Washington County committee advances advisory resolution urging DNR to reconsider flood-storage rules after Druid Lake mapping

Washington County’s Land Use and Planning Committee voted to forward an advisory resolution asking the Wisconsin Legislature and the Department of Natural Resources to review state flood-storage and flood-fringe rules after recent DNR map changes that residents say would make rebuilding small lakeshore lots effectively impossible.

The committee advanced the resolution by voice vote with one abstention; Supervisor Katie Conrad said she would abstain because she joined the meeting after discussion had begun. Supervisor Jerry Pridemore moved the measure and Supervisor Andy Krebs seconded it.

Committee members and staff said the resolution aims to press state regulators for alternatives that would let existing homeowners repair or rebuild after flood damage without violating flood-storage rules that restrict bringing in fill. The discussion focused on Druid Lake, which county staff described as unusually low in elevation and the only lake…