Hikers posed during last fall's hike along the Ice Age Trail in Langlade County. Joe Jopek provided the photo. |
Budget plan includes Ice Age Trail funds March 7, 2009 Some people’s “pork” is another people’s progress.
A provision included in the federal budget bill, now stalled in the Senate over concerns about an overabundance of earmarks, would provide up to $1.125 million to help preserve and manage the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, with direct benefits to Langlade County.
According to Joe Jopek, coordinator of the Langlade County Ice Age Trail Chapter, the Omnibus Appropriations Act now stalled in the Senate would earmark $1 million to help acquire land along with $125,000 for trail construction and management.
The dollars were placed in the bill by Congressman Tammy Baldwin, whose Second District encompasses Madison and Beloit, and Congressman Tom Petri, whose Sixth District includes Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Dodge counties.
“The Ice Age Trail is one of the great environmental treasures of our state and our nation,” Baldwin said. “Preserving this trail and opening it up to the public is a gift to future generations. It is urgent that we preserve this land before it is developed and I’m proud to again secure federal funds for this worthwhile conservation project.”
Jopek said that the trail acquisition funds would be targeted toward areas with completed corridor plans, such as Marathon County and south, but the improvements would still have direct benefits here.
“Most definitely it would have an economic impact here,” Jopek said. “This is good for the trail overall.”
Jopek, who has been active in Ice Age Trail development for decades, explained that while Langlade County is home to a long, contiguous segment of trail, other areas are not so fortunate.
“South of Langlade County, its just bits and pieces,” he said. “If we had a more continuous thread, it would increase the appeal of the entire Ice Age Trail and enhance the perception of the Ice Age Trail as a viable entity.”
Mike Wollmer, executive director of the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation, agreed.
“These funds are critical to ensure that the Ice Age Trail extends closer toward completion and becomes a permanent conservation and recreation resource,” he said. “This funding will allow us to leverage state, county and private funds in a way that traditional national parks fall short.”
The $1 million for acquisition would require matches by state, local and private funds.
Meanwhile planning is continuing toward acquiring the final easements to complete the Ice Age Trail’s winding route through Langlade County.
Planning has been underway since 2004, and Jopek said a new round of open houses to gain input on the corridor and possible route options are planned for early summer.
The corridor planning process now underway will eventually provide a connection from the existing trailhead in Polar southwest to the Langlade-Marathon County lines.
Jopek stressed that the corridor completion will be a slow process, since all participation is voluntary. But he was optimistic that slowly, as landowners sell lands or easements, the segment will be completed.
Langlade County is already home to over 50 miles of the Ice Age Trail established and maintained since 1975.
The Ice Age Trail is one of eight National Scenic Trails located throughout the United States. The trail winds through 31 Wisconsin counties, tracing the edge of the furthest advance of the glacier that spread across Wisconsin 14,000 to 16,000 years ago.
When completed, the trail will be a 1,000-mile continuous footpath, similar to the Appalachian Trail.
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