The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are seeking public comment on a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) to consider the current and proposed future operation of the Wild Rose State Fish Hatchery near the Village of Wild Rose, in Waushara County, Wis.
The Service and the DNR will seek public input during a 30-day comment period ending Nov. 14. The proposed alternative in the EA is to complete hatchery improvements such that the century-old facility becomes a state-of-the-art cold and cool water fish rearing facility that meets or exceeds all state and federal environmental regulations and allows production of more fish for stocking.
The proposed project is to be completed in two primary phases that focus on hatchery facilities and a third phase that includes wetlands restoration/reconstruction and dam removal. Phase 1 focuses on the west side of the property (west of Highway 22) and the cold water species hatchery. Phase 2 will provide cool water/warm water hatchery facilities on the east side of the site.
Phase 3 entails restoring and reconstructing stream and wetland areas on both sides of the site.
A second action alternative is analyzed in the environmental assessment that would involve closing the Wild Rose Hatchery and expanding operations at other, smaller facilities. A third "No Action" alternative is also considered, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, which would maintain the site and usage as it currently exists. Two other alternatives were considered, but not carried forward for detailed analysis, as they presented administrative and legal obstacles, and could not meet the purpose and need of the project.
The Service and the DNR will each make an independent decision on the EA in accordance with their respective environmental regulations. If public comments indicate there are additional issues not covered in the draft EA, these issues will be addressed in the final environmental assessment.
The proposed project is not anticipated to result in significant environmental impacts, and a preliminary determination has been made that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required.
The proposed project is also being reviewed under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The public is encouraged to inform the DNR or the Service about archeological sites, buildings and structures, historic places, cemeteries, and traditional uses of the area that could influence decisions about the project.
Copies of the draft EA are available on the DNR’s Web site at: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/fhp/wildrose. The draft environmental assessment also can be obtained by writing to Alfred Kaas, Bureau of Fisheries Management and Habitat Protection, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 101 South Webster Street. Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7921, or emailing at David_Pederson@fws.gov
Written comments should be sent to Alfred Kaas no later than Nov. 14, 2005, to: Alfred Kaas, Department of Natural Resources, 101 South Webster Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7921, via email to
