Citizen Input Sessions to Define Access to Stewardship Lands

A new stewardship access rule is the subject of public input sessions scheduled for early April. Hosted by the Natural Resources Board Stewardship subcommittee and the Department of Natural Resources, the meeting that addresses the Door County region will begin at 6 pm on April 8, 2008 and will be held at the Northeast Region Headquarters, Lake Michigan Community Conference Room, 2984 Shawano Ave, Green Bay.

The passage of the state budget last fall included the reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund, and the stewardship reauthorization includes a provision requiring that lands purchased with stewardship funds be open to five nature-based outdoor activities: hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, cross-country skiing, and any other nature-based outdoor activity as designated by rule by the DNR. The legislature provided for limited exceptions if the Natural Resources Board determines it is necessary to prohibit one or more of the activities to protect public safety, to protect a unique animal or plant community, or to accommodate other usership patterns.

The department will work with the public and a citizen advisory group to help identify criteria to determine under what circumstances these five primary nature-based outdoor activities may be restricted or prohibited, and to define “usership” patterns.

After the public meetings, the Natural Resources Board and the DNR will assemble a citizens group to advise the department on developing the proposed rules. The advisory group will include representatives of various recreational constituencies, local units of government and land trusts. All public comments received will be presented to the advisory council.

Information on the new stewardship access rule and related materials, as well as an on-line public comment form, will be available on the DNR Web site at http://www.dnr.wi.gov.

In addition to input taken at the meetings and through the Web site, written comments can be mailed to Laurie Ross, Natural Resources Board Liaison, PO Box 7921, Madison WI 53707-7921. Comments may be emailed to [email protected]. The deadline for all written comments is Friday, April 18, 2008.

For more information contact Steve Miller, Bureau Director Facilities & Lands, 608.266.5782.