Public comment period underway
The public has an opportunity to provide input and share ideas on the future use and management of state-managed properties in the Central Sand Hills region.
The state Department of Natural Resources is initiating a planning project to develop a master plan that covers the 67 DNR-managed properties in the region, totaling just over 90,000 acres. The region includes portions of Waupaca, Waushara, Portage, Columbia, Green Lake, Dane, Sauk and Adams counties and all of Marquette County.
Properties included in plan Hartman Creek and Devil’s Lake state parks; Pine River System, Mecan River and White River fishery areas; Grand River Marsh, White River Marsh, Germania and Lawrence Creek wildlife areas; and Parfrey’s Glen, Observatory Hill and Gibraltar Rock natural areas.
Several of the properties have existing master plans that meet current requirements, while others don’t have plans or have outdated ones that do not meet current standards.
DNR seeks public input
As a first step in the planning process, the DNR is seeking comments on the public’s use of the properties; perspectives on current and future habitat and recreation management; and suggestions for issues to evaluate in the planning process.
Given the COVID-19 public health emergency, the DNR will not host public meetings during this initial comment period. Rather, a set of documents and a slide show have been posted on the DNR website – dnr.wi.gov – that provide background information about the properties included in the planning process, as well as general information about the region.
There is also an online comment form on the webpage.
Public input period extended
The public input period has been extended from 30 days to 45 days to ensure the public has ample time to review the information and submit comments. The comment period began April 28 and will continue until Friday, June 12.
Anyone wishing to provide input into the planning process is asked to email whenever possible to communicate with DNR staff and submit their comments related to the master plan using the online input form whenever possible rather than sending comments by mail.
The DNR will use the input gathered in this initial phase to develop draft habitat and recreation goals and objectives for each property and a set of management actions to reach the objectives. These will be combined into a draft master plan that the public will be able to review and comment on in the fall.
The result will be a new master plan that covers all of the properties within the region. Master plans establish the level and type of resource management and public use permitted on department-managed properties.
A list of all properties and more information can be found on the Central Sand Hills Master Plan website, dnr.wi.gov/topic/lands/propertyplanning/CentralSandHills/.
“While we regret not being able to host public meetings to kick off this planning project, we encourage everyone to visit our website and share their perspectives on future use and management of DNR properties in the Central Sand Hills and to learn about the department’s property master planning process,” said John Pohlman, the project’s lead planner.
In addition to the opportunities to offer input online, people may contact Pohlman at [email protected]; 608-264-6263; or John Pohlman, Wisconsin DNR, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921.