Property Master Planning
Completed plans
establishing goals and objectives for DNR properties.
Plan reports
monitoring goals and objectives.
Feasibility studies
studying new properties.
State-owned lands
parks, forests, wildlife, fisheries, natural areas, trails, wild rivers and flowages.
What's new?
Related links
Contact information
For information on the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area, contact:
Diane Brusoe
Planner
608-261-6445
For property-specific questions contact:
Mark Aquino
Regional director
608-275-3262

Property Master PlanningSauk Prairie Recreation Area

The Sauk Prairie Recreation Area, located in southeastern Sauk County, consists of the decommissioned 7,354-acre Badger Army Ammunition Plant (BAAP). The property has a natural and human history that is significant on local, regional and national scales. The former BAAP is primarily owned by three parties: DNR (3,800 acres), Ho-Chunk Nation (1,500 acres) and Dairy Forage Research Center (2,100 acres), approximate acreages. Our master planning process focuses on the DNR-designated acreage.

BAAP from the Southeast

Badger Army Ammunition Plant aerial view from the Southeast. Photo courtesy of Tom Thomas, Badger History Group.

Master Planning update

We have diligently been considering the many important background documents along with public comments received to define the desired future of the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area. We have developed a preliminary vision for the property and several conceptual alternatives to help describe the types of resource management and recreation opportunities that would be compatible.

In an effort to manage the property collaboratively, we are in the process of meeting with our partners to discuss these alternatives and ask for their comments, after which time we will present the information to the public. We appreciate your patience and interest in this planning process. Please watch for a public meeting announcement in the next month or two.

Auto tour of the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area

On Saturday, October 20, 2012, the department opened the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area for a self-guided auto tour. We counted 1,177 vehicles that participated in touring the property. Links to the "overview and history" and "tour map" that were handed out at the tour are available in the planning documents tab below.

Based on the positive feedback received, we're considering providing another opportunity. To measure public interest, please let us know whether you think this is a good idea. Yes, I would attend a self-guided property tour.

Preliminary vision and goals

One of the early steps in developing a property master plan is to consider the RPA and public comments in drafting preliminary property vision and goals. The process of developing the vision and goals, and subsequent objectives and management prescriptions, for a new master plan follows a set of deliberate steps, each step building upon the ones that came before and each step becoming more focused and detail-oriented than the last.

The vision statement is a concise, broad statement describing the general desired future state and function of the property. The vision statement is not quantified and is timeless. The vision must be consistent with the property's statutory direction, NRB policies, division and program strategic plans and other appropriate guidance regarding the property's purpose.

Goals are concise statements of desired outcomes or desired future conditions on the property. Goals build on and are fully consistent with the vision statement providing more specific information regarding the meaning of the vision. Goals focus on the desired outcome only; they focus on what is to be accomplished, not how it will be done.

Planning documents

Maps


Hunting

Hunting on Sauk Prairie Recreation Area lands

  • The property will be open during the 9 day gun deer season (November 17 - 25) and for the 4 day statewide antlerless deer hunt in December (Dec. 6 - 9) only. A person can hunt with a bow during that time, but no bow-specific periods are open.
  • Hunters will need to enter the property through Gate 1 (the main gate off Highway 12) and sign in. A map and general information (similar to Devil's Lake and other State Parks) will be handed out at the gate. They will be able to enter 1 hour before the season opens each day. No scouting access is allowed prior to the seasons. The gate will be closed 1 hour after the season each day.
  • There is no limit on hunters or assigned areas, as in the past.
  • Some areas remain closed - those will be marked on the map and signed on the ground. Hunters will need to remain on the roads marked as open on the map.
  • These are the only two hunts that the property will be open for this year. Specifics for next year are not worked out as of yet, but it is likely to include additional opportunities.

Regulations and map [PDF]

For additional hunting information contact:

Ryder Will, DNR park manager
608-356-2185

Property cleanup

Clean-up of the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant, now known as the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area, is moving into its final stages. In October 2012, the Army proposed a modification to the clean-up strategy for the area known as the Final Creek, settling ponds and spoils disposal area.

When the plant was active, contaminants were discharged into Final Creek, settling in the creek bed and in natural depressions, or settling ponds, along the creek. The Army periodically excavated the contaminated soils and placed them in the "spoils" area. These areas are the focus of this clean-up phase.

The Army proposed three alternatives for clean-up of this area: a stabilization process that would bind contaminants in place; further excavation of soils with disposal in a landfill; and, do nothing, leaving everything untouched. The Army's preferred alternative is excavation and landfilling.

The department has studied the Army's proposal and agrees with the Army's preferred alternative.

What's next

Comments on the Army's Alternative Feasibility Study for clean-up of the Final Creek, settling ponds and the spoils disposal areas were accepted through March 11, 2013. All comments will be considered and replies to the collected comments will be included in the department's final determination of the Army proposal. The final determination will be posted on this webpage and subscribers to Sauk Prairie Recreation Area Master Planning news will be notified.

For Alternative Feasibility Study information, contact:

Woody Myers, team leader
Department of Natural Resources
3911 Fish Hatchery Rd.
Fitchburg WI 53711
608-273-5613

Contact

Your comments are important so please consider coming to meetings, mailing in comments or calling us. We welcome your feedback on the property management goals and master planning issues throughout the process.

To receive materials or give comments or suggestions on the planning process, contact:

Diane Brusoe, planner
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921
608-261-6445

For property-specific questions contact:

Mark Aquino, regional director
3911 Fish Hatchery Road
Fitchburg WI 53711
608-275-3262

For hunting information, contact:

Ryder Will, DNR park manager
608-356-2185

For Alternative Feasibility Study information, contact:

Woody Myers, team leader
Bureau of Remediation and Redevelopment
608-273-5613

Last revised: Thursday March 14 2013