The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources proposes to conduct prescribed burns on several public wildlife properties in Calumet and Manitowoc Counties. Planned burns will be taking place in the Killsnake Wildlife Area east of Chilton with ten sites ranging from 18 to 130 acres, and in the Brillion Wildlife Area between Hilbert and Brillion with nine sites ranging from 13 to 160 acres. These proposals will cover burns that take place between spring 2001 and spring 2004. Burns will be conducted in either spring, summer or fall as conditions allow.
Fire is a naturally occurring phenomenon and an important management tool.
Periodic fires are necessary to maintain the biodiversity of ecological communities, set back woody vegetation in grasslands, and to control invasive weed species. Considerations of endangered, threatened, rare plus habitat risk have been considered in the process. This type of action normally does not involve significant environmental effects. The Department is soliciting public comments regarding the impacts of the proposal. Based on the comments received, the Department may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with approval or denial of the proposal.