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Open houses seek public input on proposed Hackmatack wildlife refuge

Photo

The proposed Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge from a feasibility study by the Trust for Public Land.

GENOA CITY — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released for public review and comment an environmental assessment for a possible national wildlife refuge that would include part of southern Walworth County and northern Illinois.

The assessment present four alternatives designed to benefit specific wildlife and plant habitats within the original study area, according to a news release.

Land conservation methods for core areas, up to 11,200 acres in total would include fee purchase from willing sellers, conservation easements, and private initiatives aimed at creating contiguous natural habitat, the release noted.

The agency will hold two open house events the public can attend, allowing people to talk with service planning staff and submit comments on the assessment.

The first open house will be April 3 from 5-8 p.m. at the Lost Valley Visitor Center in Glacial Park, Illinois Route 31 and Harts Road, Ringwood., Ill. The second open house will be April 4, from 5-8 p.m. at the Brookwood Middle School, 1020 Hunter’s Ridge Drive, Genoa City.

Comment forms will be made available at the events so written comments can be submitted onsite or mailed in later to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Conservation Planning, Attn: Hackmatack Refuge EA, 5600 American Boulevard West, Bloomington, MN 55437.

Comments also may be sent through the fish and wildlife service’s planning website at www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/Hackmatack/index.html The environmental assessment also may be viewed there.

For information on the agency’s Midwest Region, visit Midwest.fws.gov