Update: Protecting the Forests of St Germain and Vilas County

Greetings friends, neighbors, and community members of St Germain and Vilas County! It's been awhile since we updated everyone on our efforts to protect our beloved Northwoods from Septic Waste Dumps and Clear-Cutting practices.

Update:  For those who were unable to follow the progress of our campaign, it was previously announced at several St Germain Town Board Meetings in late 2023 and early 2024 that the owner of the property (Peter Baltus), whom clear-cut the property, no longer will be pursing a Septic Waste Dump at the property in question. 

We will continue to monitor the situation and the property to ensure the owners KEEP THEIR WORD, but for the time being we will collectively thank them for hearing our concerns and making a public statement and written promise.

Important Debate on Forestry Rules:  There is a very important issue that is developing in St Germain regarding new proposed guidelines for "Clear-Cutting" in our beloved Northwoods. Please See the Attached Community Action Poster created by long time St Germain activist and artist Michael Connors.

As a reminder, 80 acres of a century old hardwood forest was clear cut in a matter of weeks on property located off Hwy.155 between St. Germain and Sayner. No buffer between the land and roadways was left and it has remained a highly visible scar on the landscape. Bulldozers came in next and leveled most of the acreage. The site is in the middle of the Big Saint Germain watershed which includes Lost, Found, Stella, Little Bass, and Big Saint Germain lakes. Part of the acreage also contains a State and Federally designated wetland. Citizens of St. Germain were quite upset and responded with the campaign we all know as "Don't Let St. Germain Go To Waste".

Although a resolution was found to the septage dump issue, a couple of other factors remain - one of which is an outdated logging ordinance that should be revised to protect woodlands in the Forestry & Recreation Zones of St. Germain. Without revisions it is feared the same situation could be repeated. Maintaining a managed forest plan that emphasizes sustainability, and preservation of wildlife habitat, is an important component of St. Germain’s quality of life - as well as its tourism economy. 

Over the winter Michael Connors was invited to join Zoning meetings that addressed the outdated ordinance. The poster that he created points to a public meeting that will address changes to the ordinance. There are obviously many opposing opinions on this matter - logging interests, private property rights versus community interests, etc. The meeting will surely be well attended by members of the community on both sides.

Note:  The venue for this meeting is NOT setup for Zoom connections.

Connors’ poster takes the point of view of those living creatures that cannot speak for themselves. It should be pointed out that Connors’ participation in the 2023 Wisconsin Coverts Project workshop at Kemp Station prepared him for many of the challenges that have arisen with this unexpected situation. He came away from the workshop with a better understanding of the importance of promoting sustainable woodland habitats.

WE THANK ALL OF YOU for your awareness, passion, and efforts to spread the word.  Changes to the rules and regulations of our local governments is never easy... but the great thing about living in America is that change can happen when reasonable and common sense ideas are pushed for with persistence and community support!