Glacial Heritage Area (GHA)
Background

Between Wisconsin's two largest (and rapidly growing) metropolitan areas lies a place that epitomizes the image that many residents and visitors have of Wisconsin's rural countryside. Rolling hills formed by the glaciers are dotted with red barns and grazing cows. Green farm fields mix with wetlands, woodlands, lakes and meandering rivers. And small cities and villages balance character and charm with changing economic times. This area, centered primarily in western Jefferson County and also including parts of Dane, Dodge and Rock counties, is the home of the proposed Glacial Heritage Area.

Given the area's easy access to Milwaukee/Waukesha and Madison, growth and its associated change are occurring quickly here. Over the past decade, as population growth has consistently exceeded even the highest projections, local and county governments have responded. Many have developed forward—thinking programs and policies to help ensure economic vitality, balance growth with the protection of farmland and open space, and provide for natural resource—focused parks and preserves. This proposed project will use these existing plans as the foundation of the Glacial Heritage Area.

Although lying between these large and growing cities presents challenges, it also presents opportunities that few other areas enjoy. In particular, the location combined with the natural resources make the area uniquely situated to take advantage of the rapidly growing demand for nature—based, outdoor recreation in rural settings. Our state's population is increasingly urban and suburban and is looking for readily accessible places to hike, bike, fish, watch wildlife, camp, hunt, ride horses, cross country ski, and other outdoor activities.

State Wildlife Areas

Of particular note are the eleven State Wildlife Areas within the project area. In total, they comprise nearly 30,000 acres. These areas —many of which were originally established in the 1950s and 1960s, and others significantly expanded in the last couple of years— provide important public hunting opportunities. And, for the most part, these properties are bordered by farms that help improve both their conservation and recreation value.

These Wildlife Areas are primarily low, wet areas that, at the encouragement of the federal government, were tiled and ditched to enable farming back in the 1930s and 1940s. Over time, changes in federal farm policy and the difficulties associated with farming such wet ground led many landowners to take these areas out of agricultural production. Large portions were subsequently purchased by the DNR and conservation groups and restored to a variety of wetland habitat types. Today they support a wide range of game and non—game species. First and foremost, the properties are intended to provide wildlife habitat and wildlife—based recreation in an undeveloped, unimproved setting.

Given the important wildlife habitat and wildlife—based recreation provided on these Wildlife Areas, in addition to their overwhelming amount of wetlands, it will not be appropriate to attempt to provide a diversity of recreation opportunities throughout these properties. Although there may be a few opportunities to site trails, wildlife viewing platforms, or other facilities in the Wildlife Areas, it will likely be more practical to locate trails and other recreation facilities near these properties (to take advantage of their scenic views and open space), but not within them.

As part of the planning for the Glacial Heritage Area, the DNR will also be revising and updating the management plans for the following State Wildlife Areas:

• Deansville
• Goose Lake
• Jefferson Marsh
• Koshkonong
• Lake Mills
• Lima Marsh
• Mud Lake (Dodge County)
• Princes Point
• Rome Pond
• Storrs Lake
• Waterloo

Why here?

One of the highest priorities the Department heard from the public throughout the development of the Land Legacy Report was to protect places near where people live — not because they were necessarily the highest quality habitats, but rather to provide readily accessible opportunities for residents to connect with the outdoors. The public is increasingly seeking out places to hike, bike, watch wildlife, camp, hunt, fish, ride horses, study nature, participate in environmental education, and other activities. Places that are located close enough to one's residence to be able to get to after work or on a day trip. The GHA is in close proximity to a large portion of the state's population and as a result could help address this significantly increasing demand.

How will the process unfold?

The DNR is beginning a "two—pronged" planning process. One part will evaluate the practicality of protecting new areas and connecting corridors — this part is called a "feasibility study." The other part of the process will be to update the management plans (called "master plans") for eleven State Wildlife Areas in the study area. Although the unique attributes of each property will be recognized during the master planning process, because these 11 properties share many similarities in their management and recreational use patterns, the DNR will be updating the master plans as a collection.

Both the feasibility study and master plan will require similar background information on which to evaluate future options and opportunities. As such, their development will move mostly in tandem, although at times one part may get slightly ahead of the other.

Will this be a DNR effort and project or will it be a joint effort that engages many groups?

Actually, both. On one hand, the Department needs approval from the Natural Resources Board and the Governor before it can initiate any new land protection project or implement an updated property master plan. As a result, the Department is ultimately responsible for completing both the feasibility study and master plan so that state requirements are met. Thus, the final documents that are prepared will specifically address the potential future role that the state will play in this project.

On the other hand, the Department will look to residents and organizations to provide input throughout the planning process. The Department will incorporate a wide array of perspectives and interests throughout the planning process. Local residents and their government officials have already invested considerable effort in developing long—range plans that describe collective visions (and strategies to accomplish these visions) for park, open space, and farmland protection. The Department intends to incorporate the findings of these plans as the foundation from which to "build" the feasibility study and master plan.

Similarly, the Department anticipates that, if the project is approved, the creation and implementation of the Glacial Heritage Area will be jointly undertaken by the State, counties, communities, and non—profit groups. As such, the final documents may also describe actions that may be more appropriately undertaken by other governments or organizations. It will not, however, dictate or prescribe actions for others.