Shoreland Ecosystem Services WATER QUALITY HABITAT NATURAL BEAUTY

Without habitat, they are gone

Wisconsin’s Lakes are Changing Faster than Ever: Algae blooms (phosphorus pollution) Destruction of shoreline habitat Invading plants and animals Steve Carpenter 200

General-development lake type

Natural Shorelines Program Components Burnett County Technical Assistance Financial Assistance Shoreline Incentives Education and Outreach

Burnett County Shoreland Incentive Program • An annual property tax credit/ rebate of $50 • An enrollment payment of $250 • A free visit with a natural landscape expert • Planting plant to restore a natural shoreline • Payment that cover 70% of the cost of plants and materials • An exclusive shirt or cap • An optional sign to post at the water’s

On-the-Ground Results Í Shoreline Length Preserved = 46 miles Í 659 Parcels! Í Shoreline Area Restored = 117, 677 sq. ft.

Goal II. Protect and restore healthy stable shoreland habitats. • Restoring and protecting shorelands will provide privacy and tranquility as well as a natural space for families to enjoy nature. Several of the existing developed shorelands lack adequate natural buffers which provide critical habitat and protect water quality.

Pecatonica River Pilot Project Tests Conservation. Model for Cleaner Water “ 12% of the land base contributes 60% of the phosphorus load. ” – Pat Sutter, Dane County Land Water Conservation Dept

St. Croix Civic Engagement Speaker Series • Purpose: To explore & discuss new ideas for encouraging authentic civic engagement in watershed projects in the St. Croix Basin. • To increase the collective understanding of civic engagement and how it can be encouraged and supported with the St. Croix River Basin. • Civic ENGAGEMENT – Setting the Stage: Why it matters Sept. 2010 - Jan 2012

Definition of Civic Engagement “Making public decisions and taking collective actions through processes that involve discussion, reasoning, and citizen participation rather than through the exercise of authority, expertise, status, political weight, or other such forms of power. ” - Elano Fagatto and Archon Fung Dialog NOT a Debate

Building Community Capacity

TO THE SOURCE: MOVING MINNESOTA’S WATER GOVERNANCE UPSTREAM- Engaging citizens in an authentic & timely way. Report of the Citizens League, November 2009 TO THE SOURCE: MOVING MINNESOTA’S WATER GOVERNANCE UPSTREAM 17

Who’s responsible today? • Perception that clean water is government’s responsibility • Reinforced by what we’ve set up – minimal role for citizens • No one satisfied with citizen participation processes • Government will never have enough staff or resources to “fix” the problem TO THE SOURCE: MOVING MINNESOTA’S WATER GOVERNANCE UPSTREAM 18

New Model of Water Governance • People who live and work in a watershed are in the best position to reduce nonpoint source pollution • Must engage the public as problem-solvers TO THE SOURCE: MOVING MINNESOTA’S WATER GOVERNANCE UPSTREAM 19

Civic Engagement Requires Changing the Way We Think About Governing ü A belief in human capacity to govern for the common good ü Encouraging the public to carry out their obligations as citizens ü Supporting active citizenship (the role that obligates all citizens to govern for the common good) ü Building effective institutions– improving existing organizations in order to sustain democracy and citizenship • Lynne Kolze , MPCA

Our Goal Public Knowledge and Values Wise Public Judgment Science and Expert Opinion