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Highway 60 Scenic Byway Project |
TO: Town of Spring Green Planning Commission
Town of Spring Green Board of Supervisors
FROM: Mark E. Cupp, Executive Director
Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board
RE: Sand pit proposal
DATE: September 7, 2006
Due to a prior commitment, I am unable to attend the Monday, September 11, 2006, meeting of the Town of Spring Green Planning Commission. While the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board (LWSRB) has not yet had the opportunity to discuss the proposed mineral extraction operation slated for the Hausner Trust property in section 4, T8N-R4E, the LWSRB Executive Committee has authorized me to provide the following comments.
The site of the proposed mineral extraction is not within the Riverway boundary (see attached map). Therefore, the permit requirements and performance standards of the Riverway law are not applicable. Hypothetically, if the property were within the Riverway boundary, the law would require that the operation be located on lands not visible from the river and would further require that any equipment and stockpiled material also not be visible from the river. A permit from the LWSRB would be required.
An initiative that the LWSRB has directed me to pursue is designation of STH 60 as a state “Scenic Byway.” State designation is the first step toward a road being declared a National Scenic Byway, such as the Great River Road. At this point, which is very early in the process, the proposal calls for designation of STH 60 from the Interstate near Lodi to the Great River Road (Hwy. 35) at Prairie du Chien as a Wisconsin Scenic Byway. The designation is designed to enhance tourism and recognizes segments of roads with exceptional scenic and/or historic qualities. Certainly, STH 60 meets those criteria. While it is unclear what degree of impact the proposed sand pit may have on the application, it would be fair to say that the operation will not enhance the scenic quality of that segment of STH 60 and, therefore, is likely to be a detriment to the application.
If you have any questions or comments, please to contact me at (608) 739-3188 or 1-800-221-3792 or by e-mail at mark.cupp@wisconsin.gov. As always, I will be happy to assist in whatever manner possible. The next LWSRB meeting will be held on September 14th at the Spring Green Public Library beginning at 5:00 p.m. The proposed sand pit will be on the agenda for further discussion by the full board.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Cc: Mr. Art Carlson, Sauk County Board
Mr. Joel Gaalswyck, Sauk County Board
Mr. Lance Guerney, Director - Sauk County Planning & Zoning Department
Steve Colden, DNR Riverway Manager
LWSRB members