Proposed plan amendment would expand area in state forest leased to provide veterans with accessible trails and hunting opportunities
WOODRUFF, Wis. - The public has an opportunity to review and comment on a proposed amendment to the master plan of the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest that will allow exclusive use of an additional 225 acres in the forest to provide accessible trails and hunting opportunities for veterans.
Camp American Legion was established in 1925 as a restoration camp for sick and disabled veterans of World War I and their dependents. Today the camp serves veterans of all wars, as well as active-duty service members, and their families, who have documented physical or psychological illness, injury, or disability.
The Department of Natural Resources owns the underlying lands where Camp American Legion is located in Lake Tomahawk, Oneida County. The American Legion owns the buildings and facilities but leases the underlying land from the DNR.
Since 1964 the DNR leased to the American Legion approximately 75 acres that surround the camp buildings. Prior to 1964, various leases between the state and the American Legion included additional lands, including a lease for approximately 302 acres.
The new lease would expand Camp American Legion property to a total of approximately 300 acres, with the primary purpose of providing a handicapped accessible trail for hunting on the additional 225 acres. Under the lease those lands would be for the exclusive use of the American Legion and closed to the general public.
A public meeting to provide information on the plan amendment and receive public comments will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. April 16, 2015, in the Lake Tomahawk town hall, 7246 Main St. There will be a brief informational presentation at 4 p.m.
Before the meeting, Camp American Legion staff will offer an open house in their Main Lodge at 8529 County Hwy D, Lake Tomahawk from noon to 3 p.m. The goal of this tour is to enable visitors to see and become familiar with Camp American Legion's facilities and grounds.
People may review planning materials and post comments online on through the DNR website,dnr.wi.gov, and searching for "master planning<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/lands/masterplanning/>" and then clicking on Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest Master (Plan Amendment).<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/MasterPlanning/NHAL/>
Comments on the plan amendment can be submitted during the public meeting, by email toRobert.Dall@wisconsin.gov<mailto:Robert.Dall@wisconsin.gov> or U.S. mail to Bob Dall, DNR Service Center,107 Sutliff Ave., Rhinelander WI 54501, or by phone at 715-365-8993. The 30-day public comment period runs from April 9 to May 7, 2015.
More information about the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest is available by searching the DNR website for keywords "Northern Highland<http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/StateForests/nhal>."