Ice Age Trail Alliance Seeks Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant For Land Acquisition In Portage County

VILLAGE OF NELSONVILLE, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the Ice Age Trail Alliance has applied for a 50% matching grant from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program to assist with the purchase of 9.8 acres in the Town of New Hope in Portage County.   

A segment of the Ice Age Trail is located on the property. The parcel will remain in its natural state and open to the public for low-impact recreational activities, including hiking, cross-country skiing, bird watching and wildlife viewing.

The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund was created in 1989 to preserve important natural resources, protect water quality and fisheries and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation for all Wisconsinites to enjoy. On Stewardship-purchased land, nature-based outdoor activities (hunting, trapping, fishing, hiking or cross-country skiing) cannot be prohibited unless the Wisconsin DNR has determined that prohibiting one or more of those activities is justified to protect public safety.

The Ice Age Trail Alliance proposes a 100-yard buffer along the Trail corridor in which hunting and trapping will be prohibited. On this 300-foot-wide parcel, the DNR is proposing that the prohibition of hunting and trapping is necessary to protect public safety and accommodate trail use.

The DNR has examined the following factors in making this determination: the primary purpose of this land purchase, the small size and narrow shape of this parcel, the fact that the property is surrounded by private lands where public hunting and trapping do not occur, and the typical use patterns on the Ice Age Trail and expectations of trail users.

The public may view the DNR’s initial assessment of the allowed Nature-Based Outdoor Activities online or request a hard copy by emailing Faith.Murray@wisconsin.gov.

The DNR will accept public written comments on this proposed grant through Sept. 17, 2021. Mail comments to Faith Murray, Grant Project Manager, Wisconsin DNR Northeast Regional Headquarters, 2984 Shawano Ave, Green Bay WI 54313 or email Faith.Murray@wisconsin.gov. In accordance with s. NR 52.04 (2) (b), Wis. Adm. Code, objections to the proposed hunting and trapping prohibition on this property must show the proposed prohibition to be inconsistent with s. 23.0916 (2) (b), Stats., and s. NR 52.05, Wis. Adm. Code.

Learn more about Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant programs on the Wisconsin DNR website. To sign up for Stewardship Grant project news releases and updates, subscribe online by selecting DNR Stewardship News under the News & Announcements heading.