DNR to Hold Open Houses on Regional Master Plan

The public will have an opportunity at two upcoming open houses to learn more about the Department of Natural Resources’ regional master planning process for properties located in the Northern Lake Michigan Coastal Ecological Landscape. The region includes properties in Door, Oconto, Marinette and Shawano counties. A master plan, guided by Chapter NR 44, Wisconsin Administrative Code, establishes the level and type of resource management and public use permitted on department-managed properties. Under the regional planning process, department staff will develop a plan for all properties located within a defined region. The regions are based on 16 previously defined ecological landscapes in Wisconsin. The Natural Resources Board approved the regional planning process at the June 2017 board meeting. Two public meetings will be held in November for the public to learn more about the planning process and to submit comments on the properties’ future management and use. The first meeting will be held at Stone Harbor Resort and Conference Center, 107 N. First Ave., Sturgeon Bay on Nov. 14, and the second is the next day at the Crivitz Community Center. Both meetings run from 5 to 7 pm. In addition to the meetings, people may submit comments to the DNR by mail or email or through a questionnaire that will be available Nov. 14 to fill out online through the Northern Lake Michigan Coastal region planning page of the DNR website. The public comment period for the first phase of planning is open through Nov. 28, 2017.