Public access development for North Lake, Waukesha County
News Release Published: November 6, 2009 by the Southeast Region
Contact(s): Jim Ritchie, Public Waterways Access Coordinator, (414) 263-8670
MILWAUKEE – The Department of Natural Resources has completed the environmental review and evaluation of the development of the department’s W.C. (Whitey) Kraus public access site on North Lake and has determined that an environmental impact statement is not required.
North Lake, a 437-acre lake located in the Town of Merton and Village of Chenequa, is the largest lake in Waukesha County without public access. The W.C. (Whitey) Kraus public access site is located on the northwest side of North Lake at W323 N7453 Reddelien Road, Town of Merton, Waukesha County. The department purchased the access site in 2005 to provide year-round public access for boating and recreation.
The public access development includes reconstruction of the access road and installation of a boat ramp, accessible boarding dock, parking lot for 16 cars with trailers, two car-only parking stalls, landscaping and stormwater controls to manage site runoff.
The department held an informational meeting on October 23, 2008, to solicit public comments on the Preliminary Development Plans. The environmental assessment was available for public comment from November 10 to December 10, 2008.
“Development at this property will ensure that anglers and recreational boaters have permanent year-round public access for open water and ice fishing on North Lake,” stated Jim Ritchie, Public Waterways Access Coordinator. “Interested parties have contacted the department for many years requesting that we provide access to North Lake. The department should be ready to begin construction by summer 2010.”
The department has determined that the development of the W.C. (Whitey) Kraus public access site is feasible and that the site will provide adequate public access to North Lake without significant environment impacts.
Copies of the certified environmental assessment are available at Environmental Analysis Documents and can be viewed during open business hours at the DNR Waukesha Service Center, 141 NW Barstow Street, Waukesha, and at the Milwaukee Service Center, 2300 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Milwaukee.
The environmental assessment can also be obtained from Jim Ritchie, Public Waterways Access Coordinator, (414) 263-8670, Jim.Ritchie@Wisconsin.gov.
