(67) A Strategic Approach to Lake Planning

Session: Concurrent Session D3:  Statewide Extension Initiatives

Wisconsin lakes are continually immersed in change.  Lake associations and protection districts are constantly working to balance diverse recreational demands, protect shrinking wildlife habitat, and improve water quality.  Creating a common vision for the future of the lake that meets the needs of residents and neighboring communities while protecting the lake can be a challenge for any lake organization.  Mirror Lake, a 140-acre impoundment located in northern Sauk County, is no exception.  The Mirror Lake Protection District, Mirror Lake Association and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Mirror Lake State Park Representatives worked with Jenny Erickson, the Sauk County UW-Extension Community Development Agent and John Exo, UW-Extension Lower Wisconsin River Basin Educator, to develop a long-range plan designed to help build consensus between the three organizations and focus their efforts to protect the water quality of the lake.

Through the planning process the organizations and key stakeholders developed a mission statement, conducted a stakeholder assessment, recognized important opportunities and threats, and identified the following four priority issues: 

• Remove and manage nutrients sediment entering the lake
• Prevent and manage invasive species
  
• Improve recreational opportunities
• Maintain scenic beauty
  

The planning team developed strategies to address each of these issues over the next five years.  The Mirror Lake Protection District presented the plan at their annual meeting in June 2007.  This presentation will focus on the planning process and impacts after the first year as well as the challenges of developing one lake protection plan for three organizations with a direct interest.

Jennifer Erickson
University of Wisconsin- Extension
505 Broadway
Baraboo, WI  53913, USA
Phone: 608-355-3250
Fax: 608-355-3550
jennifer.erickson@ces.uwex.edu

John Exo
University of Wisconsin-Extension
505 Broadway
Baraboo, WI  53913, USA
Phone: 608-355-3250
Fax: 608-355-3550
john.exo@ces.uwex.edu