As the new home of WISPIRG's environmental work, Wisconsin Environment can be contacted with any questions regarding this testimony.
The Honorable Jim Doyle:
Thank
you for your commitment to protecting Wisconsin’s last remaining
roadless areas in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forests. These areas
not only provide areas for recreation and enjoyment, but they provide
critical habitat areas for threatened and endangered species.
WISPIRG
recommends that Wisconsin’s petition to the United States Department of
Agriculture request that all inventoried roadless areas in the
Chequamagon-Nicolet National Forests be managed under the provisions of
the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, 36 CFR Part 294, as published
in the Federal Register January 12, 2001(hereinafter referred to as the
2001 Rule).
The
provisions of the 2001 Rule would most likely have required that all
the management plans be adjusted (if need be) to be consistent with a
5B Potential Wilderness Management Area classification. A 5B Wilderness
Area classification is consistent with the intent of the 2001 Rule
which was to preserve the integrity of these areas as roadless as the
theme of Management Area 5B states:
"MA
5B provides for the management and protection of Wilderness study
areas. MA 5B is characterized by large, relatively continuous, late
successional hardwood forests that provide a wilderness-like experience
with a semi-primitive , non-motorized recreation setting. Evidence of
human activity is low. Forest interior songbirds, grey wolf, bobcat,
and American marten are some wildlife species associated with large,
undisturbed roadless areas. Lake and stream cold and warm water
fishing, large and small game hunting, wildlife viewing, primitive
camping, and a variety of non-motorized trail uses are the primary
recreation activities. Interaction between users is low with more
contact near water or unique scenery areas."
—Chequamagon-Nicolet 2004 Land Resource Management Plan
Wisconsin’s petition should include the 69,000 acres that were included
under the 2001 rule. These areas include: Campfire Island, Chase Creek,
East Torch, Flynn Lake , Foursection, Gates Lake, Leroy Creek, Moose
River, Pentoga Road, Perch Lake, Round Lake, Sawyer Lake Islands, Shelp
Lake, Shoe Lake Islands, St. Peters Dome, Tea Lake, Thornapple, and
Wheeler Lake Islands. In addition, Wisconsin’s petition should include
the 49,714 acres that were identified as inventoried roadless areas
under the 2004 Cheqaumegon-Nicolet Forest Land Resource Management Plan
which included Hungry Run, Iron River, Mud Lake, Porcupine Lake
Addition, Schmuland/Popple Creek, Spring Brook, and Stony Creek.
Given that these 118,714 acres of inventoried roadless areas represent
less than one percent of the total acres in the Chequamegon-Nicolet
Forests, it seems more than reasonable that we protect these last
pristine areas as Wilderness areas to be preserved for future
generations.
We appreciate the opportunity to provide input into the process and
commend the Department of Natural Resources staff who facilitated the
public comment process. On behalf of our approximately 9000 members in
Wisconsin and the 8500 citizens that submitted comments to the DNR as
part of this public comment process, we appreciate your consideration.
Sincerely
Jennifer Giegerich
WISPIRG State Director.
