A county committee will wait to hear from a state agency before passing judgment on the future use of the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area.
The Sauk County Board’s Conservation, Planning and Zoning Committee was slated Tuesday to discuss a possible recommendation on the master plan for the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant lands.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has proposed three alternatives for the property which range from taking no action at all to the construction of an ATV track and shooting range.
People who spoke to the committee during public comment opposed these high-impact activities.
La Valle Town Board Chairwoman Beverly Vaillancourt told the committee such activities can negatively impact songbird populations.
Mary Carol Solum of Baraboo said she has been involved in the cleanup effort at the Badger plant for more than 20 years. She favors a fourth alternative that emphasizes conservation, sustainable agriculture, education and low-impact recreation.
“It represents the Badger Reuse Plan that was written a few years ago, which the County Board supported,” Solum said.
Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger Executive Director Laura Olah said all six municipalities near Badger have favored the fourth alternative as well. A majority of the 4,000-plus public comments received by the WDNR opposed the ATV track and shooting range alternative.
The committee decided to postpone making any recommendations at the request of Sauk County Board Chairman, the News Republic reported.