Parks and Trails
Wildlife, Fishery, and Natural Resource Areas
Completed Master Plans
Property Master Planning
Each DNR property has a "master plan" that establishes goals and objectives for the property and identifies how it will be managed and developed. These plans are designed to clearly communicate to the public how the property will look and what benefits it will provide.
The process used to develop each plan focuses discussion about the property and alternative ways it can be managed, generating the dialogue necessary to make thoughtful decisions. For the planning process to be effective, people who are affected by, or interested in, the future of particular properties must get involved.
The master plans listed in the left sidebar are plans in progress.
Planning Process
Chapter NR 44 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code establishes the process for master planning.
- The first steps are to identify issues to be addressed during planning and outline how the public will be involved in the planning process for an individual property.
- Next, goals and objectives for the property are defined.
- With public input, the department then develops and evaluates alternative management scenarios.
- Through discussion and evaluation, a preferred alternative emerges.
- This alternative is crafted into the draft master plan and the department prepares an environmental analysis (Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement).
- Both documents go to the Natural Resources Board for review and approval.
Planning is also guided by the following
Wisconsin State Statutes [exit DNR]:
- s.28.04 Wis. Stats [exit DNR]
defines the purpose of the state forests. - s.23.27 Wis. Stats [exit DNR]
defines the purpose of natural areas. - s.27.01 Wis. Stats [exit DNR]
defines the purpose of state parks. - s.23.091 Wis. Stats [exit DNR]
designates recreation areas.
We Want Your Input
We welcome and encourage your participation throughout the master planning processes for DNR properties. If you have specific questions about an individual master plan, please refer to the planning pages for that property for contact information.
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