The North Shore Management Plan and Updates

2026 NSMP Update is now available for public comment. See the plan below and submit your public comments by April 8, 2026.

The 1988 North Shore Management Plan, A Shoreland Management Plan for Lake Superior’s North Shore, specifies the minimum standards and criteria for the subdivision, use, and development of the shoreland of Lake Superior, other than for the city of Duluth. North Shore Management Board adopted the Plan the on November 29, 1988. The Plan and the Board direct, with strategies, environmental protection and orderly growth along the North Shore of Lake Superior.

The three main purposes to the NSMP 2004 Update

  1. Create a template for future operations for the North Shore Management Board that is sustainable and provides a benefit to local units of government.
  2. Review and update as needed the shoreland management standards in the plan.
  3. Provide land use goals, objectives, and action steps. These action steps can provide a future framework for NSMB activities.

The main purpose to the NSMP 2016 Update

  1. Update addressed definitions including information gathered from citizen input.
  2. Include current events and activities such as One Watershed One Plan, Great Lakes Compact, and Climate Change.
  3. An improved accessible online format of the Plan including maps and vegetation, storm water, and erosion files.

The main purpose to the NSMP 2026 Update

  1. Review and update goals & policy recommendations for shore land administration
  2. Update definitions and terminology throughout NSMP document.
  3. Clarify membership to NSMB, update appendix materials (maps, public input received to date, etc.)

Do you have comments about the 2026 Draft NSMP? Submit your comments here.