Brule River State Forest Master Plan Progress Report 5

• Introducing Phase 3
• An Overview of Phase 3
• Completed Northern State Forest Assessments
• Next Public Meeting

In phase 3 of master planning, we will develop and evaluate a range of management alternatives for the Brule River State Forest. It is likely to be the most exciting and most challenging part of master planning. During this phase, we will be pulling together information about all the various aspects of the property and crafting alternatives based on that information. We will be continuing to work collaboratively with the public and other governmental bodies to develop a range of management alternatives, which are within the scope of the vision statement and property goals.

DNR scientists will share the results of their research and analysis, which they have performed in preparation for the BRSF master planning. We will combine this environmental science with the information developed in our public workshops and mailings.

The vision statement and property goals will serve as our master planning "guide posts" in this and following phases. Phase 3 will consider the wants, needs, opinions, and values of the people who care about the BRSF. It will also examine the relationship between those human elements and the ecological capability of the land and other natural aspects of the forest.

Together we will draft a range of alternatives for the property and then evaluate those alternatives. The evaluation could lead to modifying, combining, or even drafting new alternatives. Finally, we will select a preferred alternative. You will have the opportunity to play an active role in all these steps.

A management alternative is, essentially, a map and description of the property, which indicate specific areas of the property and describes how each of those areas should be managed and used. These specific areas are called "management classification areas". Each alternative will propose a different lay out and combination of management classification areas.

We believe better alternatives will come out of this process. The DNR has a great deal of information about the property and the region. However, this is your property. Many of you have important information, perspectives, and ideas to share. Only through community conversations and work can we fully explore options and avoid the polarization that can keep new solutions from arising, solutions that might balance needs and goals.

The alternative development phase will be accomplished in a series of steps including:

• Preparatory Stage
• Issue Forums
• Designing the Alternatives Workshops
• Evaluating the Alternatives
• Selecting a Preferred Alternative

Between each of these steps, we will summarize the results of these forums in a Progress Report with an attached response form, thereby allowing those people who were not able to attend the forums to provide their comments to the master planning team.

We are already in the first step, which we call the Preparatory Stage. This step consists of gathering and preparing informational materials and getting feedback on our process design. The department has been gathering a range of regional and property-specific information, in the form of northern state forest assessments. Started in the fall of 1996, these assessments cover a range of subjects including ecological, economic, and recreation-based information. The assessments are currently being completed. DNR staff is working to compile and format the information so it can be used in our planning over the upcoming months.

During this preparatory stage we have also been scheduling and preparing for the Informational Issue Forums, where we will share information and lay the foundation for developing the management alternatives.

The forums are community conversations among the various interested parties, including the DNR. They will consist of day long sessions held on Saturdays. The purpose of these forums is to allow an exchange of information on key topics that will be addressed in the development of the alternatives.

Each meeting will focus on a particular topic or combination of topics related to the management of the Brule River State Forest. DNR scientists will present a summary of their research and analysis on that topic. Meeting participants will discuss the topic sharing their ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Participants will then focus on the various forest management choices and the impacts of each of those choices. This informational exchange will become the basis for drafting a range of alternatives and finally selecting a preferred alternative, at later date.

• Forest Ecology and Management
• Hydrology and Fisheries
• Forestry Methods and Economics
• Recreational Use and Access

1. A body of information, from multiple perspectives, about these topics that will be shared with all our planning partners.
2. A clearer definition of the ranges and sideboards related to the topic and an understanding of any special niche the Brule River State Forest may have and what the options are.
3. A list and brief description of the options, for the given topic, to be incorporated into management alternatives for the property in the next steps of this phase.

After the issue forums, we will begin to design the alternatives. The products of the forums will be combined to create the foundation for the design of a range of alternatives.

Using the information and maps generated in the issue forums; participants will further define, map, and add details to alternative management scenarios for the property. A mix of public participants representing a variety of interests and a DNR staff person will flesh out each alternative. The diversity of opinions will contribute to the quality of the product.

Once the details are added to the alternatives, DNR staff and the public will be asked to review and evaluate them. The vision and goals for the properties will help form a basis for evaluation criteria.

Based upon the various evaluations, we will begin to modify alternatives and, possibly, combine elements of several. The relationships that will have developed will help participants understand varying needs and interests.

• Biodiversity
• Regional Ecology
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Environmental Education and Awareness

Also available is the Biotic Inventory and Analysis of the Brule River State Forest.

If you wish to receive executive summaries or ordering information for the full reports, please call (715)365-8987.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources invites you to attend a Forest Ecology and Management Issue Forum for the Brule River State Forest.

At this meeting, we will specifically examine and discuss ecology and forestry related topics. This discussion, along with our previous master planning work will become the basis for the development of master planning alternatives for the Brule River State Forest. We will be sharing information in order to come to a common understanding of ecological and forest management issues. We will identify the ecological and forest management opportunities and limitations, and review the sideboards for planning. Our discussion will review the draft vision and goals and explore possible ways to reach those goals. Together, we will begin to develop a range of ecological and forest management alternatives for the Brule Forest. The information presented and the ideas developed in this and the following workshop will contribute to the foundation upon which management alternatives will be drawn.

This should be an enjoyable day of learning and discussion about the ecology and forest management of Brule River State Forest. We hope you can join us for this important day of sharing and planning!

In order to plan and make meeting room arrangements, it would be helpful to know how many people anticipate attending this meeting. If you plan to attend, please return the RSVP or phone at 715-365-8987. Thank you.

If you are unable to attend, you will have an opportunity to review and comment on the results of the meeting via progress reports and web updates.

RSVP to:
Wisconsin DNR
Attn: Master Planning - Brule River State Forest
107 Sutliff Avenue Rhinelander, WI 54501
Or call 715/365-8987

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