updated  8/12/2019                                                                                                                                                                                                                             HOME

​Our Mission is to protect and preserve the quality and riparian habitat of the inland waters of Oneida County by serving as an advocate and an information source for, and a communication link among lake and river associations and districts, county and ​local government, and the public.

         
​        Education                  Collaboration                Advocacy

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RESOURCES FOR LAKE GROUPS:  
                             
Our popular collection of essays on best practices for lake stewardship, lake science and shoreland restoration is available on this site to read and ​to download. 
(click on "DO THE RIGHT THING" above)  We also provide booklets in quantity for groups and organizations for a small  donation.

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2018 ECONOMIC STUDY

OCLRA supported a local study conducted by UW-Eau Claire confirming that improvements in lake water clarity and quality have a positive impact upon shoreland property values in Oneida and Vilas Counties.

​(Click on 'RESEARCH' at the top of this page to download study documents.)  ​

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2019 ECONOMIC STUDY

OCLRA supported a study that quantifies  the central role that Oneida County's healthy lakes play in a healthy county economy.

​(Click on 'RESEARCH' at the top of this page to download study  documents.)  ​

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ANNUAL EVENT:

​This year's annual "6-County Event" entitled, Clean Waters:  Our Mission/Our Legacy" brought together 93 lake leaders from north-central Wisconsin.  Held on July 12, 2019, attendees discussed topics and trends important to area lake protection groups.

Sponsored jointly by:

• OCLRA of Oneida County
• VCLRA of Vilas County

 
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PROTECTING OUR WATERS:

A November 6th 2018 Referendum sought input on sulfide mining in the Town of Lynne

11/8/18 UPDATE:  63% of Oneida County voters casting a ballot have advised county supervisors that they do not support a metallic mine on county forest property in the town of Lynne. The county board chair was quoted by the local press to say 'mining of the Lynne property is off the table'.

As of  July 1, 2018, Oneida County revised its mining ordinance in response to 2017 Wisconsin Act 134.  During the development and adoption of the revision, OCLRA monitored its progress and provided citizen hearing input cautioning the County Board to take into account the potentially harmful short- and long-term impacts of sulfide mining upon our ground and surface waters.
 
Through a county-wide referendum on November 6th, the Oneida County Board sought to gauge citizen support for the development of a potential sulfide mine in the town of Lynne. It has been speculated that an open pit mine may be proposed for a Lynne site within county forest land holdings. This prospective mine site lies in close proximity to Oneida County wetlands, lakes, and tributaries of the Wisconsin River, including the Willow Flowage which has been designated as a "Wisconsin Outstanding Resource" waterbody.

OCLRA strongly encouraged all Oneida County residents to become aware of issues surrounding sulfide mining and to register your informed vote in the Mining Referendum on November 6th. 
 
(Click on 'ENEWS' at the top of this page for more information.)  

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