Input needed for new Ice Age Trail connection plan

The National Park Service (NPS), Wisconsin DNR and Ice Age Trail Alliance, are seeking public input on a proposed plan for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (Ice Age NST) corridor in eastern Chippewa County.

This corridor will provide a connection between an established segment of the trail west of the City of Cornell, east to the Taylor County line near Otter Lake. The Corridor Plan and Environmental Assessment for eastern Chippewa County, is available for public review through July 18.

The purpose of the proposed action, is to establish a defined corridor averaging two to five miles wide within which the trail can be developed, in order to link potential support facilities for hikers, such as trailheads, water, parking, camping, groceries,and phones, at such places as the City of Cornell, Otter Lake County Park and Pike Lake.

The preferred alternative would allow an additional 2225 miles of Ice Age Trail to be constructed from the City of Cornell, to the Taylor County line. The intention is to acquire an approximate 50-1,000 foot wide trailway from willing landowners for the Ice Age NST.

In some areas, more land may be desired to preserve outstanding resource features or to accommodate the wishes of the landowner. This width of trail way provides for a highquality hiking experience for the public, while maintaining a buffer for neighboring landowners.

Landowners interested in allowing the Ice Age NST passage across their lands, can work with the plan partners. Any land transactions would be made on a willing participant basis only.

Lands purchased for the Ice Age NST by public agencies or non-profit organizations, may be eligible for funding assistance under the Wisconsin State Stewardship Program and federal grant programs. It is not the intent of the partners to acquire all the land within the corridor.

To review and comment on proposed trail route options, visit parkplanning.nps.gov.