On September 3, 2026, a Milwaukee County Judge voided the trespassing ticket issued to Paul Florsheim for walking on the beach north of Atwater Beach in Shorewood. Center for Water Policy Director, Professor, and Lynde B. Uihlein Endowed Chair Melissa Scanlan was interviewed by Wisconsin Public Radio for a “Wisconsin Today” piece about the nuances of coastal access, including the ordinary high-water mark, overlapping property rights, and how the Florsheim case is a test of the Public Trust Doctrine.
As public access disputes arise in coastal states along private-public boundaries, municipalities in Door County have invested millions to expand shoreline parks and beaches for the public to enjoy. These projects were funded by sources including local taxes and statewide grants, namely the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, which the legislature allowed to expire this year. The program’s reauthorization is being discussed at the state legislature.
While these projects have transformed parts of the County by drawing visitors and helping revitalize communities, it has also led to some concerns regarding rapid growth and rising costs in the area. Water Science and Policy Communication Fellow Will Matuska is investigating these impacts and the story of Door County shoreline investments for his master’s thesis. Stay tuned for updates on that in 2027!