Fourteen people attended the meeting. They came from eight different counties, were members of a variety of groups, and included 3 current and 1 former county board member. The WSN slide show was given, describing the network and the three issue priorities of the alliance. A notebook computer was connected to the Internet so that individuals not familiar with the WSN web page could get a sense for what it offers. And a pitch was made for volunteers for the County Steward program of the WSN.
Following lunch, individuals discussed local matters of importance to their specific region or community. Mining and loss of the political independence of the DNR and the Public Intervenor's Office were clear concerns, but a wide assortment of land use problems surfaced as a major topic from every county that people represented. Clearly, those at the meeting were worried that the character of northwestern Wisconsin is disappearing under a tidal wave of development that is sucking up every available acre near lakes and rivers.
The development is also destroying habitat for an assortment of species, both aquatic and land animals. Especially noted was the huge loss of habitat for the Sharp Tailed Grouse. Variances are frequently given in the counties that facilitates shoreline development. Other issues mentioned at the meeting include: