Hey, all. I've been emailing a little with the forest recreation superintendent, Joe Fieweger, for the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest. In 2017, an amendment to the NHAL Master Plan authorized an increase in non‐reservable, water‐access sites from 102 to 130 and the number of reservable, water‐access sites from 21 to 31. It also allowed for the planning of 202 miles of designated ATV/UTV routes on DNR roads, trails and short stretches of new construction.

Right now, the primitive camping page of the NHAL website says there are 88 non-reservable water-access and 17 reservable water-access, 56 short of what the 2017 amendment authorized.

But 78.5 miles of ATV/UTV routes have been put in place since 2017. The response is that observations and experience indicate that many of the boat-in sites see relatively little use, though monitoring use of these campsites is difficult. I can understand that the motorized crowd may make their presence known more recognizably, both in use and in submitting feedback.

So if you paddle northern WI, or you would like to see balance in how motorized and nonmotorized outdoor opportunities grow, or if it's a place you've wanted to check out but have been nervous about site availability, or you're just straight-up curious to know more, check out the variance webpage and send some feedback. If you're a Sconnie and would like to push for more funding and/or follow-through, my bottom link below can help you find your state legislators.

All my best, and I hope everyone's season has started excellently!

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/fl/PropertyPlanning/NHAL_Variance

https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/StateForests/nhal/recreation/camping/primitive

https://p.widencdn.net/xc7qyu/NHALCanoeRoute

https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/My-Elected-Officials