Northern Forest Act 358 Master Plan Variance

November 16, 2016

RE: Northern Forest Act 358 Master Plan Variance

This letter is in regards to Master Plan Variance, Act 358, to increase logging in northern WI State Forests.

The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP) is a §501(c)(3) not for profit statewide organization whose mission is directed at the care, preservation and protection of Wisconsin State Parks, trails and natural resources related to those properties.
There are 80 individual “friends” chapters, also §501(c)(3) corporations which have donated over $10M to state parks and trails, not to mention the enormous unpaid volunteer time and efforts. Due to recent legislative changes, including raising wood harvest quotas in northern and southern forests and observed local logging practices. FWSP recommends changes to these practices near parks and trails.

FWSP understands and supports the role of silviculture as a forest management practice. However, there needs to be a rational and justifiable balance between silviculture, wildlife management, forest aesthetics and recreation. Establishing non-cut buffers near high visibility areas make parks and trails more appealing. Recent logging near Ottawa Lake in the southern Kettle Moraine gives the appearance of a “bomb” blast. Using common sense justifiable and industry accepted approaches will give visitors a positive experience while maintaining a healthy silviculture program.  It is the position and belief of FWSP that the following recommendations would have minimal effect on wood harvest while providing a more attractive experience for the millions of visitors to WI parks and trails.

• Park Entrance Buffers-High visibility areas should have a minimum of 100ft non-cut buffer.
• Intensive Use Areas-Non-logging buffers near campgrounds, contact stations, highly used parking lots.
• Trails-100ft non-logging buffer other than “feathering” practices allowed. No skidding on trails.
• Harvest Techniques-Harvest activities adjacent to trails, even if the trail itself is avoided, can have a major impact on recreational use. Establish landings to minimize disruption of recreational activities and lessen aesthetic impacts. Access roads and skid roads should be established to minimize damage to recreational trails.
• Slash-Slash is aesthetically unappealing.  It can also significantly increase the cost of future trail construction. All slash should be removed entirely from above areas and hauled a minimum of 50 feet from trail/road edges and flattened so that it is no taller than 24 inches above the ground. 

FWSP recommends these practices are implemented based on the “stands” current forest management practices as this variance is implemented. Many of the above comments were excerpted from current DNR regulations. Thank you in advance, for engaging forest users for public comment.

Friends of Wisconsin State Parks

Michael McFadzen, Chairman Policy Committee