Wisconsin purchases 970 acre addition for Kettle Moraine State Forest

[Len Backus]

Wisconsin purchases 970 acre addition for Kettle Moraine State Forest in Waukesha and Walworth Counties

$10.8 million purchase funded by state Stewardship Program

MADISON ' The Natural Resources Board has approved a land purchase proposal that will add 970 acres to the state's Kettle Moraine State Forest at a cost of $10.8 million. The approved proposal must now go to the Governor's desk for signature.

'This is a rare opportunity to provide outdoor recreational opportunities in the most populous part of our state,' said DNR Secretary Matt Frank. 'All types of nature based outdoor recreation including hunting and trapping are anticipated for this land. Once the purchase is completed the Walworth County portion will be open immediately; the Waukesha County portion will require some land restoration but should be opened for all activities in about two to three years.'

The purchase would be funded through the state Stewardship Program which was recently reauthorized for the ten-year period 2010-2020. The Doyle administration made reauthorization a key component of the 2008-09 budget providing up to $50 million per year throughout the 10-year period for purchase of public lands.

Known as the Rainbow Springs Property, the purchase will provide protection of unique natural resources as well as opportunity for public recreation within easy travel distance of major state population centers in southeast Wisconsin. The property abuts the existing 1,800 acre Lulu Lake State Natural area and includes wetland and upland habitat, an entire lake and ¾ mile of Mukwonago River corridor. The land will be added to lands included in the Kettle Moraine State Forest as the Mukwonago River Unit.

Approximately 550 acres of the property is currently undeveloped wooded upland, flood plain or lowland corridors, about 40 acres are open water and 150 acres cropland. The property also includes a 36- hole golf course, clubhouse, a fire-damaged hotel and convention center, a residence and other improvements occupying 240 acres.

Under terms of the purchase agreement the current owners, RainbowSprings Golf Company, Inc., and U.S. Residential Golf Company,will lease the 240 acre golf course for 2 years. At the end of the lease period the golf course, which is largely in the flood plain of the Mukwonago River, will be removed and the area restored to a natural condition.

Natural Resources

Located in the Mukwonago River watershed, the property contains many headwater springs supporting high water quality and many wildlife and plant species. The Wisconsin Land Legacy report, published in 2006, lists the watershed as a priority area for preservation. Excluding the golf course and associated buildings the remainder of the property is relatively undeveloped with a mix of agriculture, remnant oak and savanna, wetlands and some pine plantations. The frontage along the Mukwonago River is classified as an outstanding water resource and a Class II trout stream. Also included is all frontage around Rainbow Springs Lake, a 38-acre natural seepage lake.

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