MADISON, Wisc. Conservation groups have raised the alarm about a land exchange between a state and private company on Lake Michigan’s shores, claiming that it could set a dangerous precedent for state parks. Tony Evers is asking for help.
Members of the Friends of the Black River Forest, the Sierra Club and the Sierra Club gathered in the afternoon at the State Capitol to ask Evers to stop a land exchange that would transfer 5 acres of Kohler-Andrae State Park as part of Kohler Co’s plans to build a luxury private golf course.
The groups claim that the land swap will damage sensitive conservation lands, which include natural dunes and wetlands along Lake Michigan shores. This type of area is rare now due to decades of development.
Kohler Co. is known for high-end plumbing fixtures and wants to build a championship-level course on 247 acres of land along Lake Michigan just south of Sheboygan, north of Kohler-Andrae State Park. The company already owns Blackwolf run and Whistling Straits which hosted major events such as the PGA Championships and Ryder Cup. These courses have helped to make the area a popular destination for golfers.
The land swap has become the latest issue of contention between conservation groups and the private company. They are concerned that the golf course could damage the ecosystems along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, and diminish the park visitor’s experience.
Mary Faydash is the president of the local nonprofit Friends of the Black River Forest. She said the groups want Evers to stop the land exchange and take into consideration the importance of conserving this important land along the Great Lakes.
“We don’t expect him to be an attorney, a scientist or even a conservationist. Faydash stated that we expect him to listen to the over 30,000 people now urging him to end this land swap agreement which was based upon illegal and incorrect DNR procedures.
What you need to know about land swaps
Kohler-Andrae State Park – one of the last natural areas on Lake Michigan. Kohler Andrae State Park is two separate state parks, Terry Andrae State Park & John Michael Kohler State Park. They are managed as one park. Kohler Co. gave the land to John Michael Kohler state park in honor of the company’s founder.
Kohler-Andrae State Park lies in the Town Wilson, a few miles to the south of Sheboygan between the Black River & Lake Michigan. The park is one of the few remaining natural areas on Lake Michigan’s coast and contains sand dunes and beaches, as well as forests and wetlands. The state park is visited by more than 400,000 visitors a year.
The park will be transformed by a land swap
In 2018, under the then-Gov. Scott Walker agreed that Kohler would receive a wetland of five acres plus a 2-acre easement within the state park. The state park received a nine-acre parcel west of the park in exchange.
DNR previously stated that the land swap is a better deal and will result in more property being usable. Independent appraisals have valued the land at $59700. Kohler Co. has agreed to give up land that includes a building which, according to the DNR, would house seasonal workers. The building was appraised at $295,000
A land swap could include changes planned to the park. The two-acre easement near the park’s entrance, for example, would be transformed into a four-lane highway with a roundabout that directs traffic to the course. The park would be relocated to the exit.
Faydash believes that the area chosen for the boggy area is because it has not been developed, as there are no park benches or paths. She said it was an important place for wildlife and birds. The company plans to build a 22,000 square foot maintenance facility in that area.
Faydash is concerned that giving state park land away to private companies would set a dangerous precedent. He fears that the fate state park lands will depend on the governor of the day.
Whistling Straits Straits Course (Courtesy Destination Kohler).
Conservationists are concerned about the impact on birds, wildlife and visitor experience
Many of the changes are expected to occur outside the park boundary, but opponents claim that the effects will extend into the park boundary.
Faydash explained that, for example, diesel trucks present during construction could worsen the air quality, and pesticides used to maintain the course might impact wildlife. She said that noise pollution, traffic and noise pollution during tournaments can affect wildlife as well as visitors’ experience in the park.
Faydash stated that the environmental impacts would be particularly acute for birds. Birders flock to the state park because it is home to more than 150 species of birds.
Rebecca Gilman is the secretary and co-chairperson of the conservation committee for the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology. She emphasized the fact that birds would have a difficult time migrating long distances if there were no land such as the Kohler-Andrae Park.
Gilman stated that “thousands of migratory bird species use this land every year as a stopover in the spring and fall and hundreds of species use the woods in that area for nesting and essential habitat,” Gilman added. “We must save this land for the birds, and other wildlife who depend on it.”
Golf course supporters tout the economic benefits
The golf course supporters say that a new golf course would bring economic benefits to the region, especially if tournaments are held there. They have highlighted the prestige of Kohler Golf Courses, noting that Whistling Straits was the host for the 2021 Ryder Cup.
Supporters say that the course will also create jobs and investments.
Kohler said that it would invest an initial $25 million in the new course. It also praised the project’s economics, which included more than 220 full-time positions.
Kohler, conservationists and neighbors have been involved in legal battles for years.
Kohler’s campaign for a new golf course led to a long-running battle between the company, conservationists and park neighbors.
Friends of the Black River Forest contested the state’s decision allowing the land exchange, but the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that the non profit had no legal standing.
In 2020, Kohler won a second dispute involving the golf course, and the Supreme Court upheld the annexation by Sheboygan of 250 acres to avoid the possible denial of an special use permit from Wilson.
More: Golfweek’s Best: Top Wisconsin public and private golf courses
Milwaukee legislators weigh in on land swap
Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) shared his memories of camping in Kohler-Andrae and sharing the park, first with his nephews, then his children who love to walk on the boardwalk over the sand.
“It is time to correct the mistakes made in the past, and protect Kohler Andre State Park against harmful development that will change the landscape of our state and diminish its natural beauty forever,” he stated during the rally.
Rep. Darrin Madison, D-Milwaukee also spoke on behalf of land and animals who call that portion of land in the park home.
He said: “We allow corporations to remove green spaces from native flora, fauna and all the species who deserve a habitate right to land that existed before we even thought about occupying it.” “Many of our species cry out for help. Many people are silent.
Caitlin can be reached via [email protected]. Laura Schulte is available at [email protected] or on X as @SchulteLaura.
