The Town Board denied the petition to abandon 112th Street at the final hearing. Public access to the waterfowl production area remains protected under current land use statutes. We will monitor the site to ensure the gateway stays open for all residents.
May 23, 2023
Final supporters
A petition has been submitted to the Richmond Town Board, by a private landowner, to abandon the portion of 112th St. that currently provides walk-in access from the cul-de-sac in the Waldroff Meadows subdivision along the northern boundary of Ten Mile Waterfowl Production Area. This access is currently the ONLY safe location that the public can use to access the northeast portion ( ~ 50 acres) of the WPA that is isolated by Ten Mile Creek. There is an access easement across private land from 120th St. to the northeast portion of the WPA, but provides only "Administrative" access or access to FWS only.
I (we) oppose the subject petition to discontinue/abandon a portion of 112th St. Town of Richmond, St. Croix County, Wisconsin. The abandonment request is an attempt to privatize a public roadway. The request for private use, should not outweigh the greater public good of providing access to public lands. Abandoning the road is inconsistent with the Wisconsin Public Trust Doctrine which provides that navigable waters such as Ten Mile Creek are held in trust by the state for the benefit of all the public. The petitioned abandonment would effectively preclude citizens from accessing a large segment of Ten Mile Creek. My (our) rights would most certainly be negatively affected as well as rights of the all the public to access these public lands should the discontinuance/abandonment petition be granted.
Updates
March 31, 2023
Legal counsel is currently reviewing the town board's procedural requirements for the abandonment process. We have drafted a formal letter of opposition to be submitted before the next public hearing. I am coordinating with local conservation groups to ensure they are present to testify against the privatization of this access point.
March 31, 2023
The volume of support has secured us a formal hearing before the Town Board. I am currently finalizing the legal brief regarding the Public Trust Doctrine for submission to the council members.
Reached 100 supporters
March 31, 2023
6 Comments
Ridiculous that this is even being considered. That land belongs to all of us not just the people living in those fancy houses.
Pretty obvious what is going on here. Land grab plain and simple. Hope the board actually listens to the people for once.
NO WAY. We need that access point. Totally unfair to cut the rest of us off from the water.
access is access. leave it open.
Keep public land public. We use this spot for hunting and fishing every year. Don't let someone block it off just cause they want more backyard.
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The Town Board denied the petition to abandon 112th Street at the final hearing. Public access to the waterfowl production area remains protected under current land use statutes. We will monitor the site to ensure the gateway stays open for all residents.
May 23, 2023
Final supporters
A petition has been submitted to the Richmond Town Board, by a private landowner, to abandon the portion of 112th St. that currently provides walk-in access from the cul-de-sac in the Waldroff Meadows subdivision along the northern boundary of Ten Mile Waterfowl Production Area. This access is currently the ONLY safe location that the public can use to access the northeast portion ( ~ 50 acres) of the WPA that is isolated by Ten Mile Creek. There is an access easement across private land from 120th St. to the northeast portion of the WPA, but provides only "Administrative" access or access to FWS only.
I (we) oppose the subject petition to discontinue/abandon a portion of 112th St. Town of Richmond, St. Croix County, Wisconsin. The abandonment request is an attempt to privatize a public roadway. The request for private use, should not outweigh the greater public good of providing access to public lands. Abandoning the road is inconsistent with the Wisconsin Public Trust Doctrine which provides that navigable waters such as Ten Mile Creek are held in trust by the state for the benefit of all the public. The petitioned abandonment would effectively preclude citizens from accessing a large segment of Ten Mile Creek. My (our) rights would most certainly be negatively affected as well as rights of the all the public to access these public lands should the discontinuance/abandonment petition be granted.
Updates
March 31, 2023
Legal counsel is currently reviewing the town board's procedural requirements for the abandonment process. We have drafted a formal letter of opposition to be submitted before the next public hearing. I am coordinating with local conservation groups to ensure they are present to testify against the privatization of this access point.
March 31, 2023
The volume of support has secured us a formal hearing before the Town Board. I am currently finalizing the legal brief regarding the Public Trust Doctrine for submission to the council members.
Reached 100 supporters
March 31, 2023
6 Comments
Used to take my kids there. Its a shame people try to hoard natural areas for themselves. Stop the sale.
Ridiculous that this is even being considered. That land belongs to all of us not just the people living in those fancy houses.
Pretty obvious what is going on here. Land grab plain and simple. Hope the board actually listens to the people for once.
NO WAY. We need that access point. Totally unfair to cut the rest of us off from the water.
access is access. leave it open.
Keep public land public. We use this spot for hunting and fishing every year. Don't let someone block it off just cause they want more backyard.
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Used to take my kids there. Its a shame people try to hoard natural areas for themselves. Stop the sale.