Glacial Heritage Area (GHA)
Public Involvement Plan

To develop an effective feasibility study and master plan for the Glacial Heritage Area (GHA), the Department will listen to many voices and gather input in several ways. Concerned individuals, landowners, conservation groups, recreation users, commercial interests, elected officials, government agencies, and others are all encouraged to participate. The Department will strive to understand public hopes, ideas, and concerns throughout the planning process. The Department's goal is to keep the public informed, listen to and recognize public input, seek ideas in formulating solutions, and explain how key decisions are made. Here's how we will do this:

1. Hold public "open house" meetings at critical points in the planning process. Public meetings will be informally structured and held in the vicinity of the proposed project. These meetings will provide individuals an opportunity to speak one-on-one with DNR representatives about the project, as well as to submit comments or suggestions for use in the planning process.
   
   Public meetings and their "themes" are planned to occur at the following stages of the planning process:
   1. "Ensure we're on the right path"
      • Provide input on the proposed visions, goals, and objectives and the study area boundary.
      • Provide input on the proposed public involvement plan.
      • Identify issues that the DNR should address in the Feasibility Study, Master Plan, and Environmental Impact Statement.
      • Identify specific recreation and conservation needs to address in the GHA.
   2. "Examine the options"
      • React to options proposed to meet conservation and recreation goals.
      • Input on missing options and preferences.
      • Input on protection strategies that would be most effective and appropriate.
   3. "Review the draft documents and maps"
      • Provide input on the draft versions of the Feasibility Study, Master Plan, and Environmental Impact Statement.
      • Provide formal input on the Environmental Impact Statement through the public hearing process.
2. Maintain a web site and mailing list. DNR staff will maintain a web site (http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/facilities/glacial/index.html) where information, documents, meeting notices, and other items will be posted. In addition, the Department will create and use a mailing list (email and postal) of individuals who wish to be kept in touch with the planning process and potential implementation of the GHA.
3. Issue press releases. At key stages of the planning process, press releases will be issued to area newspapers, radio stations, and other media outlets to announce public meetings, provide information updates, and to solicit public input.
4. Seek input from local organizations and governments. In addition to soliciting input from the general public, the Department has assembled an External Advisory Team comprised of various local and state organizations and government representatives. This group will provide guidance and counsel throughout the planning process.

How input will affect DNR decisions

The Department anticipates hearing many different perspectives and ideas during the development of the Feasibility Study, Master Plan, and Environmental Impact Statement. It is possible that some ideas, needs, and wants may differ or conflict with others. Given the complexity and scope of the proposed project, the emergence of differing viewpoints is to be expected.

The Department will utilize public input in its decision-making throughout the planning process. In addition to public comments, ideas, and suggestions that are received, the Department will also need to integrate the following into its decision-making process:

• the capability of sites to accommodate different conservation and recreation goals,
• how the proposed project fits into a broader context (i.e., regional and statewide conservation and recreation needs),
• applicable Federal Laws, State Statutes, Administrative Codes, and Department Manual Codes,
• the missions of the Wildlife Management, Parks & Recreation, and Endangered Resources programs and the professional expertise of DNR resource and property managers, and
• the needs of generations to follow.

It is the job of the DNR planning team to create a draft plan that balances all the above factors. DNR staff will carefully weigh the input received to ensure that all perspectives are considered and that the collective needs of citizens, not necessarily just the loudest or most persistent voices, are met. Once the draft plan is completed, it will be presented to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) for approval. The Department, through the NRB, retains decision-making responsibility and authority. NRB monthly meetings are open to the public and citizens are encouraged to provide input directly to the NRB when they assess the GHA proposal.