Gov. Jim Doyle announced plans on Monday to use $4.1 million to purchase land
in Door County near Sturgeon Bay and on Washington and Detroit islands at the
tip of the county.
The funds will include $2 million from the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service and $2 million from the state Stewardship Fund. The rest
will come from private sources.
In one set of transactions, 195 acres -
6,500 feet of shoreline - will be added to four state natural areas on
Washington and Detroit islands, including Detroit Harbor between the two
islands. Funding will include $1.1 million from the state and $1 million in
federal dollars.
In the other transaction near Sturgeon Bay, 440 acres
will be added to the Clay Banks State Natural Area on the south side of the
Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal and to land north and east of Sturgeon Bay, along the
bay.
Funding will include $1 million in state funding and $1 million in
federal funding.
Door County is one of Wisconsin's most biologically
diverse counties and has the highest number of rare species of any county in the
state. It also serves as an important stopover for many migratory
birds.
Doyle issued a statement on the funding after federal authorities
approved their portion of the projects. However, deals to buy the land form
private sources and Sturgeon Bay Utilities are not final, a Department of
Natural Resources official said.
Money from the Stewardship Fund comes
from state general-purpose revenue. The federal dollars come from a program
funded by the Sport Fish Restoration Act, from sales taxes from the sale of
fishing equipment and motorboat and small-engine fuel. |
