Public open house meetings set for Northeast Sands Ecological Landscape draft regional plan

Contact(s): Yoyi Steele, Planner, Madison, 608-266-3568

[EDITOR'S ADVISORY: This news release was previously issued to media in the Northeast Sands Ecological Landscape region.]

FLORENCE, Wis. - A regional master plan covering the Northeast Sands planning region is now available for public review and comment through August 21, 2019. This region encompasses portions of Florence, Marinette, Oconto, Menominee, and Shawano counties.

The Northeast Sands draft regional plan includes a variety of properties that provide important recreational opportunities. Wildlife and Fishery Areas and State Natural Areas, such as Amberg Wildlife Area, South Branch Oconto River Fishery Area, and Dunbar Barrens State Natural Area offer hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife viewing opportunities and the Pine-Popple and Pike Wild Rivers provide high-quality paddling and scenic enjoyment.

The Northeast Sands draft regional plan also contains updates to properties with existing NR 44 plans, including Governor Thompson State Park and Peshtigo River State Forest. Chapter NR 44, Wisconsin Administrative Code, guides the master planning process. A master plan establishes the level and type of resource management and public use allowed on DNR managed properties.

The draft regional plan, including a plan overview, background materials, and maps, are available through the DNR property planning web page. Visit the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, and search keywords "property planning" then select "Northeast Sands" on the map. Highlights of the proposed regional plan include:

• Maintenance and enhancement of recreational opportunities including hunting, fishing, trapping, paddling, camping, and scenic enjoyment.
• Recreational improvements including additional boat access, parking areas, signage, and a new hiking trail for scenic enjoyment of Breakwater Falls on the Pine River.
• Protection and maintenance of existing high-quality coldwater fisheries.
• Habitat management to maintain and protect upland and lowland deciduous and coniferous forests and globally imperiled pine barrens and bracken grassland natural communities.
• A new State Natural Area on the Pine-Popple Wild Rivers property.

Two public open house meetings will be held in late July from 5-7 pm:

• Tuesday, July 30, Florence at the Florence County Wild Rivers Interpretive and Resource Center, 5628 Forestry Drive, Florence, WI 54121
• Wednesday, July 31, Crivitz at the Crivitz Community Center, 901 Main Avenue, Crivitz, WI 54114

A presentation will take place from 5:30-5:45 at both meetings.

Attendees will have an opportunity to review a copy of the draft master plan, discuss the plan with department staff, and submit comments.

Comments may also be submitted online through a form found the DNR property planning web page - dnr.wi.gov, search keywords "property planning" then select "Northeast Sands". Additionally, comments may be sent to Yoyi Steele by mail at Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources, 101 S. Webster Street - FL/6, Madison, WI 53707 or via email at yoyi.steele@wisconsin.gov

Comments will be accepted through August 21, 2019. The draft plan will be revised as needed and submitted to the Natural Resources Board for approval at a future meeting.