Oshkosh Common Council Adopts Sustainability Plan, Endorses Shoreland Restoration

In May, 2012, the Oshkosh Common Council approved and adopted the City of Oshkosh Sustainability Plan.  This plan was previously approved and endorsed by both the Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board (June 2011) and the Oshkosh Plan Commission (April 2012).

The goal of the plan is to "Improve the quality of life in Oshkosh by incorporating sustainability practices to meet the environmental, economic and social needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

The sustainability plan recommends and advocates for restoration of the city's shoreland area in multiple sections of the plan, including:


pg 22. restore native vegetative buffers on city shoreland to protect against polluted run-off, improve aquatic habitat, discourage geese and decrease algae growth 


pg 24. encourage more native plantings on sites to reduce irrigation, protect shorelines and provide natural beautification.  



http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/SustainableOshkosh/assets/pdf/Sustainability_Plan_Draft_5-16-12.pdf

Why We Restore

UW-Extension Natural Resources Educator Bill Klase has developed an informational guide detailing the importance and value of naturalized shoreland.  This information was shared with Sustainability Advisory Board members during the development of the Miller's Bay plan.

The following is an exerpt from Klase discussing why we restore:

The vegetated area of land adjacent to lakes and rivers is often referred to as a shoreland or riparian buffer zone. This land serves as a bridge between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and performs many important functions. Studies performed by scientists and conservation groups across the country have shown that these vegetated areas protect water quality, serve as wildlife habitat and corridors and provide valuable social functions. These attributes take on greater importance as lakeshore and riverfront development increases. Increasingly, State and local ordinances are requiring that these vegetated tracts of land be preserved or restored with appropriate native vegetation.    

Water Quality improvement is a main benefit of a restored shoreline.  According to Klase:

In addition to filtering sediments, shoreland buffer zones also serve to stabilize shoreland banks, reducing bank erosion. The roots of the trees, shrubs, and ground cover plants help stabilize shorelines. These roots add structure to soils as well as increase water infiltration. The net result is a reduction in bank erosion and an increase in water quality. The vegetation also aids in slowing down the speed of the runoff water. By slowing down the velocity of runoff water, the coarser sediment particles settle out on land prior to reaching the water.

Improved aquatic wildlife habitit is also an excellent benefit.

Aside from reducing sedimentation that degrades aquatic habitat, shoreland buffer zones enhance this habitat through the deposition of woody debris and leaf litter. For the avid fisherman, shoreland buffer zones extending into the water are great habitat for fish. Aquatic plants not only help stabilize bottom sediments, but along with woody debris they provide structure for insects, snails, and other critters that small fish feed on. Larger game fish, the ones we enjoy catching and eating, feed on the small fish, and seek refuge amongst the underwater structure.

Another important benefit identified is what Klase calls "Social Values".

Shoreland buffer zones also serve several important cultural functions. These areas enhance the aesthetics of the lake environment by providing the natural appearance of lakeshores. Survey after survey shows that aesthetics ranks as one of the top reasons people come to live and visit the northwoods region of Wisconsin.

Menominee Park Shoreland Restoration before and after images

One important benefit that has been experienced by Oshkosh in its efforts to improve the shoreline is the building of community, in which many Oshkosh area residents from throughout the area representing students, elderly, neighbors, community leaders, young children, and others have come together to collaboratively work on creating a better Oshkosh.

Shoreland Restoration Video

Wisconsin video from UW Extension with funding support from the Wisconsin DNR that discusses shoreland restoration, its benefits, and how it works.

LWV Advocates for Shoreland Restoration at Parks Meeting

On April 4, 2012, the League of Women Voters participated in a city Parks Board meeting, stating strong support of their membership for restoration of Menominee Park Shoreland and for inclusion of restoration in the Menominee Park Plan.  The official position of the local LWV chapter, provided by Kathy Propp, was the following:

Black Eyed Susans dominated the first year of the planting, showing off a beautiful yellow mixed with native annual grasses that were planted to prevent erosion.

"The League of Women Voters supports adequate funding for maintenance and improvements to  the existing facilities in Menominee Park. There seems to be something for all ages.

This park is the most intensively used of all Oshkosh parks. There is no room left for adding  structures or formal ball fields. Green space, especially waterfront green space, is a precious  commodity.

We support environmentally sound maintenance and management practices, including weed  management in Millers Bay and prevention and control of invasive species. The natural shoreline landscaping near Ames Point is a great start and we encourage more along  Millers Bay shoreline. Please include mention of stormwater demonstration areas as feasible (rain gardens, small retention ponds, swales, parking lot vegetation)."

ONW Covers Initial Shoreland Installation

The Oshkosh Northwestern covered the initial shoreland restoration day at Menominee Park.  Access their online photo gallery by clicking the photo below:

Wisconsin DNR Support of Restoration

Friends of Menominee Park Shoreland received the following supportive message from Scott Koehnke, Water Management Specialist wit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources:

July 1, 2011

The Department certainly supports your efforts to restore native vegetation and habitat along the Fox River and Lake Winnebago.  Thank you for your continued efforts.

Regards,

Scott E. Koehnke
Water Management Specialist
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
647 Lakeland Road, Shawano, WI 54166 

Winnebago Audubon Pledges Shoreland Grant

In July 2011, the Winnebago Audubon Society received a $500.00 grant for the Menominee Park Shoreland Restoration site from the State Audubon Council.  The local chapter matched this grant, for a total pledge of $1000.00 to the project.

Below is the announcement:

7/24/2011

Winnebago Audubon has been selected to receive a grant for $500 and we will match it with $500 of our funds to provide professional signage for the shoreland project.  These funds were okayed by our State Audubon Council this past week and will be forwarded to National Audubon for approval this Fall.  The funds would be available after January 1, 2012.  Our thoughts are that we would work with the City and anyone else who is interested regarding the design and information for the signs.  We also believe this will allow us to develop brochures to hand out or place at different public sites which would explain what the project is all about.

We are thrilled to be able to contribute to this effort.  We will also publicize the planting opportunities to our members and encourage them to participate in the fall and spring.

Pat Nichols, Winnebago Audubon Society

League of Women Voters Parks Report Calls for Shoreland Restoration

In 2008 / 2009, the League of Women Voters of Winnebago County conducted an assessment of Oshkosh area parks, including evaluating each city park, neighborhood park needs, storm water implications, and staffing issues.

The end product was a parks report that featured the League's position statement concerning our local parks.  The statement includes the following recommendations that all correlate to a restored shoreland:

1. Ensure environmentally sound maintenance and management practices

2. Support preservation and enhancement of natural systems and open spaces

3. Promote naturalization of shorelines where feasible

4. Encourage use of natural landscaping and prevention and control of invasive species

5. Promote storm water management practices in parks where feasible


The plan continues with its support of natural, restored shorelands by recommending the following:

Plant vegetative buffers along waterways. The city is spending millions on storm water engineering solutions. Let’s show some inexpensive, high visibility restoration projects.   

The League provides a summary of the reasoning concerning their support of the natural shoreland:

Not only cost savings, but state and federal regulations may provide an impetus for environmental improvements. The city is under urban requirements to reduce polluted run-off. Oshkosh solutions have been mainly construction of retention ponds and catch basins through the Stormwater Utility. Public Works and the Stormwater Utility apparently are proceeding with storm water management planning with little or no input from the Parks Department., although Parks is charged for its impervious surfaces. Opportunities exist to incorporate rain gardens, shoreline buffers, fewer mowed areas, native prairie plantings, increased native tree and shrub planting and fewer hard surfaces for parking and play areas. These ideas are on the radar screen. A rain garden may be incorporated in the South Park parking lot and in the new parking lot proposed for the 400 block on Main Street. A consultant’s plan for Millers Bay proposes enhancing the shoreline with native shrubs and trees. The same plan proposes purchase of a weed harvester to control weeds around the boat launches, rather than continued chemical treatment in the water.

Planning Dept Report Highlights Shoreland Restoration

The Oshkosh Planning Department released a report in 2011 that identified ways in which the city of Oshkosh was moving forward in regards to sustainability.  Within the report, Planning highlighted the shoreland restoration as a recognizable acheivement for the Parks Department, the Sustainability Advisory Board and the city of Oshkosh.

View the report here.

SAB Approves Miller's Bay Shoreland Restoration Plan

In March of 2010, the city of Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board unanimously approved a planning document titled "Shoreland Restoration in Miller's Bay", initiating the formal municipal process for obtaining authorization to restore the Miller's Bay shoreline.

The plan calls for a pilot project installation at the base of Ames Point, and sets out a timeline for moving forward as well as identifying possible funding sources.

Of particular note in this plan was the call for a 2-3 acre natural area in the park:

As part of this project, discussions by members of the SAB with Bill Sturm helped identify a 2 to 3 acre parcel where Hazel Street and Menominee Drive merge for a larger natural area. This size parcel can offer more plant variety than a 35-foot strip, interesting walking paths, and educational signage about aquatic plants and animals and storm water issues. It can also provide an alternative experience in an urban park and demonstrate how local residents can use native plants on their own property. Additionally it would provide ample opportunity for schools and community groups to become involved in creation of a natural area

View the SAB-approved plan here.

Shoreland and the Oshkosh Comprehensive Plan

Menominee Park Restoration Plot, July 2012; M Hoefferle

The city of Oshkosh's Comprehensive Plan was formally adopted March 22, 2005 following thousands of hours of community dialogue, planning, and assessment.  Chapter 8 of the plan consists of the "Agricultural, Natural, and Cultural Resources Element", which consists of the following as required by state law:

A compilation of objectives, policies, goals, maps and programs for the conservation, and promotion of the effective management, of natural resources such as groundwater, forests, productive agricultural areas, environmentally sensitive areas, threatened and endangered species, stream corridors, surface water, floodplains, wetlands, wildlife habitat, metallic and nonmetallic mineral resources consistent with zoning limitations under Wisconsin Statutes 295.20(2), parks, open spaces, historical and cultural resources, community design, recreational resources and other natural resources.

Under the Natural Resources section, 4 primary goals are identified, with 2 of the 4 discussing the importance of responsible shoreland management.  The following highlighted sections are all related to the community need and support for natural restored shoreland:

Goal A: Protect and preserve wetlands, shorelands, and other environmentally sensitive areas.

Obective: Participate in programs that protect and conserve environmentally sensitive areas.

-- Actions: Design and construct the Fox River Corridor with a continuous, looped trail system and an environmentally sensitive design for the shoreline.

-- Participate in the local Water Quality Initiative, including participating in the lake council for Lake Winnebago.

-- Participate in air quality meetings and educational promotions with the DNR and EPA.

-- Revise Land Subdivision Ordinance to address:

    a. Cluster development requirements for protecting environmentally sensitive areas;

    b. Improved erosion control methods.

-- Revise Zoning Ordinance to address:

    a. Design guidelines for land next to existing and future parks;

    b. Impervious surface in the floodplain.

Goal B: Protect aquatic and wildlife habitat when managing development in proximity to environmental corridors, riparian areas, and woodlands.

Objective: Develop programs that protect the environmental features during development.

-- Actions: Educate and involve public regarding:

    a. Water conservation practices.

    b. Non-point source pollution.

    c. Stormwater management techniques that address improving quality and lessening the quantity of runoff.

    d. Chemical fertilization, weed and pest control for lawns.

-- Revise Land Subdivision Ordinance to address:

    a. Cluster development requirements for protecting environmentally sensitive areas;

    b. Tree retention and tree replacement during development

-- Revise Zoning Ordinance to address the minimum lot sizes and setback standards for shorelands and other natural features.

Vision Oshkosh Report: Restore the Shore

In the summer of 2009, the city of Oshkosh in partnership with the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, conducted one of the most comprehensive community opinion surveys in the history of the city.  One priority area of the survey was on what to do with our waterfront.  While much of the conversation focused on moving forward with the river walk, respondants were also gauged as to their support of a natural buffer area along the water front. 

Respondants overwhelmingly supported the natural shoreland, prompting the plan to include the following recommendation:

"Maintain a minimum vegetated buffer between all water bodies and impervious surfaces outside of the Urban Waterfront Area"

This key finding was also cited in the Onterra study.

Read the Vision Oshkosh Report here.

Onterra Study of Miller's Bay

The 2010 City of Oshkosh Miller’s Bay Aquatic Management Plan cited the poor condition of the bay, recommending better management of the shoreline.  

The plan, which was assembled by Onterra, a lake management planning firm from Northeast Wisconsin, stated the following: 

“Miller’s Bay shoreline is incredibly poor and provides no aesthetic, habitat, or buffering value to the bay. Turf maintenance along the bay’s shoreline leads to increased runoff of nutrients, sediments, and other pollutants to Lake Winnebago, while providing appealing loafing grounds to nuisance levels of Canada geese.”

The plan concludes, "The area also stands as an incredibly poor example of shoreland maintenance."

View the study here.