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Committee adopts Wausau–Merrill corridor master plan; plan funded by non-profit donation
Summary
The committee accepted and adopted a master plan for a potential 15-mile trail corridor linking Wausau and Merrill; the study was funded by the River District Development Foundation and places no obligation on the county.
The Marathon County Environmental Resources Committee on July 1 adopted the Wausau–Merrill corridor master plan, a study that maps a potential 15-mile trail connecting Wausau and Merrill along a WPS-owned corridor and identifies alternatives for difficult terrain and private-property conflicts.
Director Pollley explained the master plan was fully funded by a donation from the River District Development Foundation and required no county funds to prepare. The plan was produced by MSA via an RFP process and included public engagement sessions in both Marathon and Lincoln counties. The plan explores corridor gaps, terrain constraints (wetlands and boardwalk needs), railroad interactions and crossings under state highways, and potential alignment alternatives where landowners opposed a trail.
Pollley emphasized the plan is advisory, obligates neither county nor WPS and would not require construction or funding unless future boards pursue projects. Supervisor Carl moved to adopt the plan as a county-guided document; the motion was seconded and approved. Committee members discussed grant strategies, partnership opportunities (including a possible "friends" group to pursue DNR grants), and that any land purchase, easement or construction would return to the County Board for approval.
Pollley said the corridor could eventually connect the River's Edge Trail in Wausau to the Riverbend Trail in Merrill and that timelines for construction could span years; she noted the master plan might help secure grants or coordinate with utilities (ATC/WPS) where transmission corridors overlap the corridor.
