Blue Mound volunteer group alleges DNR threats, cover-up in dispute over snowmobile trail
CHRIS HUBBUCH
Updated
A dispute over plans to build a snowmobile trail through Blue Mound State Park has pitted the state Department of Natural Resources against the park's volunteer support group. Above, Becky Aurit of Monroe skis on a groomed trail in 2018.
A dispute over plans to build a snowmobile trail through Blue Mound State Park has spawned more legal action against the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources by the park’s volunteer supporters, who say agency officials threatened them and then tried to cover it up.
A land conservancy organization has purchased about 70,000 acres of northern Wisconsin forestland in hopes of preserving it for public use and logging.
Photos: Stunning views of the Pelican River Forest
Pelican River Forest
The Conservation Fund announced Wednesday it has purchased a 70,000-acre tract of northern Wisconsin forest to be preserved for public recreation and logging.
JAY BRITTAIN, THE CONSERVATION FUND
Pelican River Forest
The Pelican River Forest includes about 68 miles of river and straddles two watersheds: the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan.
JAY BRITTAIN/THE CONSERVATION FUND
Pelican River Forest
The Conservation Fund is pursuing easements to protect access and restrict development of the 70,000-acre Pelican River Forest, which will then be sold.
JAY BRITTAIN/THE CONSERVATION FUND
Pelican River Forest
The Wolf River as it runs through the 70,000-acre Pelican River Forest, the largest unprotected tract of privately-owned forest in the state.
JAY BRITTAIN/THE CONSERVATION FUND
Pelican River Forest
A belted kingfisher photographed in the Pelican River Forest, which provides habitat for rare species including the American marten and spruce grouse as well as bears, wolves, deer and other species common to northern Wisconsin.
JAY BRITTAIN/THE CONSERVATION FUND
Pelican River Forest
Situated just east of Rhinelander, the 70,000-acre Pelican River Forest connects the Chequamegon-Nicollet National Forest to several tracts of county forest.
JAY BRITTAIN/THE CONSERVATION FUND
Pelican River Forest
The Pelican River Forest includes about 27,000 acres of forested wetlands.
A dispute over plans to build a snowmobile trail through Blue Mound State Park has pitted the state Department of Natural Resources against the park's volunteer support group. Above, Becky Aurit of Monroe skis on a groomed trail in 2018.
