recreational shellfish resources. In 1987, recreational shellfishing produced 11 million pounds of clams and a $250,000 oyster harvest. Mitigating Coastal Storm Damage and Coastal Hazards A Sea Level Rise Task Force has been developed to examine the problems associated with sea level rise. The Task Force is examining the interaction between sea level rise and vertical land movement, and is also developing a citizen education program. WISCONSIN Date of Program Approval: 1978 Federal Program Support 1982-1989: $6.5 Million COASTAL RESOURCE INFORMATION Special/National Significance of Wisconsin's Coast Wisconsin's shoreline borders Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Green Bay. Most of the state's coastal land consists of unconsolidated glacial material that is prone to erosion. Wisconsin possesses few remaining coastal wetlands; therefore, the state's coastal region has proven to be an excellent resource for industrial, residential, and agricultural activity. Principal Coastal Threats and Emerging Challenges Effects of lake level fluctuation on coastal real estate, especially in erosion hazard areas. ⚫ Finding alternatives to the disposal of maintenance dredged material. • Maintaining water quality in the state's lakes and bays for human consumption and recreation. Promoting the use of shoreline erosion control techniques that provide long-term protection, minimize the adverse effects on natural systems, and avoid damage to adjacent property owners. Improvement of monitoring and enforcement activities, especially in the state's wetlands. COASTAL PROGRAM INFORMATION Program Description The Bureau of Coastal Management, located within the Department of Administration, is the lead agency for implementing the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP). Regulatory responsibilities for the WCMP are carried out through the Departments of Natural Resources, Transportation and the Public Service Commission and counties (shoreland zoning). Consistency is provided by executive orders and memorandas of understanding. A gubernatorially appointed Wisconsin Coastal Management Council, consisting of representatives from the legislature, state agencies, local officials, tribal governments, citizens, and the University, oversees program implementation and advises the Governor on state policies affecting the Great Lakes. Defined Coastal Zone Wisconsin's inland coastal boundary consists of the 15 coastal counties. The seaward boundary extends to the state's jurisdictional limits. Federal Program Support 1982-1989: $6.5 million. Major Program Accomplishments Wisconsin's Waterfront Redevelopment Program is an important element to the WCMP. Under this program, funding is provided to muncipalities to revitalize abandoned or deteriorated waterfronts and to improve public access. The Wisconsin Coastal Program provided a grant to help the City of Superior reconstruct a general cargo facility. As a result of this, the state appropriated $1.7 million to make the cargo port operable again. Today, the cargo port handles approximately 35,000 tons of cargo annually. • The Chiwaukee Prairie-Carol Beach Land Use Plan (funded by the WCMP) provides for the management and protection for remnant prairie habitat. This habitat, which is located between Chicago and Milwaukee, was being impacted by increased urban development. SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS Protecting Natural Resources The WCMP is sponsoring public education and awareness activities to stimulate and enhance citizen involvement concerning the clean up of the Sheboygan and Green Bays. The WCMP will use innovative educational techniques to help find appropriate solutions for cleaning up the state's contaminated harbors. Technical studies to solve the contamination problems associated with the Great Lakes are being funded by the WCMP. These studies include Potential Detoxification of Sheboygan Harbor PCB's, and Background Levels of Sediments Contaminants. • The WCMP has helped fund a project to map and update a portion of Wisconsin's coastal wetlands. This data will be incorporated into a Geographical Information System (GIS) of coastal wetlands that will ultimately be used for water regulation permitting. Providing Public Access to Coastal Recreation A small boat harbor in Racine was built using CZM funds. As a result of this project, a larger project was then implemented-the Racine Festival Project Site, which includes a 900-slip marina, support facilities, a 17-acre county park, and a public boating facility. Local officials credit the original seed CZM funding for providing the impetus for this larger project. Low-cost construction projects provide improvement for public access to the state's shoreline. Examples of these are the Manitowoc pedestrian walkway along the City's waterfront, a parkway and walkway for Green Bay, a walkway and viewing area at Sturgeon Bay, a coastal trail and visitor center for the Village of Ephraim, and a floating dock at the Kewaunee Marina. Promoting Urban Waterfront Development CZM funds were used to plan and construct a 150-slip marina and waterfront park on abandoned land in the City of Kewaunee. The development of this waterfront site catalyzed significant private investment, in addition to attracting over 100,000 tourists annually. Improving Government Operations • The WCMP played a key role in the passage of the great Lakes Charter, the Wisconsin Water Diversion Act, and revisions to the State policies and regulations on dredged material disposal and wetlands. • The WCMP is evaluating the accuracy and completeness of the permit data received from the Corps and others to be filed into a WCMP permit database. The WCMP will make recommendations accordingly to improve the quality of this database. Mitigating Coastal Storm Damage and Coastal Hazards The WCMP provides assistance to local governments to improve their land use management practices in erosion prone areas. The WCMP provided recommendations for land use control to prevent damage to future development, and to improve existing development through structural and nonstructural means. A Coastal Hazards Information Database was assembled by the coastal Regional Planning Commissions. The database contains a bibliography on various aspects of coastal hazard management. The WCMP is in the process of updating this database. The DNR developed the Floodplain and Shoreland Management Guidebook to provide an overview of state mandated zoning requirements and to assist local zoning officials and the DNR staff concerning zoning programs. |