Rob Zaleski: Dells fans cry foul over resort plans
Of the hundreds of state natural areas in Wisconsin, few can match the spectacular beauty of the Dells of the Wisconsin River. Nestled along a five-mile stretch of the river just a few miles from the tacky streets of Wisconsin Dells, it is a scenic wonderland of sandstone bluffs -- some more than 100 feet high -- and canyons shaped by centuries of wind and water erosion.
Owned by the Department of Natural Resources, the 1,300-acre property is also home to numerous rare plants and animals and is a favorite habitat of the bald eagle.
So why would the state even consider granting permits to developers who want to build an enormous luxury resort on 62 acres along the Lower Dells that's adjacent to the natural area?
That's what environmentalists and other activists are hoping to find out at a public hearing the DNR has scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday at the municipal building in downtown Wisconsin Dells.
"It's baffling," says Hiroshi Kanno, a retired resident of the town of Newport and a leader of the Concerned Citizens of Newport, which has filed a lawsuit against the state, contending that runoff from the site -- which previously served a commercial boat launch -- would seriously harm the Wisconsin River.
Besides having two (!) water parks, the five-story $160 million Grand Cambrian Resort would include 323 town homes and hotel-style condos, ranging in price from $380,000 to $545,000, plus a multi-level restaurant and sports bar, a spa, a grocery and parking for 1,800 vehicles.
Arlene Kanno, Hiroshi's wife and a former biology teacher, says the developers (Cambrian Development, LLC) are making a big deal about the resort being designed by European architects and the fact it would be environmentally friendly.
"Architecture can be beautiful," she says, "but it is not a suitable replacement for a beautiful ecosystem. As the developers say on their Web site, it took nature 500 million years to make the environment where this resort's being built. But that's where the ad stops. It implies you can own a piece of it."
Dan Hunt, a DNR water management specialist who will conduct the hearing, says people need to understand that the decision of whether resorts this big are appropriate in ecologically sensitive areas is a land use issue that's made by local governments -- in this case, the city of Wisconsin Dells, which has already approved the project.
"So the DNR's authority is limited," he says.
However, in order for the project to move forward, the developers need permits from the DNR related to grading and the filling in of a wetland, plus one from the Department of Commerce pertaining to the stormwater runoff. And Hunt says before the DNR gives its OK, it must be satisfied the resort won't have a detrimental impact on the surrounding environment.
In response to those concerns, the developers have agreed to post signs along the resort's border advising people that the adjacent property is a state natural area -- which means they're allowed to walk on the property but that most other activities are prohibited. But the Hannos doubt that will stop resort users from trampling over the area's rare plants and fragile rock formations.
"It's inevitable," Arlene says.
Some of the project's critics also are miffed that the DNR scheduled the hearing so close to Christmas, when most people are preoccupied with other things. But Hiroshi -- whose grassroots group helped stop Perrier (now Nestle Waters North America) from building a $100 million bottling plant in Adams County -- says it's not an issue for him personally.
"I know the DNR. That's how they operate," he says matter-of-factly. "They're giving us a hearing. That's what's important."
Hunt, who selected the hearing date, seems amused by the notion that he may have had an ulterior motive.
"When the DNR gets a request for a hearing, we try to hold it as soon as we can," he says. "I'm going to be gone after Christmas, and I'm sure a lot of other people are, too. So I wanted to make sure we get it done before that time period."
Whatever the case, Hiroshi speculates there will be plenty of fireworks after the developers make their presentation and the hearing is opened to questions.
"As we learned with Perrier, when people are upset and are determined to have their voices heard, they'll show up," he says. "So I suspect we'll have a lot of supporters there."
And yes, he adds, "we'll be loaded for bear."
rzaleski@madison.com
Submitted photo
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Scene from the area where developers are looking at building in the Wisconsin Dells.
