Forum discusses development plan, Saxon Harbor survey

By RICHARD JENKINS

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Hurley - Saxon Harbor and it's place in Iron County's future was the topic of discussion at the Hurley Senior Center Monday night as the Iron County Citizens Forum not only discusses the results of the recent survey regarding rebuilding the harbor, but also the county-wide Asset Based Community Development Plan.

The Saxon Harbor survey, which was funded by part of a $24,450 Wisconsin Coastal Management Grant the county received following the harbor's destruction during the flooding caused by the July 11 storm, provided county residents and other harbor users a chance to share what they would like to see the rebuilt harbor look like.

Jason Laumann, with the North West Regional Planning Commission, said the responses made clear the harbor played an important role in the community and nearly everyone supported the idea of rebuilding it in some form.

"People used that survey to convey how important it was to have (Saxon Harbor) in the community," Laumann said. "Personal experiences from when they were young, or first dates ... it was really interesting to read, because I really got a sense of the personal investment and the importance of that resource in the community."

There were 1,173 responses to the survey, according to the information presented at the forum, discussing every aspect of the harbor - from the marina and campground to possible ways to expand and improve the park.

The data shows 47 percent of respondents were either Iron County residents or property owners, and 56 percent of the respondents said they travelled between zero and 25 miles to use the harbor.

An average of $83-per-day was spent in Iron County by visitors to the harbor.

Regarding the marina; 45 percent of respondents felt there were an adequate number of slips to dock boats at, while another 35 percent didn't know.

Improving the number and quality of launch ramps was identified as a way to improve the marina.

"That did come through the survey fairly easily," Laumann said, adding launch areas for small boats and kayaks/canoes was also an idea brought up by a number of responses.

While a majority of respondents said they weren't campers; 30 percent of those that did camp spent one to three days a year camping, while 4 percent of respondents spent 30 or more days camping at the harbor.

One of the few negatives brought up in the survey was some behavioral problems associated with the campground, with Laumann explaining some surveys complained of problems with excessive drinking and noise.

Other items discussed in the survey included the possible creation of a visitor/interpretive center at the harbor - something 46 percent of people supported and 22 percent were unsure about - and the development of retail opportunities, which received 46 percent support and 16 percent unsure.

The possibility of developing a trail system to the east of harbor and allowing Oronto Creek to return to its natural path were also discussed; as was support for some type of memorial to Mitch Koski, who was killed during the July 11 flood that destroyed the harbor.

While some of the survey dealt with the immediate rebuilding of Saxon Harbor, Laumann also said that the survey showed support for things that were long-term goals in the future.

"Some of these will be part of the rebuild, some of the amenities will be reconstructed," Laumann said. "But for the long term - the long-time horizon; the 10, 15-year, 20-year planning horizon - I think certainly some of these are a reality, if the public truly wants some of these to come to fruition."

He told the audience these goals - such as developing a new trail system east of the harbor, retail opportunities or a full-time staffed office - would require advocacy to become a reality.

"There has to be public will and political will to make those move forward," Laumann said.

Full survey results are available on the commission's website, nwrpc.com/abcd.

The site also has information on the Asset Based Community Development plan, which Laumann discussed prior to talking about the survey results.

Designed to replace Iron County's comprehensive plan; the Asset Based Community Development plan - referred to as the ABCD plan - is designed to highlight the resources the community has available, rather than the traditional model of focusing on areas of weakness that need to be improved.

The group discussed a variety of categories that the plan had highlighted; including the county's utilities and infrastructure, its housing options, business and economic development, transportation options, cultural and natural resources and its people.

Goals identified by those working on the plan were discussed - ranging from continuing developing broadband and cell service in county to collaborating with neighboring communities and creating a brand identity for Iron County - as were additional insights brought up by those attending the forum.