DNR Seeking Public Comment on The Western Coulees and Ridges Draft Regional Master Plan Public Comment Period Open Through July 10

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public input on the Western Coulees and Ridges Draft Regional Master Plan and Environmental Analysis, which describes proposed future resource and public use management of DNR properties within the Western Coulees and Ridges Ecological Landscape.

Draft plan documents, including a Draft Plan Executive Summary are available on the Western Coulees and Ridges Regional Plan webpage. The public may submit comments through a variety of opportunities

The Western Coulees and Ridges region includes all or portions of the following 22 counties: Barron, Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dunn, Eau Claire, Grant, Iowa, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Richland, Saint Croix, Sauk, Trempealeau and Vernon. DNR properties in the region include fisheries properties, state natural areas, state parks, state recreation areas, state trails, wildlife areas and a variety of other types of properties.

Significant resource management opportunities on Western Coulees and Ridges properties include extensive hardwood forests; oak ecosystem continuum (oak forest, oak woodland and oak savanna); native prairie and surrogate grasslands; large rivers and complex floodplains; spring-fed cold-water streams; geologic features; and the Mississippi Flyway. Significant recreation opportunities include hunting, fishing, trapping, bicycling, boating, camping, hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, wildlife watching and star gazing.

A regional master plan, guided by Chapter NR 44, Wisconsin Administrative Code, establishes the levels and types of resource management and public uses permitted on DNR-managed properties. The Western Coulees and Ridges Draft Regional Master Plan proposes management for nearly 280 DNR properties, including management and/or real estate updates for 11 properties with existing NR 44-compliant master plans: Coulee Experimental State Forest, Lower Chippewa River Properties, Lower Wisconsin State Riverway and Tower Hill State Park. Highlights of proposed management in the regional master plan include:

• Maintenance and enhancement of upland and lowland hardwood forest types, with a special focus on promoting oak.
• Protection and enhancement of coldwater streams and trout habitat.
• Protection and restoration of high-quality natural communities, including native prairie, savanna, southern dry, dry-mesic and mesic forest, floodplain forest, sedge meadow and conifer relicts.
• Additional trail and camping opportunities.
• Enhanced access to public lands and waters – parking lots, boat access sites, fishing piers, etc.
• New or replacement facilities – amphitheaters, flush toilet/shower buildings, education buildings, etc.

The public is invited to submit comments using an online public input form found on the DNR’s Western Coulees and Ridges Regional Master Plan webpage. Comments may also be made by downloading a hard-copy form to be sent via U.S. mail or email. Submit written comments by July 10, 2026 to:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources c/o Yoyi Steele

LF/6 101 S. Webster St.

P.O. Box 7921

Madison, WI 53707

Yoyi.Steele@wisconsin.gov or 608-590-6027

The public is encouraged to visit the DNR’s Western Coulees and Ridges Regional Master Plan webpage for additional information about the plan and to find input opportunities.

Following the close of the public comment period, the DNR will summarize the input received and adjust the plan as necessary before presenting the proposed master plan to the Natural Resources Board for consideration.