October 20, 2010

Wisconsin Pier Regulations Deadline

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The Wisconsin DNR has an approaching deadline of 4/1/2011 to comply with legislation put into effect in 2008 concerning existing and new piers in Wisconsin lakes. Piers placed before 2/6/2004 may be exempt from any registration or permitting if they meet size and location standards. If piers are larger than these exemption standards and were placed before 2/6/2004, they may be eligible for grandfathering and would have to be registered with the DNR before 4/1/2011. If they are too big to be grandfathered or if they were placed after 2/6/2004 and are larger than exemption standards, owners will need to apply for an individual permit with the DNR to see if they can leave them as is.

Another wrinkle in this equation is that many lakes in Wisconsin have been designated as an Area of Special Natural Resource Interest (ASNRI); piers in these ‘special waters’ cannot have platforms or decks on them unless they are either grandfathered or an individual permit is applied for with the DNR. To find pier size criteria, brochures, permit application forms, and more information about regulations for piers and whether your lake is in ‘special waters’, go to DNR’s website or contact the DNR Water Management Specialist at the DNR Service Center for your county.

Posted by:  Julie Sarton

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