Blue Mound Public Hearing for the Draft Amendment to the Master Plan
Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Time: 5 PM
Location: Mount Horeb High School
Master Plan InfoThe draft includes a recommendation to allow CORP to complete Pokerville Trail. It also recommends the closure of parts of Over Lode Trail. The initial closure will probably take place next spring, and almost the entire trail will eventually be closed. The DNR’s ecological survey revealed the presence of rare birds and bats on the eastern edge of Pleasure Valley, and they feel the best response is to close most of the trail in that area to make it more suitable for the animals.
We like birds and bats and want them to continue doing well, as they currently are in the presence of bikers, runners, hikers, and hunters. We feel that the DNR is failing to balance the value of the trail to its users compared to the relatively minimal increased value it has to its animal inhabitants as a habitat closed to silent sport trail users.
The trail was built with part of a $10,000 donation to the park by REI corporation. Volunteers provided all the labor. Professionally built trails cost $3-$5 per foot, and we will be losing close to 4 miles of trail all told.
The trail is part of a system that generates revenue for the state parks by selling trail passes. At a time when the legislature has zeroed out the operating budget for state parks, it seems incredible that the DNR is eliminating a source of revenue, however small.
The hearing will allow members of the public to register on site and speak. There will be representatives from the DNR present to listen to anyone who wants to comment on their plan.
Please attend the hearing and let the DNR know you want them not to close any part of Over Lode Trail.
