Peppermill Lake Management Plan
 
Introduction

Chapter 92 of the Wisconsin State Statutes established the Adams County Land and Water Conservation Committee (LWCC) and the Adams County Land and Water Conservation Department (LWCD). The LWCC and LWCD have the responsibility of conserving long-term soil productivity, protecting the quality of related natural resources, enhancing water quality and focusing on severe soil erosion problems.

The Peppermill Lake District was formed in 2002 to monitor lake water quality and implement best management practices to maintain and improve lake water quality and quantity on Peppermill Lake.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) is dedicated to the preservation, protection, effective management, and maintenance of Wisconsin’s natural resources. It is responsible for implementing laws of the state and where applicable, laws of the federal government that protect and enhance the natural resources of our state.

To achieve the purposes of the Peppermill Lake District, Adams LWCC/LWCD, WDNR the Lake Management Plan outlined on the following pages has been developed. The plan will utilize best management practices, education, and regulations to improve the natural resources within the lake and the lake’s watershed. The plan will incorporate human conveniences in a manner that does not compromise the quality and quantity of the natural resources. All ordinances, policies, and activities associated with the State, County, and Town must receive approval from proper authorities. Scientific studies, community residents, and the general public were inventoried to determine the goals of the plan. A Lake Advisory Group (LAG) operates to identify action items and review implementation of the plan, to present changes and accomplishments to the public, and incorporate the feedback from the public as deemed necessary. The LAG consists of WDNR specialists, Peppermill Lake District Board Representative, lake area residents, Adams County Board representative, Jackson Township representative and Adams LWCD.

The plan is dynamic and revisions shall occur to reflect current events and priorities. The plan consists of goals and action items to address natural resource issues and activities for a five-year period. As one year passes, another year of the plan will be added, so the plan will always reflect a five-year period. The Peppermill Lake Advisory Group shall meet at least once a year to review and recommend revisions to the Peppermill Lake District Board, who are responsible for implementing and updating the lake management plan. The District Board will publicly notify all members of the district and public of these advisory meeting(s). The meeting notice shall include a statement encouraging district members and the public to participate with the review and recommendations and also include a method to accept written comments from the members and the public who cannot attend. Comments or proposals regarding current lake management practices also will be reviewed at those advisory meetings. On particular issues, the LAG may seek opinion from experts outside the DNR. Revisions to the plan proposed by the Lake Advisory Group require approval by the Lake District Board at a quarterly meeting and by relevant DNR specialists (fisheries, aquatic plants, etc.), which may in addition require a new DNR permit or amendment of an existing one.

Copies of the Peppermill Lake Management plan have been distributed and are available at the following locations: Peppermill Lake District; Town of Jackson; WDNR Service Center in Wisconsin Rapids; Adams Public Library; and Adams Land and Water Conservation Department.