By Don Behm of the Journal Sentinel


The state Department of Natural Resources would spend $550,000 in
state and federal funds to provide public access to Spring Lake in
southern Sheboygan County and protect a large farm on the edge of
Random Lake from development, as part of a proposal to be considered
Wednesday by the Natural Resources Board.

The DNR has an option to buy a conservation easement prohibiting
development of a 131-acre farm, south of county Highway II in the Town
of Sherman, owned by John Best Jr., said Dale Katsma, the department's
wildlife supervisor in Plymouth. The property is on the southwest
corner of Random Lake.

Acquiring the easement would provide public access to 124 acres of the
farm for hiking or skiing, and walk-in only access to Spring Lake.
Best would remain owner of the farm and continue paying property
taxes, under terms of the easement. Public hunting or trapping would
not be allowed.

The Best farm encompasses 1,640 feet of shoreline on the north end of
the lake, as well as cropland and upland woods of maple, oak and
basswood, Katsma said. There is no public access to the lake, which
straddles the border of Sheboygan and Ozaukee counties.

Since 2002, the DNR has purchased conservation easements on 1,728
acres of farmland where three counties - Ozaukee, Washington and
Sheboygan - meet. Board approval of the Best project would boost the
total to 1,859 acres under easement.

State natural resources officials have targeted for protection more
than 19,500 acres where the counties meet as a North Branch Milwaukee
River Wildlife & Farming Heritage Area. The North Branch and five
tributary streams flow through the area.

This is the largest block of open space remaining in southeastern
Wisconsin and the area includes 9,000 acres of cropland and nearly
6,000 acres of wetlands, along with woods and homesteads, according to
Katsma.

Protecting farms under easements helps stabilize rural communities and
preserve agricultural production, Katsma said.

The DNR has received a $178,000 federal grant to help pay cost of the
easement. State Stewardship program funds would pay remaining costs if
the project is approved by the board. The Natural Resources Board is
meeting Tuesday and Wednesday in Wisconsin Rapids.

In addition to easements, the DNR also has purchased 606 acres of
property within the wildlife & farming heritage area.