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Natural Areas and Critical Resources Plan

Following more than a year of hard work, the Sheboygan County Natural Areas and Critical Resources Plan is finally complete. Beginning in July 2003, the County began assembling special committees to address the Natural, Agricultural, and Cultural Resources of the County. The County's Smart Growth-Stewardship Technical and Advisory Committees reviewed the project and provided valuable input throughout the process. In the meantime a survey was developed and sent out to 5,000 randomly selected people countywide. Each of the three committees completed an issues-identification session. This list of issues along with the results from the County survey and the inventory information developed by Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission were used to develop goals, objectives, and policy and program recommendations for each of the three critical resources. Special emphasis was placed on the coastal resources throughout this process. Originally, the project was supposed to identify critical areas for preservation and protection for their natural, cultural, agricultural value and to develop an acquisition plan for the County. However, as the plan was developed it became clear that this goal was highly ambitious. Up until that point in time very few current planning activities were completed at the County level. To that end, the County had no direction in regard to a starting point. As a result the Sheboygan County Natural Areas and Critical Resources Plan provides general background information on the issues and opportunities related to Agricultural, Natural, and Cultural Resources and proposes future programs and policies for the County to pursue. These programs and policies were developed through a thorough process involving the public and various stakeholders in the County. The proposed policies and programs act to guide the County Planning Department's work over the course of the next 5-10 years. The recommended programs and policies are intended to preserve, enhance, and further protect the coastal resources of Lake Michigan. An example of some of the program and policy recommendations proposed in the plan include: Develop new wetland setback requirements in the Shoreland Zone based on wetland quality. Identify and inventory areas with invasive species. Develop a public-information program on invasive species including prevention of establishment and removal. Inventory and identify parcels that meet current minimum standards within the County Shoreland Zone to determine how many new lots could be developed. Inventory critical habitat areas that may be deserving of protection. Encourage growth and development away from the coastal corridor where possible, and in areas with existing infrastructure and services. Develop programs that address agricultural runoff, farming practices, and shoreland development as it relates to water quality impacts to Lake Michigan. Provide educational opportunities for the public to gain a better understanding of their role in protecting Lake Michigan and measures to mitigate human impacts on the resource. Inventory and preserve environmental corridors in the "coastal corridor." Inventory and protect coastal areas at risk. Inventory and prioritize environmental corridors in Sheboygan County. Identify, protect, and preserve the County's significant natural scenic and open space areas for enjoyment by its residents and visitors for present and future generations. Encourage sound management and preservation of the County's forested areas. Identify and classify Environmental Corridors by their ecological value. Inventory natural areas in the County. Develop a viable conservation subdivision or low-impact development ordinance and identify areas most conducive to this type of development. Facilitate community vision sessions to develop important aspects of a community's character. Explore the use of overlay districts in the Shoreland Zone with setbacks for lakes, streams, and wetlands requiring additional care and proof that development will not have a negative effect on these resources. Promote the development of large tracts of farmland in a planned and orderly method as opposed to a piece-by-piece method over a long period of time. Encourage projects that provide access to Lake Michigan through the County's Stewardship Program. Develop a County acquisition plan that is consistent with existing County public lands and does not contradict other existing (federal, state, private) acquisition plans. Conduct an inventory of areas that would support a natural corridor between major land holdings. Encourage conservation easements in natural corridors between major land holdings. Inventory and classify wetlands based on their quality and function. Download the report   PDF WORD Critical Areas and Natural Resources Plan  (1.8MB)  (12.7MB) Appendix B and C  (0.2MB)  (1.8MB) Note: If the graphic images in the PDF file are unacceptable, you can download the MS Word file, but please be patient.