Wisconsin Point Area Management Plan. August, 2011

Transcription

1 Wisconsin Point Area Management Plan August, 2011

2 The Resource

3 Project Area 2,300 Acres 10.4 Total miles of shoreline 4.3 Miles of sand beach Longest freshwater sand spit in the world

4 Ownership Douglas County 70.0% City of Superior 24.7% UW-System Federal State of Wisconsin Private

5 A Unique Resource Recreation Public access to Lake Superior Sensitive natural resources Culturally significant Navigation

6 An Urban Wilderness Large potential user base Proximity to largest volume port on the Great Lakes Proximity to busiest highway in northern Wisconsin

7 A Point of Contention Treaty signed for Federal Government to obtain Wisconsin Point land title from the Chippewa March 1854 President ordered the land reserved for military purposes Chippewa (led by Frank Lemieux) fought to hold possession of the land through litigation Woodframed pierhead beacon was erected on the end of the north pier 1913 Superior Harbor Entry South Breakwater Light put into service 1918 U.S. Steel Corporation removed the remains of Chippewa from a cemetery on the Point to the Nemadji River Cemetery in Superior 1924 Judge rules Agate Land Co. had clear title to the land with the exception of the streets belonging to the City of Superior and the small strip in Independence Square belonging to Lemieux heirs February 1854 Joseph Bullen purchased the land from the Federal Government 1855 Land released from military to Bullen, then sold to Agate Land Co. (United States Steel Corporation) Chippewa were awarded with a land settlement on Wisconsin Point in a park called Independence Square 1908 U.S. Steel Corporation began building infrastructure on the Point to support their Iron and Steel business. Financial settlements were made to the descendants of the land 1920 Lemieux descendents claim title to land and brought suit against the Agate Land Co. The U.S. Department of Interior has agreed to return 15 acres of land on Wisconsin Point in Superior, land taken from the Fond du Lac band in 1918.

8 Current Situation Wisconsin Point is owned and managed by the City of Superior 229 Acres Management guided by Master Park Plan (2010)

9 Current Situation Assesses needs Provides recommendations Identifies capital improvements & funding sources

10 Current Situation Managed for public access and outdoor recreation Wildlife habitat Some improvements

11 The Management Plan

12 What is a Management Plan A blueprint for the project area Establishes a long-range vision Establishes goals and objectives Identifies a management strategy for the project area (a course of action) Sets an implementation program (specific tasks, responsibilities, costs, timeline)

13 Why Develop a Management Plan? A publicly developed and sanctioned management plan ensures that as many public interests are heard and addressed as is possible. To develop a vision for long-term management of the property To focus limited resources wisely To identify and resolve management issues

14 Initiating a Management Planning Process Initiated through discussions between WDNR and local elected officials Superior Days and visit by Governor Jim Doyle (August 2010) Funded by Wisconsin Coastal Management (WCMP) and WDNR Stakeholder participation solicited in late 2010 o o o o o o City of Superior Douglas County Fond du Lac Band Lake Superior NERR UW-Superior Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

15 Steps in the Planning Process

16 The Planning Process Is the Plan working? Monitoring and Feedback Adjustment of solution What do we have? Decision to plan & commit resources Information gathering Getting there Implementation What do we want? Problem identification Analysis of problem Development of goals, objectives & policies How do we get there? Identification of alternative solutions Selection of solution and plan of action: The Plan

17 Steps in the Planning Process 1. Decide to Plan Allocate time, human resources, money, and energy to the effort.

18 Steps in the Planning Process 2. Structure and Schedule the Process What role will the public play? Who are the key stakeholders who need to be involved? How will the plan will be developed (in-house or by consultant)? What role will the governing bodies play? What is the plan development schedule with key milestones?

19 Steps in the Planning Process 3. Identify Issues and Problems Planning issues are topics of interest or concern about existing and potential resource use, resource health and related management practices. Items which may influence success of the project Concerns or problems to be addressed Public input will help to identify

20 Steps in the Planning Process 4. Gather Data and Analyze Existing Conditions Describe/analyze current physical, environmental and social (use) characteristics of the project area. Use patterns Amenities Resource condition Sensitive resources

21 Steps in the Planning Process 5. Identify the Vision Directs development of plan goals and objectives. Affirms the desired future for the resource

22 Steps in the Planning Process 6. Develop Plan Goals and Objectives Major themes that characterize direction and purpose for the resource and the means of realizing them. Broad statements that describe desired results Measurable objectives

23 Steps in the Planning Process 7. Identify and Evaluate Plan Options Identification of several management alternatives which reflect a range of possible direction for recreation, resource protection and property management

24 Steps in the Planning Process 8. Select Preferred Management Alternative Analysis and selection of preferred planning alternative with maps and plan policies that will achieve the vision, goals, and objectives.

25 Steps in the Planning Process 9. Implement the Plan Adoption of plan policies to implement the preferred option. Strategic action plan Timeline, responsibilities, costs

26 Steps in the Planning Process 10. Review and Monitor the Plan Keep the plan up-to-date and useful through scheduled review and revision (may involve going back through steps)

27 The Management Planning Process to Date Stakeholders met in April of 2011 to discuss project and work plan First formal meeting of steering committee in July, 2011 Draft plan to be prepared by July, more steering committee meetings 2 more public open houses

28 Other Projects/Activities Moccasin Mike Wetland Preservation Area (City) Shafer s Beach Piping Plover Habitat(Douglas Co LCD, City) Allouez Bay/Wisconsin Point Piping Plover Habitat (WDNR/St. Louis River Alliance) Allouez Bay Wild Rice Restoration(Douglas Co LCD) Wisconsin Point Shoreline Restoration(City) Allouez Bay Vegetation Restoration (Douglas Co LCD) Historic Demolition Dump Site/Soil Stockpile Area Historic Tree Dump/soil Stockpile Area Wisconsin Point Landfill (Abandoned) Hawk Banding Station (Hawk Ridge- Duluth MN) Wisconsin Point Invasive Species Survey (UWS)

29 Questions?

30 EXERCISE #1 VALUES Question: What do you value most about Wisconsin Point? 5 Minutes

31 EXERCISE #1 VALUES Question: What do you value most about Wisconsin Point? All responses will be written on board Each participants will receive 5 dots At the end of the exercise, each participant should place dots next to items which they believe are the highest priority. All 5 dots can be used for a single item or separately Total number of dots next to each item will be tallied

32 EXERCISE #2 ISSUE IDENTIFICATION Question: What do you believe are the most important management issues facing Wisconsin Point? 5 Minutes

33 EXERCISE #2 ISSUE IDENTIFICATION What do you believe are the most important management issues facing Wisconsin Point? All responses will be written on board Each participants will receive 5 dots At the end of the exercise, each participant should place dots next to items which they believe are the highest priority. All 5 dots can be used for a single item or separately Total number of dots next to each item will be tallied

34 How will this be used in the planning process? Your input will be provided to the steering committee to aid in the visioning process Next public meeting THANK YOU!!!