NR 115 compromise revives
300-foot zone for impervious

By Kurt Krueger
News-Review Editor

A compromise package of final revisions to the state’s NR 115 shoreland protection rules includes the original 300-foot zone for impervious surface restrictions, an official said Monday.

State Sen. Jim Holperin (D-Eagle River) said that legislators and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have agreed to eliminate the 1,000-foot requirement that could have had severe impacts on downtown business districts in Three Lakes and Minocqua.

“It is expected that the Natural Resources Board will hold a special meeting this month to consider the amended package, so that the revised code can go into effect before the end of the year,” said Holperin.

On the environmental protection side, Holperin said the compromise removes a provision that would have allowed unlimited expansion of existing structures located between 35 and 75 feet of the ordinary high-water mark.

“The compromise language does not allow expansion to the sides or front of such structures, but it does allow vertical expansion,” Holperin said. “Property owners could only expand to the rear if the existing structure extends to the 75-foot setback.”

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