Press Release
The Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) has approved the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) request to acquire 48 acres of land adjacent to the Brule River State Forest in Douglas County. This land will be purchased using funds from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund. Representative Nick Milroy (D-South Range) expressed his enthusiasm for the JFC’s decision to approve this purchase.
“This historical and ecologically important property is an important acquisition for the long term benefit for the people of our region,” Milroy said.
The representative continued, “The Brule River State Forest attracts people from all over the country and is actively managed to support our forest product industry. This purchase is a huge win for public lands, and I’m excited to be working on an additional acquisition for the Brule River Forest.”
As public land, this property will provide opportunities to boost tourism and economic development in the area. This move makes a new scenic area available for the public to participate in recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, cross-country skiing, and wildlife watching. The property abuts the forest and has frontage on the Brule River and Nebagamon Creek. The adjacent Brule River State Forest includes 44 miles of the Brule, 16 miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail, and eight miles of Lake Superior shoreline, all of which are also open to public recreation.
“With so many opportunities for enjoyment, this newly accessible land is likely to increase travel in the area, bringing more patrons to local mom and pop businesses,” added Milroy.
Acquisition of this property will benefit both the environment and the economy by helping to preserve the forest’s abundance of natural resources and species of wildlife. The forest products industry ranks high in economic output in Wisconsin and sustains forested land. By keeping this land in active timber management, Wisconsin will be able to maintain access to valuable timber resources which help generate thousands of jobs throughout the state.
According to the DNR, this purchase would also prevent environmentally-harmful development on the land and promote habitat connectivity in the area.
Last Update: Oct 16, 2020 12:57 pm CDT
