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Brule River State Forest Begins Master Planning Process

BRULE Wis. - State officials have begun an effort to revise the master plan that will guide management decisions for the Brule River State Forest over the next 15 years, according to Dale Urso, lands leader for the Department of Natural Resources Northern Region.

"Master plans provide clear statements of the desired future condition of properties. The revised plan for the forest provides neighbors and visitors with a clear understanding of future management actions and a sound basis for long-term operations, maintenance, and capital improvements," Urso said.

The Brule River State Forest covers more than 40,000 acres of state managed land in eastern Douglas County. Established in 1907 to protect the famous Bois Brule River, the property serves more than 120,000 visitors annually.

The current master plan for the forest was completed in 1979. The DNR has determined that there is a need to revise the plan and potentially adjust the property's management because of what may be changing ecological, economic and social conditions. The department seeks to incorporate new information learned about the forest since the completion of the last plan, and consider the property in the larger landscape of the north, Urso said.

Department staff will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) document for the forest as required by state statute. A plan revision means that the management goals and objectives approved for the current master plan may change.

The DNR anticipates completing the master plan in about two years although the length of the process will be directly linked to the level of public interest, Urso said. The DNR is updating and expanding its mailing list to reaffirm that persons who have expressed an interest still want to be involved and include those who desire involvement in the process.

The next step will be to solicit comments and suggestions on a Draft Public Involvement Plan. Issues that have previously emerged will be reexamined and the public provided an opportunity to identify new issues that should be addressed in planning.

Urso said the department will publicize opportunities for public involvement throughout the process and encourage citizen participation as the plan develops. This will be done, he added, through mailings, news releases, public meetings, and new technology. Individuals with access to the internet will find more information on the planning process for the Brule River State Forest on the DNR web site at http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/master_planning/ later in January.

Individuals interested in participating in the Brule River State Forest master planning process, may contact the Department of Natural Resources, Brule River State Forest Headquarters, 6250 S. Ranger Rd Box 125, Brule, WI 54820, (715) 372-4866 and request that their names be added to the master plan mailing list.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Bishop (715) 635-4242