DNR News Release: 2,000 comments received on proposed plan for Sauk Prairie Recreation Area
FITCHBURG, Wis – A summary of more than 2,000 comments submitted by the public, organizations and local governments on proposed vision, goals, and conceptual alternatives for future management of the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area is now available for review.
The summary of all comments received in the form of online surveys, emails and letters is available on the Department of Natural Resources website dnr.wi.gov by searching for Sauk Prairie Recreation Area. In addition, all of the comments received are posted on the web page verbatim.
“We thank folks for sharing their viewpoints with us on the future of the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area,” said Mark Aquino, DNR south central region director. “A year ago, we asked the public to send us their vision of what they’d like to someday see at SPRA. We used that input in part to develop the three draft conceptual alternatives [PDF] that we shared with the public this summer.
“Now it’s our job to take these comments and factor them into a draft master plan that we’ll share with the public for comment, hopefully in late winter or early spring.”
In addition to public comments, the department will also consider activities, programs and opportunities the property’s natural resources could sustainably support, recreational demand and supply projections identified in the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, opportunities SPRA could provide in both a regional and local context and federal and state laws. Officials emphasized that the public input process is not a popular vote with the “winning” point of view selected. All comments are carefully read and analyzed for common themes and issues.
“We especially appreciated those comments that went beyond a simple statement of support for, or opposition to, a specific issue,” said Dan Schuller, director of the Wisconsin State Parks program. “Comments that explained the reasoning behind a stance or the nature of concerns were most useful.”
The six-page summary [PDF] organizes comments into broad categories including habitat and land management, cultural, historical and educational opportunities and recreational activities such as horseback riding, bicycling, hunting, trapping and fishing, ATV use and target shooting.
“It’s clear from the number the comments received that the future use and management of the SPRA is meaningful to many Wisconsin residents,” said Schuller.
“The decade long cleanup process is nearly complete,” said Aquino. “Throughout that effort we’ve been committed to involving the public, governments and nations in the process. We will maintain that commitment during master planning because after all, SPRA will belong to the public and we want to get this right.”
Formerly known as the Badger Army Ammunition Plant, the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area will occupy 3,800 acres of the 7,400 acre property located on the southern side of the Baraboo Hills in Sauk County. U.S. Department of Agriculture-Dairy Forage research Center is taking ownership of 2,100 acres and 1,500 acres are planned to be transferred to the Ho Chunk Nation.
Additional information, including maps and documents can be found on the DNR website by searching keyword Sauk Prairie Recreation Area. Interested persons can also sign up for email updates on SPRA events and on the planning progress.