| | Flambeau scenery from a pontoon |
Event focuses on river's role, value
Canoists,
outdoor enthusiasts, area residents and members of Midwest based
environmental groups spent a big share of Saturday on the Flambeau
River and/or talking about it.
The Rusk County River Alliance sponsored the event for various reasons, according to Beth Bettenhausen.
Firstly,
it called attention to the new "Paddle the Flambeau" tourism promotion,
which was launched by the Price and Rusk county tourism departments to
publicize the recreational opportunities the north and south forks of
the Flambeau River provide. The Flambeau affords some of the best
canoeing and wild scenery in the Midwest, notably in the segments that
pass through the Flambeau River State Forest.
A "Paddle the
Flambeau" pamphlet was printed and is being distributed at sports shows
and made available to anyone interested. It includes maps and photos
and designates the classes of rapids on the river. The booklet also
lists points of interest on the river.
For more information log on to .
Canoeists
attending Saturday's event were shuttled to either Camp 41 for a trip
down to Beaver Dam Rapids or to Beaver Dam landing for a canoe trip to
Flambeau Lodge.
Secondly, the event called attention to a
petition filed by the River Alliance of Wisconsin and a number of other
river, lake and environmental groups asking the DNR to upgrade
protection for the northwoods' 100 healthiest rivers. The petition was
filed now because the DNR is due to review river desigations in the
near future.
Andrew Hanson, an attorney with Midwest
Environmental Advocates, said his nonprofit group wanted to hear from
local residents about what level or protection they thought
appropriate.
Environmental groups who signed the petition want
to preserve the quality of Wisconsin's best rivers. "It's about
learning from our mistakes."
Hanson said he saw deer, turkey
vultures, herons and eagles on their 2+ hour canoe trip from Beaver Dam
landing to Flambeau Lodge.
The groups are petitioning for
Exceptional Water Resource designation or Outstanding Water Resource
for segments of northern rivers. He explained the difference between
the two, and said neither prevents development or improvements on river
property, but they may require permits.
Among segments of area
rivers identified for upgrades are: Flambeau River ‹ from Crowley Dam
to the Big Falls Flowage and from the Ladysmith Dam to the Chippewa
River; Jump River ‹from its headwaters to the Village of Jump River;
Thornapple River ‹ from its origin to County J; Main Creek ‹ all; Soft
Maple Creek ‹ all; Swift Creek ‹ all; W. Fork of the Chippewa ‹ all;
Couderay River ‹ all within the La Courte Oreilles Indian Reservation;
and Chippewa River ‹ Chippewa Flowage to Radisson Flowage to County D
near Exeland to County J near Imalone to Chippewa County Line.
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