Editor’s note: This week’s column is written by Gloria McCutcheon, southeast regional director, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Thursday, January 10, 2008 12:07 PM CST

Gloria McCutcheon

Driving west on Jay Road on a misty morning, I glimpse at wild turkeys in a field. Crossing the North Branch Milwaukee River which is surrounded by an extensive wetland complex, I see deer in the rural landscape and gaze at the farms. The North Branch spills over the road during high water. The access site on Lake Twelve is nearby. It is a tranquil setting with a way of life expressed through the land pattern of farms woven throughout a fabric of exceptional resources.

But several years ago, there was no assurance that this pastoral setting would exist for generations to enjoy.

Fortunately, the Department came to believe that protecting and sustaining the conservation and recreation values of this area would be most effective if farming operations continue. With this change in attitude, what could have become a traditional wildlife project became the North Branch Milwaukee River Wildlife and Farming Heritage Project.

The project

The North Branch Milwaukee River Wildlife and Farming Heritage Project is an innovative land conservation opportunity, close to the largest population center in Wisconsin. Only 35 miles from Milwaukee, the 19,487-acre total project area includes approximately 9,100 acres of cropland and pasture, nearly 6,000 acres of wetlands, and 700 acres of upland forests. Its large, open rural spaces are complemented with natural resources featuring a river, lakes, streams, wetlands and upland habitat.

The recognition that maintaining farming, farmland and rural character is compatible with providing the enjoyment of low impact nature and outdoor recreation is not an entirely new concept. From 1994 through 1996, the DNR initiated a program to join conservation, habitat, environment and agricultural production. Farmers, hunters, anglers, landowners and others met in northeast, southwest and southeast Wisconsin. Interest waned but the urgency of conserving farmland and wildlife habitat areas did not diminish.

Seven years ago, the DNR issued the 2000 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The plan detailed what was obvious for those of us who live, work, and enjoy the outdoors in southeastern Wisconsin - the connection between lower participation in outdoor recreational activities and lack of access to publicly owned land. Southeastern Wisconsin is home to 40 percent of the state’s population, but only 4 percent of the land is publicly owned. Contrast that statistic with the fact that nearly 16 percent of the land in Wisconsin is publicly owned. The SCORP heightened public awareness to the issues of land acquisition, natural resource protection and farmland conservation. The SCORP findings were uppermost in our minds as we began the process of creating the North Branch Milwaukee River Wildlife and Farming Heritage Area.

The process

The American Farmland Trust identified southeastern Wisconsin as the third most threatened agricultural landscape in the nation and the timing was critical that Southeast Region create a project that would protect wildlife AND preserve the area’s farming heritage. I determined that we could not afford to wait. And the many talented and willing staff who were involved recognized the significant recreation and resource values of the area where the North Branch Milwaukee River, its tributary streams and wetlands converge at the boundaries of Sheboygan, Washington and Ozaukee Counties. They shared my commitment to move forward, emphasize the importance of the farms, and think in an exceptionally collaborative and different way.

Typically, after a feasibility study and a project boundary are developed and approved, the land acquisition process follows an established path. Under normal circumstances, proposed projects await initiation of the process until planning staff and funding support are available. But this project was not normal and as SER Director, I directed that the process begin with wildlife manager Dale Katsma as the lead, under general guidance from planner Therese Gripentrog.

The planning process started in August 1999 with extensive public and private participation. We contacted public officials and initiated numerous discussions with local farmers and other neighbors, Farm Bureau representatives, county land conservation departments, legislators, town boards, county board members, and village officials. Dan Poulson, Natural Resources Board member and director of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, participated extensively in outreach activities. His high visibility and sound guidance will be remembered among the key building blocks for the long-term success of this project. We had one-on-one meetings and went door-to-door to build understanding, gain support, and develop a collaborative approach. We listened, made changes to the plan, and then made more changes. At times, we slowed down and took a step back before moving ahead because we wanted this plan and project to succeed.

Status

It has been five years since the Natural Resources Board approved the project in 2002. Prior to Board approval, the Department owned 80 acres in fee title within the current boundary. Since 2002, the Department has purchased easements on nine farms totaling 1,260 acres and has acquired 402 acres in fee title ownership on six properties. Partner groups have acquired 140 acres in conservation easements and 618 acres in fee title ownership. In total, the Department and partner groups have acquired 1,400 acres in conservation easements and 1,100 acres in fee title ownership. This represents 2,500 acres, which is 12.8 percent of the 19,487 acres within the project boundary.

The river runs through the farm of a third generation farmer who participates in the program. The farmer’s son will become a fourth generation dairy farmer who will grow the feed necessary for the dairy herd on the land which is now preserved in open space with a conservation easement.

The project area is home to many wildlife species from songbirds and waterfowl to white-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, squirrels and cottontail rabbits. Furbearers such as muskrat, mink and beaver inhabit the North Branch Milwaukee River, its tributaries and associated wetlands. Numerous fish species including northern pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and rock bass are found in the lakes and streams located within the project boundary.

The demand for outdoor recreational opportunities is high in southeast Wisconsin. Given the project’s location near the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the North Branch Milwaukee River Wildlife and Farming Heritage Area will provide the opportunity to experience outdoor recreational activities such as bird watching, wildlife viewing, canoeing, fishing, hunting, trapping and hiking.

The program has proved to be more successful than we could have imagined, with more landowners taking part and many continuing to express an interest in the program. Southeast Region wildlife managers and real estate agents are the main contacts for farmers who are interested in becoming involved. Acquisition methods are fee title ownership, conservation easements, and purchase of development rights. Funding methods include the state Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, the Federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Programs, North American Wetland Conservation Act, grants, and donations.

Future

The North Branch is only the beginning. The Department continues to look at important resource value areas and consider similar projects.

The tillable land in southeast Wisconsin is some of the best in the state. The Department’s commitment to restore wetlands, establish grasslands and maintain buffer strips will continue, while looking for opportunities for other innovative projects. Working together is the path that lies ahead. This means that the Department, land trusts, farmers and others must all work to ensure that existing communities in the natural resource sense such as wetlands, grasslands, and woodlands meld with small rural family farming communities on the landscape and continue to add to the rural character, economy and scenic value of our state.

The farms

There are many dairy farms within the North Branch. A farmer once described that life on the farm involves working from before dawn to after dusk. Life on the farm involved rising early and spending several hours in the milking barn. Feeding the herd would be next. After lunch there might be field work. If a piece of machinery was broken, it was fixed. After dinner and a glance at the newspaper, several more hours were spent milking cows. Lucky to be in bed before midnight, the farmer would start the process again in less than six hours. Although the routine would rarely change, the farmer loved it and looked forward to the next day.

The farm has been in the family for several generations, and with two children, it may remain so. But Farming Heritage provides this farmer, or any farmer within the project area, the opportunity to continue the tradition.

Farming Heritage reflects the importance of agriculture and commitment to the resources, farm representatives, farmers and the farms. They are part of the heritage that we must first preserve, before we can pass them on.

Years from now, whether you are pleasure driving, wildlife watching, or just traversing the area, you can cross over five tributary streams and nine miles of the North Branch Milwaukee River. You can view the area of open landscapes, agriculture and wetlands. You will see what I saw that misty morning, the tradition of family farms passing through generations at Century Farms, and you will feel the tranquil satisfaction that the landscape of southeastern Wisconsin will always feature farmland and farms

Gloria McCutcheon grew up near her grandparents’ small animal and vegetable farm in Illinois. In 1982, she was appointed as director in the eight-county Southeast District (now Region) for the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In this position, McCutcheon works across all programs in the Department's decentralized field operations and integrates environmental and resource management activities using a customer driven ecosystem management approach. She has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in sanitary engineering from the University of Illinois. She is a registered professional engineer in Wisconsin. McCutcheon and her husband, Bill, have two daughters and a grand-daughter.

Capitol notes:

By Joan Sanstadt, News Editor

Here’s a quick update on some of the events that have happened over the holidays:

- Another Wisconsin lawmaker will soon be on his way to Iraq. He is State Rep. Roger Roth (R-Grand Chute), a member of the Madison-based 115th Fighter Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard. The first-term lawmaker is a senior airman with the Guard. While in Iraq, Roth’s job will be to maintain ejection seats for F-16 planes.

- Rep. Steve Hilgenberg (D-Dodgeville), next week will introduce a bill dealing with a Catastrophic Care Authority (CCA). This CCA would study options, identify strategies and develop recommendations for establishing a statewide catastrophic care pool to provide coverage to both businesses and individuals facing catastrophic claims. Expectations are that a universal type of health care plan) similar to the Healthy Wisconsin plan that was withdrawn from the state budget) will be re-introduced.

- Rep. Eugene Hahn (R-Cambria), who has served in the State Assembly since his election in 1990, has announced his decision to not seek re-election this fall.

- The Wisconsin Legislature will be meeting on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from Jan. 15 through the 31. The legislature’s last general business floorperiod will begin on Feb. 19 and last through March 13 n again sessions will be conducted on Tuesdays through Thursdays of that period. A limited-business floorperiod is set for May 6 through 8.

- American flags being sold in our neighboring state of Minnesota must be made in America. That’s the law that became effective in that state on Jan. 1, 2008. Arizona, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and New Jersey have similar laws against flags made in other countries. Because of online flag sales from non-Minnesota companies, enforcement of the law could be difficult. It could also interfere with current free-trade agreements.

- In late December, President Bush signed a measure that will give veterans who are visually impaired in one eye greater compensation if they suffer loss of sight in the other eye. The bill’s author is U.S. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-Madison). Known as the Dr. James C. Allen Veteran Vision Equity Act, the law change allows veterans who lost an eye n or their eyesight n through their military service, to receive greater compensation if they subsequently suffer loss of sight in the other eye. Dr. Allen is a 79-year-old retired Madison ophthalmologist and Korean War veteran.

- There is only one state-wide race in the Spring Election. It is for a seat on the State Supreme Court now held by Justice Louis Butler, appointed to the court by Gov. Jim Doyle. His opponent will be Burnett County Circuit Judge Michael Gableman. Another candidate, Sun Prairie Attorney Charles Schutze, withdrew from the race.

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