DNR Seeking Public Comment On Variance To Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest Master Plan To Add Bicycle Touring Trails, Vault Toilet Facility

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on a proposed variance to the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest Master Plan.

As described in Chapter NR 44 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, a master plan variance is a change in the use or management of an area that is consistent with the area’s land management classification and objectives.

The variance to the 2005 Master Plan proposes two actions that would improve recreation facilities associated with bicycle touring within the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest. The first adds Map H-1 to the 2005 Master Plan as an addendum to Map H of the 2017 Recreation Amendment, identifying approximately 7 miles of authorized bicycle touring trails on DNR lands. The second proposes adding specific language to the master plan for the authorization of a vault toilet facility along an existing bicycle touring trail.

Spread across three counties near the towns of Woodruff, Mercer, Minocqua and Boulder Junction, the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest provides opportunities for a variety of outdoor recreation on its 236,000+ acres and more than 900 lakes within its boundaries.

The public can review the draft variance by visiting the DNR’s Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest Master Plan Variance webpage. Comments submitted will be a part of the official record and are subject to open records law.

The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding the proposed variance to the 2005 Northern Highland-American Legion Master Plan. Please submit comments by April 11, 2025 to:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
C/O Dominique Swangstu, DNR Property Planner
1027 West St. Paul Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53233
Dominique.Swangstu@wisconsin.gov

For more information related to the implementation of this variance on the property, please reach out by April 11, 2025 to:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
C/O Beth Feind, DNR Property Manager, Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest
8770 County J
Woodruff, WI 54568
Beth.Feind@wisconsin.gov