Critical Issues:

Develop an Ecological Management Plan which blends today’s science regarding management of natural resources and wildlife with current recreational uses.

• Proper management and protection of the habitat for Henslow’s Sparrow, a threatened species that nests in an area on the south side.
• Continuing interest from the dog trial organizations to upgrade their facilities, increase the mowing and expand the allowable seasons for dog trial events.
• The prime open area for the dog trial events is the same habitat area for the Henslow’s Sparrow’s nesting.
• Address their concern over the years with DNR staff turnover which brings changing management practices
• Need a formal agreement with the Dog Trialers Association clearly defining roles and responsibilities Long-term vegetation management plan for the entire area

The need for a plan that clearly spells out the long-term goals for the area as well as defining roles, responsibilities, opportunities and limitations of current recreational users and the DNR:

• User groups have established long-term use patterns with the permission of previous DNR staff that are/were contradictory to DNR policies and procedures
  • Dog trialers camping overnight with no fee collection and leaving animals (horses and dogs) overnight unattended
  • Non-dog trialing equestrians camping in day-use parking lot without camping facilities or fee collection
  • Inconsistency of trail policy vs. indiscriminant riding when dog trialers are training. Inconsistency of dog trialers being able to train with horses on site while the area is closed to other equestrians due to excessive wet trail conditions. DNR needs more info on training – amount, season and location
  • Inconsistency of trail closer policy as it relates to equestrians, mountain bikes and hikers
• Address inadequate fees, lack of insurance for club using live ammunition, lack of compliance with current DNR policies (both the DNR and dog trialers)
• Address excessive trail erosion as related to statewide trail policy
• Address the problem of excessive closures of entire trail system due to one