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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Douglas County Forest comprises an area of 272,795 acres in the northwestern corner of the State of Wisconsin. Since the late 1800’s, an increasingly dense network of trails and roads has been created by industrial and recreational activities. Over the last several decades, there also has been an increase in the number and intensity of recreational users of the Forest. Use of the trails and roads by an increasing number of both motorized and non-motorized recreationists has had a negative impact on wildlife populations, caused environmental damage (e.g. soil erosion), and led to increased user conflicts. The Douglas County Access Management Plan provides a balance between use of the Forest by different user groups and protection of resources. Impacts on wildlife and the environment by motorized recreational vehicles have been noted in a number of land-use studies and reports throughout the United States. With Douglas County’s Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certification, new principles, objectives, and performance measures all aimed at ensuring the long-term protection of wildlife, plants, soil, and water resources have been adopted. Although a County Land Recreation Ordinance regulates types of use and access on County forest land by both highway vehicles and off-highway vehicles, there is no approved Department plan that provides direction for both motorized and non-motorized forest access. As a result of the Douglas County Forest Comprehensive Land-Use Plan 2006-2020 development process, the Access Management Plan project was initiated in the fall of 2004 under the auspices of the Forest, Parks, and Recreation Committee. The Plan addresses and provides field-level direction on motorized and non-motorized access to the Forest and in doing so protects the environment and native wildlife populations while minimizing user conflicts. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) coordinated and assisted with the project as part of its role with the State’s County Forest Program. In the summer of 2004, a six-member working group was formed that included staff with both the Douglas County Forestry Department (DCFD) and WDNR. The decision making process allowed each member to voice his/her position individually, though all positions were adopted by group consensus. Meetings with the general public were held in September 2005 in Solon Springs and Superior, Wisconsin. In May 2005, an initial draft of the Access Management Plan was made available for public review at the DCFD office and on the County’s website. This provided opportunities for those not directly involved in the process to express their opinions. Much comment was generated by the public which included opposing views on current use designations and access management across the Forest. Using input from the public, the working group revised portions of the Plan while recognizing that the final product might not be endorsed by every individual or organization. During December 2007, the working group approved the Access Management Plan and recommended its incorporation into the Comprehensive Land-Use Plan 2006-2020 following review and approval by the Forest, Parks, and Recreation Committee and the full Douglas County Board of Supervisors.