From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

The Department of Natural Resources will hold three public open houses to gather input regarding outdoor recreation opportunities in the Northwoods Region of Wisconsin.

The Recreation Opportunities Analysis will examine existing outdoor-based recreation opportunities and future recreation needs in eight regions throughout Wisconsin. The study will identify future priorities for providing high-quality recreation experiences and the potential role of DNR properties in helping to meet those priorities. The Northwoods Region includes Forest, Florence, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Oneida, Price, Taylor, and Vilas counties.

While the ROA process will begin in these nine northern counties, additional regional public meetings will be held and additional opportunities to provide feedback will be made available as the process moves forward across the state.
The public meeting portion of the Recreation Opportunities Analysis will gather important feedback from the public. Each meeting will run from 4-7 p.m. DNR staff will provide a brief overview of the analysis process at both 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Locations for these public meetings are as follows:

• Tuesday, April 25 – Arbor Vitae Town Hall, 10675 Big Arbor Vitae Dr., Arbor Vitae;
• Wednesday, April 26 – North Way Motor Lodge and Banquet, 1113 S 4th Ave., Park Falls; and
• Thursday, April 27 – North Star Lanes, 400 Prosser Ave., Antigo.

In addition, the public can provide input through a downloadable PDF or online form. For more information regarding the recreational opportunities analysis and to sign up to receive information about the project and learn how you can participate, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “ROA.”

To receive email updates regarding the ROA process, visit dnr.wi.gov and click on the email icon near the bottom of the page titled “subscribe for updates for DNR topics,” then follow the prompts and select “Recreation opportunities analysis,” found within the list titled “outdoor recreation.”

These meetings will also kick-off the amendment process for the recreation portion of the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest master plan.

Northern Highland American Legion State Forest Master Plan

Information gathered through the Northwoods ROA process will help inform future recreation opportunities on DNR properties throughout the region. The department is in the initial stages of evaluating recreation needs and opportunities in the NHAL State Forest and will use the Northwoods ROA as a basis from which to develop options to amend the recreation portion of the property’s master plan. This amendment will consider changes to several aspects of recreation on the property, including the potential to authorize motorized recreation access.

Established in 1925 to protect the headwaters of the Wisconsin, Flambeau and Manitowish rivers, the NHAL State Forest occupies more than 232,000 acres in northern Wisconsin. The forest provides employment and economic support to local communities through the production of forest products, recreation and tourism.

To receive email updates regarding the NHAL planning process, visit dnr.wi.gov and click on the email icon near the bottom of the page titled “subscribe for updates for DNR topics,” then follow the prompts and select “Northern Highland American Legion State Forest Amendment to the Master plan,” found within the list titled “property master planning.”

For more information regarding the planning process for NHAL, search keywords “master planning” and select the link titled “Northern State Forests.”