A group opposed to the golf course the Kohler Co. wants to build along Lake Michigan in Sheboygan is pleased with a state agency ruling this week.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has decided to authorize an extensive hearing, known as a contested case hearing, on a wetlands permit that the DNR had already issued for the project.
A citizen in favor of protecting Kohler-Andrae State Park’s wetlands holds a sign at a DNR open house last summer. Chuck Quirmbach/WPR
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Attorney Christa Westerberg, who represents the Friends of the Black River Forest, said the 4.7 acres of wetlands that could be destroyed are important.
“They are rare in Wisconsin and in some cases, across the globe, and provide habitat to species that are not very common,” Westerberg said, adding the DNR usually doesn’t issue a permit for this sort of wetlands project and she’s worried about the precedent.
In a letter, the DNR also agreed with the advocacy group’s request to halt golf course construction until a hearing examiner makes a decision on the permit.
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