MADISON — On July 21, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources released a summary of public input received regarding the Southwest Savanna Draft Regional Master Plan.
Among the topics with the most amount of public feedback came in reference to the possibility to allow ATV and UTV usage on the Badger State and Sugar River trails. Both trails are currently slated to allow hiking and cycling, with snowmobile use allowed in the winter on packed snow.
The Master Plan is a process to determine long-term use for the area, which lasts more than a decade. The Southwester Savanna Ecological Landscape includes Yellowstone Lake, New Glarus Woods and Cadiz Springs among other wildlife and state natural areas.
“Comments on the overall Southwest Savanna Draft Regional Master Plan varied,” the DNR wrote in the summary. “The need to focus on increasing the diversity of recreational users was stated. Comments also stated a need to work with schools to bring children of all grade levels to the parks — noting that educational and recreational opportunities are critical, particularly to introduce Wisconsinites of underrepresented backgrounds to the outdoors. Project boundary expansions were supported throughout.”
The process for the current Master Plan began in the summer of 2019. By the summer of 2020, social media in the region exploded with opposition to the proposal to allow ATV and UTV usage on the trails. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the process was more drawn out than in other years.
The public input period for the DNR in regards to the plan ran from March 18, 2021 to April 19. There were 526 total responses: 414 used the online input form; 50 sent emails; 11 phone calls/voicemails; 10 hard copy input forms were and letters came through U.S. mail; and 41 of 70 public meeting attendees commented. Several organizations submitted input on the management proposed in the SWS Draft Regional Master Plan through the public meeting, online public input form, email and letters. Respondents were not required to respond to every topic, and most did not. The input received does not represent a statistically valid survey sample and should not be interpreted as such. Rather, the results of this process should be read as the views of those interested in offering their input.
“Input was largely supportive of the Draft Plan’s proposed property management. Many comments discussed operational concerns,” the DNR wrote in the summary, available to read at https://widnr.widen.net/s/8hnfsspjmf/fl_el_sws_draftplan_publicinputsummary. “Input primarily strongly supported the Draft Plan’s proposal to maintain existing uses of the trail. This includes support for continuing snowmobile use on the trail, and strong opposition to ATV/UTV use on the trail.”
The DNR wrote that many comments in opposition to ATV/UTV use included concerns of user conflicts, quality of experience, trail degradation and wildlife disruption, as well as safety concerns for hikers and bikers.
Input was mixed on allowing the use of electric bicycles, and there was a desire expressed by some to allow equestrian use on the trails.
Other summary input responses included support for proposed property management, particularly monitoring and controlling invasive species on the trails as well as in state parks like Cadiz Springs.
At Yellowstone Lake State Park, there was support for expanding and improving the campgrounds, though there was opposition to upgrading campsites to accommodate RVs and electricity.
“Those expressing opposition often did so, in part, due to the preference to have a more rustic camping experience,” The DNR wrote. “Implementing slow-no-wake hours on Yellowstone Lake had mixed responses. Support for slow-no-wake hours noted they would provide anglers, canoeists, kayakers and swimmers with a set times to participate in those outdoor recreation experiences without the disruption waves from boat wakes can cause. Opposition to having slow-no-wake hours noted the tourism benefit of Yellowstone Lake being the only lake that does not have slow-no-wake hours in southwest Wisconsin.” There was also opposition to allowing ATV/UTV use on the property.
At New Glarus Woods State Park, there was strong support to create mountain biking trails, given the growing popularity of the sport. However, there was some opposition to new mountain biking trails, with concern the trails might fragment the forest. The plan would also work to realign County Road NN to improve the trail network and enhance the experience of hikers. Expansion and upgrading of the campgrounds also had public support.
The department is now preparing the plan to be presented to the Natural Resources Board (NRB) for its consideration. To receive notification of when the plan is to be presented to the NRB, subscribe to the email update list on the DNR website, dnr.wisconsin.gov. Anyone with questions or further comments can contact Savannah Ernzen, DNR Property Planner, at 608-381-4336 or Savannah.Ernzen@wisconsin.gov.
