News

OCLRA News

Time to Renew or Establish Your OCLRA membership

It has never been more important to step up to protect Oneida County’s lakes and streams. OCLRA invites you to join us in our mission of education, collaboration and advocacy on behalf of these critical resources. If you have not already received membership materials by mail, you can access them here . You can join…

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6-County Lakes Meeting: “Who ya gonna call?”

Laws and enforcement will be the focal point of the annual 6-County Northwoods Lakes Meeting on Friday, July 14, at Nicolet College. Please mark your calendar today! The meeting theme is “Who ya gonna call?” and the highlight will be a panel of experts involved with enforcing laws and regulations around boating and safety, zoning,…

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State Legislation Threatens Pelican River Forest Easements

Legislators on state’s Joint Finance Committee have created what environmental advocates call a “poison pill” against the Pelican River Forest conservation easement, which would open some 70,000 acres of private forest land, mostly in Oneida County, to recreation while allowing sustainable logging to continue. Last fall the DNR approved $15.5 million for conservation easement to…

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A New Conservation Magazine is Born

Later this month a new online magazine featuring Wisconsin’s outdoors and environment in all its many facets will make its appearance. The Wisconsin Conservationist Magazine, a digital publication to debut on May 20, will cover a broad range of environmental and conservation topics important to all of us in the state. The founder and publisher is…

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Update from Oneida County Clean Waters Action

Oneida County Clean Waters Action (OCCWA) has multiple new posts on its website, covering among other items the status of the Pelican River Forest conservation easement and the county’s attempt to change the Shoreland Protection Ordinance. Spokesperson Eric Rempala observes, “We have attended numerous county and town meetings to help keep you apprised of current…

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“Beneath the Eagle Tree”: Stunning photography and prose.

No doubt at times when outdoors you’ve encountered something so beautiful and profound that all you could do was sit down and look on in wonder. Some photographs in Bob Kovar’s new book are sure to hit you like that. “Beneath the Eagle Tree” is filled with stunning photos captured over recent years.

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Regulation Related to Hazardous Boat Wakes

Resolution of Oneida County Lakes and Rivers Association (OCLRA)
REGULATION RELATED TO HAZARDOUS BOAT WAKES
Adopted this 10th day of March 2023

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ALERT: P&D Committee proposals would weaken shoreland protections

The day likely will soon come for OCLRA and lake advocates to stand up and be counted on protection of our vital lake shorelands. Revisions to the Oneida County Shoreland Protection Ordinance are now being considered by the Planning and Development Committee.

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OCLRA to discuss resolution favoring action on hazardous boat wakes

The OCLRA board is considering adoption of a template resolution in support of responsible regulation of hazardous wakes such as those caused by wakeboarding and wake surfing. Enhanced boat wakes have caused significant concern related to shoreline erosion, roiling of lake bottoms and resuspension of phosphorus, property damage, and safety risks for people enjoying paddling…

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OCLRA supports effort to curb salt runoff to Lake Julia

OCLRA board member and Oneida County Supervisor Bob Thome is working with the Rhinelander School District, Nicolet College, Oneida County Planning and Zoning, Wisconsin Lakes and the DNR on plans to mitigate salt-bearing runoff from parking lots into Lake Julia. The lots in question are at the college and at Crescent Elementary School. Analyses conducted…

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