High Cliff State Park
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HIGH CLIFF STATE PARK Master Plan and Environmental Assessment October 2013 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources High Cliff State Park Master Plan and Environmental Assessment October 2013 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Parks and Recreation High Cliff State Park / Master Plan and Environmental Assessment (October 2013) 1 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources 101 S. Webster St. P.O. Box 7921 Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7921 This publication is available in alternative format (large print, Braille, audio tape, etc.) upon request. Please call 608-266-2181 for more information. You can also view this document on the Web at: http://www.dnr.wi.gov/master_planning/ Printed On Recycled Paper Publication # PR-851-2013 2 High Cliff State Park / Master Plan and Environmental Assessment (October 2013) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Governor Scott Walker Natural Resources Board Preston D. Cole, Chair Terry Hilgenberg, Vice Chair Gregory Kazmierski, Secretary William Bruins Christine L. Thomas Jane Wiley Gary Zimmer Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Cathy Stepp, Secretary Kurt Thiede, Administrator, Division of Land Dan Schuller, Bureau Director, Parks and Recreation Plan Process Team Jeff Prey, Carolyn Morgen Technical Team Craig Anderson, Peter Biermeier, Joe Henry, Ken Keeley, Frank Kirschiling, Tim Mella, Dick Nikolai, Dan Rogers Other Contributors Mark Dudzik, Linda Guelig, Arnie Lindauer, Cynthia Mueller, David Nelson, Ann Runyard and Jay Vosters Cover Photo - Nick Van Dinter Acknowledgement The Master Planning Team thanks the many private citizens, local official , and organizations who assisted in the creation of this plan by attending meetings and/or submitting written or verbal comments. It is apparent that the public greatly values High Cliff State Park for its beautiful natural resources and recreational opportunities. High Cliff State Park / Master Plan and Environmental Assessment (October 2013) 3 Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 Introduction and Plan Summary Purpose of the Master Plan .................................................................................................................................... 7 Need to Revise the High Cliff State Park Master Plan ............................................................................................... 7 Overview of the Planning Process ........................................................................................................................... 7 Public Participation ................................................................................................................................................. 7 Incorporation of Purposes and Benefits through the Master Pla ............................................................................. 7 Overview of the Master Plan ................................................................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER 2 Management, Development and Use of the Property Property Designation and Authority......................................................................................................................... 9 Vision Statement .................................................................................................................................................... 9 Property Goals ....................................................................................................................................................... 9 Recreation Management ........................................................................................................................................ 9 Designated Trails .................................................................................................................................... 9 Camping .............................................................................................................................................. 11 Day Use, Picnic Areas and Water Access ................................................................................................ 11 Hunting and Trapping ........................................................................................................................... 12 Interpretive and Historic ....................................................................................................................... 12 Park Entrance Visitor Station (PEVS) and Shop Building ......................................................................... 13 Recreational Land Use Agreements ....................................................................................................... 13 Land and Vegetative Management ........................................................................................................................ 14 High Cliff Recreation Management Area ............................................................................................................... 14 High Cliff Escarpment State Natural Area .............................................................................................................. 17 High Cliff Habitat Management Areas ................................................................................................................... 18 Boundary Expansion and Real Estate Management ............................................................................................... 20 Niagara Escarpment Recreation Management Area ............................................................................... 20 Cultural Resources Management .......................................................................................................................... 21 General Park Management Policies and Provisions ................................................................................................ 22 CHAPTER 3 Background and Affected Environment Property Description ............................................................................................................................................. 23 Existing Recreational Facilities and Use ................................................................................................................. 23 Special Designation/Settings within the Property ................................................................................................... 25 Regional Context.................................................................................................................................................. 25 Land Use and Trends ............................................................................................................................ 25 Recreational Resources, Use and Demand ............................................................................................. 25 CHAPTER 4 Analysis of the Environmental Impacts of the Master Plan Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action ........................................................................................................... 27 Environmental Effects and Their Significanc ......................................................................................................... 27 Air Quality ........................................................................................................................................... 27 Groundwater Resources ....................................................................................................................... 25 Surface Water Resources ...................................................................................................................... 28 Developments ...................................................................................................................................... 28 Land Management ............................................................................................................................... 28 Geological Resources ........................................................................................................................... 28 Visual/Scenic Resources ........................................................................................................................ 28 Land Use ............................................................................................................................................. 28 Infrastructure and Transportation .......................................................................................................... 28 Noise Impacts ...................................................................................................................................... 29 Recreational Resources ........................................................................................................................ 29 Human Health ...................................................................................................................................... 29 Biotic Resources ................................................................................................................................... 29 Invasive Plants ..................................................................................................................................... 30 Endangered or Threatened Species ....................................................................................................... 30 Historical and Archaeological Features .................................................................................................. 30 Economic