The Sconi

A Wisconsin state senator who according to his biography is known to emphasize balancing environmental protection with business needs has reminded the public of his support of a Wisconsin act that retains the rights of riparian owners to build piers. 

State Sen. Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) supported Senate Bill 46 (now Wisconsin Act 47) that Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed on June 18, WisPolitics.com said. 

“(Wisconsin Act 47) creates a presumption that an owner of land that abuts a navigable waterway is a riparian owner, and is entitled to the rights of a riparian owner, even if a different party owns the bed of the waterway,” WisPolitics.com said. 

A riparian owner owns land abutting a lake or stream, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ website said.

Wisconsin Act 47 overruled a former Supreme Court ruling that revoked the right of some waterfront property owners to build piers. Piers can be built again, WXPR.org reported. 

“Lifelong memories for many Wisconsinites and visitors are made on our lakes,” Cowles tweeted on Aug. 15 on Twitter. “For some property owners and renters, the opportunities for future memories may have been impeded after the Supreme Court ruled property owners abutting impoundments don’t have a right to place a dock. Thanks to the work of @SenRobStafsholt, @SenatorTestin and @RepRobBrooks, these rights to place a dock have been restored through 2021 Wisconsin Act 47. I’m glad to have supported this effort.”

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ website has information about piers.

“Piers are a popular focus for boating and waterfront recreation. What pier owners need to know is that they can continue to place their existing piers on the water, the same as they've been doing for years,” the website said.