compact,
contiguous development. Urban growth boundaries:
• affirm community identity by ensuring that it does not merge with nearby
communities;
• promote urban and suburban revitalization;
• save tax dollars by using public facilities more efficiently;
• encourage the development of more affordable housing;
• stimulate community development patterns that support more accessible public transit;
• enable quick green space retreats from urban centers;
• provide more certainty about which land can and cannot be developed; and
• encourage long term strategic thinking about a community’s future.
Planned Unit Development

A planned unit development (PUD) is usually characterized by a mixed-use site design of
building types and land uses, including common green space. It promotes planning and density
calculations over the entire development, rather than on an individual, lot-by-lot basis. The
process revolves primarily around site-plan review, in which public officials have considerable
involvement in determining the nature of the development. It is usually administered through a
special permit or re-zoning process and includes aspects of both subdivision and zoning
regulation.
PUDs are similar to cluster developments and conservation subdivisions, however PUDs are not
limited to residential development, and the focus is on infrastructure reduction rather than green
space preservation or connecting green space, although common green space is included. They
promote combined development based on a comprehensive plan to encourage improved
environmental design by providing opportunities for flexibility in the site plan design that is not
possible with standard zoning districts. The PUD district may allow for diversified permitted
uses, mixed use development, density trade-offs, and variations in the size and height of
structures, while still requiring substantial compliance to the community’s general plan for
development. The PUD approach can result in land development that is more compatible with
the environment by facilitating preservation of natural features and green space.
Waterfront Development Districts
A waterfront development district is a zoning district that combines the requirements of pre-
existing zoning districts with criteria established specifically for development in waterfront areas.
Components of such an ordinance can include establishing building setbacks and limits, or
standards on filling, excavating, grading, and removal of vegetation on lake and stream
shorelines. The establishment of a waterfront development district provides a community with
some control over how their waterfront is developed or how development is to occur on its
waterfront.

Waters Classification
Waters classification is a process by which water bodies are grouped by a comparison of their
physical features. Lakes, rivers, streams, etc. are classified into different categories based on
physical features such as their surface area, average depth, type, recreational use, sensitivity to
pollutants, or existing levels of development or capacity for future development. Some categories
of waters are more vulnerable to overuse or may be more suited to one particular use and not
another.
By recognizing differences between waters, a community or county is better equipped to
implement appropriate management. Water classification enables communities to manage water
bodies with consideration of their capacity to support growth and development. For example,
lakes can be classified to apply varying shoreland development standards, such as preventing
lake access lots and multi-unit developments, and requiring shoreline vegetation.
Lake access lots are public waterfront lots that allow lake access for multiple off-lake property
owners, generally known as “keyhole development” (Figure 7.2). Lake access lots are common in
southern Wisconsin where waterfront property is severely limited, but can develop anywhere
lakefront lots are in high demand. Lake access lots can adversely affect water quality, fish and
wildlife habitat, and water recreation by attracting lake crowding beyond normal lakefront
development levels.
Keyhole development is a popular way to get around the density limit of minimum lot size and
frontage restrictions. A poorly managed subdivision development in which several lots have
access to the water through a single waterfront lot has the potential to adversely affect the
ecology and destroy the vegetation of the near-shore zone through increased boat and vehicle
traffic. It can also increase user conflicts and overcrowding, and increase the amount of polluted
runoff entering the waterway.
Figure 7.2: Keyhole Development
ACCESS
LOT
Water
A multi-unit development consists of structures containing two or more housing units, such as
condominiums. Multi-unit development can lead to the same overuse problems on waterways
that keyhole development can cause, since multi-unit development is capable of a density level
not possible with single-family homes.

Nonconforming Uses and Structures
Nonconforming uses and structures existed prior to a change in the zoning code and do not
conform to the current code but are grandfathered in. Such nonconformities reduce a
community’s effectiveness at complying with its comprehensive plan as implemented by its local
zoning regulations. The continued existence of nonconforming uses and structures undermines
the goal of the specific allowable uses established for a zoning district. Although nonconforming
uses and structures fail to comply with current zoning requirements, communities have been
reluctant to require their removal, as they often reflect substantial financial investments.
The Wisconsin Legislature, under the current shoreland zoning standards (NR 115 of the
Wisconsin Administrative Code), sets statewide minimum standards in unincorporated areas for
lot sizes, building setbacks from waterways, limits on cutting trees and plants, and other rules
intended to protect water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and natural scenic beauty. The
proposed revisions to NR 115 would eliminate the “50 percent rule” that limited alteration,
additions, or major repairs to 50 percent of the structure’s current equalized assessed value over
the life of the structure. In place of the 50 percent rule, there would be significant increases in
flexibility on repairing, rebuilding, and even expanding existing structure that are closer to the
water than the current setback requirement. Property owners making major changes to a
nonconforming structure would be required to take steps to mitigate or offset the impact of their
actions on clean water and habitat in the portion of their property that is within 35 feet of the
water, called the primary buffer. When requesting a permit for an alteration to such structure,
they would have to restore native vegetation within the primary buffer, get their septic system
inspected and upgraded if necessary, develop an erosion control plan, and control for the impact
of impervious surfaces on their property that contribute to runoff. They may also be required to
remove accessory structures that are within the 35-foot primary buffer and do not have an
exemption.
Special Exemptions (Conditional Use Permits)
The special exemption (conditional use permit) allows for special consideration of certain
specified uses that may or may not be compatible within an area, depending on the specifics of
the particular case. Since a zoning ordinance cannot be drafted to deal fairly with every
circumstance, the conditional use permit process was designed to provide the community with
sufficient flexibility to determine whether a specific land use on a certain site will be compatible
with adjacent land use and the comprehensive plan. The conditional use permit usually requires
particular terms be placed on the proposed use or activity to ensure compatibility and to reflect
applicable public concerns and policies (such as protecting environmentally valuable areas).
Special exemption provisions could be granted in lieu of protection of environmental corridor
features. During the plan development process, negotiations between the community and
developer could determine critical areas to be set aside for environmental protection or green
space, as part of the requirements for obtaining the conditional use permit. However,
communities need to be conscientious about not abusing the freedom granted with use of special
exemptions.

CHAPTER 8 : PROJECT EVALUATION
The data and the planning process associated with the Bay-Lake Regional Environmental
Corridors project has been evaluated based on data needs, data scale and accuracy, GIS needs,
edge matching issues, and implementation issues.
GIS NEEDS
To delineate environmental corridors based upon the adopted definition, the Commission
depended heavily on the use of Geographic Information System technology. The Commission’s
GIS supported overlay and integration of data from multiple sources without additional
programming or customization of the software. To continue to delineate environmental corridors
and maintain the data, the Commission will need to keep up the ability of its GIS software and
hardware to accommodate the large databases (namely soils and digital photography) that are part
of a regional environmental corridor delineation process. Both storage capacity and processing
speed will need to increase as the Commission delineates environmental corridors regionally. In
addition, the Commission will need to explore the use of GIS systems to model environmental
corridors, display in 3D formats, and allow interactivity as part of a land use planning process
that involves the public.
DATA NEEDS
To map environmental corridors consistently and accurately, the Commission regularly research
sand updates its sources of data for the features displayed. Comparing hardcopy delineations of
environmental corridors with digital representations based on the same definitions shows that
digital delineations are more refined. GIS technology has advanced to a point where it is possible
to create very accurate data sets as long as the data going into the system has a consistent level of
accuracy.
To delineate environmental corridors in a consistent manner throughout the Bay-Lake region, the
Commission uses data that both uniformly covers the region, and is available at a scale detailed
enough to be suitable for use within a GIS delineation process. Unavailability of consistent data
for all elements of the environmental corridors was an issue in the Bay-Lake Regional
Environmental Corridors project. Data was limited or lacking on FEMA revised floodplains,
critical habitats, ephemeral waters, groundwater recharge areas, unmapped navigable waters, and
wetlands less than 2 acres in size. The availability of such information currently unavailable
digitally or lacks accuracy throughout the Region.
For accurate floodplain information on environmental corridors maps, FEMA floodplain maps
must be updated throughout the Region to incorporate new technology to improve accuracy and
reflect changes in development. Many developing areas of the Region were delineated on FEMA
FIRM maps as being within the 100-year floodplain, yet had been developed above the flood
elevation.
The project lacked specific information on wildlife habitats, such as the data maintained though
the WDNR-BER within the Natural Heritage Inventory database, which includes site-specific
information on endangered species. Although this information is important to include in an
environmental corridor delineation, it is not available for public dissemination and delineation in

order to protect those species and sensitive communities. Therefore, a method needs to be
developed that would enable mapping of critical habitats without jeopardizing the survival of
critical species by revealing their exact habitats.
The project lacked the availability of digital data on ephemeral waters. Such information would
enable the identification of vulnerable amphibian habitat areas and important fish spawning sites
in order to aid in protecting these areas.
Data on mapped groundwater recharge areas was not available at the time this study was
developed. Although, some small pockets of the Region have groundwater recharge data, such
information is needed throughout the Region in a digital format. GIS data on critical groundwater
recharge areas would enable communities to protect their valuable underground water resources
when planning and development decisions are made.
Digital data was not available for small, isolated wetlands that are less than two acres in size.
Such data would allow the identification of those areas that provide essential habitat, help control
flooding, and are important in minimizing adverse impact from damaging pollutants that run off
the landscape.
DATA SCALE AND ACCURACY

The different scales and accuracies of available data is an on-going issue that must be addressed
when undertaking environmental corridor mapping. Such issues had to be addressed for the data
on wetlands, floodplains, and soils.
The wetland data was obtained from the Wisconsin DNR in a digital format. This data was
digitized by the WDNR from 1:24,000-scale, uncorrected aerial photography. Since the distortion
from the photography had not been removed, adjacent tiles did not always edge match
completely. In some cases, linear features were digitized as an area feature. Obtaining data from
corrected digital aerial photography would improve data accuracy. The WDNR wetland data was,
however, consistently available and well documented.
The floodplains data obtained from the FEMA 100-Year Floodplains (1-percent-annual-chance
flood) maps varied by scale and date. Many of the floodplain delineations within urban and
developed areas did not reflect changes that had occurred due to new construction. Even though
the floodplain delineations obtained from FEMA contain inaccuracies, these maps currently
remain the primary source for floodplain information. Due to evolving land use, climate, new
technology, and other factors, flood maps change constantly and need to be updated (See
information on the FEMA Map Modernization efforts in the Floodplain Zoning section of
Chapter 3).
The soils data orginated from the USDA-NRCS soil type interpretations completed from
1:15,640 scale digital orthophotography. The NRCS soils data was consistently available and
well documented in both a digital and hardcopy format.
Using GIS, the Commission was able to overlay and integrate data from different sources with a
variety of scales. However, the delineation of environmental corridors is limited to the accuracy
and scale of the least accurate data set. To overcome this issue, the Commission transferred hard
copy data to a controlled base map at the same scale as the source data and then digitized the

information into its GIS. This allows variations due to scale and changes in base mapping to be
eliminated.
To delineate environmental corridors in an accurate, consistent manner throughout the Bay-Lake
region, the Commission needs data that is available in a digital form from the originator of the
data at a scale no smaller than 1:24,000. Smaller scaled data is not detailed enough for the
Commission’s local planning work. Using data from the original creator of the information
ensures that the data has not been modified except by the data creator.
EDGE MATCHING
The data layers used to delineate environmental corridors were all developed at a county scale,
not regionally, so the edges do not always match because one data layer may not continuously
flow to the next county. This discrepancy is clear to see when looking at WDNR wetland maps at
a regional scale and some large wetland complexes have an abrupt straight edge at the county
line. In an effort to delineate regional environmental corridors that remain continuous across
political boundaries (“edge match”), comparisons were between counties and discrepancies were
smoothed out were possible.
IMPLEMENTATION
The value of the Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors project cannot be measured
simply by the quality of its design. The real success comes from actual planning efforts, zoning,
conservation programs, and protected habitats that combine to reveal a landscape consistent with
the vision laid out in this plan. Such changes can only be seen over time – the Bay-Lake Regional
Environmental Corridors project is just the beginning of the process. Therefore, an
implementation strategy is critical.
A comprehensive plan is the start of the implementation process, followed by associated zoning
regulations with enforcement. An important start is to incorporate environmental corridors
delineations into comprehensive plans of all the counties and communities of the Bay-Lake
Region. The comprehensive plan will lay the groundwork for the utilization of many of the tools
for protection found within this report.
An implementation program for not only environmental corridors, but also comprehensive plans
would go a long way to take this study and other planning reports out of documents and onto the
landscape. Such a program would involve meeting with local planning and land conservation
departments, local officials, and citizens in an open dialog manner. Presenting the material to the
audience, allowing open discussion sessions, and doing some hands-on GIS work would be vital
in bringing awareness to this report and other planning studies and tools, making them usable for
those with influence on community planning decisions.

APPENDIX A: LAKES OF THE BAY-LAKE REGION
C ou nt L ak e N am e C o un ty A c res M ax.D ep th (ft) T ow nsh ip R an ge S ection
1 B A Y B E A C H LA G O O N S B row n 42 15 T 2 4N R 2 1E 29
2 L ILL Y LA K E B row n 40 21 T 2 3N R 2 2E 32
3 M ID D L E L A K E B row n 7 7 T 2 3N R 2 2E 32
4 T H IR D L A K E B row n 5 15 T 2 3N R 2 2E 33
5 A R B T E R L A K E (M u d, S c hm o k ) D o or 16 2 T 2 8N R 2 7E 21
6 B IG M A R S H (G u nn ers on ) D o or 31 2 T 3 3N R 3 0E 4
7 BLEY PO ND D o or 5 3 T 2 9N R 2 7E 18
8 B R A D LE Y LA K E (L ittle) D o or 19 7 T 2 7N R 2 6E 6
9 B U T LE R P O N D D o or 3 2 T 2 9N R 2 7E 34
10 CLARK LAKE D o or 8 68 25 T 2 8N R 2 7E 3
11 CO FFEE SW AM P D o or 2 2 T 3 4N R 3 0E 30
12 D U N E S L A K E (M u d, G urlac k ) D o or 80 1 T 2 8N R 2 7E 30
13 EUR O PE LAKE D o or 2 73 10 T 3 2N R 2 9E 9
14 F O R E S T V ILL E F LO W A G E D o or 72 7 T 2 6N R 2 5E 29
15 K A N G A R O O LA K E D o or 11 23 12 T 2 9N R 2 7E 1
16 K R A U S E L A K E (M u d) D o or 4 24 T 3 1N R 2 6E 5
17 L IT T L E L A K E D o or 24 6 T 3 4N R 2 9E 23
18 L IT T L E M A R S H (W ic k m a n) D o or 14 2 T 3 3N R 3 0E 4
19 LO ST LAKE D o or 91 5 T 2 9N R 2 7E 8
20 M A C K A Y S E E L A K E (M u c k aye e) D o or 3 47 27 T 3 1N R 2 6E 4
21 M IN K R IV E R LA K E (R o ge rs ) D o or 70 13 T 3 2N R 2 8E 25
22 M UD LAKE D o or 1 55 5 T 3 0N R 2 8E 3
23 P IN N E Y LA K E D o or 2 6 T 2 7N R 2 6E 11
24 PLUFF PO ND D o or 1 5 T 3 1N R 2 8E 28
25 S C H W A R T Z L A K E (S c hm o k e ) D o or 30 4 T 2 8N R 2 7E 21
26 THO RP PO ND D o or 6 3 T 3 0N R 2 7E 16
27 U P P E R LO S T L A K E D o or 5 3 T 2 9N R 2 7E 6
28 VOECKS M ARSH D o or 19 2 T 3 0N R 2 8E 9
29 Z O O LA K E D o or 1 3 T 3 1N R 2 8E 10
30 B A IR D L A K E F loren c e 2 13 T 4 0N R 1 8E 13
31 B A S S LA K E F loren c e 50 37 T 3 8N R 1 7E 13
34 B A S S LA K E -S P R E A D E A G L E C H A IN F loren c e 1 12 68 T 4 0N R 1 9E 33
35 BEAVER POND F loren c e 13 T 3 9N R 1 5E 29
36 B E L L LA K E F loren ce 12 17 T 4 0N R 1 6E 13
37 B E S S IE B A B B E T LA K E (G ras s ) F loren c e 47 11 T 3 9N R 1 7E 3
38 B IR C H L A K E F loren ce 10 9 T 4 0N R 1 6E 17
39 B O O T L A K E (S ha do w ) F loren c e 1 09 30 T 4 0N R 1 7E 7
40 B R U LE R IV E R F L O W A G E W I-M I F loren c e 2 97 64 T 4 0N R 1 8E 14
41 B U C K S K IN L A K E F loren c e 14 6 T 3 8N R 1 7E 9
42 B U S H LA K E (T w in , N o rth , H ap py) F loren ce 50 18 T 3 8N R 1 7E 13
43 C A M P T H IR T E E N L A K E F loren ce 21 7 T 4 0N R 1 6E 13
44 C O S G R O V E LA K E (R a ilroa d) F loren ce 75 26 T 4 0N R 1 9E 31
45 C R U IS E R L A K E F loren c e 4 11 T 4 0N R 1 6E 23
46 DO RO THY LAKE F loren ce 19 3 T 3 9N R 1 6E 11
47 D U C K LA K E F loren ce 26 7 T 4 0N R 1 7E 10
48 D U C K LA K E F loren ce 57 3 T 4 0N R 1 5E 18
49 E A S T LA K E - S P R E A D E A G LE C H A IN F loren c e 53 27 T 3 9N R 1 9E 3
50 E D IT H L A K E F loren ce 45 72 T 4 0N R 1 7E 18
51 E L LW O O D LA K E F loren ce 1 32 25 T 3 9N R 1 9E 17
52 E M IL Y L A K E F loren c e 1 91 43 T 3 9N R 1 8E 8
53 FAY LAKE F loren c e 2 82 10 T 3 9N R 1 5E 16
54 F IS C H E R LA K E F loren ce 23 15 T 3 8N R 1 9E 34
55 F IS H E R LA K E F loren ce 54 49 T 4 0N R 1 8E 28
56 F LO R E N C E C O O P P O N D 1 F loren c e 6 T 4 0N R 1 8E 21
57 F LO R E N C E C O O P P O N D 2 F loren c e 10 T 4 0N R 1 8E 21
58 F R O G LA K E F loren ce 27 21 T 3 9N R 1 9E 16
59 G R ANDM A LAKE F loren ce 44 9 T 3 9N R 1 5E 34
60 G R A S S L A K E (L ittle G ra s s ) F loren c e 23 6 T 3 9N R 1 7E 2
61 G R U B H O E LA K E F loren ce 66 4 T 3 9N R 1 6E 7
62 H A L E Y LA K E F loren ce 7 1 T 3 9N R 1 6E 11
63 H A L LS LA K E F loren ce 25 4 T 3 9N R 1 8E 31
64 H A L S E Y LA K E F loren ce 5 12 10 T 3 9N R 1 5E 20
65 HAU SERM AN LAKE F loren ce 4 5 T 3 9N R 1 8E 35
66 HEG STRO M LAKE F loren ce 12 5 T 3 8N R 1 7E 4
67 HEM LO CK LAKE F loren ce 10 5 T 4 0N R 1 6E 7
68 H O R D L A K E (M u d, S an d) F loren c e 17 17 T 3 8N R 1 8E 22
69 H O S K IN L A K E F loren ce 15 12 T 3 8N R 1 9E 23
70 JA Q U E T L A K E F loren ce 13 15 T 3 8N R 1 5E 9
71 JO H N S O N P O N D F loren ce 2 1 T 4 0N R 1 5E 33

Count Lake Nam e County Acres M ax.Depth (ft) Township Range Section
72 JUTRA LAKE Florence 27 2 T39N R17E 26
73 KEYES LAKE Florence 202 77 T40N R17E 36
74 KIEPER LAKE Florence 4 3 T40N R16E 34
75 KINGSFORD FLOW AG E W I-M I Florence 415 32 T39N R19E 33
76 LAKE ANNA Florence 36 61 T39N R19E 6
77 LAKE NO NA Florence 16 10 T38N R16E 31
78 LAKE OF DREAM S Florence 68 12 T40N R15E 33
79 LAKE SEVENTEEN Florence 16 8 T39N R16E 17
80 LAUTERM AN LAKE (Twin Lake) Florence 44 30 T40N R16E 29
81 LILLY LAKE -SPREAD EAGLE CHAIN Florence 3 T39N R19E 4
82 LITTLE BO OT LAKE (Shadow) Florence 16 20 T40N R17E 18
83 LITTLE EM ILY LAKE Florence 14 5 T39N R18E 7
84 LITTLE PO RCUPINE LAKE Florence 10 4 T40N R16E 32
85 LITTLE RILEY LAKE (North Riley Lake) Florence 14 16 T40N R16E 14
86 LITTLE VAN ZILE LAKE Florence 19 11 T38N R15E 31
87 LONG LAKE Florence 340 23 T39N R15E 19
88 LONG LAKE - SPREAD EAG LE CHAIN Florence 80 75 T40N R19E 34
89 LOON LAKE Florence 53 55 T39N R17E 1
90 LOST LAKE Florence 89 45 T39N R15E 12
91 LUND LAKE (Bush) Florence 34 26 T38N R17E 20
92 M ARLOW E LAKE Florence 3 T40N R18E 23
93 M ARM LAKE Florence 5 29 T38N R18E 9
94 M IDDLE LAKE - SPREAD EAGLE CHAIN Florence 83 54 T40N R19E 33
95 M IRRO R LAKE Florence 11 13 T38N R17E 13
96 MONTGOMERY LAKE Florence 23 27 T40N R19E 29
97 M ORG AN LAKE Florence 46 12 T38N R16E 18
98 M UD LAKE Florence 21 8 T38N R15E 34
104 NO BOTTOM LAKE Florence 3 14 T38N R19E 26
105 NO RTH LAKE - SPREAD EAGLE CHAIN Florence 46 19 T40N R19E 33
106 NO RTH LAUTERMAN LAKE Florence 14 30 T40N R16E 29
107 OLSON LAKE (W alden Pond) Florence 6 17 T40N R17E 14
108 PATTEN LAKE Florence 255 52 T39N R17E 19
109 PERCH LAKE Florence 51 39 T40N R16E 21
110 PICKEREL LAKE Florence 24 17 T40N R17E 6
111 PINE RIVER FLOW AGE Florence 145 38 T39N R18E 28
112 PORCUPINE LAKE Florence 40 20 T40N R15E 23
113 PRICE LAKE Florence 107 8 T39N R17E 18
114 RAILRO AD LAKE - SPREAD EAGLE CHAIN Florence 40 68 T39N R19E 4
115 REISNER LAKE Florence 96 9 T39N R15E 4
116 RILEY LAKE (South Riley Lake) Florence 40 38 T40N R16E 14
117 RO BAGO LAKE Florence 49 3 T39N R16E 2
118 SAND LAKE Florence 50 58 T38N R18E 21
119 SAND LAKE Florence 22 28 T39N R18E 13
120 SAVAG E LAKE (Three) Florence 150 10 T39N R16E 11
121 SCO UT LAKE (Happy) Florence 27 26 T38N R17E 13
122 SEA LIO N LAKE Florence 122 82 T39N R17E 11
123 SEIDEL LAKE Florence 55 44 T39N R17E 15
124 SEVENMILE LAKE (M ud) Florence 16 2 T40N R17E 28
125 SILVER DOLLAR LAKE Florence 3 7 T40N R16E 20
126 SOUTH LAKE - SPREAD EAGLE CHAIN Florence 25 20 T39N R19E 3
127 SPRING LAKE Florence 15 8 T39N R19E 9
128 SPRUCE LAKE Florence 6 10 T39N R16E 7
129 TRO UT SPRINGS Florence 1 T40N R15E 3
130 TW IN FALLS FLOW AG E W I-M I Florence 928 50 T39N R19E 12
131 VAN ZILE LAKE Florence 78 17 T37N R14E 1
132 W EST BASS LAKE Florence 57 19 T38N R17E 11
133 W EST LAKE - SPREAD EAGLE CHAIN Florence 67 25 T40N R19E 33
134 W HEELER LAKE Florence 44 4 T38N R16E 8
135 W HISKER LAKE Florence 33 6 T40N R16E 12
136 W ISCONSIN SLOUG H Florence 5 3 T41N R15E 34
137 W OLF PO ND Florence 10 4 T39N R15E 6
138 W OODS CREEK POND Florence 12 6 T39N R17E 28
139 BRUEMM ERVILLE M ILLPOND Kewaunee 6 9 T25N R25E 28
140 CASCO M ILLPO ND Kewaunee 1 5 T24N R24E 17
141 CHADA LAKE (Chadas) Kewaunee 7 5 T22N R23E 33
142 EAST ALASKA LAKE Kewaunee 53 50 T24N R25E 20

143 ENG LEDINGER LAKE Kewaunee 52 20 T22N R23E 28
144 HALLADA LAKE Kewaunee 3 15 T23N R23E 30
145 HEIDM ANN LAKE (Bolt) Kewaunee 24 34 T22N R23E 28
146 KRO HNS LAKE Kewaunee 21 38 T24N R25E 5
147 LITTLE M UD LAKE (Red River Swam p) Kewaunee 8 3 T25N R23E 11
148 SEIDL LAKE (Seidel) Kewaunee 12 14 T23N R24E 24
149 SHEA LAKE Kewaunee 32 24 T22N R23E 21
150 SILVER LAKE (Sylvan, Hunsader) Kewaunee 5 28 T24N R25E 8
151 STUMP POND Kewaunee 6 3 T23N R24E 24
152 W EST ALASKA LAKE Kewaunee 20 41 T24N R25E 19
153 BERG ENE LAKE M anitowoc 2 16 T19N R22E 13
154 BOO T LAKE M anitowoc 11 16 T19N R21E 6
155 BULLHEAD LAKE M anitowoc 67 40 T19N R21E 19
156 CARSTENS LAKE (Carsten) M anitowoc 21 28 T18N R23E 17
157 CEDAR LAKE M anitowoc 142 21 T17N R21E 24
158 CENTERVILLE FLOW AGE M anitowoc 8 15 T17N R23E 27
159 CLARKS M ILLS POND M anitowoc 43 6 T19N R22E 28
160 ENG LISH LAKE M anitowoc 49 90 T18N R23E 7
161 FENSKE LAKE M anitowoc 4 19 T18N R22E 22
162 GASS LAKE M anitowoc 6 24 T18N R23E 3
163 G LO M SKI LAKE M anitowoc 9 43 T18N R23E 4
164 GRAF LAKE (Long, M unedowk) M anitowoc 8 17 T17N R21E 15
165 GROSSHUESCH LAKE M anitowoc 3 33 T18N R23E 21
166 HARPT LAKE (Herm an, Haupt) M anitowoc 31 54 T21N R23E 17
167 HARTLAUB LAKE (Hartab, Hartlubs) M anitowoc 38 59 T18N R23E 10
168 HEM PTO N LAKE M anitowoc 10 18 T19N R22E 3
169 HIDDEN LAKE M anitowoc T21N R22E 8
170 HO RSESHOE LAKE M anitowoc 22 54 T17N R22E 20
171 INCH LAKE M anitowoc 5 16 T17N R22E 20
172 KARSTAEDT LAKE M anitowoc 4 26 T17N R22E 17
173 KASBAUM LAKE M anitowoc 9 68 T18N R23E 3
174 KELLNERS LAKE M anitowoc 15 5 T20N R22E 3
175 LAKE OSCHW ALD M anitowoc 8 13 T18N R21E 25
176 LINDEM AN LAKE M anitowoc 2 30 T18N R22E 34
177 LITTLE PIG EON LAKE M anitowoc 7 15 T18N R22E 33
178 LITTLE SY LAKE M anitowoc 4 20 T17N R21E 11
179 LONG LAKE (Big Long) M anitowoc 120 38 T19N R21E 7
180 M ILLHO ME FLOW AGE M anitowoc 51 6 T17N R21E 34
181 M OTT LAKE (M otts) M anitowoc 7 9 T21N R23E 17
182 M UD LAKE (Hartm ans) M anitowoc 62 3 T17N R21E 9
183 NEUMEYER LAKE M anitowoc 3 6 T18N R21E 24
184 NO RTH EATON TW IN LAKE M anitowoc 6 24 T18N R21E 36
185 NO RTH LUTZKE LAKE M anitowoc 2 24 T18N R22E 27
186 PETERSON LAKE M anitowoc 4 30 T17N R21E 4
187 PIG EON LAKE M anitowoc 82 67 T18N R22E 33
188 PRUEDER LAKE (Praeder) M anitowoc 9 17 T17N R21E 22
189 QUARRY LAKE M anitowoc 1 6 T19N R21E 36
190 RANGER LAKE M anitowoc 4 3 T17N R21E 24
191 RO CKVILLE FLOW AG E M anitowoc 110 6 T17N R21E 28
192 SCHISEL LAKE M anitowoc 14 32 T19N R22E 13
193 SCO UT LAKE M anitowoc 7 3 T17N R21E 24
194 SHO E LAKE M anitowoc 9 34 T17N R21E 16
195 SHO TO LAKE M anitowoc 55 11 T20N R24E 29
196 SILVER LAKE M anitowoc 69 43 T19N R23E 34
197 SOUTH EATON TW IN LAKE M anitowoc 7 21 T18N R21E 36
198 SOUTH LUTZKE LAKE M anitowoc 3 3 T18N R22E 27
199 SPRING LAKE (Getcham ) M anitowoc 8 23 T17N R22E 5
200 SPRING PO ND M anitowoc 1 11 T17N R22E 30
201 STEINTHAL LAKE M anitowoc 2 7 T18N R21E 33
202 SY LAKE M anitowoc 15 31 T17N R21E 11
203 TEEK LAKE M anitowoc 5 36 T19N R23E 28
204 TUM A LAKE (Ording, Tum as, W im m er) M anitowoc 15 33 T21N R23E 17
205 VETTING LAKE M anitowoc 4 34 T19N R23E 32
206 W AACK LAKE M anitowoc 1 18 T18N R23E 16
207 W EST LAKE M anitowoc 6 38 T17N R22E 20
208 W EYERS LAKE M anitowoc 6 32 T18N R23E 10
209 W ILKE LAKE M anitowoc 95 21 T17N R21E 2
210 ANG LE LAKE M arinette 1 8 T33N R18E 11
211 ANNABELLE LAKE M arinette 5 29 T35N R19E 16
212 BABSO N PO ND M arinette 2 5 T34N R18E 30
213 BACK LAKE M arinette 11 22 T36N R20E 6

C ount Lake Nam e County Acres M ax.Depth (ft) Township R ange Section
214 BACK LAKE M arinette 3 11 T37N R21E 21
215 BAG LEY FLO W AG E M arinette 281 20 T31N R22E 33
216 BAHLERT LAKE (Rainbow, Bailard) M arinette 6 57 T31N R19E 20
217 BALSAM LAKE M arinette 8 19 T33N R18E 8
218 BARLO W LAKE M arinette 6 2 T38N R20E 29
219 BARN ES LAKE M arinette 27 19 T36N R19E 11
220 BARR LAKE M arinette 6 16 T36N R20E 32
221 BASS LAKE M arinette 5 13 T31N R19E 8
222 BASS LAKE M arinette 36 50 T31N R20E 29
223 BEAR LAKE M arinette 2 8 T35N R19E 25
224 BEEC HER LAKE M arinette 18 45 T36N R20E 28
225 BELG IAN LAKE M arinette 8 24 T37N R20E 30
226 BENSO N LAKE M arinette 6 10 T35N R18E 8
227 BERR Y LAKE M arinette 10 9 T34N R17E 8
228 BIG NEW TO N LAKE M arinette 68 40 T33N R19E 3
229 BIG Q UINNESEC FALLS FLO W AG E W I-M M arinette 127 45 T38N R20E 6
230 BIR CH LAKE M arinette 12 22 T34N R21E 9
231 BO R TH LAKE M arinette 10 31 T32N R18E 9
232 BO T TLE LAKE M arinette 6 12 T32N R18E 8
233 BRAN DYW INE LAKE M arinette 7 8 T34N R17E 13
234 BRO CK PO ND M arinette 22 5 T36N R18E 30
235 BRO O KS LAKE M arinette 5 9 T31N R19E 26
236 BULLH EAD LAKE M arinette 15 20 T32N R18E 36
237 BUT TERFLY LAKE M arinette 6 15 T34N R20E 30
238 CALDRO N FALLS RESER VO IR M arinette 1018 40 T33N R18E 10
239 CAM P B LAKE M arinette 15 2 T37N R17E 19
240 CAM P LAKE M arinette 7 14 T36N R19E 23
241 CAM PBELL LAKE M arinette 24 8 T32N R19E 11
242 CAM PBELL LAKE M arinette 4 6 T35N R18E 30
243 CED AR LAKE M arinette 7 15 T34N R20E 4
244 CHALK H ILL FLO W AG E W I-M I M arinette 866 30 T35N R22E 7
245 CHARLES LAKE M arinette 30 T32N R19E 11
246 CHR ISTIAN LAKE M arinette 5 19 T36N R19E 22
247 CHR IZEL LAKE M arinette 1 7 T33N R19E 35
248 CLAREY LAKE M arinette 4 3 T36N R20E 27
249 CLARK LAKE (M ud) M arinette 35 9 T36N R17E 3
250 CO LE LAKE M arinette 15 20 T35N R19E 10
251 CO LEM AN LAKE M arinette 246 67 T36N R18E 17
252 CO TAS LAKE M arinette 11 26 T36N R21E 4
253 CRANDALL LAKE M arinette 13 25 T34N R17E 35
254 CRANE LAKE M arinette 12 20 T34N R17E 7
255 CRO O KED LAKE M arinette 5 33 T36N R18E 20
256 D'AM O UR LAKE (M ud) M arinette 9 10 T36N R17E 24
257 DEER LAKE M arinette 13 34 T34N R19E 29
258 DEVILS LAKE M arinette 6 10 T32N R19E 36
259 DISNEY LAKE M arinette 4 14 T35N R19E 17
260 DO LAN LAKE M arinette 20 20 T35N R19E 10
261 DUC K LAKE M arinette 15 14 T35N R19E 21
262 DVO RAK LAKE M arinette 4 2 T37N R18E 34
263 EAG LE LAKE M arinette 56 30 T32N R18E 15
264 EAST PICKEREL PO ND M arinette 9 35 T36N R19E 12
265 EAST TW IN LAKE M arinette 7 21 T36N R19E 14
266 ECH O LAKE M arinette 15 45 T37N R21E 15
267 ELBO W LAKE M arinette 62 60 T34N R19E 27
268 ELM FLATS LAKE M arinette 13 7 T35N R19E 3
269 ENG LEM AN LAKE M arinette 13 4 T33N R20E 22
270 FENCE LAKE M arinette 14 18 T34N R20E 13
271 FINNEG AN LAKE M arinette 6 3 T33N R20E 22
272 FRIEDA LAKE M arinette 65 33 T33N R18E 20
273 FRYING PAN LAKE M arinette 28 47 T32N R18E 6
274 G IESE LAKE (M ud) M arinette 25 8 T31N R19E 30
275 G ILAS LAKE M arinette 135 88 T31N R19E 18
276 G LEN LAKE M arinette 50 24 T35N R19E 23
277 G O LDEN LAKE M arinette 2 23 T36N R21E 9
278 G O O DM AN M ILLPO ND M arinette 20 10 T36N R17E 3
279 G R AND RAPIDS FLO W AG E W I-M I M arinette 259 21 T34N R23E 32
280 G R ANDFATHER LAKE M arinette 14 10 T35N R17E 12
281 G R ASS LAKE M arinette 77 4 T32N R18E 23
282 G R ASS LAKE M arinette 43 19 T34N R20E 13
283 HAR PER LAKE M arinette 18 10 T35N R17E 29
284 HAR VEY LAKE M arinette 4 8 T36N R18E 9
285 HAR W ELL LAKE M arinette 15 25 T34N R18E 36

286 HAZEL LAKE M arinette 3 12 T32N R18E 8
287 HEAD Q UART ERS LAKE M arinette 41 7 T36N R20E 11
288 HEAR T LAKE M arinette 4 6 T34N R18E 25
289 HEISEL LAKE M arinette 5 14 T31N R19E 19
290 HELEN LAKE M arinette 8 11 T34N R20E 15
291 HEU BLER LAKE M arinette 2 10 T34N R19E 4
292 HIG H FALLS RESERVO IR M arinette 1498 54 T32N R18E 1
293 HILBERT LAKE (O rwig) M arinette 289 32 T37N R17E 6
294 HO BACHEE LAKE M arinette 7 4 T37N R17E 25
295 HO M EST EAD LAKE M arinette 4 14 T35N R17E 36
296 HO RSEHEAD LAKE M arinette 5 6 T35N R19E 21
297 HO RSESHO E LAKE M arinette 12 40 T31N R20E 30
298 HO USE LAKE M arinette 2 18 T31N R19E 28
299 HUBER LAKE (D eer) M arinette 29 8 T33N R18E 17
300 HUIG EN LAKE M arinette 12 T33N R18E 33
301 ISLAND LAKE M arinette 9 10 T32N R18E 15
302 ISLAND LAKE M arinette 81 42 T34N R20E 13
303 JO H N LAKE M arinette 2 2 T35N R19E 14
304 JO H NSO N & BEACH LAKE M arinette 14 7 T37N R19E 3
305 JO H NSO N FALLS FLO W AG E M arinette 158 37 T33N R19E 32
306 JO N ES LAKE M arinette 39 7 T30N R20E 19
307 JO Y LAKE M arinette 11 16 T33N R19E 32
308 JUG LAKE M arinette 4 T34N R20E 30
309 JUNE LAKE M arinette 20 35 T35N R19E 27
310 KAHLES PO ND M arinette 1 3 T33N R19E 6
311 KELLINBACH LAKE M arinette 9 14 T35N R19E 22
312 KID D LAKE M arinette 21 5 T36N R18E 10
313 KIM LARK LAKE M arinette 6 32 T37N R21E 23
314 KIN G LAKE M arinette 33 81 T34N R16E 13
315 KIR BY LAKE M arinette 5 36 T32N R19E 22
316 KISS LAKE M arinette 4 15 T32N R18E 8
317 KISS LAKE M arinette 40 22 T33N R19E 31
318 LAFAVE LAKE (La Fave, Lafaye) M arinette 50 38 T37N R17E 5
319 LAKE CHAPM AN M arinette 7 5 T37N R21E 8
320 LAKE DO W NIN G M arinette 5 10 T37N R21E 4
321 LAKE JULIA M arinette 47 20 T33N R21E 36
322 LAKE M ARY M arinette 167 20 T33N R21E 25
323 LAKE NO Q UEBAY (N oque) M arinette 2409 51 T32N R21E 18
324 LAKE SHAN NO N M arinette 47 37 T37N R21E 4
325 LAKE SIX TEEN M arinette 3 3 T35N R19E 29
326 LEFT FO O T LAKE M arinette 79 65 T32N R20E 33
327 LEHM AN LAKE (D olan) M arinette 24 15 T35N R19E 20
328 LILLIE LAKE M arinette 4 11 T35N R19E 3
329 LILY LAKE M arinette 11 10 T34N R19E 27
330 LILY LAKE M arinette 24 19 T36N R19E 3
331 LINDQ U IST LAKE M arinette 70 58 T36N R20E 6
332 LITTLE ISLAND LAKE M arinette 8 23 T34N R20E 12
333 LITTLE M CCALL LAKE M arinette 9 21 T33N R21E 5
334 LITTLE NELLIG AN LAKE M arinette 26 37 T31N R19E 17
335 LITTLE NEW TO N LAKE M arinette 60 53 T33N R19E 4
336 LITTLE PERC H LAKE M arinette 14 26 T32N R18E 11
337 LITTLE PO CHE DE NO CH E M arinette 1 5 T33N R21E 12
338 LITTLE Q U INNESEC FALLS FLO W AG E M arinette 34 40 T38N R20E 10
339 LITTLE SPRING LAKE M arinette 3 6 T34N R18E 36
340 LITTLE W O LF LAKE M arinette 7 31 T34N R21E 18
341 LO NG LAKE M arinette 57 6 T34N R20E 22
342 LO NG LAKE M arinette 9 35 T37N R21E 27
343 LO ST LAKE M arinette 19 20 T34N R19E 31
346 LO W ER SCO T T FLO W AG E W I-M I M arinette 60 20 T30N R24E 6
347 LUEDEVIT Z LAKE (Luedvitz) M arinette 8 17 T36N R21E 5
348 LUNDG R EN LAKE M arinette 29 62 T36N R20E 6
349 M ARL LAKE M arinette 5 3 T32N R20E 30
350 M ARSH LAKE M arinette 6 15 T31N R19E 28
351 M ATHIS LAKE M arinette 8 24 T35N R19E 26
352 M ATTR ICH LAKE M arinette 6 30 T31N R19E 17
353 M CALLIST ER PO ND M arinette 4 6 T36N R22E 19
354 M CCALL LAKE (Big Aldrich) M arinette 16 22 T33N R21E 5
355 M CCASLIN LAKE M arinette 74 9 T34N R17E 33
356 M CDO N ALD LAKE M arinette 11 8 T36N R19E 23
357 M EDBRO O K LAKE M arinette 6 18 T33N R19E 4

358 M ERRIM AN LAKE M arinette 19 12 T36N R19E 26
359 M INNIE LAKE M arinette 9 7 T36N R19E 1
360 M IRRO R LAKE M arinette 5 10 T32N R18E 8
361 M IRRO R LAKE M arinette 14 18 T36N R18E 31
362 M ISCAU NO PO ND M arinette 23 9 T36N R21E 16
363 M O NSO N PO N D M arinette 4 28 T36N R20E 7
364 M O NT ANA LAKE M arinette 135 28 T30N R20E 30
365 M O O N LAKE M arinette 97 25 T36N R18E 5
366 M O O SE LAKE M arinette 16 36 T34N R21E 17
367 M O RG AN LAKE M arinette 83 22 T34N R20E 8
368 M O UNT AIN LAKE M arinette 26 26 T33N R18E 30
369 M UD LAKE M arinette 10 5 T32N R19E 31
373 M ULLANEY LAKE M arinette 4 24 T36N R20E 27
374 M URBO U LAKE M arinette 19 7 T34N R18E 25
375 M URPHY LAKE M arinette 13 26 T31N R19E 28
376 NAD JAK LAKE M arinette 10 7 T37N R17E 32
377 NELLIG AN LAKE M arinette 32 36 T31N R19E 20
378 NEW BAR LAKE M arinette 14 56 T31N R19E 20
379 NO RTH PO ND M arinette 70 7 T37N R18E 20
380 O LD VET ERAN LAKE M arinette 10 18 T33N R18E 12
381 O N EO NTA LAKE (Hilbert, North) M arinette 66 24 T37N R17E 6
382 O T TER LAKE M arinette 4 38 T37N R21E 21
383 PAPO O SE LAKE M arinette 2 21 T36N R20E 28
384 PERC H LAKE M arinette 4 35 T32N R19E 31
387 PESH TIG O FLO W AG E M arinette 232 15 T30N R23E 19
388 PETR YK LAKE M arinette 16 9 T37N R17E 31
389 PHILLIPS LAKE M arinette 11 25 T35N R19E 5
390 PHILLIPS LAKE M arinette 9 18 T36N R19E 23
391 PIN E LAKE M arinette 1 3 T33N R19E 3
392 PO C HE DE NO CHE M arinette 7 11 T33N R21E 1
393 PO R CUPIN E LAKE M arinette 48 8 T36N R17E 33
394 PO T HO LE LAKE M arinette 3 25 T37N R18E 21
395 RAILRO AD PO N D M arinette 34 8 T37N R18E 28
396 RAINBO W LAKE M arinette 3 4 T31N R19E 28
397 REC TO R LAKE M arinette 4 17 T34N R19E 3
398 RED M AN LAKE M arinette 11 11 T35N R19E 12
399 RET CO F LAKE M arinette 47 14 T33N R20E 31
400 RO CK LAKE M arinette 3 15 T37N R21E 28
401 RO LLINS LAKE M arinette 5 27 T32N R18E 8
402 RO LLINS LAKE M arinette 9 4 T34N R19E 34
403 RO O NEY LAKE M arinette 13 22 T34N R17E 16
404 RO O SEVELT LAKE M arinette 1 3 T33N R20E 10
405 RO SEY LAKE M arinette 6 14 T35N R19E 30
406 RO UND LAKE M arinette 3 3 T32N R20E 5
407 RO UND LAKE M arinette 4 60 T36N R18E 20
408 RUSH LAKE M arinette 17 31 T32N R20E 6
409 SACKERSO N LAKE M arinette 13 23 T37N R18E 22
410 SAND LAKE M arinette 20 32 T32N R18E 9
411 SAND STO NE FLO W AG E M arinette 153 35 T32N R19E 24
412 SECO ND LAKE M arinette 5 21 T36N R17E 9
413 SILVER LAKE M arinette 8 19 T34N R19E 27
414 SIM PSO N LAKE M arinette 13 24 T33N R19E 13
415 SM ITH LAKE M arinette 22 11 T37N R21E 30
416 SPEN CER LAKE M arinette 3 4 T34N R19E 21
417 SPIES LAKE M arinette 27 5 T34N R20E 30
418 SPRING LAKE M arinette 13 5 T34N R18E 13
419 SPRING ER LAKE M arinette 2 18 T34N R19E 27
420 SPRU CE LAKE M arinette 6 6 T34N R17E 18
421 SPUR LAKE M arinette 11 24 T37N R18E 3
422 SQ U AW LAKE M arinette 36 11 T33N R18E 34
423 STAR LAKE M arinette 5 3 T33N R19E 15
424 STEPHENSO N LAKE M arinette 19 24 T33N R22E 19
425 STO VEKIN LAKE M arinette 13 22 T35N R19E 21
426 STU RG EO N FALLS FLO W AG E W I-M I M arinette 16 40 T38N R21E 22
427 TAYLO R LAKE (Phillips) M arinette 5 9 T35N R18E 19
428 THE SPRIN G M arinette 6 23 T32N R18E 9
429 THO EM ING LAKE M arinette 7 29 T36N R20E 7

430 THREE LITTLE LAKES M arinette 3 T34N R17E 33
431 THUNDER LAKE M arinette 127 62 T32N R18E 15
432 TIMM S LAKE M arinette 30 37 T37N R21E 17
433 TO W N CORNER LAKE M arinette 175 9 T36N R19E 36
434 TRO UT HAVEN PO ND M arinette 2 8 T36N R19E 28
435 TRO UT LAKE M arinette 10 14 T34N R19E 5
438 TW IN BESSIES LAKES M arinette 9 T32N R18E 9
439 TW IN LAKE M arinette 21 30 T37N R21E 15
440 UPPER SCO TT FLO W AGE W I-M I M arinette 586 17 T31N R23E 32
441 VIC LAKE M arinette 10 16 T36N R18E 20
442 W AUSAUKEE LAKE M arinette 5 6 T34N R20E 36
443 W EST PICKEREL POND M arinette 12 39 T36N R19E 11
444 W EST TW IN LAKE M arinette 16 15 T36N R19E 14
445 W HITE RAPIDS FLOW AGE W I-M I M arinette 447 30 T35N R22E 19
446 W IGGINS LAKE M arinette 40 26 T36N R20E 9
447 W ILLIAM S LAKE M arinette 10 27 T35N R19E 12
448 W OEM PNER LAKE M arinette 25 8 T36N R19E 11
449 W OLF LAKE M arinette 22 7 T33N R20E 23
452 W ONDER LAKE M arinette 8 28 T32N R18E 6
453 W OODS LAKE M arinette 46 27 T33N R18E 23
454 W OODS LAKE M arinette 11 10 T36N R17E 10
455 YANKEE LAKE M arinette 12 20 T31N R19E 6
456 YOUNG LAKE M arinette 23 13 T36N R19E 1
457 ANDERSON LAKE Oconto 182 40 T31N R17E 31
458 ARCHIBALD LAKE Oconto 393 50 T32N R15E 2
459 ARCHIBALD TO W ER SPRING S Oconto 8 13 T32N R15E 14
460 BALCOM LAKE Oconto 65 62 T28N R19E 17
461 BARNES LAKE Oconto 34 25 T32N R15E 16
462 BARNEY SPRING Oconto 1 1 T33N R15E 7
463 BASS LAKE Oconto 16 25 T31N R18E 14
464 BASS LAKE (W ickser) Oconto 149 40 T32N R15E 9
465 BASS LAKE Oconto 12 11 T32N R17E 22
466 BEAR LAKE Oconto 78 16 T33N R16E 21
467 BEAR PAW LAKE Oconto 49 20 T31N R17E 8
468 BEAVER LAKE Oconto 8 22 T28N R19E 11
469 BENZ LAKE Oconto 11 8 T29N R18E 17
470 BERRY LAKE Oconto 201 27 T28N R17E 19
471 BIG GILLETT LAKE (Gillett) Oconto 34 26 T32N R16E 18
472 BIG ISLAND LAKE Oconto 37 25 T32N R15E 24
473 BINDER LAKE Oconto 22 17 T33N R16E 19
474 BIRCH LAKE Oconto 4 10 T33N R16E 26
475 BOO T LAKE Oconto 235 38 T32N R15E 9
476 BOULDER LAKE Oconto 362 11 T31N R15E 21
477 BOUNDARY LAKE (Bass) Oconto 37 19 T32N R17E 12
478 BOW M AN LAKE Oconto 11 39 T33N R15E 32
479 BRO OKS LAKE Oconto 9 15 T29N R18E 34
480 BUCK LAKE Oconto 8 8 T32N R16E 15
481 BULLFROG LAKE Oconto 16 19 T33N R16E 26
482 CAM P 5 LAKE Oconto 16 13 T32N R16E 9
483 CAM P FOUR LAKE (Bass) Oconto 24 18 T32N R16E 19
484 CAM P LAKE Oconto 15 18 T32N R16E 7
485 CAVE LAKE (Krake, Sm all Bass) Oconto 21 34 T32N R15E 15
486 CEDAR LAKE Oconto 4 25 T32N R15E 12
487 CEDAR LAKE Oconto 20 5 T32N R17E 12
488 CHAIN LAKE Oconto 81 50 T33N R16E 31
489 CHICKEN CROP LAKE (Cave) Oconto 28 19 T32N R15E 15
490 CHICKEN FOO T LAKE (Chicken) Oconto 50 20 T32N R15E 15
491 CHRISTIE LAKE (Christy) Oconto 387 10 T28N R18E 19
492 CHUTE PO ND Oconto 417 19 T31N R16E 25
493 CO MPANY LAKE Oconto 15 49 T28N R19E 9
494 CO OLEY LAKE Oconto 52 43 T29N R18E 2
495 CRAB LAKE Oconto 9 10 T33N R16E 17
496 CRO OKED LAKE Oconto 143 37 T32N R17E 15
497 DEADMAN LAKE Oconto 37 47 T32N R15E 22
498 DEEP LAKE Oconto 3 20 T32N R15E 12
499 DEER LAKE Oconto 27 5 T30N R18E 26
500 DELL LAKE (Spruce) Oconto 35 10 T32N R17E 12

501 DELZER LAKE O conto 8 35 T27N R19E 6
502 DO LLAR LAKE O conto 2 13 T32N R15E 8
503 DO M BR O SKI LAKE (Dom browski) O conto 4 19 T28N R19E 32
504 EAST TW IN LAKE O conto 5 23 T32N R15E 29
505 EAT DUKE LAKE O conto 4 T33N R16E 28
506 EX PLO SIO N LAKE O conto 31 27 T33N R15E 29
507 FANNY LAKE O conto 19 18 T32N R15E 7
508 FAR LAKE O conto 3 22 T32N R15E 12
509 FARR LAKE O conto 13 14 T31N R17E 15
510 FINNEG AN LAKE O conto 18 38 T28N R18E 28
511 FIRST LAKE O conto 9 24 T30N R19E 33
512 FLO W ER LAKE (G rass) O conto 45 6 T32N R17E 13
513 FO RBES SPRING O conto 2 2 T33N R17E 20
514 FRENCH LAKE (Shay) O conto 29 29 T32N R16E 18
515 FRO G LAKE O conto 6 19 T31N R18E 1
516 FUNK LAKE O conto 31 18 T30N R18E 23
517 G AFFNEY LAKE O conto 9 14 T31N R18E 12
518 G ILKEY LAKE O conto 20 6 T32N R17E 14
519 G LO CKE LAKE (G luckie) O conto 28 8 T33N R15E 24
520 G R AY LAKE (G rey) O conto 11 21 T28N R19E 29
521 G R EEN LAKE O conto 22 25 T31N R16E 13
522 G R IG NO N LAKE O conto 26 17 T29N R17E 18
523 G R INDLE LAKE (W aupee, G riddle) O conto 42 23 T32N R17E 21
524 HAG EN LAKE (Hogen) O conto 27 26 T32N R16E 20
525 HALFM O O N LAKE O conto 28 38 T31N R18E 1
526 HELLS ACRE SPRING S O conto 3 16 T32N R15E 28
527 HICKEY SPRING S O conto 1 4 T33N R16E 25
528 HIDDEN LAKE O conto 36 45 T33N R16E 8
529 HILLS PO ND O conto 10 6 T31N R15E 4
530 HO ERTH LAKE (Herth) O conto 6 23 T30N R18E 34
531 HO LT LAKE O conto 6 23 T31N R18E 13
532 HO RN LAKE O conto 132 11 T33N R15E 20
533 HO RN SHAPED LAKE O conto 6 15 T33N R15E 28
534 IM PASSABLE LAKE O conto 84 5 T30N R18E 22
535 JO C KO LAKE O conto 17 31 T30N R19E 29
536 JO H N LAKE O conto 103 26 T33N R16E 15
537 JO H NSO N LAKE O conto 6 6 T29N R19E 17
538 JO N ES SPRING IM PO UNDM ENT O conto 7 T32N R15E 6
539 KELLY LAKE O conto 326 41 T29N R19E 6
540 KLAUS LAKE O conto 22 50 T28N R18E 4
541 KO BUS LAKE O conto 4 5 T31N R18E 4
542 KRAKE LAKES O conto 3 4 T32N R15E 16
543 KUPLIE LAKE O conto 15 22 T28N R19E 3
544 LACKAW ANNA LAKE (Crystal) O conto 9 3 T33N R17E 1
545 LAKE KATH LEEN (W arder) O conto 23 33 T32N R15E 21
546 LAKE M ARY O conto 156 9
547 LAUDER LAKE O conto 9 9 T33N R15E 29
548 LEDG E LAKE (Pine) O conto 34 19 T32N R17E 1
549 LEIG H FLO W AG E (Lee) O conto 231 52 T30N R19E 29
550 LILY LAKE O conto 5 49 T28N R19E 8
551 LINCO LN LAKE O conto 13 16 T33N R16E 7
552 LINE LAKE O conto 2 15 T32N R15E 15
553 LITTLE ARC HIBALD LAKE O conto 56 65 T33N R15E 36
554 LITTLE BASS LAKE O conto 3 25 T31N R18E 14
555 LITTLE BEAR LAKE O conto 12 14 T33N R16E 20
556 LITTLE G ILLETT LAKE O conto 16 25 T32N R16E 17
557 LITTLE HO RN LAKE O conto 24 22 T33N R15E 28
558 LITTLE LO NG LAKE (Key) O conto 10 18 T32N R16E 9
559 LITTLE M AIDEN LAKE O conto 39 17 T32N R16E 7
560 LITTLE PIC KEREL LAKE O conto 5 17 T31N R18E 1
561 LITTLE PIC KEREL LAKE O conto 24 23 T33N R15E 11
562 LITTLE SQ UAW LAKE O conto 15 11 T30N R18E 24
563 LITTLE W APATO LAKE O conto 9 11 T32N R15E 6
564 LO NG LAKE O conto 38 22 T30N R19E 31
565 LO NG LAKE O conto 9 6 T32N R15E 9
566 LO NG LAKE O conto 18 T33N R16E 5
567 LO ST LAKE O conto 6 27 T31N R18E 9
568 LO ST LAKE O conto 3 2 T32N R15E 24
569 LO W ER ISLAND LAKE O conto 12 26 T32N R15E 24
570 LO W ER JO NES LAKE O conto 5 14 T32N R15E 18
571 LO W ER JO NES SPRIN G O conto 3 7 T32N R15E 7
572 LO W ER RANG E LAKE O conto 5 22 T32N R15E 13

573 LO W ER W APATO LAKE (Poison) O conto 38 10 T32N R15E 5
574 M ACHICKANEE FLO W AG E (Stiles) O conto 463 21 T28N R20E 34
575 M AIDEN LAKE O conto 290 60 T32N R16E 7
576 M AKHO LM LAKE (M acholm ) O conto 13 52 T30N R18E 34
577 M ARSH LAKE O conto 3 17 T31N R18E 14
578 M CCO M B LAKE O conto 20 34 T31N R16E 28
579 M IDG ET LAKE O conto 7 20 T31N R16E 24
580 M ILLER LAKE O conto 16 20 T32N R15E 21
581 M IRIAM LAKE O conto 7 18 T33N R16E 23
582 M O O D Y LAKE O conto 18 9 T30N R17E 3
583 M O SQ U ITO LAKE O conto 6 20 T33N R15E 9
584 M UD LAKE O conto 4 7 T32N R15E 24
585 M UNG ER LAKE O conto 97 19 T33N R16E 21
586 NELLIG AN LAKE O conto 50 26 T32N R17E 27
587 NEW TO N LAKE (Savage) O conto 19 33 T28N R18E 23
588 NO M ANS LAKE O conto 1 24 T30N R18E 27
589 NO RTH M O U NTAIN LAKE (Spruce) O conto 10 3 T31N R15E 1
590 O C O NTO FALLS PO ND O conto 167 28 T28N R19E 26
591 PAPO O SE LAKE O conto 2 5 T30N R18E 24
592 PAT LAKE O conto 10 13 T31N R16E 7
593 PAYA LAKE O conto 121 40 T32N R16E 10
594 PECO R LAKE (Pecard) O conto 19 28 T30N R18E 36
595 PERC H LAKE O conto 8 24 T31N R18E 13
596 PERC H LAKE O conto 13 10 T32N R15E 29
597 PETE LAKE O conto 4 21 T29N R19E 18
598 PETERSO N LAKE O conto 8 56 T30N R18E 33
599 PIC KEREL LAKE O conto 32 18 T31N R18E 1
600 PIC KEREL LAKE O conto 127 15 T33N R15E 11
601 PIN E LAKE O conto 5 15 T32N R15E 12
602 PIN E RID G E LAKE (Long) O conto 46 27 T33N R16E 23
603 PLANTATIO N LAKE (Fish, Sm oke) O conto 21 17 T33N R15E 13
604 PO N SEG RAU LAKE O conto 2 8 T30N R18E 7
605 PO R CUPIN E LAKE O conto 30 20 T29N R19E 12
606 Q U ILL LAKE (Porcupine, Pickerel) O conto 24 31 T32N R15E 13
607 RAN CH LAKE O conto 46 44 T31N R18E 12
608 READ ER LAKE O conto 6 22 T31N R18E 13
609 RESERVO IR PO ND O conto 409 16 T33N R15E 33
610 RO ST LAKE O conto 91 29 T30N R19E 24
611 RO UND LAKE O conto 28 31 T30N R19E 31
612 SAVAG E LAKE O conto 6 29 T28N R18E 22
613 SCH UTT LAKE O conto 16 15 T28N R17E 17
614 SECO ND LAKE O conto 6 30 T30N R19E 33
615 SECT IO N 30 LAKE O conto 7 11 T32N R15E 30
616 SELLIN LAKE O conto 16 17 T33N R16E 20
617 SHAD O W LAKE O conto 27 7 T32N R15E 35
618 SHAY LAKE O conto 67 36 T31N R18E 7
619 SHAY LAKE O conto 50 36 T32N R15E 17
620 SM ALL BASS LAKES (Cave) O conto 19 27 T32N R15E 14
621 SM O KE LAKE O conto 51 7 T33N R15E 14
622 SO U TH M O U NTAIN LAKE (Spruce) O conto 10 6 T31N R15E 12
623 SPICE LAKE O conto 20 34 T28N R18E 5
624 SPIES LAKE O conto 6 4 T30N R18E 12
625 SPRING LAKE O conto 13 14 T33N R15E 2
626 SPRU CE LAKE O conto 15 7 T32N R15E 29
627 SQ U AW LAKE O conto 22 19 T30N R18E 24
628 STAR LAKE O conto 63 21 T32N R15E 26
629 SULLIVAN SPR ING S O conto 4 2 T33N R16E 36
630 SUN RISE LAKE (Sand) O conto 22 32 T32N R17E 29
631 SUR PRISE LAKE (Bass) O conto 70 30 T33N R15E 10
632 SW ANSO NS LAKE O conto 4 11 T32N R15E 12
633 TEM PLE LAKE O conto 20 3 T31N R16E 19
634 TO W NSEN D FLO W AG E (W heeler) O conto 476 30 T33N R15E 27
635 TRO UT LAKE O conto 22 25 T32N R15E 21
636 TUR TLE LAKE O conto 4 5 T30N R18E 35
637 TUR TLE LAKE O conto 2 7 T31N R17E 13
638 UCIL LAKE O conto 22 33 T30N R18E 13
639 UND ERW O O D LAKE O conto 43 37 T30N R19E 30
640 UPPER ISLAND LAKE O conto 16 18 T32N R15E 13
641 UPPER JO NES LAKE O conto 1 15 T32N R15E 18
642 UPPER JO NES SPRIN G O conto 4 12 T32N R15E 7
643 UPPER RANG E LAKE O conto 4 16 T32N R15E 13
644 UPPER W APATO LAKE (Poison) O conto 50 10 T33N R15E 32

Count Lake Name County Acres Max.Depth (ft) Township Range Section
645 VALLEY LAKE (Yavell) Oconto 15 43 T32N R15E 12
646 VEIL LAKE Oconto 54 13 T30N R18E 13
647 WADES LAKE Oconto 3 7 T32N R15E 23
648 WARINGTON LAKE Oconto 11 20 T28N R17E 31
649 WAUBEE LAKE Oconto 137 20 T33N R16E 13
650 WAUPEE FLOWAGE Oconto 80 9 T32N R17E 21
651 WAUPEE LAKE Oconto 34 2 T31N R17E 3
652 WESCOTT LAKE Oconto 38 27 T30N R18E 24
653 WEST TWIN LAKE Oconto 6 11 T32N R15E 29
654 WESTPHALL LAKE Oconto 24 10 T31N R17E 21
655 WHEELER LAKE Oconto 293 35 T33N R16E 22
656 WHITE LAKE Oconto 49 49 T30N R18E 36
657 WHITE POTATO LAKE Oconto 978 11 T31N R18E 23
658 WICHSER LAKE (Wischer, Bass) Oconto 15 61 T32N R15E 19
659 WINSLOW LAKE (Long) Oconto 58 33 T32N R16E 8
660 WISCOBEE LAKE Oconto 32 40 T29N R17E 5
661 BATAVIA POND Sheboygan 1 5 T13N R20E 13
662 BEAR LAKE Sheboygan T15N R20E 29
663 BEECHWOOD LAKE Sheboygan 11 20 T13N R20E 17
664 BULLET LAKE Sheboygan 15 72 T16N R21E 35
665 BUTLER LAKE Sheboygan 7 13 T14N R20E 20
666 CASCADE MILLPOND Sheboygan 7 3 T14N R21E 20
667 CEDAR LAKE Sheboygan 10 10 T13N R20E 6
668 CROOKED LAKE Sheboygan 91 32 T13N R20E 6
669 CRYSTAL LAKE Sheboygan 152 61 T16N R21E 32
670 DOLLAR LAKE Sheboygan 8 8 T16N R21E 12
671 ELKHART LAKE (Big Elkhart) Sheboygan 286 119 T16N R21E 30
672 FRANKLIN MILL POND Sheboygan 32 8 T16N R22E 20
673 GERBER LAKE (Big Gerber) Sheboygan 15 37 T16N R21E 35
674 GLENBEULAH MILL POND Sheboygan 7 11 T15N R20E 1
675 GLENBEULAH SPRING Sheboygan 1 12 T15N R21E 6
676 GOOSEVILLE MILLPOND Sheboygan 38 7 T13N R21E 17
677 GRASSER LAKE (Decada) Sheboygan 9 33 T13N R22E 31
678 HAACK LAKE Sheboygan 16 18 T13N R20E 31
679 HINGHAM MILL POND Sheboygan 38 6 T14N R22E 31
680 JETZERS LAKE Sheboygan 15 42 T16N R22E 28
681 JOHNSONVILLE MILLPOND Sheboygan 9 6 T15N R22E 6
682 KELLINGS LAKES #1 Sheboygan 1 7 T14N R20E 31
685 KOHLER MILLPOND Sheboygan 21 8 T15N R23E 31
686 LAKE ELLEN Sheboygan 121 42 T14N R21E 31
687 LAKE SEVEN Sheboygan 27 25 T13N R20E 7
688 LITTLE ELKHART LAKE Sheboygan 54 25 T16N R21E 34
689 LITTLE GERBER LAKE Sheboygan 7 21 T16N R21E 35
690 LITTLE ROUND LAKE Sheboygan 8 18 T15N R20E 29
691 MEYER POND # 1 Sheboygan 5 4 T15N R21E 28
694 OTTER POND Sheboygan 3 10 T15N R21E 6
695 PLYMOUTH MILL POND Sheboygan 36 6 T15N R21E 22
696 RANDOM LAKE Sheboygan 209 21 T13N R21E 26
697 SHEBOYGAN FALLS POND Sheboygan 12 4 T15N R22E 36
698 SHEBOYGAN FALLS QUARRY Sheboygan 3 40 T15N R22E 36
699 SHEBOYGAN LAKE Sheboygan 674 4 T16N R20E 13
700 SHEBOYGAN QUARRY Sheboygan 8 45 T15N R23E 9
701 SIXTEEN LAKE Sheboygan 8 13 T13N R20E 16
702 SPRING LAKE (Random) Sheboygan 57 22 T12N R21E 2
703 WALDO MILL POND Sheboygan 40 7 T14N R21E 14
Total Acreage: 37,952
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Lakes Book (Revised), 2001. Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission, 2005.

APPENDIX B: RIVERS AND STREAMS OF THE BAY-LAKE REGION
W aterw ay N am e Length (m i) C ounty
Sheboygan R iver 65.2 M anitowoc/Sheboygan
O conto R iver 53.7 O conto
Silver C reek 53.2 D oor/Kewaunee/M anitowoc/Sheboygan
N orth Branch O conto R iver 52.3 O conto
Pine R iver 49.3 Florence
East T win R iver 42.2 Kewaunee/M anitowoc
East R iver 41.2 Brown
Pigeon R iver 38.4 M anitowoc/Sheboygan
Branch R iver 38.3 Brown/M anitowoc
O nion R iver 37.1 Sheboygan
Brule R iver 36.9 Florence
M anitowoc R iver 36.2 M anitowoc
M ullet R iver 32.8 Sheboygan
N orth Branch Pike R iver 32.7 M arinette
Pensaukee R iver 32.2 O conto
South Branch O conto R iver 32.0 O conto
Popple R iver 31.9 Florence
N orth Branch Pem ebonwon R iver 31.8 Florence/M arinette
South Branch Pem ebonwon R iver 31.5 M arinette
Kewaunee R iver 30.0 Brown/Kewaunee
W ausaukee R iver 29.6 M arinette
Peshtigo Brook 28.2 O conto
South Branch Pike R iver 26.3 M arinette
Kelly Brook 25.5 O conto
M ud C reek 25.3 Brown/M anitowoc
First South Branch O conto R iver 22.9 O conto
M cC aslin Brook 22.7 O conto
N eshota R iver 22.0 Brown/Kewaunee/M anitowoc
Little R iver 21.9 M arinette/O conto
Little Suam ico R iver 21.6 Brown/O conto
Little Popple R iver 20.0 Florence
Fox R iver 19.5 Brown
Eagle C reek 19.5 M arinette
N orth Branch M ilwaukee R iver 19.3 Sheboygan
K C C reek 19.0 Florence/M arinette
W oods C reek 18.8 Florence
Little Peshtigo R iver 18.1 M arinette
M iddle Inlet 18.1 M arinette
W est T win R iver 18.0 M anitowoc
Stony C reek 17.9 D oor/Kewaunee
South Branch Beaver C reek 17.9 M arinette/O conto
Suam ico R iver 16.2 Brown
D evils R iver 15.9 Brown/M anitowoc
Little South Branch Pike R iver 15.8 M arinette
Pike R iver 15.7 M arinette
Bower C reek 15.7 Brown
N orth Fork T hunder R iver 15.6 M arinette/O conto
Ahnapee R iver 15.4 D oor/Kewaunee
D uck C reek 15.3 Brown
Scarboro C reek 15.2 Brown/Kewaunee
U pper M iddle Inlet 15.1 M arinette

Waterway Name Length (mi) County
Ashwaubenon Creek 14.8 Brown
North Branch Little River 14.6 Oconto
Mink Creek 14.5 Sheboygan
Plum Creek 14.4 Brown
School Creek 14.3 Brown/Kewaunee
W aupee Creek 13.6 Oconto
W hisky Creek 13.6 Marinette/Oconto
Baird Creek 13.5 Brown
Second South Branch Oconto River 12.5 Oconto
Black Creek 12.5 Kewaunee/Manitowoc
Spring Creek 12.2 Marinette/Oconto
Point Creek 11.9 Manitowoc
Dutchman Creek 11.9 Brown
North Branch Beaver Creek 11.9 Marinette
Rat River 11.7 Marinette
Meeme River 11.6 Manitowoc
Holmes Creek 11.3 Marinette
Black River 11.2 Sheboygan
Thomas Slough 10.9 Marinette/Oconto
Sugar Creek 10.8 Door
Bundy Creek 10.7 Marinette
Johnson Creek 10.7 Florence
South Branch Popple River 10.6 Florence
Springdale Branch 10.6 Marinette
North Branch Pensaukee River 10.3 Oconto
W olf Creek 10.2 Marinette
Daly Creek 10.1 Oconto
Riley Creek 9.8 Florence
Spikehorn Creek 9.7 Marinette
Murphy Creek 9.6 Marinette/Oconto
Jambo Creek 9.6 Kewaunee/Manitowoc
Lamon Tangue Creek 9.5 Florence
McDonald Creek 9.4 Marinette/Oconto
Trout Creek 9.1 Brown
W est Branch Peshtigo Brook 9.1 Marinette/Oconto
Red River 8.9 Kewaunee
Messenger Creek 8.8 Marinette/Oconto
Rio Creek 8.8 Kewaunee
Hendricks Creek 8.7 Florence
Twin Creek 8.5 Marinette
Kirchner Creek 8.4 Oconto
Smith Creek 8.2 Marinette
Lower Middle Inlet 8.1 Marinette
Left Foot Creek 8.0 Marinette
Keyes Creek 7.8 Door
Hayes Creek 7.8 Oconto
Molash Creek 7.8 Manitowoc
Thunder River 7.7 Marinette
Little W ausaukee Creek 7.7 Marinette
Pine Creek 7.7 Manitowoc
Handsaw Creek 7.6 Marinette

Squaw Creek 7.5 Marinette
Montagne Creek 7.5 Florence
Haller Creek 7.4 Brown/Oconto
South Fork Thunder River 7.4 Marinette/Oconto
Little Manitowoc River 7.4 Manitowoc
Cedar Creek 7.3 Manitowoc
Linzy Creek 7.3 Oconto
Lilly Bay Creek 7.3 Door
Halls Creek 7.3 Florence
Fischer Creek 7.0 Manitowoc
Sevenmile Creek 7.0 Sheboygan
LaBudde Creek 7.0 Sheboygan
Gravelly Brook 6.9 Marinette
Otter Creek 6.8 Marinette
Francis Creek 6.8 Manitowoc
Tibbet Creek 6.7 Oconto
Meadow Brook 6.7 Marinette
South Branch Little Popple River 6.6 Florence/Marinette
Trout Creek 6.6 Marinette
The Outlet 6.6 Marinette
Potter Creek 6.6 Brown
Chemical Creek 6.6 Marinette
Miscauno Creek 6.6 Marinette
Hemlock Creek 6.5 Brown
Brookside Creek 6.5 Oconto
King Creek 6.5 Brown/Kewaunee
Harvey Creek 6.5 Marinette
Tisch Mills Creek 6.5 Kewaunee/Manitowoc
Christie Brook 6.4 Oconto
Sullivan Creek 6.4 Marinette
W est Branch Suamico River 6.3 Brown
Macintire Creek 6.3 Marinette
Morgan Creek 6.3 Florence
Pecore Creek 6.2 Oconto
Crossett Creek 6.1 Florence/Marinette
W isconsin Creek 6.0 Florence
Pemebonwon River 6.0 Marinette
Little Eagle Creek 6.0 Marinette
Twin Hill Creek 5.9 Brown
Coopman Creek 5.9 Oconto
Upper Inlet 5.9 Marinette
Little W aupee Creek 5.8 Oconto
Hay Creek 5.8 Oconto
Renard Creek 5.8 Door
Medicine Brook 5.8 Marinette
Donlans Creek 5.7 Door
Centerville Creek 5.5 Manitowoc
Stony Creek 5.5 Sheboygan
East Thunder Creek 5.5 Marinette/Oconto
Kriwanek Creek 5.4 Manitowoc
North Branch Peshtigo Brook 5.4 Marinette/Oconto

Mashek Creek 5.4 Kewaunee
South Branch Miscauno Creek 5.3 Marinette
Logan Creek 5.3 Door
North Branch Suamico River 5.3 Brown/Oconto
Casco Creek 5.3 Kewaunee
W hiskey Creek 5.2 Marinette
Stevens Creek 5.2 Florence
W eso Creek 5.2 Oconto
Coldwater Creek 5.1 Marinette
Meeme Creek 5.1 Sheboygan
Larson Creek 5.0 Door
Splinter Creek 5.0 Oconto
W eedons Creek 5.0 Sheboygan
Cole Creek 5.0 Marinette
Rosey Creek 4.9 Marinette
Hills Pond Creek 4.9 Oconto
Batavia Creek 4.9 Sheboygan
Lepage Creek 4.7 Florence
W oodard Creek 4.7 Door
Mary Creek 4.7 Oconto
Forbes Creek 4.6 Oconto
Slough Creek 4.6 Marinette
Bear Creek 4.6 Door
Macauley Creek 4.6 Oconto
Hines Creek 4.5 Oconto
Thunder Lake Inlet 4.4 Marinette
Cedarville Creek 4.4 Marinette
Rock Creek 4.4 Florence
Snow Falls Creek 4.3 Oconto
Peterman Brook 4.3 Marinette
W atercress Creek 4.3 Sheboygan
Luxemburg Creek 4.2 Kewaunee
Schuyler Creek 4.2 Door
Silver Creek 4.2 Marinette
Apple Creek 4.2 Brown
Pine Creek 4.1 Florence
Swede John Creek 4.1 Marinette
Fay Lake Outlet 4.1 Florence
McAllister Creek 4.1 Marinette
Otter Creek 4.0 Sheboygan
Camp F Creek 4.0 Marinette
Gilson Creek 4.0 Brown
Beecher Creek 4.0 Marinette
South Branch Suamico River 3.9 Brown
Fisher Creek 3.9 Sheboygan
Fisher Creek 3.7 Florence
Johnson Creek 3.6 Manitowoc
Cody Creek 3.6 Florence
Duck Creek 3.6 Florence
Deadman Creek 3.6 Florence
Seidel Creek 3.5 Florence

Little Harvey Creek 3.5 Marinette
Millhome Creek 3.5 Manitowoc/Sheboygan
Meadowbrook Creek 3.5 Florence
Beaver Creek 3.5 Marinette
Beaver Branch 3.4 Marinette
Threemile Creek 3.4 Kewaunee
Bagley Creek 3.4 Oconto
South Branch Ashwaubenon Creek 3.4 Brown
Barr Creek 3.4 Sheboygan
Mud Creek 3.3 Florence
Simpson Creek 3.2 Florence
Melius Creek 3.1 Sheboygan
McCall Creek 3.1 Marinette
Phillips Creek 3.1 Marinette
Lund Creek 3.1 Florence
Iron Springs Creek 3.0 Marinette
W alker Creek 2.9 Marinette
Brehmer Creek 2.9 Oconto
Chambers Creek 2.9 Sheboygan
Hibbard Creek 2.9 Door
Battle Creek 2.8 Oconto
North Branch Miscauno Creek 2.8 Marinette
North Branch Ashwaubenon Creek 2.7 Brown
Haymarsh Creek 2.7 Florence
Little Silver Creek 2.7 Marinette
South Branch Manitowoc River 2.6 Manitowoc
Camp D Creek 2.6 Marinette
Bruemmer Creek 2.5 Kewaunee
LeRoy Creek 2.5 Florence
Homestead Creek 2.4 Marinette
Swamp Creek 2.4 Marinette
Ephraim Creek 2.4 Door
Piel Creek 2.4 Door
Sand Lake Branch 2.4 Florence
North Branch Harvey Creek 2.4 Marinette
Gooseville Creek 2.4 Sheboygan
Fishers Creek 2.3 Marinette
Spur Creek 2.3 Marinette
Krok Creek 2.3 Kewaunee
Knowles Creek 2.3 Oconto
Spread Eagle Outlet 2.2 Florence
School Creek 2.2 Marinette
Camp Five Creek 2.2 Marinette
Avery Creek 2.2 Marinette
Mud Brook 2.1 Marinette
Lauterman Creek 2.1 Florence
Three Springs Creek 2.1 Door
Brandywine Creek 2.1 Marinette
Town Creek 2.0 Oconto
W akefield Creek 2.0 Florence
Haley Creek 2.0 Florence

W aterway Name Length (mi) County
Plum adore Creek 1.9 Marinette
Halsey Lake Slough 1.9 Florence
Baldwin Creek 1.9 Oconto
Heubler Creek 1.9 Marinette
W oods Lake Outlet 1.8 Marinette
Mill Creek 1.8 Sheboygan
Little Scarboro Creek 1.8 Kewaunee
Bear Creek 1.7 Marinette
Coldwater Brook 1.7 Marinette
Macco Creek 1.7 Kewaunee
Calvin Creek 1.6 Manitowoc
Long Lake Outlet 1.6 Florence
Sevenm ile Creek 1.6 Florence
East Fork LeRoy Creek 1.5 Florence
Mullaney Creek 1.5 Marinette
Kieper Creek 1.5 Florence
W est Thunder Creek 1.4 Oconto
Cam pbell Creek 1.4 Marinette
Chipm unk Creek 1.4 Florence
Dyers Slough 1.3 Marinette
Fish Creek 1.3 Door
Shivering Sands Creek 1.3 Door
W hitefish Bay Creek 1.2 Door
Jackson Creek 1.2 Sheboygan
Patten Creek 1.2 Florence
Elbow Creek 1.2 Marinette
Jones Creek 1.1 Marinette
Mink River 1.1 Door
Baird Creek 1.0 Florence
Halsey Lake Outlet 0.9 Florence
Thunder Lake Outlet 0.9 Marinette
Martin Creek 0.8 Florence
Chuks Creek 0.8 Florence
Lindstrom Creek 0.8 Florence
Beaver Dam Creek 0.8 Brown
Huff Creek 0.8 Florence
Heins Creek 0.8 Door
Hidden Springs Creek 0.7 Door
Sucker Creek 0.7 Sheboygan
Newm an Creek 0.7 Marinette
Hanson Creek 0.6 Florence
Rogers Creek 0.4 Kewaunee
Meyers Creek 0.4 Florence
Bonita Creek 0.4 Oconto
Unnam ed 9,385.6 various
Total Length (mi) 12,295.0
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2002; Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission, 2005.

APPENDIX C: SPECIES OF CONCERN IN THE BAY-LAKE REGION
Group Scientific Common State Listing Federal Listing
1 BIRD CHARADRIUS MELODUS PIPING PLOVER ENDANGERED ENDANGERED
2 INVERTEBRATE LYCAEIDES MELISSA SAMUELIS KARNER BLUE BUTTERFLY ENDANGERED SPECIAL CONCERN
3 INVERTEBRATE SOMATOCHLORA HINEANA HINE'S EMERALD DRAGONFLY ENDANGERED ENDANGERED
4 PLANT CIRSIUM PITCHERI DUNE THISTLE THREATENED THREATENED
5 BIRD HALIAEETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS BALD EAGLE THREATENED SPECIAL CONCERN
6 PLANT IRIS LACUSTRIS DW ARF LAKE IRIS THREATENED THREATENED
7 BIRD AMMODRAMUS HENSLOW II HENSLOW 'S SPARROW THREATENED
8 BIRD ARDEA ALBA GREAT EGRET THREATENED
9 BIRD BUTEO LINEATUS RED-SHOULDERED HAW K THREATENED
10 BIRD COTURNICOPS NOVEBORACENSIS YELLOW RAIL THREATENED
11 BIRD DENDROICA CERULEA CERULEAN W ARBLER THREATENED
12 BIRD EMPIDONAX VIRESCENS ACADIAN FLYCATCHER THREATENED
13 BIRD LANIUS LUDOVICIANUS LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE ENDANGERED
14 BIRD PANDION HALIAETUS OSPREY THREATENED
15 BIRD PODICEPS GRISEGENA RED-NECKED GREBE ENDANGERED
16 BIRD STERNA CASPIA CASPIAN TERN ENDANGERED
17 BIRD STERNA FORSTERI FORSTER'S TERN ENDANGERED
18 BIRD STERNA HIRUNDO COMMON TERN ENDANGERED
19 BIRD TYTO ALBA BARN OW L ENDANGERED
20 BIRD W ILSONIA CITRINA HOODED W ARBLER THREATENED
21 FISH LEPOMIS MEGALOTIS LONGEAR SUNFISH THREATENED
22 FISH LUXILUS CHRYSOCEPHALUS STRIPED SHINER ENDANGERED
23 FISH LYTHRURUS UMBRATILIS REDFIN SHINER THREATENED
24 FISH MOXOSTOMA VALENCIENNESI GREATER REDHORSE THREATENED
25 FISH NOTROPIS ANOGENUS PUGNOSE SHINER THREATENED
26 HERPTILE ACRIS CREPITANS BLANCHARDI BLANCHARD'S CRICKET FROG ENDANGERED
27 HERPTILE CLEMMYS INSCULPTA W OOD TURTLE THREATENED
28 HERPTILE EMYDOIDEA BLANDINGII BLANDING'S TURTLE THREATENED
29 HERPTILE REGINA SEPTEMVITTATA QUEEN SNAKE ENDANGERED
30 HERPTILE THAMNOPHIS BUTLERI BUTLER'S GARTER SNAKE THREATENED
31 HERPTILE THAMNOPHIS PROXIMUS W ESTERN RIBBON SNAKE ENDANGERED
32 HERPTILE THAMNOPHIS SAURITUS NORTHERN RIBBON SNAKE ENDANGERED
33 INVERTEBRATE ALASMIDONTA VIRIDIS SLIPPERSHELL MUSSEL THREATENED
34 INVERTEBRATE CALEPHELIS MUTICUM SW AMP METALMARK ENDANGERED
35 INVERTEBRATE HENDERSONIA OCCULTA CHERRYSTONE DROP THREATENED
36 INVERTEBRATE LYCAEIDES IDAS NABOKOVI NORTHERN BLUE BUTTERFLY ENDANGERED
37 INVERTEBRATE OPHIOGOMPHUS HOW EI PYGMY SNAKETAIL THREATENED
38 INVERTEBRATE QUADRULA METANEVRA MONKEYFACE THREATENED
39 INVERTEBRATE TRIMEROTROPIS HURONIANA LAKE HURON LOCUST ENDANGERED
40 INVERTEBRATE VENUSTACONCHA ELLIPSIFORMIS ELLIPSE THREATENED
41 INVERTEBRATE VERTIGO HUBRICHTI MIDW EST PLEISTOCENE VERTIGO ENDANGERED
42 PLANT AMERORCHIS ROTUNDIFOLIA ROUND-LEAVED ORCHIS THREATENED
43 PLANT ANEMONE MULTIFIDA VAR. HUDSONIANA EARLY ANEMONE ENDANGERED
44 PLANT ARMORACIA LACUSTRIS LAKE-CRESS ENDANGERED
45 PLANT ASCLEPIAS OVALIFOLIA DW ARF MILKW EED THREATENED
46 PLANT ASPLENIUM VIRIDE GREEN SPLEENW ORT ENDANGERED
47 PLANT ASTER FURCATUS FORKED ASTER THREATENED
48 PLANT ASTRAGALUS NEGLECTUS COOPER'S MILKVETCH ENDANGERED
49 PLANT BOTRYCHIUM CAMPESTRE PRAIRIE DUNEW ORT ENDANGERED
50 PLANT BOTRYCHIUM LUNARIA MOONW ORT GRAPE-FERN ENDANGERED
51 PLANT BOTRYCHIUM MORMO LITTLE GOBLIN MOONW ORT ENDANGERED
52 PLANT CALAMOVILFA LONGIFOLIA VAR. MAGNA SAND REED-GRASS THREATENED
53 PLANT CALYPSO BULBOSA FAIRY SLIPPER THREATENED
54 PLANT CAREX CONCINNA BEAUTIFUL SEDGE THREATENED
55 PLANT CAREX EXILIS COAST SEDGE THREATENED
56 PLANT CAREX FORMOSA HANDSOME SEDGE THREATENED
57 PLANT CAREX GARBERI ELK SEDGE THREATENED
58 PLANT CAREX LENTICULARIS SHORE SEDGE THREATENED
59 PLANT CAREX PRASINA DROOPING SEDGE THREATENED
60 PLANT CYPRIPEDIUM ARIETINUM RAM'S-HEAD LADY'S-SLIPPER THREATENED
61 PLANT DRABA LANCEOLATA LANCEOLATE W HITLOW -CRESS ENDANGERED
62 PLANT DROSERA LINEARIS SLENDERLEAF SUNDEW THREATENED
63 PLANT ELEOCHARIS ROSTELLATA BEAKED SPIKERUSH THREATENED
64 PLANT ELYMUS LANCEOLATUS SSP. PSAMMOPHILUS THICKSPIKE THREATENED
65 PLANT ERIGENIA BULBOSA HARBINGER-OF-SPRING ENDANGERED
66 PLANT FESTUCA OCCIDENTALIS W ESTERN FESCUE THREATENED
67 PLANT GENTIANA ALBA YELLOW GENTIAN THREATENED
68 PLANT GEOCAULON LIVIDUM NORTHERN COMANDRA ENDANGERED
69 PLANT JUNCUS STYGIUS MOOR RUSH ENDANGERED
70 PLANT OROBANCHE FASCICULATA CLUSTERED BROOMRAPE THREATENED
71 PLANT PARNASSIA PALUSTRIS MARSH GRASS-OF-PARNASSUS THREATENED
72 PLANT PARNASSIA PARVIFLORA SMALL-FLOW ER GRASS-OF-PARNASSUS ENDANGERED
73 PLANT PETASITES SAGITTATUS ARROW -LEAVED SW EET-COLTSFOOT THREATENED
74 PLANT PLATANTHERA FLAVA VAR. HERBIOLA PALE GREEN ORCHID THREATENED
75 PLANT POLEMONIUM OCCIDENTALE SSP. LACUSTRE W ESTERN JACOB'S LADDER ENDANGERED
76 PLANT POLYSTICHUM BRAUNII BRAUN'S HOLLY-FERN THREATENED
77 PLANT PTEROSPORA ANDROMEDEA GIANT PINEDROPS ENDANGERED
78 PLANT RANUNCULUS CYMBALARIA SEASIDE CROW FOOT THREATENED
79 PLANT RANUNCULUS GMELINII SMALL YELLOW W ATER CROW FOOT ENDANGERED
80 PLANT RIBES OXYACANTHOIDES CANADA GOOSEBERRY THREATENED
81 PLANT SALIX CORDATA SAND DUNE W ILLOW ENDANGERED
82 PLANT SCIRPUS CESPITOSUS TUFTED CLUB-RUSH THREATENED
83 PLANT SCUTELLARIA PARVULA VAR. PARVULA SMALL SKULLCAP ENDANGERED
84 PLANT SELAGINELLA SELAGINOIDES LOW SPIKE-MOSS ENDANGERED
85 PLANT SOLIDAGO SIMPLEX VAR. GILLMANII STICKY GOLDENROD THREATENED
86 PLANT TANACETUM HURONENSE LAKE HURON TANSY ENDANGERED
87 PLANT TIARELLA CORDIFOLIA HEART-LEAVED FOAM-FLOW ER ENDANGERED
88 PLANT TOFIELDIA GLUTINOSA STICKY FALSE-ASPHODEL THREATENED
89 PLANT TRILLIUM NIVALE SNOW TRILLIUM THREATENED
90 PLANT TRISETUM MELICOIDES PURPLE FALSE OATS ENDANGERED
91 PLANT VACCINIUM CESPITOSUM DW ARF HUCKLEBERRY ENDANGERED
92 PLANT VALERIANA SITCHENSIS SSP. ULIGINOSA MARSH VALERIAN THREATENED
Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Inventory. June 2005.

APPENDIX D: MODEL OR EXAMPLE ORDINANCES
The following information on model or example ordinances has been gathered from various
sources found on the internet. If additional model or example ordinances are desired, many more
can be found on the web.
CONSERVATION SUBDIVISION
A model ordinance for a conservation subdivision has been created by the University of
Wisconsin – Extension. The model Ordinance for a Conservation Subdivision (2000) may be
obtained from the UW-Extension or online as a PDF:
http://www.doa.state.wi.us/dhir/documents/conserv_subdiv_Model_ordinance_Feb2001.pdf
EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL

Examples and a model of an erosion and sediment control ordinance may be obtained from the
U.S. EPA and are provided online:
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/ordinance/erosion.htm
More examples and another model of an erosion and sediment control ordinance may be obtained
from ASIST – NPDES Resource Center online:
http://www.stormwatercenter.net/Model%20Ordinances/Erosion_Sediment%20Control.htm
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION

Examples and models of a groundwater protection ordinance and a surface water protection
ordinance may be obtained online from the U.S. EPA and WDNR:
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/ordinance/osm7.htm;
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/ordinance/mol7.htm; and
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/dwg/gw/whp/whp_orda.pdf
More examples and models of groundwater/wellhead protection ordinances (i.e. source water
protection) and surface water protection ordinances may be obtained from ASIST – NPDES
Resource Center online:
http://www.stormwatercenter.net/Model%20Ordinances/Source_Water_Protection/source_water
_intro.htm
OFFICIAL MAP
A model for an official map ordinance has been created by Southeastern Wisconsin Regional
Planning Commission and can be obtained online as a PDF:
http://www.sewrpc.org/modelordinances/map_ordinance.pdf
OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT

Examples and a model of open space development ordinances may be obtained from the U.S.
EPA and are provided online:
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/ordinance/openspace.htm
More examples and another model of an open space development ordinances may be obtained
from ASIST – NPDES Resource Center online:

http://www.stormwatercenter.net/Model%20Ordinances/Open%20Space.htm
RURAL CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT

A model for a rural cluster development ordinance has been created by Southeastern Wisconsin
Regional Planning Commission and can be obtained online as a PDF:
http://www.sewrpc.org/modelordinances/cluster_ordinance.pdf
STREAM BUFFER
Examples and a model of a stream buffer ordinance may be obtained from ASIST – NPDES
Resource Center online:
http://www.stormwatercenter.net/Model%20Ordinances/Buffers.htm
TRADITIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT

A model ordinance for a traditional neighborhood development has been created by Brian W.
Ohm, James A. LaGro, Jr., and Chuck Strawser of the University of Wisconsin – Extension. A
Model Ordinance for a Traditional Neighborhood Development (2001) can be obtained from the
UW-Extension or online as a PDF:
http://www.wisc.edu/urpl/people/ohm/projects/tndord.pdf
TRANSFER OF DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS

An example of a transfer of development rights ordinance from Sarasota, Florida (miscellaneous
ordinance #3) may be obtained from the U.S. EPA and is provided online:
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/ordinance/misc.htm
Another example of a transfer of development credits ordinance from Monterey County,
California may be obtained from Smart Communities Network online:
http://www.sustainable.doe.gov/codes/tdc.shtml
Note: Should the web link to a model and/or example ordinance become obsolete, the author’s organization should
be able to provide the document in question.

APPENDIX E: COMMON TYPES OF WILDLIFE CROSSING
STRUCTURES

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration. 2003.

APPENDIX F: RECOMMENDED READING
BOOKS
Conservation Design for Subdivisions: A Practical Guide to Creating Open Space Networks.
Randall G. Arendt. Natural Lands Trust, American Planning Association, and American
Society of Landscape Architects. 1996.
Tomorrow by Design: A Regional Design Process for Sustainability. Philip H. Lewis, Jr. 1996.
PUBLICATIONS
Cost of Community Services Studies: Making the Case for Conservation. Julia Freedgood.
American Farmland Trust. 2002.
Available for order online at http://www.farmland.org/merch/publist.htm.
The Economic Benefits of Parks and Open Space: How Land Conservation Helps Communities
Grow Smart and Protect the Bottom Line. The Trust for Public Land. 1999. Available online
at http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cdl.cfm?content_item_id=1145&folder_id=727
Stream Corridor Restoration: Principles, Processes, and Practices. Federal Interagency Stream
Restoration Working Group. October 1998.
Available online at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/stream_restoration/.
Wetland Restoration Handbook for Wisconsin Landowners (Second Edition). Alice L. Thompson
and Charles S. Luthin. Wisconsin Wetlands Association. Published by the Bureau of
Integrated Science Services, Wisconsin DNR.
Available online at http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/wetlands/resman.shtml.
Wisconsin’s Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality: A Field Manual for
Loggers, Landowners and Land Managers. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Division of Forestry. March 1995.
Wisconsin Land Legacy Report: An Inventory of Places Critical in Meeting Wisconsin’s Future
Conservation and Recreation Needs. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 2002.
Available online at http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/master_planning/land_legacy/report.html.
Wisconsin Voluntary Site-Level Forest Management Guidelines. Wisconsin Department of

Natural Resources Division of Forestry. July 31, 2002.
Note: Web links to publications were provided when available. However, should the link become obsolete, the
author’s organization should be able to provide access to the document in question.

GLOSSARY
1-Percent-Annual-Chance Flood - The flood that has a 1-percent chance of being equaled or
exceeded in any given year.
100-year Flood - See 1-Percent-Annual-Chance Flood.
BLRPC - Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission
Acre - A land unit containing 43,560 square feet.
Annual - A plant that completes its life cycle in one growing season and then dies.
Biodiversity/biological diversity - The abundance of different plant and animal species in an
area.
Bog - A wetland with peat soil, which is isolated from ground or surface water (only significant
water inputs are from rain) and dominated by mosses (Sphagnum spp.), sedges, shrubs, and
evergreen trees such as black spruce and tamarack.
Buffer zone - An area of vegetation maintained around the shoreline or edge of a stream or
wetland. The buffer zone reduces impacts to water, vegetation and wildlife from adjacent
upland activities.
Calcareous - Containing calcium carbonate, calcium, or lime, which typically causes an
alkaline condition.
Carbon sequestration - The provision of long-term storage of carbon in the terrestrial biosphere,
underground, or the oceans so that the buildup of carbon dioxide (the principal greenhouse
gas) concentration in the atmosphere will reduce or slow.
Channelization - The straightening and widening or deepening of a stream to speed drainage.
Class 1 stream - High quality streams where populations are sustained by natural reproduction.
Commission, the - Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission
Cuesta - a ridge or hill characterized by a steep incline on one side and a gentle slope on the
other.
Dane County RPC - Dane County Regional Planning Commission. (Note: Dane County RPC is no
longer in existence.)
Daylighting - Deliberately exposing some or all of the flow of a previously covered waterway. For
example, removing a culvert to return a section of a stream to a more natural state.
Development - Any manufactured change to improved or unimproved real estate, including,
but not limited to the construction of buildings, structures or accessory structures; the
construction of additions or substantial improvements to buildings, structures or accessory
structures; the placement of mobile homes; ditching, lagooning, dredging, filling, grading,
paving, excavation or drilling operations, and the deposition or extraction of earthen
materials.
Ditching - Excavating a channel in a wetland to drain water.
Drainage lakes - These lakes have both an inlet and outlet where the main water source is
stream drainage. Most major rivers in Wisconsin have drainage lakes along their course.
Drainage lakes owing one-half of their maximum depth to a dam are considered artificial
lakes or impoundments.
Drainage System - One or more artificial ditches, tile drains, or similar devices that collect surface
runoff or groundwater and convey it to a point of discharge.
Driftless Area - the area of Wisconsin that remained, almost inexplicably, unglaciated throughout
the Ice Age, even as surrounding areas were overrun by ice several times in the past 2 million
years.
ECWRPC - East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
Ecologic - Involving a relationship between living organisms and their environment.

Ecosystem - A community of plants, animals and the physical environment they inhabit, (e.g.,
wetlands, rivers, and upland). The ecosystem reflects the interaction among soil, climate,
vegetation, and animal life.
Emergent - A plant that is rooted in the ground and rises out of water such as cattails or rushes.
End moraine - an accumulation of earth, stones, and other debris deposited at a glacier’s end
stage.
Ephemeral stream - A stream drainage that is usually dry and fills with water only during brief
episodes of rainfall.
Erosion - The movement of soil by wind and/or water.
Esker - A long, narrow, often curving ridge or mound of sand, gravel and boulders deposited by
a stream flowing on, within or beneath a stagnant glacier.
Exotic Species - An organism that evolved in another region or on another continent and is
therefore not native to the area in question. Also called non-native species.
Fen - A type of wetland that receives mineral-rich inputs of groundwater and is dominated by
sedges and other grass-like vegetation.
Floodplain - Land that has been or may be covered by floodwater during the regional flood. The
floodplain includes the floodway, flood fringe, shallow depth flooding, flood storage and
coastal floodplain areas as those terms are defined in NR116 of the Wisconsin Administrative
Code.
Floodplain Island - A natural geologic land formation within the floodplain that is surrounded, but
not covered, by floodwater during the regional flood.
Floodway - The channel of a river or stream, and those portions of the floodplain adjoining the
channel required to carry the regional flood discharge.
Flowage - A body of water formed by overflowing or draining of a river or stream or by
construction of a dam at the outlet of a natural lake thereby raising the water level above its
natural elevation.
Fragmentation (habitat) - The loss and isolation of natural habitats. It is considered to have two
components: 1) reduction of the total amount of habitat type, or perhaps of all natural,
habitat in a landscape; and 2) apportionment of the remaining habitat into smaller, more
isolated patches.
GIS - Geographic Information System
Global warming - Potential increase in global average surface temperatures resulting from
enhancement of the greenhouse effect by air pollution.
Groundwater - Water that seeps below the surface of the ground and fills interconnected pores
in the soil, and cracks in rocks. Generally lower in nutrients than surface water.
Ground moraine - an irregular surface of till that was deposited by a receding glacier. The
steeper slope points in the direction from which the glacier advanced.
Habitat - The environment in which the requirements of a specific plant or animal are met,
including food, water, cover and space.
Hydric soil - A soil that is saturated, flooded, or ponded long enough during the growing season
to develop anaerobic (no oxygen) conditions in the root zone.
Hydrology - The study of water sources and flows. The term used to describe particular water
conditions in a wetland: where water comes from, how much water exists, and how long it
stays on site.
Hydrophytic vegetation or Hydrophyte - Literally, water-loving vegetation. Any plant that grows
in water or on a base surface that is at least periodically deficient in oxygen because of
excessive water content; plants typically found in wetlands and other aquatic habitats.
Impervious surface - Surfaces through which water, air or roots move slowly or not at all (e.g.
roads, parking lots, etc.)

Indigenous vegetation - Plants that belong naturally in the ecological locality.
Interdunal - Areas between dunes that are protected from wind and waves.
Intermittent - Recurrent; showing water only part of the time.
Invasive species - A species that can aggressively spread and may not be native.
Karst - a region made up of porous limestone containing deep fissures and sinkholes and
characterized by underground caves and streams.
Land Cover - Vegetative cover type of an area.
Land Use - The present usage of the land.
Landsat - Land Use Satellite
Littoral zone - The shallow transition zone between dry land and the open water area of the lake.
Loam - Soil consisting of a friable (easily crumbled or pulverized) mixture of varying proportions of
clay, silt and sand. Loam is an ideal soil type for many agricultural purposes.
Lot - Shall mean parcel or tax parcel.
Mesic - A moderately moist environment or an organism requiring moderately moist conditions.
Mitigation - Compensating for the effects of construction in an environmentally sensitive area by
reestablishing the environmentally sensitive feature elsewhere. The intent is to restore the
environmentally sensitive feature to a more natural state to benefit water quality, fish and
wildlife.
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) - include (or can include) systems owned by
cities, villages, towns, and counties as well as state, federal and other governmental systems.
An MS4 also is not always just a system of underground pipes – it can include roads with
drainage systems, gutters, and ditches. The complete definition of MS4 is contained in s. NR
216.002(17).
NRCS - Natural Resources Conservation Service
Native plant - A plant species that originally occurred in an area.
Navigable waters - Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, all natural inland lakes within Wisconsin and all
streams, ponds, sloughs, flowages and other waters within the territorial limits of this state,
including the Wisconsin portion of boundary waters, which are navigable under the laws of
this state. Under s. 281.31(2m), Wis. Stats, notwithstanding any other provision of law or
administrative rule promulgated there under, shoreland ordinances required under s. 59.69
Wis. Stats. and NR 115 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code
Nonconforming uses and structures or nonconformities - When a zoning ordinance is adopted
some existing uses, structures, and parcels may not comply with the regulations of the zoning
district in which they are located. These uses, structures, or parcels are then classified as
"nonconforming." While they are typically permitted to continue, their future expansion,
reconstruction, or conversion, is regulated by provisions set out in the zoning ordinance.
Non-native species - An organism that evolved in another region or on another continent and is
therefore not native to the area in question. Also called exotic species.
Ordinary highwater mark - The boundary between upland and lake or riverbed. The point on the
bank or shore up to which the presence and action of surface water is so continuous as to
leave a distinctive mark such as by erosion, destruction or prevention of terrestrial vegetation,
predominance of aquatic vegetation, or other easily recognized characteristics.
Outwash – A sloping deposit made up of rounded gravel and fine sand created as streams
flowed away at the edge of melting glacial ice fronts.
Parcel - A contiguous quantity of land in possession of, owned by, or recorded as property of the
same claimant person or company.
Peninsula - a portion of land nearly surrounded by water and connected with a larger body by
an isthmus.

A piece of land jutting out into the water whether with or without a well-defined isthmus.
Perennial - A plant with a life cycle that lasts or continues throughout the entire year.
Regional flood - A flood determined to be representative of large floods known to have
generally occurred in Wisconsin and may be expected to occur on a particular stream
because of like physical characteristics, once in every 100 years. Otherwise defined as a
flood that has a 1-percent chance being equaled or exceeded in any given year.
Riparian - Relating to, living, or located on the bank of a natural watercourse.
Riparian buffer - A strip of land along a waterway, where native vegetation provides wildlife
habitat and protects water quality.
Seepage lakes - These lakes do not have an inlet or an outlet, and only occasionally overflow. As
landlocked water bodies, the principal source of water is precipitation or runoff,
supplemented by groundwater from the immediate drainage area. Since seepage lakes
commonly reflect groundwater levels and rainfall patterns, water levels may fluctuate
seasonally. Seepage lakes are the most common lake type in Wisconsin.
Setback - Land within an established distance of a specific feature.
SEWRPC - Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
Shoreland - Land within a 1000 feet of the ordinary high-water mark of a navigable lake, pond,
or flowage or within 300 feet of the ordinary high-water mark of a navigable river or stream or
to the landward side of the floodplain whichever is greater, as defined by s. 59.692(1) Wis.
Stats. and chapter NR 115.03(8) of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.
Shoreland buffer - A strip of land along a shoreline, where native vegetation provides wildlife
habitat and protects water quality.
Steep slope - Areas of 12 percent or greater slope.
Strata - horizontal layers of material lying one upon another.
Structure - Any manmade object with form, shape and utility, either permanently or temporarily
attached to, placed upon or set into the ground, which includes, but not limited to, such
objects as roofed and walled buildings, open decks, satellite dishes, billboards and privacy
fences.
Subdivision - A division of a lot, parcel or tract of land by the owner thereof or the owner's agent
for the purpose of sale or of building development where:
1. The act of division creates 5 or more parcels or building sites of 1-1/2 acres each or
less in an area; or
2. Five or more parcels or building sites of 1-1/2 acres each or less are created by
successive divisions within a period of 5 years.
Submergent - A plant that is rooted in the ground and is below the surface or has floating leaves,
e.g., water lily
Sustainable - Capable of being maintained at length without interruption, weakening, or loss in
power or quality.
Sustainable yield - Of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the
resource is not depleted or permanently damaged.
Swamp - A forested wetland.
Swales - see vegetated swales
TAC - Technical Advisory Committee
Talus - a pile of rock debris at the foot of a cliff.
US F&WL - United States Fish & Wildlife Service
USGS - United States Geological Survey

Upland - Any area that does not qualify as a wetland because the associated hydrologic regime
in not sufficiently wet to elicit development of vegetation, soil and/or hydrologic
characteristics associated with wetlands.
Urbanized area - a land area comprising one or more places – central place(s) – and the
adjacent densely settled surrounding area – urban fringe – that together have a residential
population of at least 50,000 and an overall population density of at least 500 people per
square mile. It is a calculation used by the Bureau of the Census to determine the
geographic boundaries of the most heavily developed and dense urban areas.
Vegetated swales - Gently sloping, densely vegetated earthen channels that collect and
transport stormwater and reduce the temperature of the water. These channels slow runoff
and filter out suspended solids and pollutants while promoting infiltration, retaining runoff for
a period of less than 24 hours. As stormwater enters the channel, it is slowed by the dense
vegetation that grows in the swale. As the runoff's velocity is lowered, sediments and
pollutants are removed by the filtering action of vegetation. Grassed swales may be used in
conjunction with or as an alternative to curb and gutter systems, and may be used as a
pretreatment device.
Vegetative buffer zone - An area of undisturbed or restored native vegetation that provides
natural shoreline features and functions for fish and wildlife habitat, water quality protection
and natural scenic beauty.
WCMP - Wisconsin Coastal Management Program
WDNR - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WISCLAND - Wisconsin Initiative for Statewide Cooperation on Landscape Analysis and Data
Water quality - A wetland function referring to a wetland’s capacity to retain and process
dissolved or particulate materials to the benefit of downstream water quality.
Watershed - A watershed is a geographic area of land bounded by topographic features and
height of land that drains waters to a shared destination. Not only does a watershed drain, it
also captures precipitation, filters and stores water, and determines its release. A watershed,
therefore, is a drainage basin that divides the landscape into hydrologically defined areas.
Watershed management - Watershed management is the control of the quality and quantity of
water and the effective human use of water resources within a watershed. Human uses are
multiple and diverse. Examples of human uses for water include energy production, irrigation,
recreation, etc.
Wetland - An area that is inundated or saturated to the surface for a sufficient time to foster the
growth of hydrophytic plants and/or the development of hydric soils.
Woodlands - Areas with more than 60 percent tree cover.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission Newsletter. 2004 Volume II.
Benefits of Wetland Buffers: A Study of Functions, Values and Size. Prepared for the Minnehaha
Creek Watershed District. Emmons & Olivier Resources. Lake Elmo, Minnesota. December
2001.
Brown County Sewer Service Plan. Brown County Plan Commission. 1998.
Caring for Your Land. A Stewardship Handbook for Niagara Escarpment Landowners. Hilts,
Stewart and Mitchell, Peter. Centre for Land and Water Stewardship, University of Guelph.
1994.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forests 2004 Land and Resource Management Plan. National
Forest Service. April 2004.
Coastal Resource Identification for Kewaunee County Using Environmental Corridors. Bay-
Lake Regional Planning Commission. 2001.
Conservation Design for Subdivisions: A Practical Guide to Creating Open Space Networks.
Randall G. Arendt. Natural Lands Trust, American Planning Association, and American
Society of Landscape Architects. 1996.
Conservation Thresholds for Land Use Planners. The Environmental Law Institute. 2003.
Cost of Community Services Studies: Making the Case for Conservation. Julia Freedgood.
American Farmland Trust. 2002.
A Data Compilation and Assessment of Coastal Wetlands of Wisconsin’s Great Lakes - Final
Report. (PUBL ER-803 2002). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Bureau of
Endangered Resources, Natural Heritage Inventory Program. 2002.
Daylighting: New Life for Buried Streams. Richard Pinkham. Rocky Mountain Institute. 2000.
The Definition and Mapping of Environmental Corridors by Three Regional Planning
Commissions. Research Management Findings, Number 47. Matthew D. Murrell. Bureau of
Integrated Science Services - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. January 2003.
Design with Nature. Ian L. McHarg. Natural History Press. 1969.
The Economic Benefits of Parks and Open Space: How Land Conservation Helps Communities
Grow Smart and Protect the Bottom Line. The Trust for Public Land. 1999.
Economic Values of Protecting Roadless Areas in the United States. John B. Loomis, Ph.D. and
Robert Richardson, M.B.A.. Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado
State University. June 2000.
Effectiveness of Shoreland Zoning Standards to Meet Statutory Objectives: A Literature Review
with Policy Implications. Thomas W. Bernthal. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources,
Shoreland Management Program, Bureau of Watershed Management. 1997.
Environmental Corridor Brochure. Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.
Environmental Corridors. Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission. June 1999.

Environmental Corridors. Dane County Regional Planning Commission. December 1996.
Environmental Corridors - A White Paper. Wisconsin Chapter - American Planning Association.
September 1994.
Environmental Corridors: Land Use Planning Guide. Land Information Bulletin. Land
Information & Computer Graphics Facility. Technical Paper No. 1. 1998. University of
Wisconsin - Madison.
Florence County Land Use and Lake Protection Plan. Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission.
2001.
Fox Cities Sewer Service Area Plan. East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission.
April 1997.
Green Infrastructure: Smart Conservation for the 21st Century. Mark A. Benedict, Ph.D. and
Edward T. McMahon, J.D. The Conservation Fund. 2000.
Ground Water Resource Protection Handbook. Washington State, Department of Ecology.
December 1986.
An Inventory and Assessment of the Resources of the Niagara Escarpment in Wisconsin.
Technical Report #77. Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission. March 2001.
Kewaunee County Farmland Preservation Plan 1988 Update. Bay-Lake Regional Planning
Commission. 1989.
Land Acquisition for Water Quality Protection: New York City and the Catskills Watershed
System. Sean Murphy, University of Maine, J. Wolfe Tone and Paul Schwartzberg New York
City Department of Environmental Protection. 2001.
Manitowoc County Farmland Preservation Plan. Manitowoc County Planning and Park
Commission. 1981.
Manitowoc-Two Rivers Urbanized Area 2015 Areawide Sewer Service Area Plan. Bay-Lake
Regional Planning Commission. 2002.
Natural Landscapes of the Niagara Escarpment. Kosydar, Richard. Tierceron Press. 1996.
The Nature Conservancy Newsletter. Wisconsin Chapter. Summer/Fall 2002.
The Niagara Escarpment. Inventory Findings 1999-2001 and Considerations for Management
(Final Report). Natural Heritage Inventory Program. Bureau of Endangered Resources.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. PUBL ER-801. May 2002.
Oconto County Farmland Preservation Plan. Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission. 1985.
Oconto County - Green Bay West Shore Sewer Service Area Plan (Update). Bay-Lake Regional
Planning Commission. 2002.
Open Space is a Good Investment: The Financial Argument for Open Space Preservation.
Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions. 1996.
Refining the Delineation of Environmental Corridors in Southeastern Wisconsin, Technical
Record. Volume 4, No. 2. Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. March
1981.

River Banks & Buffers. Guidance for Communities in the Connecticut River Watershed. Volume
No. 7. Connecticut River Joint Commissions. 1998.
Society Hill: Where America's Past Meets The Future. Society Hill Civic Association. 2002.
Special Wetlands Inventory Study (SWIS). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The State of the Lakeshore Basin. A Report by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
in Cooperation with the Lakeshore Basin Partnership Team and Stakeholders. PUB WT 667
2001. Willman, Guy and Toneys, Mike, et. al. 2001.
Stream Corridor Restoration: Principles, Processes, and Practices. Federal Interagency Stream
Restoration Working Group. October 1998.
Stream Setback Technical Memo. Robins, Jim. Napa County Conservation, Development, and
Planning Department. October 2002.
Tomorrow by Design: A Regional Design Process For Sustainability. Philip H. Lewis, Jr. 1996.
Transferable Development Rights Programs. Richard J. Roddewig and Cheryl A. Inghram.
American Planning Association, Planning Advisory Service, Report Number 401. 1987.
The State of the Lakeshore Basin (PUBL WT 667 2000). Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources, the Lakeshore Basin Partnership Team and stakeholders. 2000.
Lower Fox River Basin Integrated Management Plan (PUBL WT 666 2001). Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources, Lower Fox River Basin Partnership Team. 2001.
The State of the Sheboygan River Basin (PUBL WT 669 2001). Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources the Sheboygan River Basin Partnership Team and Stakeholders. 2000.
The State of the Milwaukee River Basin (PUBL WT 704 2001). Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources, the Milwaukee River Basin Land and Water Partners Team and stakeholders.
2001.
The Upper Green Bay Basin Integrated Management Plan (PUBL WT 663 2001). Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources, the Upper Green Bay Basin Partnership Team and
stakeholders. 2001.
Washington Square. UShistory.org Homepage. Independence Hall Association. 2003.
Water Issues in Wisconsin - Water as a Public Good: Property Rights. Dave Marcouiller and
Scott Coggins. University of Wisconsin – Extension. 1999.
Wetland Buffers: Use and Effectiveness. Publication #92-10. Washington State Department of
Ecology, Shorelands and Coastal Zone Management Program. February 1992.
Wisconsin Administrative Code. Gary L. Poulson. Reviser of Statutes Bureau.
Wisconsin Land Legacy Report: An Inventory of Places Critical in Meeting Wisconsin’s Future
Conservation and Recreation Needs (DRAFT). Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
November 2002.
Wisconsin National Register and State Register Listings. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved
from http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/histbuild/register

Wisconsin Statutes and Annotations. 1999-2000, (45th Edition). Edited by Bruce Munson and
Bruce J. Hoesly. Wisconsin Department of Administration.
Wisconsin Voluntary Site-Level Forest Management Guidelines. Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources Division of Forestry. July 31, 2002.
Wisconsin Water Law: A Guide to Water Rights and Regulations. Second Edition. Paul G. Kent
and Tamara A. Dudiak. University of Wisconsin - Extension, Cooperative Extension,
University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. 2001.
Wisconsin’s Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality: A Field Manual for
Loggers, Landowners and Land Managers. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Division of Forestry. March 1995.

INDEX
1
ephemeral streams, 98, 99
100-year floodplain, 5, 61, 136, See 1-percent-annual- erosion control, 110, 128
chance flood
1-percent-annual-chance flood, 9, 69, 110, 136 F
A Farmland Preservation Program, 9
FEMA, 5, 9, 12, 69, 135, 136
ACOE, 7, 65 FEMA Map Modernization, 9, 136
acquisition, vii, 115, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 127 flood control, 108, 110, 124
areawide water quality management plan, 8 floodplain zoning, 9, 13, 69, 115
Army Corps of Engineers, 7, 65, 98, See ACOE Florence County, viii, 14
fragmentation, 107, 117, 120
B
Brown County, ix, 2, 10, 13, 65 G
global warming, 111
C green infrastructure, 1
Clean Water Act, 7, 65, 109, 126 greenways, 1, 12, 108, 111
cluster development, 127, 130 groundwater, 8, 10, 13, 52, 97, 99, 110, 111, 116, 117, 127,
Coastal Resource Identification for Kewaunee County 135, 136, 157, 165, 166, 168
Using Environmental Corridors, 3, 14 groundwater recharge areas, 110, 111, 135
Coastal Zone Management Act, x, 121 groundwater rights, 116
comprehensive plan, 10, 17, 131, 133, 137
comprehensive planning, ix, x, 10, 17 I
conditional use permit, 128, 130, 133 Ian McHarg, 2
connectivity, 107 intelligent transportation systems, 119
conservation easement, 115, 121, 123
Conservation Reserve Program, 127 K
conservation subdivision, 129, 157
conservation zoning, 115, 128 Kewaunee County, ix, 3, 14, 15
Consolidated Farm Service Agency, 127 key environmental features, 1, 13, 14
Cost of Community Services, 113, 163 keyhole development, 132
D L
Dane County Planning and Development Department, 12 lake access lots, 132
Dane County Regional Planning Commission, 10, 11, 12, Land Legacy, 14, 16, 113, 163
65, See Dane County RPC land trust, 120, 121, 122
Dane County RPC, 11, 12
Design with Nature, 2 M
Door County, 14
dunes, 167 Manitowoc County, 15
Manitowoc/Two Rivers Sewer Service Area, 13
E Marinette County, ix, 15, 16, 115
Marinette Sewer Service Area, 13
East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, 2, mitigation banking, 126
10, 12 multi-jurisdictional, ix
Economic Values of Protecting Roadless Areas in the multi-unit development, 132
United States, 111
edge matching, vii, x, 135, 137 N
Effectiveness of Shoreland Zoning Standards to Meet
Statutory Objectives, 117 National Flood Insurance Program Flood Insurance Rate
endangered species, 10, 58, 135 maps, 69
Endangered Species Act, 58 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. See
Environmental Protection Agency. See EPA NOAA
environmentally sensitive areas, ix, 10, 12, 13, 65, 121 Natural Areas Inventory, 5
EPA, 109, 110, 125, 126, 157, 158 Natural Heritage Inventory, 135

Natural Resources Conservation Service, 5, 31, 126, 167, Statewide Recreation and Open Space Plan, 2
See NRCS stormwater management, 1, 108, 109, 110, 125, 127, 128,
Niagara Escarpment, 29, 30 129
NOAA, x, 58 stream bank stabilization, 112
nonconforming uses and structures, 133 subdivision reviews, ix, x
northern pike, 99
NR 102, 8, 43 T
NR 103, 8, 126
NR 115, 8 TEA-21, 118
NR 116, 9, 69 TEA-LU, 118
NR 117, 8 Thomas Holme, 1
NR 121, 8, 10, 12, 13 threatened species, 58
NR 216, 109 traditional neighborhood development, 130, 158
NR 27, 58 transfer of development rights, 123, 158
NR 299, 7 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, 118
NR 350, 126
NRCS, 5, 31, 73, 126, 127, 136, 167
U
U.S. Department of Agriculture. See USDA
O U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 58, 127
Oconto County, ix, 16 U.S. Geological Survey. See USGS
Oconto County - Green Bay West Shore Sewer Service urban growth boundary, 130
Area, 13 US Army Corps of Engineers, 49
official mapping, 10, 127 USDA, 5, 31, 126, 127, 136
open space zoning, 127, 130 USGS, 4, 12, 62
open waterway ordinance, 99
Ordinance for a Conservation Subdivision, 157
V
Outstanding and Exceptional Resource Waters, 43 Village of Luxemburg Sewer Service Area, 13
overlay zoning, 128
W
P
Water Management Units, 32
Philip H. Lewis, Jr., 2, 163 waterfront development district, 131
planned unit development, 122, 128, 130, 131 waters classification, 130, 132
public trust doctrine, 8, 115, 116 watershed, viii, 98, 108, 109, 124, 169
purchase of development rights, 123 WCMP, ix, x, 14, 121, 169
WDNR, x, 5, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 65, 77, 81, 109, 110,
R 117, 126, 127, 135, 136, 163, 169
regional master plan, 17 wetland enhancement, 125
ridges and swales complexes, 13 wetland mitigation, 126
riparian rights, 116 Wetland Mitigation Law, 126
rural cluster development, 158 wetland reallocation, 125
Wetland Reserve Program, 126
S wildlife crossing, vii, 118, 159
William Penn, 1
sewer service area, viii, x, 8, 10, 12, 13, 65 Wis. Stats., ix, 8, 9, 10, 65, 77, 92
Sheboygan County, 15, 16 Wisconsin Administrative Code, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 43,
Sheboygan Sewer Service Area, 13 58, 61, 62, 69, 109, 126, 166, 167, 168
shoreland buffer zone, 116 Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, x, 120, 121, 169,
shoreland vegetation, 117 See WCMP
shoreland zoning, ix, x, 8, 13, 62, 115, 128 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 15, 58, 81,
shoreland-wetland zoning, 9 163
SNAs, 77 Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, 109
Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Wisconsin Stewardship Fund, 120, 121
10, 157, 158, See SEWRPC Wisconsin Voluntary Site-Level Forest Management
special exemption, 133 Guidelines, 163
State Fishery Areas, 81 Wisconsin Wetland Inventory, 9, 12, 65
State Natural Areas, 14, 16, 77, 107, See SNAs Wisconsin’s Forestry Best Management Practices for
State Wildlife Areas, 5, 14, 16, 81 Water Quality, 163

April, 2005
Commission Members Staff
Brown County Mark A. Walter

Paul Jadin Executive Director
Chris Swan
Christopher Zabel Jeffrey C. Agee-Aguayo, AICP
Transportation Planner III
Door County
Jaime Forest Tony D. Bellovary
GIS Coordinator
Florence County
Edwin Kelley Richard J. Malone
Yvonne Van Pembrook Office Accounts Coordinator
John Zoeller
Richard L. Heath
Kewaunee County Assistant Director/Principal Planner
Mary Hanrahan
Brain Paplham Kathrine L. Hess
Charles R. Wagner Economic Planner
Manitowoc County Angela M. Pierce

Kevin M. Crawford Natural Resources Planner
Donald C. Markwardt
NyiaLong S. Yang Brenda L. Rehberg
Administrative Assistant
Marinette County
Brandon G. Robinson
Florence I. Magnuson
Community Assistance Planner II
Cheryl R. Maxwell, Vice Chairperson
Mary G. Meyer Joshua W. Schedler
GIS Specialist
Oconto County
Donald A. Glynn James J. Van Laanen, AICP
Thomas D. Kussow Transportation Planner II
Lois L. Trever, Sect./Tres.
Sheboygan County
James E. Gilligan, Chairperson
Flossie Meyer
James R. Schramm
Wisconsin Department of Commerce

Sec., Mary Burke

Regional Environmental Corridors September 2005 (Unprotected)

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BAY-LAKE REGIONAL

A Coastal Resources Identification Project

Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission WCMP Agreement #85002-005.10

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors i Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors ii Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors iii Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors iv Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors v Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors vi Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors vii Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Map 0.1: Bay-Lake Region

Source: Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission, 2004.

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors viii Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors ix Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors x Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

WHAT ARE ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDORS?

Figure 1.1: Elements of an Environmental Corridor

Source: Brown County Planning Commission. 1998.

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 1 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 2 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 3 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Table 2.1: Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridor Data Layers

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 4 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 5 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 7 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 8 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 9 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 10 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 11 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 12 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

COUNTY-DEFINED ENVIRONMENTAL CORRIDORS

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 13 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 14 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 15 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 16 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 17 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 18 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

COUNTY Plan by Bay-Lake RPC

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 19 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 20 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 21 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 23 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 24 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 25 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 26 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Figure 4.2: Geologic Eras

Source: USGS, Geologic Time, 1997.

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 27 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 28 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 29 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 30 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 31 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 32 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 33 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 34 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Apple/Ashwaubenon Creeks Watershed was designated a priority watershed in 1994. It is 113

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 35 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 36 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 37 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 38 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission

Bay-Lake Regional Environmental Corridors 39 Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission