News Release

2021-Eastern Chippewa County Corridor Plan released

Date: June 22, 2021
Contact: Mary Tano, NPS, 608-798-8681
Contact: Drew Hansen, DNR, 608-977-0400
Contact: Brad Crary, IATA, 608-798-4453

 – The National Park Service (NPS) Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (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, Wisconsin. 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 will be available for public review for 30 days from June 18 to July 18, 2021.
To review and comment on proposed trail route options, including maps and aerial photos, development and maintenance plans, and potential economic benefits, visit the NPS planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website https://parkplanning.nps.gov 
When commenting, before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment––including your personal identifying information––may be made publicly available at any time.
The purpose of the proposed action is to establish a defined corridor averaging 2-5 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 22-25 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 high-quality 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 partners: Ice Age Trail Alliance, DNR and NPS. 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 of the land within the corridor. The Ice Age Trail was authorized as a National Scenic Trail by Congress in 1980 and a State Scenic Trail in 1987. When completed, the trail will meander over 1,200 miles through some of the finest glacial scenery in Wisconsin providing day walkers, backpackers, school children, and general outdoor enthusiasts with a premier hiking and educational experience. Today, approximately 700-miles of the trail is built. 
For more information, please visit the Ice Age National Scenic Trail website at https://www.nps.gov/iatr/index.htm, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website at https://dnr.wi.gov/, or the Ice Age Trail Alliance website at https://www.iceagetrail.org/.
You may also contact Mary Tano, NPS, 608-798-8681, Drew Hansen, DNR, 608-977-0400 or Brad Crary, IATA 608-798-4453.

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