In January 2009, Senator Bob Jauch announced his goal of adding the Brunsweiler River in Ashland County to the Wild Rivers list, and naming it “The Martin Hanson Wild River” in honor of Wisconsin’s long-time conservationist.
The State Wild River legislation was passed over 40 years ago, the intent of the program is to “preserve some rivers in a free flowing condition and to protect them from development.” The program was developed to afford the people of Wisconsin an opportunity to enjoy natural streams, to attract out-of-state visitors and assure the well-being of the tourist industry. Currently, there are three Wild Rivers in Wisconsin: the Pike, Pine and Popple Rivers. The last time a river received the designation was in 1965.
The Brunsweiler River is an excellent candidate, as it provides a remote location for river recreation, with little development on its banks in the segment proposed for designation. The Brunsweiler segment includes more than a 10-mile stretch of river within the Chequamegon National Forest. The Brunsweiler was added to the state’s list of Outstanding Resource Waters in November, 2006. Because the proposed wild river segment of the Brunsweiler River is within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, and it touches very few private parcels, the designation is expected to have little impact on current management of the river and little impact on private landowners.
There is considerable grassroots support for this initiative. This proposal was one of the top initiatives voted on by local conservation organizations at an August 14, 2008 meeting of the League of Conservation Voters in Ashland and Bayfield Counties. In order to be designated as state Wild River, a bill would have to be passed by both houses of the Legislature and signed by the Governor.
Click here to learn more about the Brunsweiler Wild River Proposal.
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