Environmental corridors are continuous systems of open space in urban and urbanizing areas. These corridors include environmentally sensitive lands, natural resources requiring protection from disturbance and development, and lands needed for open space and recreational use.
Environmental corridors have been mapped for all urban and limited service areas in the county. Corridor delineation is based mainly on drainage ways and stream channels, floodplains, wetlands, steep slopes, and other natural features. CARPC staff works with local units of government to delineate the corridors, which are then used to decide where to locate urban development and major facilities.
As a planning tool, potential future environmental corridors have also been identified outside of existing urban service areas. The Protection Areas are those locations likely to be required in environmental corridors in the future, based on current requirements for drainage ways and stream channels, 1% annual chance floodplains, wetlands, steep slopes, and other resource features (parks, unique vegetation, etc.). The Stewardship Areas are those locations recommended for consideration as an enhancement to the required environmental corridors and include potentially restorable wetlands and the 0.2% annual chance floodplain. These future potential environmental corridors are useful for the comprehensive planning of future urban development and natural resource preservation. Environmental corridors are available to view and download on the Open Data Portal.
More information on environmental corridors:
- Policies and Criteria for Environmental Corridors
- Environmental Corridors Fact Sheet (updated for 2021)
- Environmental Corridors Report (1996)
Environmental Corridor Amendment Reviews
| CARPC Res # * | Service Area | Amendment Name | Applicant | Status of Amendment | Supporting Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management Letter | Central USA | City of Fitchburg #1901EC | City of Fitchburg | Approved by DNR DC-0201 | 1. Application 2. Staff Analysis |
| Management Letter | Central USA | City of Madison #1801EC | City of Madison | Approved by DNR DC-0186 | 1. Application 2. Staff Analysis |
| 2017-19 | Waunakee USA | Village of Waunakee | Village of Waunakee | Approved by DNR DC-0187 | 1. Application (revised 9/7/17) 2. Staff Analysis |
* Effective February 2018, management letters will be issued by CARPC instead of resolutions.
Please contact Melissa Breyer, Environmental Resources Planner, at 608-474-6020 or melissab@capitalarearpc.org for additional information.