Notwithstanding the rains of the past few days, a long-term shortage of rain and snow fall in northern Wisconsin has caused low water levels and has exposed shorelines and wetland areas.

Until water levels return to normal, Department of Natural Resources officials are asking shoreline owners to help prevent the inadvertent harm to these exposed areas.

“These shorelines play a vital role in providing habitat for fish and wildlife, and in maintaining the watersheds of the northland,” said Daniel Houston, Water Regulation and Zoning Specialist.

He added that with the continued drought and dropping water levels, DNR staff  have been getting many calls about what clean up or other activities citizens can and cannot do on shorelines.
Most activities conducted on the exposed lake bed including beach grooming and cutting or chemically treating vegetation are regulated by the DNR, but there are a few activities that don’t require a permit.

“Most of the exposed areas are below what is called the “ordinary high water mark,” which is the dividing line between private property and the publicly owned lakebed,” Houston said. 

“Adjoining property owners get to enjoy the use of these exposed areas but also have the responsibility of ensuring their activities do not impact the public’s resource.”

Some minor vegetation management (except for wild rice) and some activities done by hand do not require permits from the DNR.

Manual cutting and raking will be exempt from the permit requirement if the area of aquatic plant removal is no more than 30 feet along the shoreline and any piers, boatlifts, swim rafts and other recreational and water use devices.

The following non-native invasive species may be removed by hand in an unlimited area without a permit: Phragmites, eurasian water milfoil, curly leaf pondweed and purple loosestrife. All plant fragments must be disposed of outside of a waterway or wetland.

Permit required for some activities

Houston said the following activities require a permit: removing vegetation from an area larger than 30 feet wide, driving a motor vehicle on the lakebed, tilling and chemically treating vegetation if the area is wet. The law considers roto-tilling the exposed beach a dredging activity that requires a permit.

The permits are designed to assure that the activity does not damage the lake or the sensitive exposed habitat.       

“If you have plans for your lakeshore, be sure to find out if permits are required. It’s good for your lake, and the penalties for not getting one can be steep – up to $186 for driving on an exposed lakebed and $1,318 for illegal dredging, which includes activities such as tilling and disking,” Houston said.

More information on this issue can by found by going to the DNR webpage.