Wisconsin Assembly approves bill changing shoreline development, dredging regulations

A Republican proposal to change how Wisconsin shoreline development is regulated has cleared the state Assembly.

Assembly lawmakers passed the bill Tuesday by a 57-39 vote. The measure changes how the state’s Department of Natural Resources issues permits for shoreline development and loosens requirements for what property owners must provide the state to secure a permit. It also authorizes dredging along shorelines and alters the state’s Public Trust Doctrine, directing waters that once were governed by the state into the hands of private property owners.

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Ken Notes: The idea that this is totally partisan scares me. I also believe we could have accomplished much the same thing AND included actual shoreline improvements and source point pollution restrictions at the same time. Why not trade a buffer zone for the ability to modify your shoreline -- win win....