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Polk County board refers proposed DNR MOU on Stour/7 Lakes trail to committee after concerns
Summary
Supervisors debated a proposed MOU with the Wisconsin DNR to begin an 18‑month master plan for the Stour/7 Lakes trail, raising questions about terminology, maintenance obligations, public packet availability and potential one‑sided language; the board voted to send the draft to committee for further review.
The Polk County Board discussed a draft memorandum of understanding with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to begin planning work on the Stour/7 Lakes trail and voted to refer the MOU to committee for further review.
County staff described the draft as an agreement that would allow the DNR to lead an approximately 18‑month planning process (the draft uses the phrase "property plan" and references NR 44). County counsel said the phrase was being used in the draft but that the DNR's plan would meet the requirements of NR 44 as a master plan.
Several supervisors said the draft was one‑sided, questioned why the document was not in the public board packet, raised concerns about maintenance obligations and asked what ‘‘property plan’’ means in statute. One supervisor observed that adoption of the MOU could put the county on the hook for maintenance even if the DNR's master plan prescribed a different allowable use; counsel noted the county would have a 90‑day termination right without cause.
Members also asked how volunteer "friends groups" and the DNR's electronic volunteer application system would operate and how county volunteers or maintenance responsibilities would be managed. Some supervisors suggested the item should return to committee level rather than be decided at the full board meeting.
A motion to postpone the matter and send it to the Public Works/Public Safety committee (or other appropriate committee) carried. The referral leaves open whether the county will sign the MOU, request edits, or pursue 90‑day termination after the DNR’s master plan is complete.
