Milwaukee Transit Center Determination
CONTACT: Eric Nitschke, regional director (414) 263-8570
MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has determined the parcel of land on which the Milwaukee Transit Center is located does not fall under Public Trust Doctrine.
At the request of the Milwaukee-based Preserve our Parks organization, DNR reviewed the parcel of land to determine if the site is subject to the Public Trust Doctrine. At issue was whether the land was at one time part of the Lake Michigan lakebed and would therefore fall under Public Trust Doctrine which requires the state to intervene to protect public rights in the use of Wisconsin’s lakes and rivers.
The September 12, 2012 survey information presented by Preserve our Parks all predate statehood of Wisconsin in 1848 and do not definitely establish the exact location of the shore of Lake Michigan in the vicinity of the Milwaukee Transit Center site.
“The department has extensively reviewed the history of this piece of land,” explained Regional Director Eric Nitschke. “DNR staff consulted historical maps and data, as well as information provided by the Preserve Our Parks organization and Milwaukee County. After completing our review, the department concluded that the parcel will not be subject to the Public Trust Doctrine.”