DNR sets meetings to share information on Balsam Row dam, introduce steps for Wolf River plan development
SHAWANO, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, in
cooperation with the Menominee Tribe, will hold three informational meetings
this month to share information and introduce the process for development of
a fisheries and water resources management plan for the Wolf River in a
project area running from Keshena to Shawano.
The Wolf River, 225 miles long, is one of two National Scenic Rivers in
Wisconsin with a watershed that covers 12 counties in northeastern and
northern Wisconsin. From its source at Pine Lake in Forest County, it flows
down to the Winnebago pool lakes. In addition to providing habitat for lake
sturgeon, its upper reaches hold wild rice as well as other important fish
and game species.
The Wolf powers the Balsam Row hydroelectric dam, which is regulated by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This dam, currently owned by
Wolf River Hydro, is also known as Upper Shawano dam in DNR's dams database
<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/dams/damsearch.html> and as Shawano Project P-710
through FERC.
The upcoming meetings will kick off discussion of a management plan for the
section of the river stretching from Shawano to Keshena Falls. The meetings
- set to run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 in Menasha, Oct. 18 in
Keshena and Oct. 19 in Shawano - will review progress on various dam license
requirements and explain how the current sturgeon capture and transfer
system functions.
"We encourage citizens and stakeholders to come and learn more from these
meetings," said Justine Hasz, DNR fisheries bureau chief. "The fall meetings
will establish the process through which DNR hopes to engage with
stakeholders in the collaborative development of the management plan."
Of particular interest to fisheries stakeholders will be an overview of
sturgeon restoration efforts by DNR and the Tribe above the dam, including
current efforts to move sturgeon via trap and transport methods. The meeting
also will provide informational items on various levels of regulatory
authority and requirements for fish passage including project concepts,
current design elements and related submittals to FERC.
Presenters at the meeting will include representatives from DNR's fisheries
and FERC coordinating teams as well as a representative from the Tribe. The
initial round of meetings will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.:
* Monday, Oct. 17, in Menasha at the Stone Toad, 1109 Oneida St.;
* Tuesday, Oct. 18, in Keshena at Menominee Indian High School, School
Theater, N500 Wisconsin Highway 47;
* Wednesday, Oct. 19, in Shawano at Shawano City Hall, Community Room,
127 S. Sawyer St.
To learn more about the Balsam Row dam and Wolf River management plan
process, visit DNR.wi.gov <http://dnr.wi.gov/> and search "Wolf River
Management Plan
<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/outreach/WolfRiverManagementPlan.html> ."