No Timeline for Sturgeon Bay Waterfront Ruling

The Department of Natural Resources is still reviewing documents as it seeks to make a declaratory ruling on the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) on Sturgeon Bay’s west waterfront.

“I have reviewed all the public comments and been working on the facts for my determination, but at this time, I am unsure of the timeframe for a decision release,” said Dan Helsel, the DNR official leading the effort.

Helsel listened to four hours of input from city officials, members of the Friends of Sturgeon Bay Public Waterfront, and individual citizens at a public hearing Sept. 6 in Sturgeon Bay.

The ruling on the placement of the OHWM will determine whether the city can sell two parcels of land on the west side waterfront between the Door County Maritime Museum and the Oregon Street Bridge for private development.