The county has officially denied the development proposal for Big Wood Lake. This result confirms that our collective focus on long-term environmental protection was the right path forward. We should remain attentive to the land usage of this property in the coming years.
May 1, 2019
Final supporters
For over 70 years, Big Wood Lake has been home to faith-based, nonprofit youth camps. These camps provide educational programming and spiritual development to kids, their counselors, and staff from Burnett County and the surrounding region. The impact of these camps on the lake is modest: campers come primarily in the summertime for on-site programming, swimming, canoeing, campfires, and group pontoon rides.
“Wood Lake Camp and RV, LLC” is seeking to convert 234 acres of the former Wood Lake Bible Camp (also known as the Baptist Camp) into a commercial recreational campground. While the overall development plan remains unclear, preliminary drawings include 90+ RV lots, 25+ tent / RV lots, and 27+ short-term rental trailers. This represents a dramatic, sudden, and potentially irreversible shift:
- This commercial development of Wood Lake is not consistent with Burnett County’s 2010 comprehensive plan for land use.
- The year-round population on the lake could more than double (there are 163 residences currently).
- The impact on the lake, adjacent wetlands, and surrounding roads has not been studied.
- The cost of providing emergency services to the area (police, fire, and other first responders) will increase.
- The campground noise on the south end of the lake would disturb residents and wildlife.
We the undersigned request a comprehensive plan and environmental impact study for the redevelopment of parcels formerly owned by Wood Lake Bible Camp (234 acres). Without a comprehensive plan and environmental impact study, we oppose any conditional use permits or changes in zoning that would convert the former camp into a commercial recreational campground.
Once you've signed the petition please, join the Concerned Citizens of Big Wood Lake Facebook group for ongoing updates and other ways to stay involved.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
March 4, 2019
Reached 100 supporters
February 7, 2019
February 5, 2019
We are approaching one hundred signatures which marks a significant shift in our visibility. I am asking you to send this link to a neighbor or friend who values the quiet integrity of the lake. Momentum now will ensure our request for an environmental study is taken seriously by the decision makers.
212 Comments
At 234 acres, the size of this development is disproportionate to the size of Big Wood Lake (521 acres). We need to clearly understand the scope of this development project and its potential impact before allowing any work to start.
We've owned our property since early 1970's. I'm worried about the increased traffic not only on the lake, but also on the boat landing. I feel the strain on fish population will be a concern. The increased noise and environmental issues also should be of a great concern.
Our family has owned property on Big Wood Lake for over 70 years. Grandparents, parents and now adult children. It has always been a wonderful lake community, which would be profoundly altered in a negative way by a development like this!!
Our family enjoys the quiet peaceful and natural setting this lake provides. We have young children and are concerned how doubling the population on this lake would effect safety for swimming, kayaking, Paddle boarding, etc!
No I'm not a member Big Wood Lake Association . But I live close enough to the camp on South Williams Road and I sure as heck don't want the extra traffic on my road . Its already like a race track . And that got in there it would be Ten times worse .
Devil's Lake Assn. and I do not want this change affecting any of our lakes, the shorelines, property values, roads, etc.
I am a resident of Burnett county. We are experiencing the same threat on Devils Lake. As a lake property owner I have a long list of concerns and fears for habitat, lake health and my fellow home owners safety and investment protection. Doubling or tripling the lake population by allowing these R.V. Parks can only end in devastation for current human and wildlife residents.
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The county has officially denied the development proposal for Big Wood Lake. This result confirms that our collective focus on long-term environmental protection was the right path forward. We should remain attentive to the land usage of this property in the coming years.
May 1, 2019
Final supporters
For over 70 years, Big Wood Lake has been home to faith-based, nonprofit youth camps. These camps provide educational programming and spiritual development to kids, their counselors, and staff from Burnett County and the surrounding region. The impact of these camps on the lake is modest: campers come primarily in the summertime for on-site programming, swimming, canoeing, campfires, and group pontoon rides.
“Wood Lake Camp and RV, LLC” is seeking to convert 234 acres of the former Wood Lake Bible Camp (also known as the Baptist Camp) into a commercial recreational campground. While the overall development plan remains unclear, preliminary drawings include 90+ RV lots, 25+ tent / RV lots, and 27+ short-term rental trailers. This represents a dramatic, sudden, and potentially irreversible shift:
- This commercial development of Wood Lake is not consistent with Burnett County’s 2010 comprehensive plan for land use.
- The year-round population on the lake could more than double (there are 163 residences currently).
- The impact on the lake, adjacent wetlands, and surrounding roads has not been studied.
- The cost of providing emergency services to the area (police, fire, and other first responders) will increase.
- The campground noise on the south end of the lake would disturb residents and wildlife.
We the undersigned request a comprehensive plan and environmental impact study for the redevelopment of parcels formerly owned by Wood Lake Bible Camp (234 acres). Without a comprehensive plan and environmental impact study, we oppose any conditional use permits or changes in zoning that would convert the former camp into a commercial recreational campground.
Once you've signed the petition please, join the Concerned Citizens of Big Wood Lake Facebook group for ongoing updates and other ways to stay involved.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
March 4, 2019
Reached 100 supporters
February 7, 2019
February 5, 2019
We are approaching one hundred signatures which marks a significant shift in our visibility. I am asking you to send this link to a neighbor or friend who values the quiet integrity of the lake. Momentum now will ensure our request for an environmental study is taken seriously by the decision makers.
212 Comments
Based on the size of the proposed campground, there could be anywhere between 50-140 extra boats per day on the lake. Not to mention the extra docks needed for that many boats. All this on a 500 acre lake. The crappies and sunfish will disappear in a summer.
At 234 acres, the size of this development is disproportionate to the size of Big Wood Lake (521 acres). We need to clearly understand the scope of this development project and its potential impact before allowing any work to start.
We've owned our property since early 1970's. I'm worried about the increased traffic not only on the lake, but also on the boat landing. I feel the strain on fish population will be a concern. The increased noise and environmental issues also should be of a great concern.
Our family has owned property on Big Wood Lake for over 70 years. Grandparents, parents and now adult children. It has always been a wonderful lake community, which would be profoundly altered in a negative way by a development like this!!
Our family enjoys the quiet peaceful and natural setting this lake provides. We have young children and are concerned how doubling the population on this lake would effect safety for swimming, kayaking, Paddle boarding, etc!
No I'm not a member Big Wood Lake Association . But I live close enough to the camp on South Williams Road and I sure as heck don't want the extra traffic on my road . Its already like a race track . And that got in there it would be Ten times worse .
Devil's Lake Assn. and I do not want this change affecting any of our lakes, the shorelines, property values, roads, etc.
I am a resident of Burnett county. We are experiencing the same threat on Devils Lake. As a lake property owner I have a long list of concerns and fears for habitat, lake health and my fellow home owners safety and investment protection. Doubling or tripling the lake population by allowing these R.V. Parks can only end in devastation for current human and wildlife residents.
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Based on the size of the proposed campground, there could be anywhere between 50-140 extra boats per day on the lake. Not to mention the extra docks needed for that many boats. All this on a 500 acre lake. The crappies and sunfish will disappear in a summer.