Wisconsin Point management plan up for public review

The plan designed to manage roughly 2,300 acres at Superior’s eastern boundary is coming up for public review.

Designed to protect rare species and plant communities, geological, scenic and cultural resources, and provide public access for hiking, beach use, and wildlife viewing and hunting, the Wisconsin Point Management Area Plan was developed.

“It’s more than just Wisconsin Point proper,” said Jason Laumann of Northwest Regional Planning Commission, which assisted in development of the plan. “It more than just the 229-acre property that’s addressed in (the city’s) Master Park Plan. We’re talking about almost 2,300 acres of property out here under diverse forms of ownership and management.”

A diverse group of people, with public input, devised the plan. Committee members represented the city of Superior, Douglas County, University of Wisconsin-Superior, Lake Superior Natural Estuarine Research Reserve, Fond du Lac Band of Chippewa and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The first task in the planning process was to gather information about the point, followed by developing a long-range vision for managing the 2,300-acre resource.

“In the past, there had been some efforts to sort of identify a vision and identify what some of the issues are,” Laumann said. “It’s never been formalized in a manner like this.”

The plan identifies alternatives and a preferred strategy for managing the property developed with help of about 75 people attended one or both of two public hearings held over the last year.

Surprisingly, Laumann said, there really was no difference between issues identified by the planning committee and the public.

“The problems that existed out there 10 years ago are the problems that exist out there today, in large part, Laumann said.

The preferred approach creates management zones that reflect the characteristics of specific areas within the plan, and the recreational, nature resource and cultural and educational opportunities available in the various zones.

The zones include the peninsula, the closed landfill site, the Schafer’s Beach area to Dutchman’s Creek and the outlying zone, which includes the city landfill.

Each zone includes a strategy for management based on recreation opportunities, natural resources, and cultural and educational opportunities within each zone.

The plan garnered the approval of the Douglas County Board.

Supervisor Sue Hendrickson commended the planning committee for establishing the long overdue plan with varied different possibilities.

“I hope this plan isn’t put in a drawer and can be implemented,” said Douglas County Board Chairman Doug Finn.

A public hearing on the plan is set for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 16 in Room 201 of the Government Center.

A copy of the plan is available for review in the City Clerk’s Office or as a part of the Sept. 18 council agenda packet available at www.superior.wi.us.

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