Property Master Planning
Completed State Forests Plans

"Master Plans allow us to use our collective knowledge and shared values to envision a forest that provides ecological, economic and social benefits for current and future generations-one that will carry our mission into the future."

Each State Forest is guided by a property "master plan" The Master Plan provides a blue print for future use and development as well as establishing specific goals and objectives for the property. Master plans are designed to provide a vision for how the property will look and feel and what benefits it will provide.

Chapter NR 44 [exit DNR] of the Wisconsin Administrative Code [exit DNR] establishes the process for master planning.

• The first steps are to identify issues to be addressed during planning and outline how the public will be involved in the planning process for an individual property.
• Next, goals and objectives for the property are defined.
• With public input, the department then develops and evaluates alternative management scenarios.
• Through discussion and evaluation, a preferred alternative emerges.
• This alternative is crafted into the draft master plan and the department prepares an environmental analysis (Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement).
• Both documents go to the Natural Resources Board for review and approval.

State Forest Master Pans are also guided by

• s.28.04 Wis. Stats [exit DNR]
  defines the purpose of the state forests

Other Department Master Plans