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Open House Examines Preferred Alternative For State's Largest Forest |
| 4/21/03 |
WOODRUFF, Wis. -- The public will have an opportunity to comment on the "preferred alternative" for managing Wisconsin’s largest state forest at an open house on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 at the Community Center in Boulder Junction from 2 to 8 p.m. People who are unable to attend can submit comments on the proposal in writing by May 16.
State officials are currently revising the master plan the 225,000-acre Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest in parts of Vilas, Oneida and Iron counties. Master plans guide land management, recreation, wild resources, and boundary expansion on state properties.
During the meeting the public can comment and provide any additional information to Department of Natural Resources staff about natural resource management described in the Preferred Alternative and proposed NHAL boundary expansion. This alternative has been developed through a public participation process that involved a broad range of public and private interests in establishing visions and goals for the forest and reviewing a wide range of possible management alternatives. The next step in the master plan process, Leith said, is to develop a draft plan. Master plan development is based on the designation of the property, public input and the best available information about the property's resources and capabilities.
Individuals unable to attend the open house or having questions and comments regarding the meeting, the master plan process and the Preferred Alternative may write or contact Dennis Leith, NHAL Forest Superintendent, 8770 Hwy. J, Woodruff, WI 54568 Email: dennis.leith@dnr.state.wi.us
The deadline for public comments on the Preferred Alternative is May 16, 2003. The Preferred Alternative is being made available to the public in mid April. People not on the regular master plan mailing list may order a copy of the document by calling 715/365-8993, email: robert.dall@dnr.state.wi.us or view it on the DNR Web site.
The Boulder Junction Community Center is at 5386 Park Street immediately south of the town on the eastside of Highway M.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis Leith, (715) 358-9225.