Natural Resources

Environmental Corridors:
The Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) maps Primary and Secondary Environmental Corridors and Isolated Natural Resource Areas (INRA) approximately every five years.  These are parts of the landscape that contain concentrations of significant natural resource features such as lakes, streams, shorelands, floodlands, wetlands, woodlands, steep terrain, poorly drained soils and prairies.  The SEWRPC Environmental corridor and INRA boundaries are displayed on the Waukesha County GIS (zoom to your area of interest and check the “Environmental” box).   Environmental corridors and Isolated Natural Resource Areas within the county’s zoning jurisdiction are zoned to the Environmental Corridor Overlay District, consistent with the boundaries depicted in the SEWRPC inventory.  In-field determinations by a qualified progressional may be necessary to locate actual resource boundaries.
SEWRPC Environmental Corridor Information

Floodplains:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) publishes floodplain and floodway mapping for the entire country.  The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources approves dam failure studies downstream of dams and requires the county to zone these areas to protective zoning categories.  FEMA floodplain and floodway boundaries and dam failure boundaries are displayed on the Waukesha County GIS (zoom to your area of interest and check the “Floodplains” box).  Floodplains are zoned to Flood Fringe District or General Floodplain District and floodways are zoned Floodway District.  Floodplain boundaries are approximated based upon generalized elevation data.  In-field surveys are needed to precisely locate floodplain boundaries.

FEMA Floodplain Information 

Flood Safety and Awareness

What you should know about Flood Safety:

·   Make a family emergency communication plan and include pets.
·   Have emergency supplies in place at home, at work and in the car.
·   Check on your neighbors to make sure they are okay.
·   Know what to do before, during and after a flood.
·   Flood insurance takes 30 days to take effect, so purchase now to protect your family!
·   Listen to local officials by radio, TV or social media.
·   Evacuate when advised by authorities or if you are in a flood or flash prone area.
·   If you are on high ground above flooded areas, being prepared to stay where you are may be the best protection.
·   Never drive or walk through flooded streets; Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Do not go through flood waters.

Please click on the links below for more information.

Shorelands:

Within unincorporated Waukesha County, lands within 1000’ of lakes or navigable ponds or within 300’ of a navigable stream or the full extent of the associated floodplain are subject to shoreland zoning.  The shoreland ordinance specifies required setbacks from shore areas and limits tree cutting near the shore to preserve natural habitat and scenic beauty.  The shoreland ordinance also contains impervious surface, building footprint and building height provisions.

Shoreland Buffer Vegetation Plan User Guide

Steep Slopes/Topography:

Waukesha County contains varied terrain including rolling conditions with particular variety in and around the Kettle Moraine region.  To preserve natural scenic beauty and prevent excessive erosion, the County Development Plan recommends that development be directed away from slopes exceeding 12%.  Topography information can be viewed on the Waukesha County GIS (zoom to your area of interest and check the “Topography” box).  Some towns have specific limitations relative to slope disturbance.

Trees:

Woodlands that are mapped as Primary or Secondary Environmental Corridors or Isolated Natural Resource Areas are protected by the Environmental Corridor Overlay zoning which limits disturbance within such areas.  The Shoreland Protection Ordinance (SPO) regulates tree removal based upon location within Environmental Corridors and Isolated Natural Resource areas and in near shore areas.  The SPO also protects certain trees that qualify as “Priority Trees” located within 300’ of the shore.

Priority Tree User Guide

Saving Trees During Construction

Wetlands:

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources maintains the Wisconsin Wetlands Inventory (WWI).  WWI data is displayed on the Waukesha County GIS (zoom to your area of interest and check the “Environmental” box).  Wetlands within the county’s zoning jurisdiction are zoned C-1 Conservancy Overlay District, consistent with the boundaries depicted upon the WWI.  The WWI and the county zoning maps represent approximated wetland boundaries.  In-field wetland determinations by a qualified professional may be necessary to locate actual wetland boundaries.

DNR Wetlands Information

Wet Soils/High Groundwater:

The Soil Survey of Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties identifies soils that contain hydric and hydric inclusion conditions.  Hydric soils have an estimated depth to seasonal groundwater of 1’ or less from the ground surface, while soils with hydric inclusions contain are estimated to have a depth to seasonal groundwater of 3’ or less from the ground surface.  Soils with building limitations can be viewed on the Waukesha County GIS (zoom to your area of interest and check the “Building Limitations” layer).  To prevent wet basements, county ordinances require basement/groundwater testing if soil limitations are present to ensure that basement floor elevations are a minimum of one foot higher than estimated seasonal high groundwater.

Mailing Address:  515 W. Moreland Blvd. Room AC 230, Waukesha, WI 53188
Reception Desk:  Room AC260
Phone: (262) 548-7790 
For general information, please contact the Planner of the Day

Office Location Map

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