Trade would expand Monroe County forest and assist grower

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Trade would expand Monroe County forest and assist grower
News Release Published: February 14, 2011 by the West Central Region

Contact(s): Kevin Schilling, DNR forester, Sparta, (608) 269-6901; Ed Culhane, DNR communications, Eau Claire, 715-839-3715

EAU CLAIRE – Monroe County is proposing to withdraw 79 acres of land from its county forest so it can be traded to a cranberry grower in exchange for 160 acres of forested and agricultural land.

The county lands will be traded to Habelman Brothers Company as support land for growing cranberries and to more clearly define property boundaries. No clearing or other new development is proposed.

The property is located south of Apple Avenue abutting Habelman Brothers cranberry marsh in sections 1 and 2, Town of New Lyme. In exchange Monroe County will receive a 160-acre parcel of forest and agricultural land located south of Birch Road in section 16, also in Town of New Lyme.

In addition Habelman Brothers will provide $20,000 to Monroe County to re-forest the cleared portions of the 160 acre parcel. The net effect would be an 81-acre expansion of county forest land available for timber production, wildlife habitat and public recreation.

The proposed project/action is not anticipated to result in significant adverse environmental effects. The department has made a preliminary determination that an environmental impact statement will not be required for this action.

Copies of the environmental assessment, including maps of all subject parcels, that led to the DNR's preliminary determination can be obtained by contacting DNR Forester Kevin Schilling at 820 Industrial Drive, Suite 4, Sparta, WI 54656; at 608-269-6901; or at Kevin.Schilling@wisconsin.gov.

Public comments, either written or oral, on the environmental assessment are welcome and must be submitted to Mr. Schilling no later than March 3.