Oneida County Comprehensive Plan Facing Controversy Over Logging and Land Use Changes
In a move that has sparked significant debate, the Oneida County Board’s planning and development committee recently approved recommendations for alterations to the county’s comprehensive plan, largely influenced by pro-logging advocates. The changes stem from suggestions made by the Great Lakes Timber Professional Association (GLTPA) and the conservative organization American Stewards of Liberty (ASL), following the establishment of the Pelican River Forest conservation easement that spans nearly 70,000 acres.
U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany has played a pivotal role in rallying support for these changes, which critics argue erode environmental protections in favor of extractive practices, such as logging and mining. The ASL, which typically targeted property rights issues in the western U.S., has shifted focus to Wisconsin, claiming the local government failed to coordinate adequately with residents regarding land use policies.
Among the most notable changes to the comprehensive plan are amendments that shift from minimizing the impacts of nonmetallic mining on natural resources to merely considering these impacts. Environmental advocates have voiced strong opposition, fearing that these changes could set a dangerous precedent for neighboring counties to follow suit and jeopardize future conservation efforts.
Critics, including local conservation groups, argue that the infiltration of ASL’s agenda into local planning undermines the integrity of environmental protections. As discussions continue ahead of the next committee meeting, the implications of these revisions loom large, raising alarms among those committed to safeguarding the Northwoods’ ecology.
Environmental leaders assert that these proposed changes represent a critical moment for Oneida County, warning that if adopted, they could lay the groundwork for a broader trend undermining conservation in the region.
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