Contacts
Larry Freidig, Wisconsin DNR, (608) 266-5897
David Pederson, USFWS, (612) 713-5143
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wisconsin Department
of Natural Resources (DNR) are seeking public input on an Environmental Assessment
(EA) for the proposed development of a harbor of refuge and expanded launching
opportunity at the Olde Stone Quarry Park to the waters of Green Bay. Public
comments will be accepted until March 7.
Olde Stone Quarry Park is a nine-acre parcel owned by the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources and operated as a park under agreement with
Door County. It is located approximately 4 miles northeast of Sturgeon Bay,
Wis. The park site is a “fair weather” launch site with two launch
lanes exposed to the waters of Green Bay and parking for 40 car/trailer units.
The launch site and shore fishing opportunity at the site are popular because
of deep water depths and good habitat for a smallmouth bass fishery.
The proposed project is to construct a harbor of refuge at
the present location of the two existing launch ramps. Two breakwater structures
attached to the shoreline would extend lakeward to create 20,000 square feet
of protected water. The balance of the harbor basin, approximately 40,000
square feet, would be excavated from the existing parkland.
The harbor will be excavated to a depth of 15 feet. The number
of launch lanes would be increased from 2 to 6 lanes with accessible boarding
docks for each launch lane. In addition, three floating docks located in
the basin would provide transient dockage for boaters in inclement weather.
Parking would be expanded by an additional 60 car/trailer units.
A second action alternative in the EA calls for construction
of a 2.6-acre harbor of refuge entirely through the construction of breakwaters,
with no land excavation. A "No Action" alternative, which would
leave the boat launch site as it currently exists, is also analyzed, as required
under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
In cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the
DNR is gathering public information and public comment regarding the draft
Environmental Assessment for the proposed project. Each agency will make
independent decisions on the EA in accordance with their respective environmental
regulations. If public comments indicate there are additional issues not
covered in the draft EA, these issues will be addressed in the final EA.
The proposed project is also being reviewed under Section 106
of the National Historic Preservation Act. The area of potential effect for
this undertaking is in the following areas: the shoreline and near shore
are of the park in the immediate vicinity of the existing launch ramps. In
these areas, there are remnants of the former quarry docking facilities including
concrete structures, cable, wooden and metal pilings, massive iron connecting
hardware and portions of steel and wooden retaining walls.
The public is requested to inform the Fish and Wildlife Service
about archeological sites, buildings and structures, historic places, cemeteries,
and traditional uses of the area that could influence decisions about the
project. Such information may be sent to Dave Pederson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 1 Federal Drive, Ft. Snelling, MN 55111.
Copies of the draft EA can be obtained from Larry Freidig, Wisconsin DNR, 101
South Webster Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53707, (608) 266-5897, e-mail: larry.freidig@dnr.state.wi.us.
The draft EA is also available from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Website
at http://midwest.fws.gov/nepa.
Written comments should be sent to Larry Freidig at the above
address or e-mail, or via fax to (608) 267-0496. All comments must be received
no later than March 7, 2005.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible
for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their
habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages
the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545
national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management
areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 63 Fish and Wildlife Management
offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal
wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird
populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores
wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their
conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which
distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and
hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
-FWS-
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