PROTECTING THE DELLS

The Dells of the Wisconsin River is under intense development pressure.

The river corridor, as of now, remains relatively natural, characterized by river-edge woodlands and rocky bluffs, shifting sand bars, sensitive ecosystems, habitat for migratory birds and endangered species. If we don't find ways to protect the river corridor, the Dells may be developed with highly visible resorts, condominiums and homes, and future generations may lose the Dells' natural beauty and natural ecosystems.

The river corridor will be developed. Of that, there is no question. The Stewards are working with government officials and landowners to ensure that the development is appropriate - development that protects the natural scenery and ecosystem associated with, and leverages the economic value of, the Dells of the Wisconsin River.

We've found that most government officials and many landowners in the river corridor want to protect the Dells, and are looking for ways to protect the river corridor while allowing appropriate development. To assist them, the Stewards are working to develop handbooks and other materials with accurate information about protecting the Dells.

The handbooks and other materials will give government officials landowners information about options and strategies for encouraging appropriate development.

RESOURCES

Online Resources

• Land Protection Fundamentals The Gathering Waters Conservancy has information and materials available for landowners about conservation options and state and federal conservation programs. In addition to general materials, the following materials are available online in Adobe Acrobat PDF format:
• Conservation Easements
• Conservation Options Available to Landowners
• Purchase of Development Rights
• Conservation Easement: Basic
• Conservation Easement Appraisals
• Conservation Easement Baseline Documentation and Hazards Assessment
• Conservation Easement: Creation, Stewardship & Enforcement Funds
• Conservation Easement Tax Advantages
• Property Tax Assessments and Conservation Easement
• Registry Options
• Wisconsin Land Trusts
The Gathering Waters Conservancy has information and materials available for landowners about Wisconsin Land Trusts. In addition to general materials, the following materials are available online in Adobe Acrobat PDF format:
• Land Trusts: Protecting and Preserving Wisconsin's Resources

Stewards Resources

If you are interested in Wisconsin Land Trusts, the Stewards have handbooks about Wisconsin Land Trusts that we can lend you, as well as referrals to conservancy organizations that are active in the Dells area. Please contact Debbie Kinder at 608-253-6658 if you would like to meet with us.

• Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area: Master Plan and Environmental Assessment (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - January 1997) - This is a copy of the Wisconsin DNR report on the Dells of the Wisconsin River and the master plan for protection and restoration of the river corridor. NOTE: The file is a large (9 mb) Adobe Acrobat file and is not suitable for dial-up access.