The forested shore of White Sand Lake in Vilas County, Wis. is shown on June 27, 2022. In a 2021 survey, two local residents concluded that the Department of Natural Resources followed its water quality standards for timber sales near the lake — leaving an appropriately sized buffer of trees around the shore to protect water quality and wildlife habitats. But the residents accused the DNR of violating standards along nine of 15 surveyed lakes. The agency denies the accusation. Jim Malewitz / Wisconsin Watch