| This chapter provides a way of evaluating the strategies presented in Chapter 4 and offers some recommendations for next steps to take in designing a wetland protection program in Door County that is more effective and efficient. |
|
Tables 5-1 and 5-2 present one way of evaluating the strategies for improving wetland protection efforts suggested in the previous chapter. The tables present the strategies discussed in Chapter 4 and evaluate them according to some basic criteria: the extent of public and local elected official support for the strategy; the degree of administrative burden associated with the strategy; the extent to which the strategy reduces the regulatory maze (and therefore, make the program more efficient); the potential of the strategy to protect wetlands (and therefore, make the program more effective); costs associated with the strategy; and the presence of technical expertise in the county to carry out the strategy.
Using these criteria, decision-makers can optimize the desired outcomes. For example, if making the program more efficient is crucial, decision-makers can choose to pursue strategies with a "high" indication, such as applying for a SAMP, a general permitting authority or creating wetland guides. On the other hand, if stakeholders want to maximize wetland protection, they may want to pursue strategies marked "high" in that category, including a SAMP, adopting a wetland ordinance, or wetland acquisition programs.
Should stakeholders wish to balance cost and administrative feasibility with protection, they can look for "high" or "moderate" rankings under these criteria. The choice of strategies that are most appropriate depends upon the criteria most valued by stakeholders. Additionally, stakeholders may want to select a mix of short-term and long-term strategies. Ratings for these criteria are those of the study authors, and may change as decision-makers continue to review the strategies.
Table 5-1: Evaluating Regulatory Strategies
Table 5-2: Evaluating Non-Regulatory Strategies
Next steps for protecting wetlands in Door County
(Back to TOC)1. Recognize and build upon strengths
Door County’s greatest resource is its people. The county has a high level of civic participation and, as evidenced by the stakeholders contacted for this study, a high level of desire to protect the natural beauty of Door County. Stakeholders agree that wetlands are important and should be protected. Additionally, environmental and citizens groups are very active in the county. The best way to create a model wetlands program is to tap into the human resources available in the county.
Economic conditions are favorable. The county’s strong budget should continue into the foreseeable future. Healthy budgets are conducive to elected officials being more willing to see the activities of the county expand, especially when coupled with a high degree of public support.
Strong partnerships are already underway. The existence of a task force to look for ways to protect wetlands comprised of three government entities, an environmental group and a property owners association is testimony to the fact that Door County stakeholders are able to work together collaboratively to solve public problems. Partnerships underway such as in the efforts to protect critical environmental areas further attest to the willingness of diverse parties to come together and find solutions.
Wetland protection efforts in Door County exceed that of other counties. Door County, in establishing wetland zoning districts as part of its zoning ordinance, became one of the few counties in the state to prohibit building in inland wetlands. Some other counties have not exceeded in any way the jurisdiction given to them under the shoreland-wetland ordinance. Door County, then, is looking to improve a program that is already more effective than that of many Wisconsin counties.
Door County residents share a sense of place. Door County residents exhibit a high degree of pride in their community, and a collective sense that Door County has unique characteristics that set it apart from other areas in the state.
Door County has unique and fragile resources. As noted in Chapter 1, Door County has sensitive coastline areas, the escarpment, groundwater drinking water sources and aquatic and wildlife habitat that need protection. Moreover, the natural resources in Door County are a primary reason why tourists visit.
Door County has a large amount of land that can be protected. Unlike other parts of the country or even the state, Door County is still predominantly rural. Opportunities exist to protect critical wetlands before they are developed. Trying to restore wetlands once residential and commercial development occurs is practically impossible. It’s much easier to protect land before it is developed.
2. Maintain the Task Force and create an advisory board for implementing strategies
In order not to lose the momentum created by this study, the Wetlands Protection Task Force should stay in place. Additionally, in cooperation with county, state and local governments, an advisory board should be established. Composed of members from key stakeholder groups, the board should oversee and help implement strategies selected to better protect wetlands. In keeping with a broader focus, the group might want to become an Environmental Advisory Board. The goal of the board would be to promote the stewardship of natural resources and wetlands in the county. The board could contact farmers and encourage their participation in the Wetlands Reserve Program or their continued participation in the Conservation Reserve Program.
3. Establish an interagency working group and a wetlands contact
The Task Force should also encourage county, state and Corps staff to form a working group to look at regulatory issues, share information, and to discuss ways to enhance public communication. Ideally, a single individual from the County Planning office might be selected to head the group and serve as a focal point for wetland protection efforts. This person could help interpret existing regulatory requirements and steps for citizens, as well as serve as a point of contact for wetland education and/or public outreach efforts.
4. Meet to select and prioritize strategies
Crucial to the success of any effort is establishing priorities. Task Force members should meet with relevant stakeholders to identify long-term and short-term strategies they want to pursue, as well as sub-strategies that can easily be accomplished, such as the development of educational materials. Should the county decide to pursue the SAMP, a meeting should be held with Corps, DNR, county and other agencies to explore how to most efficiently proceed.
5. Apply for a Wetlands Protection Grant and other funding
Many of the proposed strategies are ideal candidates for funding under the EPA wetland grant program. The Task Force, in cooperation with their respective governmental agencies and organizations, should seek funding through the EPA, the Corps, the FWS, the Coastal Zone Management Program and other grant programs to implement key strategies.
Should one person be selected as a contact for wetlands regulations, public communication and educational activities, that person could also take the lead in grant writing.
6. Consider increasing public awareness about wetland protection through a citizen’s guide and landowner’s guide
Most successful wetlands protection programs in other parts of the country have guides to help raise awareness about wetlands and also to communicate regulatory requirements. Moreover, several have also produced guides to help landowners make decisions about how best to manage and protect wetlands on their property. The county should take advantage, too, of videos and other materials that are readily available for training opportunities. Additionally, the county should consider using the other techniques to increase public understanding of the value of wetlands as described in Chapter 4.
7. Involve town and other local governments
Several strategies suggest different approaches for interacting with town and other local governments. Door County, through its advisory board, task force, or planning department should continue to reach out to the towns and to incorporated areas and involve them with wetland and environmental protection efforts.
(Back to TOC)Door County is at once blessed with many natural resources and a good quality of life while also challenged to protect critical wetland and other environmental resources as other citizens seek residence in the county. As noted on the first page of this chapter, success is a journey. Citizens in Door County have decided to be successful through their journey to protect wetlands. The most important step to take in any journey is the first one and to recognize that no one magic solution exists to reconcile the inevitability of change with the need for preservation.
The journey could not be more timely. Sentiments running counter to wetland protection exist at the national governmental level. If Door County wetlands are protected, it will be because the people of Door County choose to protect them.
Home | Top
| Back to TOC
<-Previous