This week, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the University of Wisconsin-Extension, is releasing an 84-page "how-to" manual titled Planning for Natural Resources: A Guide to Including Natural Resources in Local Comprehensive Planning.

"Wisconsin residents who participate in developing local Smart Growth plans  have the potential to protect many resources beyond the protection given by state regulations," said Shannon Fenner, a DNR land use specialist.  "The impacts of comprehensive planning for natural resources could extend far into the future.  This isn't something we do for ourselves or our children, but for our grandchildren and their grandchildren, and so on."

Additionally, the Department of Natural Resources has created a new Internet web site devoted to land use issues and comprehensive planning.  The site will not only provide a direct link to the department's own guide to including natural resources in local land use planning, but links to guides and articles written and produced by other state agencies and organizations on the same topic.

The entire DNR comprehensive planning guide is available to read or download from the DNR Web site.  Click here to go to the site: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/es/science/landuse/

 Paper copies are also available at county UW-Extension offices or by calling Martin Griffin at (608) 266-0842 or by email at griffmp@dnr.state.wi.us

As part of legislation passed by the state legislature in 1999, virtually every community in Wisconsin is required to prepare or be part of a comprehensive land use plan.  This is commonly referred to as Smart Growth and all Wisconsin communities must have a comprehensive plan in place by 2010.

Each Smart Growth plan is required to include a compilation of objectives, policies, goals, maps and programs to address the conservation, promotion and effective management of the community's natural resources.

According to the legislation, each community's plan must specifically address several key elements, including transportation, housing, agriculture, and natural resources.  The natural resources guide - produced voluntarily, as were guides from other state agencies - is meant to provide useful insights to a broad group of users including local government officials, land use planning consultants, and private citizens interested in preserving wild areas and the natural resources of the state.

"Natural resources are integral to every element of comprehensive planning," said Fenner. "Natural resources should be identified early in the planning process so that communities have choices about their protection as they proceed through all the other elements.  By getting involved in making local land use decisions, private citizens and government officials have the unique opportunity to move from mitigating environmental problems after land use decisions have been made, to helping prevent problems from arising in the first place."

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Fenner, DNR Land Use Specialist - (608) 267-2770 or Brian Ohm, UW Extension Land Use Specialist - (608) 262-2098.