The Pine and Popple Wild Rivers
Management

Management on state-owned land along the rivers is designed to show as few traces of human intervention as possible. Except for limited walk-in canoe launch sites, developments are kept back from the river's edge. A "protection zone," managed to maintain and enhance a wild and natural condition, extends 150 feet back from the river's edge or to the visual horizon, whichever is greater. Lands more than 150 feet from the rivers are managed for forestry production, wildlife, and public recreational purposes. Except for road crossings, motorized vehicle access is restricted to designated areas outside of the protection zone. Through agreements with Florence County and the U.S. Forest Service, lands under their ownership along the Pine and Popple Rivers are managed under similar philosophies.

The Pine-Popple river shorelines are further protected from development impacts by Florence County's Wild River Ordinance. This ordinance regulates activities on lands within 400 feet of a wild river or the visual horizon, whichever is greater.

The Wild Rivers Legacy Forest

In 2006, the WDNR, The Nature Conservancy, Conservation Forestry, LLC and Forest Investment Associates cooperatively acquired the "Wild Rivers Legacy Forest," comprised of 64,473 acres of forest, more than 48 lakes and ponds, and over 70 miles of rivers and streams in Florence, Forest, and Marinette Counties. This transaction added 2,580 acres along the Pine and Popple Rivers and a 3,030-acre wild lakes complex. Additionally, an innovative working forest conservation easement on adjacent property owned by CFFIA (LLC) will permanently keep the majority of this land open to the public for recreation and ensure that the forests remain healthy and diverse through applied sustainable forestry principles. Although open for some types of public use this easement area is still private property; if you are unsure about permissible activities, please contact the property owners.

The Savage-Robago Wild Lakes Complex

Savage, Robago, Mud, and Dorothy Lakes are undeveloped lakes in a wilderness setting with unimproved carry-in access. These lakes are important to eagles, osprey, and loons as well as other waterfowl and marsh birds, but fishery values are limited due to occasional winterkill. The DNR will manage the lakes and associated uplands for their natural and recreation values using the same management approach as the Wild Rivers property.