Help keep the trails happy (and quiet) in Blue Mound State Park

[Updated from Nov. 9:] 

The comment period for the drafting of an updated Blue Mound State Park master plan 
ends Dec. 2. Avail yourself of the options below to register opposition to snowmobiling in the park, and specifically not on the Weeping Rock and Pleasure Valley Trails. Stress park uses which facilitating hiking, cross-county skiing and other traditional park uses. 

From the DNR: 

In addition to the opportunities to offer input online...people may contact DNR Planner Phil Rynish, by email at phillip.rynish@wisconsin.gov, phone at 608-266-5854, or U.S. mail at Phil Rynish, Wisconsin DNR, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI, 53707-7921.  

The public comment period for the management alternatives is open through Dec. 2, 2019. Visit the DNR website for more information on property planning. 

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It's time to hit the trail if you want a say in the future of Blue Mound State Park. 

You may remember that the WI DNR decided to allow snowmobiles inside the traditionally-quiet Blue Mound State Park back when the agency was run degraded with Walker's preferred 'chamber of commerce mentality.' 

Photo from Friends of Blue Mound State park website

That move was blocked by a Dane County Circuit Court because the agency's maneuvers violated its own rules. 

A judge has thrown out the state’s controversial decision to add a snowmobile trail to a state park known for silent sports such as cross-country skiing. 

The Department of Natural Resources violated its own rules when it approved snowmobiling at Blue Mound State Park, Dane County Circuit Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn ruled Tuesday.

I'd written about the ruling, and put it into a larger context.

Court ruling for state park's integrity could assist another

Now Walker is gone and the DNR wants people to say what they want in a new master plan for park which is yet to be written.

You would assume this snippet about the park from a DNR communication, below, would elicit comments from preservationists, hikers and others statewide willing to leave their snowmobiles parked elsewhere: 

Perched atop the highest point in southern Wisconsin, the more than 1,100 acre Blue Mound State Park offers spectacular views, opportunities to see and learn about unique geological features and a variety of recreational facilities. Over 20 miles of scenic trails, access to the Military Ridge State Trail, bike-in campsites, a family campground, summer swimming pool, and a rustic cabin for people with disabilities make Blue Mound a popular year-round destination.

Here's information from the DNR about the park, agency master planning procedures, an upcoming public meeting in Mt. Horeb on 11/19, and comment opportunities.
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BLUE MOUNDS, Wis. - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources encourages the public to learn about and provide input on management alternatives being considered for the Blue Mound State Park Master Plan online or in-person at the upcoming public meeting on Nov. 19. 

In March 2019, the DNR initiated the Blue Mound State Park master planning process with a public input opportunity. The input received at that time helped shape the management alternatives that the public can now review and comment on. 

The Blue Mound State Park management alternatives are options or concepts the DNR planning team is considering for recommendation in the eventual draft master plan. Management alternatives include topics such as project boundary adjustments, camping, mountain biking, snowmobiling, and forest and grassland management. A master plan, guided by Chapter NR 44, Wisconsin Administrative Code, establishes the level and type of resource management and public use permitted on department-managed properties.

The public can learn more about and engage in the planning process by attending an upcoming public meeting that will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19, at Mount Horeb High School Auditorium, 305 S. 8th St, Mount Horeb.

The meeting will include a presentation beginning at 5:45 during which the public will have the opportunity to learn more about the alternatives and submit their input. Following the meeting, the public will have the opportunity to discuss the alternatives with staff during an open house.

In addition to the public meeting, people can review information about the proposed Blue Mound State Park Master Plan alternatives online which is also a great way to learn about and give input on the management alternatives. The public can read the management alternatives document and submit comments using the interactive public input form. Downloadable input forms that may be sent it via U.S. Mail are also available. 

Printed copies of the management alternatives document are available to read at the Blue Mound State Park Office or Friends Shelter. Hard-copy input forms are also available to submit at the park.

Perched atop the highest point in southern Wisconsin, the more than 1,100 acre Blue Mound State Park offers spectacular views, opportunities to see and learn about unique geological features and a variety of recreational facilities. Over 20 miles of scenic trails, access to the Military Ridge State Trail, bike-in campsites, a family campground, summer swimming pool, and a rustic cabin for people with disabilities make Blue Mound a popular year-round destination.

"The Blue Mound State Park Master Plan Management Alternatives reflect the many public uses and ecological capabilities of the property. We hope all who are interested in the park take the opportunity to learn more about the alternatives and have their voice heard in this next step of the planning process" said Diane Brusoe, DNR Property Planning Section Chief. 

In addition to the opportunities to offer input online, at the property or at the public meeting, people may contact DNR Planner Phil Rynish, by email at phillip.rynish@wisconsin.gov, phone at 608-266-5854, or U.S. mail at Phil Rynish, Wisconsin DNR, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI, 53707-7921.
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From another WI DNR website, here are details about the comment options:

Have your voice heard! 

Submit your input on the management alternatives using one of the public input form options below.

• Online Input Form with Interactive Map [exit DNR]

• An input form with an interactive map to illustrate the management alternatives. This form is not recommended for mobile users.

• Online Input Form without Interactive Map [exit DNR]

• Submit your comments online using this form. 

• Recommended for mobile users.

• Hard Copy Input Form [PDF]

• Download and print this form to submit your comments via U.S. Mail....

  The deadline for submitting comments on the management alternatives is December 2, 2019.

  Please contact Phil Rynish, DNR Property Planner, at Phillip.Rynish@wisconsin.gov or 608-266-5854 with questions or comments.