Oneida County committee schedules August public hearing on Kathan Lake petition

The Oneida County Conservation/UW‑EX Education Committee scheduled a public hearing for Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Sugar Camp Town Hall to consider a petition filed July 13 by the Kathan Lake District.

Michele Sadauskas told the committee the petition was officially submitted to the Oneida County Clerk on July 13, 2026, beginning the statutory 30‑day period for a public hearing that must occur before Aug. 13, 2026. The committee agreed to hold the hearing in the Town of Sugar Camp and to allow both in‑person testimony and Zoom participation. The committee also agreed to accept written comments submitted by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 3; the Land & Water Conservation Department website will list the email address for submissions.

The committee emphasized its role at the hearing will be to listen and receive testimony only; staff will prepare a draft final report for committee review before the matter advances to the County Board. The committee confirmed the proposed Sugar Camp hearing location has reliable internet access and that a quorum of the committee will be required to attend in person.

The committee did not take a final action on the petition at the July 13 meeting; next steps are the public hearing and staff report to the committee before any County Board consideration.