Screening Of Vegetation

This section will help you understand the use of screening vegetation for various activities within the Riverway boundary.

Note: Italicized words are defined in the definitions section.

Screening Vegetation
Screening materials may be planted or may include existing woody vegetation or trees. Woody vegetation or trees must be capable of screening the height and length of the structure and comply with the visually inconspicuous definition - difficult to be seen or not readily visible when leaves are on the trees.
The species of woody vegetation or trees to be used may be chosen by the permit applicant but should be suited to localized soil and site conditions. Native plant species are encouraged as are plantings which will benefit local fauna. Plantings must be perennial and hardy in the local climate zone as specified in scientific literature or garden catalogs.
Planting plans must be approved by the LWSRB prior to the start of construction. Species chosen must have potential to provide screening within a reasonable period of time as defined by the Riverway Board. Screening vegetation must be maintained to meet the requirements of Riverway law.
Care of Screening Vegetation
The LWSRB encourages maintenance of screening vegetation as a way to protect state Riverway aesthetics. Maintenance procedures for screening vegetation are often written into the permit as a condition. Screening vegetation shall be protected during construction and over the life span of the structure.
The following brochures are available at your County Extension office, by downloading by clicking on link below or from the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board and are highly recommended:
This is provided for your use courtesy of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board. Additional copies or more information may be obtained from:
Definitions
Agriculture use means beekeeping; dairying; egg production; feedlots; grazing; floriculture; raising of livestock; raising of poultry; raising of fruits, nuts and berries; raising of grains, grass, mint and seed crops; raising of vegetables; and sod farming.
LWSRB means Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board.
Mobile home means a prefabricated unit with walls of rigid construction that is designed to be towed as a single unit or in sections upon a highway by a motor vehicle and that is used or is intended to be used for human habitation.
Modify means to renovate, remodel, expand in size or otherwise change a structure that is not damaged or destroyed.
Person means a natural person, corporation, partnership, association, cooperative, municipality or other local governmental unit, private or public utility, municipal power district, estate or trust, the United States, a federal agency, the state of Wisconsin or a state agency.
Perennial means having a life cycle lasting or continuing for a long time.
River means the Wisconsin river downstream from the dam at Prairie du Sac, but includes only that area below the ordinary high water mark of the main channel or channels, and does not include the bays, bayous and sloughs of the river bottoms.
Riverway means the area within the boundaries of the lower Wisconsin State riverway.
Structure means a building, facility or other unit that is constructed or otherwise erected.
Top of the bluff means the visually most prominent portion of the bluff when viewed from the river, being either the highest geographic point or that point where there is a significant change in slope.
Tree means a woody plant which at maturity is 20 feet or more in height with a single trunk unbranched for at least several feet above the ground and having a more or less definite crown.
Visible from the river means possible to be seen from any point on the river.
Visually inconspicuous means difficult to be seen and not readily noticeable from any point on the river during the time when the leaves are on the deciduous trees.
Woody vegetation means trees that are not timber.
Permit Process
1. Landowner contacts LWSRB for information and/or permit application to begin process.
2. LWSRB Executive Director conducts a field inspection to determine visibility of site when viewed from the river.
3. Riverway office prepares a general permit or schedules a visit to determine necessary conditions such as erosion control or screening vegetation.
4. LWSRB evaluates the permit at their monthly meeting and approves permit with necessary restrictions or requirements, or acts to address state Riverway concerns.
5. Construction or placement of a structure begins when landowner receives the permit and complies with applicable permit conditions.
6. Compliance inspection by DNR or LWSRB during construction or at permit expiration date.
NOTE: The permit process may take as little as one or 2 days or as long as 5 weeks. Contacting the LWSRB well in advance of the proposed construction will minimize the chances for delay.
Structure Permits
Permits are required before anyone in the Riverway begins any of the following activities:
1. Building a structure, including clearing or grading of land.
2. Placement or replacement of a mobile home.
3. Modifications of a structure or mobile home.
4. Repair of a damaged structure or mobile home unless exempt.
On lands visible from the river, the following standards must apply:
1. The structure or mobile home must be visually inconspicuous during leaf-on conditions.
2. The structure or mobile home must not be higher than the surrounding vegetation.
3. Use of glass shall be minimized.
4. Exterior colors must harmonize with the surroundings.
5. Slope of the building site shall be less than 20%.
6. Erosion control measures must be implemented during and after construction.
On lands not visible from the river the following standard must be met: the height of the structure may not result in the structure being visible from the river.