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Master Plan Process Begins In Jan. For Woodboro Lakes

Wisconsin DNR

A  Master Plan is needed as the state considers a request to build an ATV trail in the Woodboro Lakes area west of Rhinelander.

Woodboro Lakes Wildlife Area is a heavily wooded 3,600 acre property. An ATV club asked for the trail earlier this year.

DNR Planner Yoyi Steele says this property has no Master Plan, even lacking an old plan that could be amended. So the department needs to start from scratch. The board presented a trail feasibility study to the Natural Resources Board...

"....the (Natural Resource Board) said (they) want to consider this trail in the context of a more comprehensive plan for the entire property. So they directed the DNR to complete a Master Plan for Woodboro Lakes by the end of 2015...."

Next month the DNR will hold the first of three public meetings. Steele says the full Master Plan gives the public a better idea of what all the habitat management and other public uses will be.

She says she and DNR property manager Jeremy Holtz are available for the public to contact...

"....we just like to provide those three structured opportunities so we can receive input in a more comprehensive way rather than bit-by-bit. It just makes it more efficient. We're following the plans laid out for master plans which is NR 44. But anyone can just give us a call if they have a question, or email...."

 The first meeting is Wednesday, January, 14,  from 6-8 p.m. at the Northwoods Community Elementary School, on County Highway K, Harshaw.  After the first meeting,  the DNR takes the input and put together a first draft. A second public meeting is held, then they take the additional input, redraft where needed, then prepares the plan for presentation to the Natural Resources Board. Prior to the NRB presentation, the public again will have input before the board. Steele says there are a number of ways to comment, including online, on paper and via telephone. More information is on the DNR website.

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