Groups At Odds Over Activities At Former Badger Ammo Plant

Groups are competing over what recreational activities should be allowed on the grounds of the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant near Baraboo.

The state Department of Natural Resources has been collecting comments on its draft master plan for what’s now called the Sauk Prairie Recreation Area.

Madison attorney Brian Potts represents the Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance. He said the DNR is considering allowing what he called illegal high impact uses like rocketry, dog training with hunters carrying firearms, and motorcycling.

“It’s our opinion the DNR doesn’t have that authority, because this property was given to them for specific purposes by the National Park Service, and those uses are not within that grant from the National Park Services,” said Potts.

Meanwhile, a state branch of the National Rifle Association is trying to get the DNR to revive the idea of allowing a shooting range on the site. The comment period on the draft master plan closed Friday.