The Land Conservation Department oversees many aspects of environmental management within Menominee. We work with many local agencies and organizations, including the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, to protect and enhance the land, trees and water here in Menominee.


Shoreland Zoning
Anyone who wants to complete any activities within the shoreland setback area of any surface water should contact the Land Conservation/Zoning Department. Such activities are fill, grading, excavating, vegetation removal, and any clearing outside of the provisions of the Shoreland Protection Ordinance. Most work within 75' of a lake or river requires a permit or is not allowed. Please check the Building/Zoning subdepartment for more information on these rules and permitting.

You may also need a DNR permit for shoreline stabilization structures such as biologs or rock riprap. You can view DNR permitting information at this link.

Menominee County Land and Water Resource Management Plan
You can view the current LWRM Plan here. The plan was initially developed in 2001 and has been updated in 2004, 2007 and 2010. The Plan was approved by the State Land and Water Conservation Board in October 2017 and by the county board in November 2017. This plan will be implemented from 2018-2027.

The LWRM Plan authorizes Menominee County to have cost-share money available to landowners for eligible projects. This program has been available for ten years and has helped landowners stabilize shorelines, create better vegetated buffers along shorelines for riparian habitat, and abandon wells properly. The program is currently first come, first served and allows up to 70% of eligible costs to be paid for by the County with State grant dollars (some practices are cost-shared at 50%). Here is a link to the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) on the program. Click here for an Eligibility Criteria sheet that explains the general guidelines of the program. You can inquire about the program using the contact information at the bottom of this page also.

Land Conservation Committee (LCC)

The Land Conservation Committee meets the second Thursday of each month at 8:30 a.m. in the County Courthouse, lower level boardroom. A list of current committee membership can be viewed here.

To view recent Land Conservation Committee agendas and minutes, click here. 

Legend Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District - LLPRD

The Town and County of Menominee work with local organizations such as LLPRD to protect water resources and promote safe practices by users of the lake.  Other local organizations that we work with are the LaMotte Lake Association, Legend Lake Property Owners Association, Moshawquit Lake Association, the Menominee Indian Tribe, and many others in various ways.

The LLPRD has formed a special committee to help with education and outreach on Legend  Lake.  The website for that can be found here: Boat Responsibly.  This site has a lot of good information on boating laws and informational videos that help illustrate some important points to follow when boating.

Town Conservancies

The Town of Menominee has 8 conservancies in the Legend Lake area that are public lands meant for wildlife and natural habitat preservation.  Their locations can be viewed in the map here.

News Articles

Ticks and Associated Diseases
Erosion concerns and island use in Legend Lake
Cost-share dollars and benefits of natural shorelines
Shoreland protection and related zoning regulations
Preventing the Spread of Invasive Species
Bats and White-nose Syndrome

Invasive Species
Invasive species are of major concern to our land and waters in Menominee, like the rest of Wisconsin. Menominee County and the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin adopted an Invasive Species Plan in 2010 to cover the entire County/Reservation.

Healthy native plant populations can help deter invasive species spread and they help our wildlife. For a planting list of native grasses, sedges, shrubs and trees to Menominee, click here.

There is also a list created for landowners to replace invasive shrubs or to use in lieu of them in the first place. See this link to view that document.

You can view the Menominee County/Tribe Invasive Species Management Plan here. The Menominee County Board and Menominee Tribal Legislature adopted this updated version in 2020. This joint effort shows the cooperative effort that is very important within Menominee. This plan helps enable Menominee Town/County, Menominee Tribe, and Menominee Tribal Enterprises to work together on the fight against exotic, invasive species.

Here are some additional links to learn more about invasive species and how we can prevent and control them. It takes everyone to control the spread of all the various animals, pests, and diseases that affect our natural surroundings.

Wisconsin DNR Invasives homepage: dnr.wi.gov/topic/Invasives/
Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin: ipaw.org/
UW Extension invasives webpage

The following invasive species are serious threats to the open lands and waters of Menominee. Follow the link associated with each invaders name for more information.

Aquatic
Eurasian water-milfoil
Purple loosestrife
Curly-leaf pondweed
Zebra mussels
Phragmites (Common Reed)
Reed canary grass

Terrestrial
Spotted knapweed
Wild Parsnip
Spurges
Japanese Knotweed
Autumn Olive
Bush Honeysuckles
Tansy
Japanese Barberry
Giant Hogweed
** There have been no reports of Hogweed in Menominee, but be on the lookout for it. It is a very noxious plant that can cause burning and blistering of the skin.

Well Water Protection and Testing
Protecting the quality of your well water is very important to the health of you, your family and your neighbors.
Learn more about wellhead protection at this WDNR link.

The Menominee County LCD provides materials to landowners that want to have their well water tested through the
Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene. A vast array of tests can be run for bacteria, nitrates, lead, arsenic, and many others.
Contact the LCD for all materials and pricing. View this letter for additional well testing information.


Boat Launches and Ordinances
Land Conservation also oversees the three public boat launches on Legend Lake. There are boat launch fees listed in
Town Boat Launch Ordinance #64. Menominee landowners, residents and tribal members are exempt from paying launch fees. Daily launch fees are $10.00 and annual passes are available for $50.00.

There is a boating ordinance that is in effect within Menominee County, specific to Legend Lake.  All other water bodies within Menominee County/Reservation follow State boating laws in Chapter 30, Wis. Stats. and Menominee tribal boating laws.  Town Ordinance #47 (Legend Lake) can be viewed here.