Shoreland Protection

Lakes and streams throughout Northern Wisconsin are facing development pressure at an alarming rate.  Development can have a harmful impact on the natural environment.  Certain areas of the landscape are more sensitive to human pressures and are less resilient once damaged.  These areas include the shore buffer along rivers and streams and around lakes and ponds.  Research has proven that shoreland buffers can support two to five times as many plants and animals as the adjacent upland area.  They also reduce erosion, minimizes runoff, filter sediments, and provides habitat.

Along with the increase in shoreland development, comes the increased potential impact to these areas.  In the past, the impacts have resulted in the replacement of the existing native vegetation with impervious (or hard) surfaces, lawn, beach, and swimming areas.  Ecologists have discovered that the effect of these activities can reduce water quality, decrease aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, increase erosion, and diminish natural beauty.  By applying conservation practices like shoreland habitat restoration, native vegetation can be restored along previously developed shorelines.  The best protection for water quality is to leave the natural buffer in place, and state, federal, and local officials have created laws and ordinances to protect these areas.

The Iron County Land Conservation Department works with communities and private landowners to provide leadership and promote sound land and water stewardship through education and technical support.  The Department’s primary focus is to reduce erosion and to improve water quality.  For information on technical assistance & funding, click on the appropriate topic.