March 1, 2007
Resident survey proves value of lake
By: Lisa Seiser

Fontana -- The Geneva Lake Conservancy has been waiting for months for results from a survey taken late last fall of property owners in the Geneva Lake watershed.

The responses and summary weren't too surprising to Geneva Lake Conservancy Executive Director Jim Celano or Conservancy Board Chairman Chuck Ebeling.

"The general attitude was toward the importance of the lake and the watershed," Celano said. "People showed they do recognize the sensitivity of the lake and that they want the local governments to work together. They also want the local governments to be careful of what types of developments they approve."

The Fiscal and Economic Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater was commissioned by the conservancy to conduct the survey and put the information together. The final document is expected to be completed soon, but the conservancy has received a preliminary summary and has seen the draft report.

According to a statement from UW-Whitewater, about 90 percent of homeowners who responded believe that a large development in the 29 square mile Geneva Lake watershed is not needed nor should be encouraged. The watershed area includes the communities of Lake Geneva, Linn Township, Williams Bay and Fontana.

Results also showed that 70 percent of residents believe the watershed should be protected, even if it means limiting future development in the region.

"We were pleased that the general attitudes of the landowners were consistent with our conservation attitudes and the programs we have," Ebeling said. "People are even more outspoken than we thought they would be."

Celano called the survey results "a wake-up call" for local governments.

"Our ultimate goal is to use this as a wake-up call," he said. "This is proof that this is the attitude and it is reaffirmation of what is happening in the watershed. The attitude about cooperation -- let's focus on the importance and impact of this gem we have (Geneva Lake), so let's protect it."

The results also include the economic impact of the lake on the surrounding communities.

Ebeling said the impact is immense.

"We were bowled over by the economic impact this lake itself has and the economic value," he said. "It brings hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity that would not be here if not for the lake."

Russ Kashian, as associate professor of economics at UW-Whitewater, who helped conduct the survey and compile the results and report, said the research shows that households play a vital role in the regional economy.

"Residents are strongly concerned that any potential for a reduction in water quality of Geneva Lake will have a significant impact on them," he stated in a press release.

According to the UW-Whitewater information, property owners in the watershed also expressed a desire for a common vision for the development, zoning and other decisions affecting the character of the area. Nearly have of those surveyed strongly believe that a formal lake management district should serve the interests of the greater community.

"We found that nearly 45 percent strongly believe that conservation development is preferable over traditional larger plat residential development," Kashian said.

Celano and Ebeling hope government officials and leaders take a close look at the results.

"We think the results will be very interesting to community leaders," Ebeling said. "Clearly, people hold the lake, itself, in great importance."

Celano and Ebeling said the lake and the surrounding area is one thing that binds all the local communities together.

"The watershed is the common piece, with the lake as the center of that," Ebeling said. "This creates a geographical community, rather than political communities."

Most of all, Celano suggested that residents want to preserve the character of the area, which the key is the lake.

"We believe that many, if not most, local citizens want to preserve the smalltown and rural Wisconsin flavor of our communities while accommodating growth when, where and how it will best serve their needs," Celano said. "Master planning and individual development decisions should put the character of the community and conservation of its natural resources first, not last."

The survey, which was sent out late last year to about 1,600 randomly selected property owners, asked people about their views on the lake, its effect on the area and about residential development.