State Natural Area designation proposed for 11 unique state properties
MADISON – Nineteen unique ecological areas located within 11 state-owned properties would receive permanent protection as State Natural Areas, under a state Department of Natural Resources proposal.
State Natural Areas are formally designated sites devoted to scientific research, the teaching of conservation biology and preservation of their natural values and genetic diversity for future generations
The DNR Bureau of Endangered Resources is proposing modifications to the master plans of eight existing state wildlife areas and three existing state fisheries areas. The modifications are necessary to designate the new State Natural Areas within the property boundaries. The department is asking for comment on the master plan modifications. Comments are due by Nov 15. A list of where to send comments can be found at the end of each project description below.
“Wisconsin's landscape has experienced dramatic changes in the 150 years since intensive settlement began,” explained Randy Hoffman, DNR conservation biologist. “Little remains of the natural plant and animal communities which occupied our lands for centuries. State Natural Areas recognize remnants that have escaped intensive development. These exceptional sites are often the last refuges for rare plants and animals.”
The State Natural Areas Program exists to provide protection and management guidelines for outstanding examples of Wisconsin's landscape and natural resources. More information on the State Natural Areas can be found on the DNR Web site.
Proposed New State Natural Areas
• Black River Savanna, Half Moon Bottoms and North Bend Wet Prairie - Jackson and La Crosse counties. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to designate three State Natural Areas within North Bend Bottoms Wildlife Area. This proposal covers land entirely owned by the state. The purpose of the designation is to recognize the high quality natural features of the site and focus research and education activities there. The sites contain old-growth floodplain forest, an oak savanna and a wet prairie. This proposal would not change any existing use. For questions and comments contact: Michele Windsor, DNR-Black River Falls, 910 Highway 54, Black River Falls, WI 54615 or phone (715) 284-1403 by Nov. 15, 2007.
• Peshtigo Harbor Lacustrine Forest and Peshtigo River Delta Marshes – Marinette County. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to designate two State Natural Areas within Green Bay West Shores Wildlife Area. This proposal covers land entirely owned by the state and encompasses a patch of woods representing the best known example of the forest that formerly covered the west shore of Green Bay and the least disturbed portion of the marsh at the river delta. The purpose of the designation is to recognize the high quality forest and sedge meadow and focus research and education activities there. The proposal would not change any existing use. For questions and comments contact: John Huff, DNR-Peshtigo, 101 North Ogden Road, Peshtigo, WI 54157 or phone (715) 582-5047 by Nov. 15, 2007.
• Peshtigo Brook Meadow and Woods – Oconto County. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to designate a State Natural Area within the Peshtigo Brook Wildlife Area. This proposal covers land entirely owned by the state and encompasses undisturbed areas of sedge meadow, an esker of oak savanna and a small patch of old forest. The purpose of the designation is to recognize the high quality natural communities and focus research and education activities there. The proposal would not change any existing use. For questions and comments contact: John Huff, DNR-Peshtigo, 101 North Ogden Road, Peshtigo, WI 54157 or phone (715) 582-5047 by Nov. 15, 2007.
• Lake Noquebay Sedge Meadow – Marinette County. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to designate a State Natural Area within Lake Noquebay Wildlife Area. This proposal covers land entirely owned by the state and encompasses an exceptional sedge meadow. The purpose of the designation is to recognize the high quality sedge meadow at the site to focus research and education activities there. The proposal would not change any existing use. For questions and comments contact: John Huff, DNR-Peshtigo, 101 North Ogden Road, Peshtigo, WI 54157 or phone (715) 582-5047 by Nov. 15, 2007.
• Town Corner Cedars – Marinette County. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to create a State Natural Area within Town corner Wildlife Area. The proposal covers land entirely owned by the state and includes the stand of white cedars and a spruce bog. The purpose of the designation is to recognize the high quality wet-mesic forest to focus research and education activities there. The proposal would not change any existing use. For questions and comments contact: Aaron Buchholz, DNR-Wausaukee, 1025 Highway C, Wausaukee, WI 54177 or phone (715) 856-9160 by Nov. 15, 2007.
• Bradley Creek Cedars, Flume Creek Cedars, Little Wolf Woods, and Jackson Creek Woods – Portage and Waupaca counties. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to designate four State Natural Areas within the Little Wolf Fishery Area. This proposal covers land entirely owned by the state and encompasses two cedar swamps – one is along Bradley Creek and the other along Flume Creek and two upland tracts of hemlock and hardwoods – one along the Little Wolf and the other along Jackson Creek. The purpose of the designation is to recognize the high quality natural features of the sites to focus research and education activities there. The proposal would not change any existing use, in stream management for fish habitat or planting activities. For questions and comments contact: Steve Hoffman, DNR- Hartman Creek State Park, N2480 Hartman Creek Road, Waupaca, WI 54981 or phone (715) 258-4778 by Nov. 15, 2007.
• Plover River Woods - Marathon counties. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to designate a stand of hardwoods and white cedar swamp as State Natural Area within the Plover River Fishery Area This proposal covers land entirely owned by the state. The purpose of the designation is to recognize the high quality natural features of the site and focus research and education activities there. The proposal would not change any existing use, in stream fish habitat management or fish planting activities. For questions and comments contact: Tom Meronek, DNR-Wausau, 5301 Rib Mountain Drive, Wausau, WI, 54401 or phone (715) 359-7582 by Nov. 15, 2007.
• Hog Island Tamaracks – Wood and Juneau counties. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to designate a Hog Island Tamarack State Natural Area within Wood County Wildlife Area. This proposal covers land entirely owned by the state and encompasses three patches of tamarack. The purpose of the designation is to recognize the high quality natural features of the sites to focus research and education activities there. The proposal would not change any existing use. For questions and comments contact: Neal Paisley, DNR Sandhill, 1715 County Highway X, Babcock, WI 54413 or phone (715) 884-2437 by Nov. 15, 2007.
• Yellow River Floodplain Forest - Juneau County. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to designate a State Natural Area within Sandhill Wildlife Area. This proposal covers land entirely owned by the state and encompasses an 86-acre patch of floodplain along the Yellow river. The purpose of the designation is to recognize the high quality natural features of the site and focus research and education activities there. The proposal would not change any existing use. For questions and comments contact: Neal Paisley, DNR Sandhill, 1715 County Highway X, Babcock, WI 54413 or phone (715) 884-2437 by Nov. 15, 2007.
• Van Loon Bottoms and Van Loon Floodplain Savanna – Trempealeau and La Crosse counties. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to designate two State Natural Areas within the Van Loon Wildlife Area. This proposal covers land entirely owned by the state and encompasses a patch of floodplain forest and a unique floodplain savanna. The purpose of the designation is to recognize the high quality natural features of the sites to focus research and education activities there. The proposal would not change any existing use. For questions and comments contact: Ron Lichtie, DNR – La Crosse, 3550 Mormon Coulee Road, La Crosse, WI 54601 or phone (608) 785-9992 by Nov. 15, 2007.
• Wedde Creek Savanna and Mecan River Pine-Oak Forest – Marquette County. The Department of Natural Resources proposes to designate two State Natural Area within Mecan River Fisheries Area. This proposal covers land entirely owned by the state and encompasses a restored savanna and an old-growth stand of pine and oak. The purpose of the designation is to recognize the high quality natural features of the sites to focus research and education activities there. The proposal would not change any existing use. For questions and comments contact: Paul Samerdyke, DNR-Wautoma, 427 East Tower Drive, Suite 100, Wautoma, WI 54982 or phone (920) 787-4686 by Nov. 20, 2007.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Randy Hoffman (608) 267-7758
