The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has established a National Wildlife Refuge to protect and restore lower Whittlesey Creek and nearby lakeshore and wetlands through acquisition or other means. This will be the first unit of the National Wildlife Refuge system in northern Wisconsin.

The Service currently manages National Wildlife Refuges, in all 50 states, to conserve fish and wildlife and for wildlife-oriented education and recreation. Land for the new Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge may be acquired and habitat restored on up to 540 acres where the creek enters Chequamegon Bay. The Service may also seek voluntary conservation easements on other critical sites in the Whittlesey Creek watershed. Land would be purchased only from willing sellers.

The Service has contacted landowners within the project boundary. When they are interested in selling their property, a professional appraisal will be done. By law, the Service must pay fair market value, and will pay many of the costs incurred in selling the property and relocating residences. Service policy is to acquire the minimum interest necessary to reach management objectives. This may include full ownership, conservation easements, leases, and life-use reservations. In the latter, the owner reserves the right to live on and use part of the property for the remainder of his or her life. Owners sometimes choose to donate land because of tax advantages or as a lasting memorial.