The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)'s Floodplain Program works closely with FEMA staff and receives the majority of its funding from FEMA.
FEMA is introducing a new community floodplain program audit process, which will start in July 2025. The new audit process replaces the previous Community Assistance Contact and Community Assistance Visit processes. In this new audit process, the goal is for every community that has floodplain to participate in an audit once every five years. These audits will be conducted by DNR staff. FEMA staff may also participate.
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Have you ever wondered why wetlands are so important? You may not realize it, but the natural scenic beauty, water quality and wildlife that draw us to Wisconsin are, in part, due to the role of wetlands.
Wetlands are places on our landscapes where water is close to, at or above the soil for at least part of the year. Wisconsin has over 5 million acres of wetlands, covering 15% of our state. Before the 1980s, wetlands were often viewed as wastelands, useful only when drained or filled. It has been estimated that the area of wetlands that remain in Wisconsin represents a loss of about 47% of the original wetland acreage. This figure does not include all wetlands that are less than 5 acres in size.
We now know that wetlands benefit people and the natural world in remarkable ways. Wetlands provide extensive functions, such as water storage to prevent flooding and protect water quality, critical fish and wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities for wildlife watchers, anglers, hunters and boaters.
The DNR floodplain and shoreland programs are integral partners in protecting these functional resources.
The goals of shoreland zoning are to protect water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation and natural beauty. The floodplain management program goals are to protect life, health and property; minimize costs for flood control projects; reduce tax dollars spent for rescue, relief and repair of flood damage; shorten business interruptions caused by flooding; prevent future flood blight areas; discourage victimization of unwary land and home buyers and prevent increased flood levels caused by unwise floodplain development.
How do wetlands provide flood protection? Due to dense vegetation and location within the landscape, wetlands are important for retaining stormwater from rain and melting snow rushing toward rivers and lakes. Wetlands slow stormwater runoff and can provide storage areas during floods, thus minimizing harm to downstream areas. Preservation of wetlands can prevent needless expenses for flood and stormwater control projects, such as dikes, levees, concrete-lined channels and detention basins. Flood protection may be especially important in cities, where pavement contributes to runoff, and in areas with steep slopes or other land features, which tend to increase stormwater volume and velocity. These functional values can provide economic benefits to downstream property owners and taxpayers.
How do wetlands protect water quality? Wetland plants and soils have the capacity to store and filter pollutants ranging from pesticides to animal wastes. Calm wetland waters, with their flat surface and flow characteristics, allow particles of toxins and nutrients to settle out of the water column. Plants take up certain nutrients from the water. Other substances can be stored or transformed to a less toxic state through the filtering effects of wetlands. As a result, our lakes, rivers and streams are cleaner, and our drinking water is safer.
Does shoreline protection really matter? Yes, shoreland wetlands act as buffers between land and water and protect against erosion by absorbing the force of waves and currents and by anchoring sediments. Roots of wetland plants bind lakeshores and streambanks, providing further protection. Benefits include the protection of habitat and structures, as well as land that might otherwise be lost to erosion. This function is especially important in waterways where boat traffic, water current and/or wind cause substantial water movement that would otherwise damage the shore. Trout streams and other high-quality waterways often depend on shoreland wetlands to protect their characteristic clear, cold waters. Without this wetland buffer, the shoreline can undercut and ruin, resulting in wider, shallower and turbid streams with warmer water temperatures and lower habitat quality.
Wetlands are not just cattail stands. In Wisconsin, there is a wide range of types (see below), from shallow ponds to dense forests, vast meadows and narrow urban drainageways. Herbaceous, shrub/scrub and forested communities can have standing water for months or appear dry much of the year.
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Aquatic Bed
Plants growing entirely on or in a waterbody no deeper than 6 feet. Plants may include pondweed, duckweed, lotus and waterlilies.
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Marshes
Characterized by standing water and dominated by cattails, bulrushes, pickerelweed, lake sedges and/or giant bur–reed.
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Sedge or "Wet" Meadow
These wetlands more often than not have saturated soils rather than standing water. Sedges, grasses and reeds are dominant, but they may also have blue flag iris, marsh milkweed, sneezeweed, mint and several species of goldenrod and aster.
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Scrub/Shrub
These areas, which include bogs and alder thickets, are characterized by woody shrubs and small trees, such as tag alder, bog birch, willow and dogwood.
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Forested
These areas, which include bogs and forested floodplain complexes, are characterized by trees 20 feet or more in height, such as tamarack, white cedar, black spruce, elm, black ash, green ash and silver maple.
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Wetlands are an important resource and serve as nurseries for many of Wisconsin's fish and wildlife species. Some of the state's most cherished recreational pastimes rely on healthy wetlands throughout the landscape to support wildlife populations.
Learn more about wetlands on the DNR website.
Additional Resources
FEMA just published the third coloring book in the “Safer Communities” series. “My Tall House” teaches young children (mainly ages 4 to 8) how elevation can help make homes and communities safer. You can read the 11-page book in English or Spanish. It includes:
- A series of coloring pages that share a short story about friends who rebuild their playhouse after a flood.
- A glossary of age-appropriate terms to expand vocabulary.
- Activities that kids can do with an adult.
The series, available on FEMA's website, also includes “My Rain Garden” and “My Safe Yard.”
Note: This article is reprinted from the FEMA newsletter.
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Meet Kristin Rankin, Our New Floodplain And Shoreland Zoning Specialist
Hello, my name is Kristin Rankin. I am so excited to join the DNR! I was a code/zoning administrator with Door County prior to coming to the DNR. In this position, I worked with both the shoreland and floodplain ordinances across the county. I was able to see a variation in shoreline types and learn the intricacies of ordinance development and enforcement. I grew up in Door County and moved back after I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I live with my husband and four spoiled house rabbits!
In my free time, I enjoy being creative through crocheting or sewing. I also really enjoy being outside: camping, riding my bicycle or stand-up paddle boarding. I am excited to get to know you all!
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