Upper Chippewa Basin/GMU IEM Projects

• Lake and Shoreland Protection and Restoration [Riparian and Lakeshore Stewardship and Education]
• Northern Shoreland Zoning Initiative
• Northern Highland-American Legion (NHAL) State Forest Master Plan

TITLE:Lake and Shoreland Protection and Restoration [Riparian and Lakeshore Stewardship and Education]

LOCATION: St. Croix, Upper Wisconsin, and Upper Chippewa Basins, Northern Region, Upper Green Bay Basin, Northeast Region.

CONTACT: John Gozdzialski, St. Croix Water GMU Leader, (715) 635-4055, Tom Bashaw, Upper Wisconsin Water GMU Leader, (715) 365-8973, Bruce Swanson, Upper Chippewa Water GMU Leader, (715) 779-4035-11, Doug Rossberg, and Upper Green Bay Water GMU Leader, (715) 582-5022

DESCRIPTION: Several projects in Northern and Northeast Wisconsin will be directed at protecting and restoring lakes and shorelands by educating riparian owners about the values of shoreline and near shore habitat protection and how this level of protection can be practically and effectively achieved. There is widespread public support, confirmed during the DNR-sponsored Northern Initiative process, for improving lake and shoreline protection through voluntary conservation and education. These projects support and implement the work of two Northern Initiative task teams; "Northern Lakes and Shorelands," and "Northern Education and Communication." Critical audiences include: riparian property owners, local government officials, business owners, and school groups. The projects should lead to increased understanding and involvement, and stronger relationships, among public interest groups, the regulated public, local officials, and water resource user groups by identifying common goals, sharing information, and developing cooperative strategies.

OBJECTIVES: The goal is to increase lakes and shoreland protection and strengthen partnerships by reaching priority audiences with messages about riparian zone management and protection. The projects will include two large scale or regional forums, local workshops, production of educational/informational tools [including a Shoreland Best Management Practices manual/video], and two demonstration projects of restored developed shoreline. The projects should reduce adversarial situations faced by regulatory agencies in implementing water regulations and zoning ordinances in the state.

PROJECT PARTNERS: University of Wisconsin, lake associations and districts, Minnesota Extension Service, Minnesota Sea Grant Extension, Burnett County Land and Water Conservation Department, and County Zoning and Regional Planning officials.

PARTNER CONTRIBUTIONS: 280 hours and $23,400 identified. These projects must be coordinated with the Lake Protection and Restoration project sponsored by the Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection]

TITLE:Northern Shoreland Zoning Initiative

LOCATION: St. Croix, Upper Wisconsin, and Upper Chippewa Basins, Northern Region

CONTACT: John Gozdzialski, St. Croix Water GMU Leader, (715) 635-4055, Tom Bashaw, Upper Wisconsin Water GMU Leader, (715) 365-8973, and Bruce Swanson, Upper Chippewa Water GMU Leader, (715) 779-4035-11

DESCRIPTION: Many counties in Northern Wisconsin are performing major reviews and revisions of their zoning ordinances, county-wide land use planning efforts, or are enacting lakes classification systems due to unprecedented development pressures. There is wide public support, confirmed during the DNR-sponsored Northern Initiative process, for improving lakes and shoreline area protection through local land use controls and reevaluation of county shoreland zoning ordinances. Projects in these three GMUs will support these efforts to increase lakes and shorelands protection. This is an unique opportunity since many county zoning ordinances are only revised every 10-20 years.

OBJECTIVES: The goal is to increase protection of lakes and shorelands, and strengthen partnerships, by providing technical assistance to local zoning departments, regional planning staff, or waterway interest groups, on the development or enhancement, and administration of shoreland and wetland zoning ordinances, or lake classification systems. The projects are expected to increase understanding and involvement, and strengthen relationships among public interest groups, the regulated public, local officials, and water resource user groups, through identifying common goals, sharing information, and developing cooperative strategies.

PROJECT PARTNERS: Initially, county zoning staff, and regional planning staff. Many individuals and groups listed above will be involved throughout the projects.

TITLE:Northern Highland-American Legion (NHAL) State Forest Master Plan

LOCATION: Oneida, Iron and Vilas Counties, Northern Region

CONTACT: Lyle Hannahs, Northern Region Planner, (715) 365-8946, Arlyn Loomans, Upper Chippewa Land GMU Leader, (715) 365-8922, and Dennis Leith, NHAL Forest Manager, (715) 358-9225

DESCRIPTION: This project involves revising the Master Plan for the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest (NHAL). The NHAL is Wisconsin's largest state forest encompassing 220,000 acres in Vilas, Oneida and Iron Counties. The current Master Plan was prepared in 1982 and the DNR has determined a need to revise the Master Plan and potentially to adjust the management of the property due to what may be changing ecological, economic and social conditions since that then. The DNR will incorporate information learned about the NHAL since 1982 and consider the forest in the context of the larger landscape. A plan revision means the management goal and objectives for the current Master Plan may change.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of the Master Plan will be to guide forest management decisions for the next 15 years. It will also provide special interest groups, neighbors, and visitors with a clear understanding of future management actions. In addition, it will build relationships with local, regional and statewide organizations, forest users, individuals with an interest, and neighbors. It is an educational opportunity.

PROJECT PARTNERS: A detailed public involvement plan has been prepared for public review. The DNR is starting with a mailing list of 500 which will be expanded. Some groups involved include representatives of the forest industry, environmental groups, recreation user groups, fish and game groups, neighbors, town and county governments and Native American tribes.

PARTNER CONTRIBUTIONS: Hundreds of hours involving written comments and attending public meetings during the 4-5 year planning period.