Resolution to enter into a Land Use Agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources allowing Sauk County to design and construct the Great Sauk State Trail on certain real property located at Devil’s Lake State Park.

BACKGROUND: Sauk County has completed the construction of the Great Sauk State Trail from the Wisconsin River in Sauk City to Goette Road in the Town of Merrimac. In  July 2024, the Sauk County Board of Supervisors adopted the Great Sauk State Trail (GSST) Master Plan.  By gathering input from the public and various stakeholders, the GSST Plan identifies a preferred and alternate route to connect the GSST from its current terminus at Goette Road to the 400 State Trail in Reedsburg. The final preferred route selected by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for that part of the GSST within Devil’s Lake State Park (DLSP) will connect to the north shore and south shore day use areas, following the approximate trail alignment depicted as Exhibit A that is made part of a Land Use Agreement between Sauk County and WDNR as shown in Appendix A Land Use Agreement.

The Land Use Agreement identifies Sauk County as the lead agency responsible for the design and construction of the GSST  to DLSP where WDNR is willing to allow the design and construction of the trail based on the terms of the Land Use Agreement.  The agreement sets forth the parameters with which Sauk County and WDNR will cooperatively develop the trail and places a provision that the project be completed, being defined as complete construction of the trail, within five (5) years.

The Land Resources and Environment Department will serve as the project lead, with oversight provided by the Land Resources and Extension Committee.  The Highway Department will provide technical and partial construction assistance as needed. The trail’s design, permitting, engineering, as well as actual construction oversight will be provided by a contracted consultant.