Brule River State Forest Master Plan Variance Now Available For Public Review And Comment

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comments on the Brule River State Forest Master Plan Variance. The proposed variance would allow additional barrens habitat management in the Mott's Ravine Native Community Management Area at Brule River State Forest.

As described in Chapter NR 44 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, a master plan variance is a change in the use or management of an area that is consistent with the area’s land management classification and objectives.

The variance will expand the management prescriptions within the Mott's Ravine Native Community Management Area from a prescribed core area of grass and shrub barrens of 200 to 400 acres to 1,000 to 1,200 acres.

Oak/pine barrens is a globally rare community that was historically common throughout the Northwest Sands region and in the Brule River State Forest Motts Ravine Native Community Management Area (NCMA) specifically. The barrens community type is known to be geographically restricted and globally imperiled. The variance proposes increasing and maintaining areas of barrens that are large enough in size to provide ideal habitat for many uncommon species, including sharp-tailed grouse.

Located in Douglas County, the Brule River State Forest contains all 44 miles of the Bois Brule River, along with many recreational opportunities. The Brule River State Forest Master Plan was approved by the Natural Resources Board in 2017.

The public can review the draft variance by visiting the DNR’s Brule River State Forest Master Plan Variance webpage.

The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding the proposed variance to the Brule River State Forest Master Plan. Submit comments by May 2, 2023 to:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
C/O Erin Rieser, DNR Property Planner
101 S. Webster St.
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707
ErinE.Rieser@wisconsin.gov or 608-400-6171