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Shoreland zoning primarily regulates development near lakes and rivers. This regulation is crucial for maintaining the ecological balance, protecting natural resources, and ensuring that development does not negatively impact water bodies. By controlling the type and extent of development in shoreland areas, it aims to preserve the integrity of shorelines, minimize erosion, and reduce the pollution of water resources. Moreover, these regulations often establish specific guidelines regarding setbacks from the water, building heights, and the types of structures permitted in these sensitive areas to enhance environmental protection and maintain public enjoyment of these natural resources.

Other options, while important, do not capture the primary focus of shoreland zoning. Water quality management is more about interventions and policies that aim to improve or maintain the cleanliness of water bodies rather than the physical development surrounding them. Wildlife protection is typically covered under different regulations designed to safeguard species and their habitats but does not specifically address the developmental aspects near water bodies. Public access to waterways is an important consideration but is generally a secondary goal of shoreland zoning, which mainly prioritizes managing the development itself to mitigate adverse environmental impacts.