Comprehensive Plan Sub-Committee Meeting — Agenda packet

Positively applying the tools of government to serve and protect our people, strengthen our community and promote prosperity. Town of Rome Nekoosa, WI 54457 www.romewi.gov AGENDA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2026 3:00 PM ROME MUNICIPAL BUILDING 1156 Alpine Drive Nekoosa, WI 54457 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Certify Posting of Meeting 4. Approve the Agenda 5. Citizen Comments – During the Citizen Comment period of the agenda the Comprehensive Plan Sub-Committee welcomes comments from any town resident, not a member of the Sub-Committee, on any item not on the agenda. Please know that pursuant to State law the Sub-Committee cannot engage in conversation with you but may ask questions. The Sub-Committee may refer the item to staff, a standing committee or a future agenda for discussion and action. Each person wishing to speak will have up to 3 minutes to speak. Speakers are asked to submit an orange card to the Sub-Committee secretary providing their name, address and topic for discussion. a. The Sub-Committee will also take comment from the public on agenda items as called by the facilitator, but not during Citizen Comments. Please note that once the Sub-Committee begins discussion on an agenda item no further comment will be allowed from the public on that issue. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: 6. Discussion and possible action – Approval of the July 23, 2026 and August 3, 2026 meeting minutes 7. Discussion and possible action – Review of 2016 Comprehensive Plan 8. Discussion and possible action – Review updates of next chapters of the Comprehensive Plan DATES AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA/MEETINGS 9. Next agenda items 10. Next meeting date and time ADJOURNMENT “Speak Your Peace” Commitment – A reminder that the town has adopted the Nine Tools of Civility which commits the Sub-Committee Members and the Public to be mindful of how we treat each other at meetings. Notification of this meeting has been posted in accordance with the Open Meeting Laws of the State of Wisconsin. The Comprehensive Plan Sub-Committee may take action on any item on the agenda. It is possible that the members of and possibly a quorum of members of other governmental bodies of the municipality may be in attendance at the above-stated meeting to gather information; no action will be taken by any governmental body at the above-stated meeting other than the Comprehensive Plan Sub-Committee. Please note that, upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of disabled individuals through appropriate aids and services. For additional information or to request this service, contact Wendy Newson, Town Clerk, at 1156 Alpine Drive, Nekoosa, WI 54457, ph. 715-325-8046. Positively applying the tools of government to serve and protect our people, strengthen our community and promote prosperity. Town of Rome Nekoosa, WI 54457 www.romewi.gov MINUTES COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2026 3:00 PM 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Taylor Owczynsky at 3:00 p.m. 2. Discussion and possible action – Appointment of Officers ➢ Chairperson Motion by Lewis/Hoeppner to nominate Mark Lake as the Chairperson of this committee. Motion carried. ➢ Vice-Chairperson Motion by Lewis/Hoeppner to nominate Cyndee Lewis as the Vice-Chairperson of this committee. Motion carried. 3. Roll Call Committee members present: Bruce Hoeppner, Cyndee Lewis, and Mark Lake Committee members absent/excused: Jerry Wiessinger Also present: Zoning Administrator, Emily Arndt and Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Taylor Owczynsky 4. Certify Posting of Meeting Taylor Owczynsky certified that on Friday, July 17, 2026, the Agenda for the Town of Rome Comprehensive Plan Sub-Committee meeting for Thursday, July 23, 2026 was posted at: Posted at the Rome Town Hall 3:40 p.m. Posted at Kwik Trip, LLC 3:55 p.m. Posted at Nekoosa Port Edwards State Bank 4:00 p.m. Emailed to the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune 2:22 p.m. 5. Approve the Agenda Motion by Lewis/Hoeppner to approve the agenda as presented including the change of “Wednesday, July 23” to “Thursday, July 23”. Motion carried. 6. Citizen Comments – During the Citizen Comment period of the agenda the RTC Design Plan Sub-Committee welcomes comments from any town resident, not a member of the Sub-Committee, on any item not on the agenda. Please know that pursuant to State law the Sub-Committee cannot engage in conversation with you but may ask questions. The Sub-Committee may refer the item to staff, a standing committee or a future agenda for discussion and action. Each person wishing to speak will have up to 3 minutes to speak. Speakers are asked to submit an orange card to the Sub-Committee secretary providing their name, address and topic for discussion. a. The Sub-Committee will also take comment from the public on agenda items as called by the facilitator, but not during Citizen Comments. Please note that once the Sub-Committee begins discussion on an agenda item no further comment will be allowed from the public on that issue. No Citizen Comments Received. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: Positively applying the tools of government to serve and protect our people, strengthen our community and promote prosperity. 7. Discussion and possible action – Review of 2016 Comprehensive Plan Discussion regarding the 2016 Comprehensive Plan in regards to the recommended updates from the 2022 Joint CDA and Plan Commission Sub-Committee. The full process for updating the Comprehensive Plan was discussed. Discussion of the possibility of using an Artificial Intelligence application to rework and tailor the Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Rome. Chairman Mark Lake has access to ChatGPT; after the Comprehensive Plan has been run through this software, Chapter 1 will be brought back to the sub-committee for review. The potential plan moving forward will include running chapter by chapter through the software and then bringing each chapter back to the Committee for their thorough. 8. Discussion and possible action – Review of Updates from the 2022 Joint CDA and Plan Commission Sub-Committee Covered in agenda item above. DATES AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA/MEETINGS 9. Next agenda items Review proposed updates to Chapter 1 – Chairman Lake to bring back. 10. Next meeting date and time August 3, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Lewis/Hoeppner to adjourn at 4:05 p.m. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Taylor Owczynsky Taylor Owczynsky Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Positively applying the tools of government to serve and protect our people, strengthen our community and promote prosperity. Town of Rome Nekoosa, WI 54457 www.romewi.gov MINUTES COMPREHENSIVE PLAN SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2026 3:00 PM 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chair Lewis at 3:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call Committee members present: Jerry Wiessinger, Bruce Hoeppner, Mark Lake and Cyndee Lewis Also present: Zoning Administrator, Emily Arndt and Deputy Clerk/Treasurer, Taylor Owczynsky 3. Certify Posting of Meeting I certify that on, Thursday, July 30, 2026, the Agenda for the Town of Rome Comprehensive Plan Sub-Committee meeting for Monday, August 3, 2026 was posted at the following locations: Posted at the Rome Town Hall 11:00 a.m. Posted at Kwik Trip, LLC 4:05 p.m. Posted at Nekoosa Port Edwards State Bank 1:35 p.m. Emailed to the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune 1:09 p.m. 4. Approve the Agenda Motion by Wiessinger/Hoeppner to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. 5. Citizen Comments – During the Citizen Comment period of the agenda the Comprehensive Plan Sub-Committee welcomes comments from any town resident, not a member of the Sub-Committee, on any item not on the agenda. Please know that pursuant to State law the Sub-Committee cannot engage in conversation with you but may ask questions. The Sub-Committee may refer the item to staff, a standing committee or a future agenda for discussion and action. Each person wishing to speak will have up to 3 minutes to speak. Speakers are asked to submit an orange card to the Sub-Committee secretary providing their name, address and topic for discussion. a. The Sub-Committee will also take comment from the public on agenda items as called by the facilitator, but not during Citizen Comments. Please note that once the Sub-Committee begins discussion on an agenda item no further comment will be allowed from the public on that issue. No citizen comments received. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: 6. Discussion and possible action – Review of 2016 Comprehensive Plan Discussion regarding the 2016 Comprehensive Plan and the planned updates. 7. Discussion and possible action – Review updates to Chapter 1 of the Comprehensive Plan provided by Chairman Lake Discussion regarding the proposed updates to Chapter 1 of the Comprehensive Plan. The Town of Saratoga will be added as a reference for comparison within the sources when the application runs through the verbiage and data. Discussion of attempting to review more than one chapter at a time before the next meeting. Discussion on the possibility of looking into North Central Regional Plan Commission for updated exhibits/maps. Positively applying the tools of government to serve and protect our people, strengthen our community and promote prosperity. Chairman Lake to bring back chapters two, three and four. DATES AND ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDA/MEETINGS 8. Next agenda items *Review of next chapters 9. Next meeting date and time August 20, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Lewis/Wiessinger to adjourn at 3:56 p.m. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Taylor Owczynsky Taylor Owczynsky Deputy Clerk/Treasurer 1 Taylor Owczynsky From: Mark Lake Sent: Monday, August 3, 2026 4:41 PM To: Emily Arndt; Taylor Owczynsky Subject: Updated Chapter 1 Attachments: Rome_Comprehensive_Plan_Chapter_1_Eight_Towns_Draft.docx Emily, Here is the updated Chapter 1 that includes the surrounding eight Towns in keeping with the Regional Plan Commission Comparison. Updated all seven demographic tables to include the eight-town comparison area:  Adams County: Rome, Big Flats, Leola, Monroe  Waushara County: Hancock, Plainfield  Wood County: Port Edwards, Saratoga The document uses 2010/2020 Census data, 2025 Wisconsin DOA esƟmates, and 2020–2024 ACS data. Thoughts? Best regards, Mark C. Lake, WANGARD PARTNERS, INC. | www.wangard.com | News & In sight This e-mail and its aƩachments may contain proprietary informaƟon, which is privileged, confidenƟal, or subject to copyright belonging to Wangard Partners, Inc. or other enƟƟes. This e-mail is intended solely for the use of the individual or enƟty to which it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering this e-mail to the intended recipient, you are hereby noƟfied that any disseminaƟon, distribuƟon, copying, or acƟon taken in relaƟon to the contents of and aƩachments to this e-mail is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this e-mail in error, please noƟfy the sender immediately and permanently delete the original and any copy of this e-mail and any printout. This e-mail does not consƟtute an offer to sell, or a solicitaƟon of an offer to purchase, any securiƟes. The recipients are advised that the sender and Wangard Partners, Inc. are not qualified to provide, are not providing, and have not been contracted to provide, legal, financial, or tax advice. Thank you. 2 Town of Rome Comprehensive Plan Amendment | Chapter 1 Page 1 Chapter 1 Background and Demographics Working Draft | Comprehensive Plan Amendment | July 2026 Chapter purpose. This chapter establishes an updated demographic baseline for community decisions. It uses the 2020 Census, Wisconsin Department of Administration 2025 population estimates, and the 2020- 2024 American Community Survey (ACS). ACS values for small communities are estimates and should be interpreted as indicators of direction and scale rather than exact counts. Background The Town of Rome is in northern Adams County, Wisconsin. Wood County forms the northern boundary; Petenwell Lake and the Wisconsin River corridor define the western edge; the Town of Leola lies to the east; and the Towns of Monroe and Big Flats lie to the south. Rome encompasses approximately 62.3 square miles, including about 54.1 square miles of land and 8.2 square miles of water. Rome’s development pattern reflects its natural-resource and recreation setting. Residential neighborhoods, seasonal homes, visitor-serving businesses, and community destinations are concentrated around Lake Arrowhead, Lake Camelot, Lake Sherwood, Petenwell Lake, State Highway 13, and major local corridors. This pattern makes lake and groundwater stewardship, safe year-round access, emergency services, housing choice, and the long-term fiscal performance of dispersed development central comprehensive-planning issues. Planning Process and Public Participation Wisconsin Statutes section 66.1001 establishes the framework for local comprehensive planning. The Town adopted its prior comprehensive plan on May 26, 2016. This amendment updates the plan’s factual foundation and policy direction for the next planning period. The final chapter should be coordinated with the Town’s adopted public participation procedures and should summarize the meetings, engagement methods, public hearing, Plan Commission recommendation, and Town Board action completed for this amendment. Adoption record placeholder. [Insert concise description of 2026 public engagement, hearing dates, recommendation, ordinance number, and adoption date after the process is complete.] Demographic Overview Rome is growing, but its demographic profile differs sharply from the state as a whole. The community combines a large retirement-age population, small household sizes, a major seasonal-housing market, and relatively high educational attainment and income. Those conditions influence demand for housing, health and emergency services, transportation, broadband, recreation, property maintenance, and opportunities to attract and retain working-age households. Town of Rome Comprehensive Plan Amendment | Chapter 1 Page 2 Key Findings • The Town’s decennial population increased from 2,720 in 2010 to 3,025 in 2020, an 11.2% gain. Wisconsin’s January 1, 2025 estimate is 3,254. • The 2020-2024 ACS estimates Rome’s median age at 64.5; approximately 48.1% of residents are age 65 or older and 8.6% are under age 18. • Approximately 46.6% of Rome’s housing units are estimated to be for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use. • An estimated 94.8% of residents age 25 or older have at least a high school diploma, and 37.4% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. • Rome’s estimated median household income is $79,728 and per capita income is $47,649, both above Adams County levels. • The estimated poverty rate is 4.7%, compared with 14.1% in Adams County and 10.6% statewide. Population Change Rome added 305 residents between the 2010 and 2020 Censuses. That 11.2% increase occurred while Adams County as a whole declined slightly. The 2025 state estimate indicates that Rome has continued to grow, adding an estimated 229 residents since 2020. Rome accounted for about 14.6% of Adams County’s 2020 population and approximately 15.0% of the County’s 2025 estimated population. Table 1. Population Change and Current Estimate Geography 2010 Census 2020 Census 2010-20 Change 2025 Estimate 2020-25 Change Town of Rome 2,720 3,025 11.2% 3,254 7.6% Town of Big Flats 1,018 948 -6.9% 949 0.1% Town of Leola 308 287 -6.8% 286 -0.3% Town of Monroe 398 391 -1.8% 400 2.3% Town of Hancock 528 558 5.7% 560 0.4% Town of Plainfield 550 496 -9.8% 498 0.4% Town of Port Edwards 1,427 1,356 -5.0% 1,354 -0.1% Town of Saratoga 5,142 5,060 -1.6% 5,052 -0.2% Adams County 20,875 20,654 -1.1% 21,752 5.3% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 and 2020 Decennial Census; Wisconsin DOA, Final Population Estimates, January 1, 2025. https://doa.wi.gov/Pages/LocalGovtsGrants/Population_Estimates.aspx Age Structure Rome’s age profile is the chapter’s most consequential demographic finding. The latest ACS estimate places the median age at 64.5, nearly nine years above Adams County and more than 24 years above Wisconsin. Nearly one- half of residents are estimated to be age 65 or older. This profile supports continued attention to emergency response, aging-in-place, accessible housing, property maintenance assistance, year-round mobility, health services, and succession within civic organizations. At the same time, the small share of children and young adults underscores the value of housing and economic-development strategies that can accommodate working-age households and families. Town of Rome Comprehensive Plan Amendment | Chapter 1 Page 3 Table 2. Age Profile, 2020-2024 Geography Median Age Under Age 18 Age 65+ Town of Rome 64.5 8.6% 48.1% Town of Big Flats 52.3 12.9% 30.4% Town of Leola 43.7 20.0% 24.7% Town of Monroe 63.6 6.0% 39.7% Town of Hancock 58.8 17.6% 40.2% Town of Plainfield 48.3 16.3% 18.0% Town of Port Edwards 43.6 21.0% 22.7% Town of Saratoga 51.0 18.6% 28.1% Adams County 55.7 13.5% 32.2% Wisconsin 40.2 21.4% 18.5% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Tables B01001 and B01002. https://data.census.gov/ Race and Ethnicity Rome remains less racially and ethnically diverse than Wisconsin overall, although the 2020-2024 ACS estimates a modest increase in residents who identify as Hispanic or Latino or as members of other racial groups. Because estimates for small populations can have large margins of error, trends should be monitored over time rather than interpreted as exact annual change. Inclusive engagement, accessible information, and fair access to housing and community services remain appropriate planning practices regardless of the current size of any population group. Table 3. Selected Race and Ethnicity Indicators, 2020-2024 Geography White, Non-Hispanic Hispanic or Latino Other / Multiracial* Town of Rome 91.0% 3.0% 6.0%* Town of Big Flats 87.6% 11.3% 1.1%* Town of Leola 90.2% 0.0% 9.8%* Town of Monroe 99.8% 0.0% 0.2%* Town of Hancock 96.8% 1.8% 1.4%* Town of Plainfield 85.8% 6.8% 7.4%* Town of Port Edwards 82.7% 12.2% 5.0%* Town of Saratoga 93.3% 6.7% 0.0%* Adams County 87.6% 4.4% 8.0%* Wisconsin 78.6% 8.0% 13.5%* Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B03002. *Residual shown for orientation; race and Hispanic origin are defined separately by the Census Bureau. https://data.census.gov/ Educational Attainment Rome’s educational profile is a community asset. An estimated 94.8% of adults age 25 or older have completed high school, and 37.4% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The bachelor’s-or-higher rate is more than twice the Adams Town of Rome Comprehensive Plan Amendment | Chapter 1 Page 4 County rate and exceeds the statewide rate. This may support entrepreneurship, remote work, volunteer leadership, and demand for reliable broadband and professional services. Table 4. Educational Attainment, Population Age 25 and Older, 2020-2024 Geography High School Graduate or Higher Bachelor’s Degree or Higher Town of Rome 94.8% 37.4% Town of Big Flats 80.4% 9.9% Town of Leola 95.5% 15.5% Town of Monroe 93.6% 19.1% Town of Hancock 82.9% 15.2% Town of Plainfield 83.4% 13.8% Town of Port Edwards 87.8% 12.5% Town of Saratoga 96.2% 14.7% Adams County 89.4% 17.5% Wisconsin 93.6% 33.4% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B15003. https://data.census.gov/ Households and Housing Occupancy Rome has an estimated 1,655 households and an average of approximately 1.9 persons per household. Small households are consistent with the community’s older population and reinforce the need for housing choices that are manageable, accessible, and close to services. The Town also has nearly as many housing units used seasonally as occupied year-round. This dual identity creates both opportunities and service-delivery challenges: seasonal residents support recreation and visitor-serving businesses, while peak-period demand can affect roads, emergency response, utilities, waste management, and natural resources. Table 5. Households and Housing Occupancy, 2020-2024 Geography Households Persons / HH Housing Units Occupied Seasonal Town of Rome 1,655 1.92 3,223 51.3% 46.6% Town of Big Flats 570 2.24 953 59.8% 35.3% Town of Leola 135 2.04 209 64.6% 34.4% Town of Monroe 220 1.90 595 37.0% 60.3% Town of Hancock 259 2.57 427 60.7% 30.9% Town of Plainfield 241 2.42 288 83.7% 13.9% Town of Port Edwards 461 2.89 525 87.8% 5.7% Town of Saratoga 2,229 2.28 2,431 91.7% 4.7% Adams County 9,517 2.22 17,008 56.0% 38.3% Wisconsin 2,479,480 2.39 2,778,572 89.2% 6.2% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Tables B11001, B25001, B25002, and B25004. https://data.census.gov/ Town of Rome Comprehensive Plan Amendment | Chapter 1 Page 5 Employment and Labor Force The ACS estimates 1,105 employed residents in Rome and a 2.2% unemployment rate among the civilian labor force. A large share of residents age 16 and older is not in the labor force, which is expected in a retirement- oriented community. For planning purposes, the more important issue is maintaining access to workers and services during seasonal peaks, supporting home-based and remote work, and expanding housing options that can serve local employees. Table 6. Employment Status, 2020-2024 Geography Employed Residents Civilian Unemployment Rate Town of Rome 1,105 2.2% Town of Big Flats 567 7.8% Town of Leola 106 17.8% Town of Monroe 128 7.9% Town of Hancock 235 7.1% Town of Plainfield 298 7.7% Town of Port Edwards 658 1.3% Town of Saratoga 2,186 3.6% Adams County 8,493 4.5% Wisconsin 3,031,042 3.2% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B23025. Small-area estimates may have substantial margins of error. https://data.census.gov/ Income and Poverty Rome’s estimated median household income of $79,728 is above Adams County and slightly above Wisconsin. Its per capita income is also comparatively strong, reflecting in part the Town’s older and smaller-household profile. The estimated poverty rate is 4.7%, substantially below county and state rates. Income statistics do not eliminate local affordability concerns: fixed-income households, service-sector workers, housing costs, transportation costs, and seasonal price pressures may affect residents differently. Future policy should pair communitywide indicators with local housing and cost-burden data. Table 7. Income and Poverty, 2020-2024 Geography Median Household Income Per Capita Income Poverty Rate Town of Rome $79,728 $47,649 4.7% Town of Big Flats $48,036 $35,227 13.5% Town of Leola $54,375 $36,920 11.6% Town of Monroe $50,833 $30,342 19.4% Town of Hancock $71,750 $40,607 6.3% Town of Plainfield $74,250 $40,235 7.6% Town of Port Edwards $81,103 $38,085 14.4% Town of Saratoga $74,499 $36,588 5.9% Adams County $59,442 $35,863 14.1% Town of Rome Comprehensive Plan Amendment | Chapter 1 Page 6 Geography Median Household Income Per Capita Income Poverty Rate Wisconsin $77,485 $43,373 10.6% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Estimates, Tables B19013, B19301, and B17001. Income is reported in 2024 inflation-adjusted dollars. https://data.census.gov/ Planning Implications The demographic baseline does not prescribe a single growth strategy, but it identifies several themes that should be carried through the plan’s housing, transportation, economic development, utilities, community facilities, natural resources, and land-use chapters. • Plan for aging in place through accessible housing, emergency response capacity, health-service connections, and safe mobility. • Broaden housing choice for smaller households, year-round workers, and families while protecting the character and environmental quality that attract residents and visitors. • Recognize seasonal occupancy in facility sizing, traffic management, public safety, waste services, and natural-resource protection. • Support reliable broadband, flexible work arrangements, entrepreneurship, and year-round economic activity. • Use lake, groundwater, forest, and shoreline protection as economic and quality-of-life strategies, not only environmental regulations. • Refresh the demographic tables at major plan checkpoints and avoid relying on a single ACS release for small-population trends. Data Notes and Sources Decennial Census counts are complete enumerations used for the 2010 and 2020 population table. The Wisconsin Department of Administration produces annual municipal estimates using census counts and contemporary administrative indicators. All other demographic, social, economic, and housing figures in this chapter are 2020- 2024 ACS five-year estimates. The ACS combines five years of survey responses to improve reliability for small geographies, but values remain estimates with margins of error. Percentages may not total 100% because of rounding and category definitions. The regional comparison set includes eight towns: Rome, Big Flats, Leola, and Monroe in Adams County; Hancock and Plainfield in Waushara County; and Port Edwards and Saratoga in Wood County. U.S. Census Bureau, data.census.gov: https://data.census.gov/ U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey methodology: https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/methodology.html Wisconsin Department of Administration, Population and Housing Unit Estimates: https://doa.wi.gov/Pages/LocalGovtsGrants/Population_Estimates.aspx Wisconsin Statutes section 66.1001, Comprehensive Planning: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/66/x/1001 1 Taylor Owczynsky From: Mark Lake Sent: Monday, August 3, 2026 5:29 PM To: Emily Arndt; Taylor Owczynsky Subject: Town of Rome - Comp Plan - Chapter 2 Attachments: Rome_Comprehensive_Plan_Chapter_2_Updated_Draft.docx Emily/Taylor, Here is Chapter 2. Went well, updated language, etc. incorporated new themes and got rid of repeats. Updated ObjecƟve and created secƟon 2.6 ImplementaƟon PrioriƟes as a guide for how to implement this secƟon of the Comp Plan. Actually like how it went through the process of removing hearsay and replaced some of the text with factual data. Here is the unformaƩed workflow/thought process… I am working on Chapter 2 of the Town of Rome, WI Comprehensive Plan. Please make the document relevant with modern language and themes. As a reminder, Please leave out pictures and Maps, we will add later. Worked for 36s I’ll update Chapter 2 as a clean, editable companion to the revised Chapter 1—retaining its core planning purpose while refreshing dated language, policies, and themes. I’ll omit all photographs and maps, and I’ll disƟnguish current factual updates from recommendaƟons that should be confirmed through the amendment process. I’m using the document and Library workflows because the source chapter and final Word draŌ need to remain part of the ongoing plan project. Rome CP Chapter 2.pdf PDF Please upload the exisƟng Chapter 2 file—PDF or Word format. I currently have the revised Chapter 1, but the original Chapter 2 is not available in the project files. Once uploaded, I’ll:  Preserve the chapter’s useful structure and local policy intent  Update dated facts, terminology, goals, objecƟves, policies, and programs  Incorporate modern themes relevant to Rome  Coordinate the language with Chapter 1’s findings  Omit all photographs and maps  Deliver a professionally formaƩed, editable Word draŌ with source notes and clearly idenƟfied placeholders where Town confirmaƟon is needed Rome CP Chapter 2(1).pdf PDF Please use this Chapter 2 Worked for 5m 32s 2 Rome CP Chapter 2 - Redlined Goals.pdf PDF Here is a list of goals that have been red-lined. Please incorporate, but retain redlines for now. Worked for 3m 9s Built, scrubbed, rendered, and audited Chapter Two I’ll fold the marked-up goals into the updated Chapter 2 while preserving the edits as visible redlines, so the Town can conƟnue reviewing them. I’ll first disƟnguish inserted, deleted, and unchanged language from the PDF markup, then apply those changes to the corresponding goals/objecƟves/policies in the Word draŌ and recheck the full document layout. Extracted and rendered redlined PDF content The redline adds five substanƟve direcƟons that are not yet explicit enough in the modern draŌ: maintaining low density where resource concerns exist; naming the Fourteen mile Watershed Alliance and Visit Rome as partners; preserving a rural corridor image; strengthening agricultural conservaƟon pracƟces; and maintaining Bird City status. I’ll integrate those concepts into the modern policy set and add a dedicated review secƟon that preserves the supplied inserƟons in red underline and deleƟons in red strikethrough, rather than silently accepƟng them. Updated Chapter Two draŌ, applied patches, and created contact sheet The supplied markup is now preserved as actual Word tracked changes, not just colored text. I’ve also kept a separate review record so deleted language remains readable and the modernized policy text is not mistaken for an accepted clean copy. I’m making one final spacing correcƟon in the replacement redlines, then saving the reviewed draŌ. Built and validated the Rome Chapter Two document with code patches Saving the revised Chapter 2 draŌ now. Created updated Rome Chapter Two draŌ Applied document library metadata Updated Chapter 2 now includes:  The substanƟve concepts from the Town’s markup incorporated into the modern policies  A dedicated redline review secƟon preserving inserƟons and deleƟons  Actual Word tracked changes enabled for conƟnued review  Updated secƟon numbering  No photographs or maps  Full visual and accessibility review completed Rome_Comprehensive_Plan_Chapter_2_Updated_DraŌ.docx Rome_Comprehensive_Plan_Chapter_2_Updated_DraŌ.docxDocument Best regards, Mark C. Lake, AICP | WANGARD PARTNERS, INC. | | www.wangard.com | News & In sight 3 This e-mail and its aƩachments may contain proprietary informaƟon, which is privileged, confidenƟal, or subject to copyright belonging to Wangard Partners, Inc. or other enƟƟes. This e-mail is intended solely for the use of the individual or enƟty to which it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient of this e-mail, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering this e-mail to the intended recipient, you are hereby noƟfied that any disseminaƟon, distribuƟon, copying, or acƟon taken in relaƟon to the contents of and aƩachments to this e-mail is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this e-mail in error, please noƟfy the sender immediately and permanently delete the original and any copy of this e-mail and any printout. This e-mail does not consƟtute an offer to sell, or a solicitaƟon of an offer to purchase, any securiƟes. The recipients are advised that the sender and Wangard Partners, Inc. are not qualified to provide, are not providing, and have not been contracted to provide, legal, financial, or tax advice. Thank you. TOWN OF ROME COMPREHENSIVE PLAN | CHAPTER 2 Natural, Agricultural, and Cultural Resources | 1 Chapter 2 Natural, Agricultural, and Cultural Resources Updated Draft | August 2026 Chapter purpose. Protect the natural systems, working lands, scenic character, and cultural resources that define Rome while directing growth to locations that can be served safely and sustainably. 2.1 Planning Context Rome’s lakes, streams, wetlands, forests, sandy soils, groundwater, recreation lands, and cultural places are core community assets and essential infrastructure. They support public health, property value s, tourism, outdoor recreation, habitat, and the Town’s identity. This chapter establishes a contemporary framework for stewardship, development review, intergovernmental coordination, and investment. Since the 2016 plan, resource planning has increasingly emphasized climate resilience, watershed-scale management, private-well protection, septic-system performance, habitat connectivity, invasive-species management, equitable public access, and the use of current geospatial data. These themes are integrated throughout this chapter. Current planning documents and data Resource How it should be used Adams County Land and Water Resource Management Plan Coordinate local priorities with the County’s current soil, water, agricultural, and conservation work plan. Wisconsin DNR surface-water, groundwater, wetlands, fisheries, and Natural Heritage data Use current agency datasets and field review rather than relying solely on generalized plan maps. FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer Use the effective flood-hazard information available at the time of review; recognize that mapped boundaries do not capture every drainage or extreme-rainfall risk. USDA NRCS Web Soil Survey Use the current authoritative soil survey for screening; require site-specific evaluation for engineering, septic, and conservation decisions. Wisconsin Historical Society records Consult current historic-property and archaeological records early; protect confidential archaeological-site locations. 2.2 Resource Inventory and Trends Landscape, geology, and soils Rome occupies roughly 39,500 acres on the Central Wisconsin sand plain. The 2016 plan described elevations ranging from approximately 930 feet near Lake Petenwell and the Wisconsin River to about 1,250 feet in the southeast. These legacy figures remain useful for context but should be recalculated from current GIS when the plan maps are updated . Deep, permeable sands and localized high groundwater create both opportunity and vulnerability. Rapid infiltration can support groundwater recharge and low-impact stormwater practices, but it can also move nutrients and contaminants quickly toward groundwater. Poorly drained soils, wetlands, steep slopes, and shallow groundwater may require special TOWN OF ROME COMPREHENSIVE PLAN | CHAPTER 2 Natural, Agricultural, and Cultural Resources | 2 design or may be unsuitable for certain uses. Development review should pair current NRCS data with on-site soil, groundwater, and engineering information. Climate and resilience Rome retains a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, but planning should no longer assume that historic averages alone describe future conditions. More variable precipitation, heavier rainfall events, heat, drought, wildfire smoke, and freeze-thaw cycles can affect roads, culverts, shorelines, forests, wells, septic systems, recreation facilities, and emergency operations. New and reconstructed public infrastructure should be sized and located using current design standards and a reasonable margin for future conditions. Surface water and watersheds Water is Rome’s defining resource. Lake Petenwell forms the western edge of the Town. Lake Sherwood, Lake Camelot, and Lake Arrowhead are impoundments on Fourteenmile Creek and together form the Tri -Lakes system. Lake Arrowhead is a 295-acre man-made lake completed in 1978; a comprehensive Wisconsin DNR fisheries survey was completed in 2022. Chester Creek, Dead Horse Creek, Dorro Couche Lake, ponds, wetlands, and smaller drainageways also contribute to the Town’s connected water system. The Town lies primarily within the Fourteenmile Creek watershed, with portions in the Big Ro che-A-Cri Creek and Sevenmile and Tenmile Creeks watersheds. Land-use and stormwater decisions made anywhere in these drainage areas can affect downstream water quality, aquatic habitat, dam operations, and recreation. Management priorities include phosphorus and sediment reduction, shoreland buffers, aquatic invasive-species prevention, dam and culvert resilience, construction-site erosion control, and coordinated monitoring. Groundwater, wells, and on-site wastewater Most residents and businesses depend on groundwater and many properties rely on private on-site wastewater treatment systems. Because Rome’s sandy soils can transmit water and contaminants rapidly, private -well testing, proper well abandonment, septic maintenance, and careful siting of higher -risk land uses are continuing public-health priorities. Contemporary groundwater planning should address nitrate, pesticides, pathogens, petroleum compounds, and emerging contaminants such as PFAS, while recognizing that state and federal standards continu e to evolve. The Town should use monitoring and system-performance information to evaluate where education, inspection, replacement assistance, clustered treatment, or sanitary-service feasibility studies may be warranted. Any future utility decision should compare lifecycle cost, environmental benefit, growth implications, affordability, governance, and long - term operations. Wetlands, floodplains, and shorelands Wetlands are concentrated in the southeast, along Fourteenmile Creek, east of Lake Camelot, and near Lake Petenwell and Chester Creek. They store floodwater, filter pollutants, recharge or discharge groundwater, provide habitat, and support recreation. Wetlands and adjacent uplands should be treated as connected systems. Mapped inventories are screening tools; site-specific delineation and agency coordination may be necessary before disturbance. Flood risk is concentrated along major waterways and shorelands, but intense rainfall can also create localized drainage, erosion, and access problems beyond mapped floodplains. Development should preserve natural storage, maintain safe access, avoid transferring runoff to neighboring properties, and incorporate setbacks and freeboard appropriate to the site and applicable regulations. Forests, habitat, and biodiversity Forests remain the Town’s predominant land cover and provide habitat, groundwater protection, carbon storage, scenic character, timber value, and recreation. Large ownership changes or parcel fragmentation can alter public access, TOWN OF ROME COMPREHENSIVE PLAN | CHAPTER 2 Natural, Agricultural, and Cultural Resources | 3 wildfire exposure, habitat connectivity, and the feasibility of sustainable forest management. The Town should maintain working relationships with public, tribal, nonprofit, industrial, and family woodland owners and prepare for land transitions before major tracts are divided or converted. Rome lies within the range of the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. DNR guidance identifies open barrens, savannas, and prairies containing native wild lupine as essential habitat. Current Natural Heritage review, qualified surveys when required, and early coordination should be integrated into projects involving substantial ground disturbance, forestry, utilities, roads, recreation facilities, or land division. Similar attention should be given to other rare species, pollinators, native plant communities, invasive species, and wildlife corridors. Agricultural and mineral resources Agriculture occupies a small share of Rome compared with forest and recreation uses. Row crops occur primarily in the northeast, and cranberry production is associated with the eastern part of the Town. The planning objective is not simply to freeze land use, but to support viable farms, protect water and soil, reduce conflicts at the rural -residential edge, and allow compatible value-added or agritourism uses where impacts can be managed. Nonmetallic mining can supply needed construction materials but may create truck traffic, noise, dust, groundwater, habitat, and reclamation concerns. New or expanded operations should be evaluated under applicable county and state requirements, with enforceable operational, transportation, monitoring, financial -assurance, and reclamation provisions. Cultural, archaeological, and scenic resources Rome’s cultural landscape includes archaeological sites, Indigenous history, historic travel and settlement patterns, recreation traditions, community institutions, the Tri-Norse/Dyracuse ski-jump legacy, and places valued locally even when they are not formally listed. The 2016 plan reported 34 known archaeological sites, ma ny near Lake Petenwell and the Wisconsin River; this is a sensitive, point-in-time inventory and must be verified through the Wisconsin Historical Society rather than mapped publicly. Planning and project review should avoid disturbance to burial sites, ar chaeological resources, and historic properties; consult appropriate state and tribal contacts; and incorporate local history into placemaking and interpretation with permission. Scenic roads, wooded approaches, dark skies, water views, and community gatew ays also contribute to Rome’s identity and visitor economy. 2.3 Key Issues and Opportunities Planning issue Updated direction Water quality and quantity Protect the Tri-Lakes, Lake Petenwell, streams, wetlands, and groundwater while supporting responsible growth and recreation. Septic and private-well resilience Improve testing, maintenance, replacement planning, homeowner education, and long- term service-area evaluation. Climate-ready infrastructure Design roads, culverts, drainage, parks, shorelines, and emergency access for heavier rainfall, heat, drought, smoke, and freeze-thaw stress. Forest and habitat continuity Limit avoidable fragmentation; support working forests, Karner blue habitat, pollinators, native communities, and connected corridors. Public access and recreation stewardship Maintain water and land access without degrading habitat, water quality, neighborhood character, or carrying capacity. TOWN OF ROME COMPREHENSIVE PLAN | CHAPTER 2 Natural, Agricultural, and Cultural Resources | 4 Planning issue Updated direction Land transitions Plan proactively for the sale, subdivision, or conversion of large forest, agricultural, and recreation holdings. Cultural-resource stewardship Use early review and respectful consultation; celebrate locally meaningful places without disclosing sensitive site locations. Current data and accountability Refresh GIS and resource indicators, coordinate agency data, and report progress at least every five years. 2.4 Goals, Objectives, and Policies The goals describe the desired long-term condition. Objectives identify the results the Town will pursue. Policies guide decisions, regulations, partnerships, and investments. Goal 1 - Water resources and public health Protect and improve surface water, groundwater, wetlands, flood-storage areas, and shorelands so they continue to support public health, habitat, recreation, and the local econo my. Objective 1.1 - Watershed protection • Use watershed boundaries and current resource data in land-use and development review. • Require erosion control and stormwater practices that manage runoff volume, rate, sediment, nutrients, and temperature using green infrastructure where feasible. • Protect and restore shoreland buffers, wetlands, drainageways, and natural flood storage; avoid development that depends on repeated emergency protection. • Coordinate monitoring and management with Adams County, Wisconsin DNR, Tri-Lakes Management District, Fourteenmile Watershed Alliance, Visit Rome, lake associations, dam owners, and upstream and downstream jurisdictions. Objective 1.2 - Groundwater and drinking water • Promote routine private-well testing and clear communication of results and health guidance. • Support proper well construction, abandonment, spill prevention, and management of nitrate, pesticides, pathogens, petroleum, PFAS, and other contaminants. • Evaluate water demand and cumulative groundwater impacts for high-capacity wells and water-intensive development using current agency review requirements. Objective 1.3 - On-site wastewater • Promote regular inspection, pumping, maintenance, and timely replacement of private systems. • Use system-age, failure-risk, density, soil, groundwater, and water-quality information to identify priority education or service-study areas. • Evaluate clustered or public treatment only through a transparent feasibility process addressing environmental benefit, affordability, governance, growth effects, and lifecycle cost. Goal 2 - Resilient landscapes and biodiversity Maintain connected forests, native communities, working lands, and open spaces that are resilient to development pressure, invasive species, wildfire, pests, and climate stress. TOWN OF ROME COMPREHENSIVE PLAN | CHAPTER 2 Natural, Agricultural, and Cultural Resources | 5 Objective 2.1 - Forests and open space • Maintain low-density development where environmental constraints or resource sensitivity make greater intensity inappropriate. • Direct higher-intensity development away from large intact resource areas and towar d suitable, serviceable locations. • Use conservation design, flexible lot arrangement, easements, acquisition, and partnerships to retain habitat connections and meaningful open space. • Engage major landowners early when large tracts may be sold, divided, or converted; assess access, wildfire, habitat, fiscal, and infrastructure implications. Objective 2.2 - Rare species and native habitat • Use current DNR Natural Heritage screening and required field review early in project planning. • Protect and manage Karner blue butterfly and wild lupine habitat consistent with current federal and state requirements. • Encourage native landscaping, pollinator habitat, invasive-species control, prescribed fire where appropriate and professionally managed, and bird-friendly practices. • Maintain the Town’s designation and annual commitments as a Wisconsin Bird City. Objective 2.3 - Climate adaptation • Incorporate heavier rainfall, drought, extreme heat, smoke, wildfire, pest, and freeze -thaw risks into capital planning and development standards. • Favor nature-based solutions that provide multiple benefits, including infiltration, shade, habitat, erosion control, and flood storage. • Maintain emergency access and evacuation considerations in wooded, seasonal, and waterfront deve lopment areas. Goal 3 - Working lands, recreation, and community character Support compatible agriculture, forestry, mineral resources, tourism, and outdoor recreation while protecting neighbors, natural systems, scenic character, and public access. Objective 3.1 - Agriculture and forestry • Reduce fragmentation and conflicts that impair viable farm and forest operations. • Support agricultural practices that protect surface water and groundwater, including appropriate erosion control, nutrient and manure management, and stormwater management. • Support conservation practices, forest stewardship, local products, and compatible agritourism or value -added uses. • Consider the needs of agricultural and forestry vehicles when reviewing transportation and land divi sions. Objective 3.2 - Recreation and access • Maintain safe, inclusive, and environmentally responsible access to public lands and waters. • Use carrying-capacity, parking, sanitation, shoreline, noise, habitat, and maintenance considerations when expanding recreation facilities. • Coordinate trails and water access with landowner permission; do not assume continued public access across private lands. Objective 3.3 - Community design • Protect wooded approaches, scenic views, dark skies, and gateway character thro ugh context-sensitive site, lighting, landscaping, signage, and access standards. TOWN OF ROME COMPREHENSIVE PLAN | CHAPTER 2 Natural, Agricultural, and Cultural Resources | 6 • Maintain a positive rural visual image within and beyond public rights -of-way. • Prioritize safety, multimodal access, and native landscape character along corridors; avoid for mulaic design requirements that conflict with environmental performance. • Use compact development patterns and shared infrastructure where they reduce land disturbance and are consistent with the future land-use strategy. Goal 4 - Cultural resources and implementation Recognize and protect Rome’s archaeological, historic, scenic, and cultural resources through respectful consultation, current information, and accountable implementation. Objective 4.1 - Cultural-resource protection • Consult Wisconsin Historical Society records and appropriate tribal, state, and local partners early when a project may affect cultural resources. • Comply with burial-site and archaeological-resource laws and keep sensitive location information confidential. • Encourage adaptive reuse, documentation, interpretation, and voluntary preservation of locally significant places. TOWN OF ROME COMPREHENSIVE PLAN | CHAPTER 2 Natural, Agricultural, and Cultural Resources | 7 Objective 4.2 - Coordination and accountability • Maintain a shared resource-data checklist for land divisions, rezonings, conditional uses, major site plans, and public projects. • Review indicators and implementation progress at least every five years and update policies when laws, science, or local conditions change. • Pursue grants and partnerships for water quality, habitat, forestry, recreation, cultural resources, haz ard mitigation, and data modernization. 2.5 Town Redline Review Record Review status. The following items reproduce the substantive insertions and deletions supplied in “Rome CP Chapter 2 - Redlined Goals.pdf.” Red underline indicates inserted language; red strikethrough indicates deleted language. These are retained as tracked changes for continued Town review. The modern policy set above incorporates the inserted concepts without treating the redlines as finally accepted. Objective 1, new policy: Maintain low-density development in areas where there may be concerns. Objective 2, Policy 1 partner list: Fourteenmile Watershed Alliance and Visit Rome, WI; Objective 3, Policy 3: positive visual image positive rural visual image Objective 3, proposed Policy 5: Work with current businesses inside of the Gateway Corridor to update appearances. Objective 4 statement: Preserve and protect open space corridors, forested lands, wetlands, groundwater, and other natural resources within the Town. Protect all present natural resources, prioritizing environmentally and natural - resource-sensitive areas from development. These areas include flood hazards, wetlands, groundwater, forested land, and open-space corridors. Objective 4, Policy 1 addition: Maintain zoning that is consistent with county shoreland-protection requirements. Objective 4, proposed low-density policy: Maintain low-density development in areas where there may be environmental concerns. Objective 4, consolidated development-siting policy: Guide the location and design of development to minimize adverse impacts on surface waters, aquifers, wetlands, steep slopes, woodlands, and agriculture, while prioritizing rare plant and animal species and archaeological sites to promote the ecological value of the land. Objective 4, superseded habitat policy: Consider impacts on wildlife habitat, potential locations of rare plant and animal species, and archaeological sites before approving land-use changes. Objective 4, superseded landscape-integrity policy: Preserve resource integrity, promote ecological value, and minimize adverse impacts on adjacent properties by discouraging incompatible development and alteration of vulnerable and valued landscapes. Objective 4, new regulatory policy: Control the density and location of development in environmentally sensitive areas through the Comprehensive Plan, zoning ordinance, and subdivision regulations. Agricultural objective, new Policy 2: Encourage agricultural practices that protect surface-water and groundwater quality, including proper erosion control, manure management, and stormwater -management strategies. Bird habitat objective, Policy 4: Seek designation as a “Bird City” under the Wisconsin Bird City Program. Maintain designation as a “Bird City” under the Wisconsin Bird City Program. Editorial renumbering shown in the source markup (Objectives 5-10 and related policies) should be finalized only after the Town accepts or rejects the substantive changes above. TOWN OF ROME COMPREHENSIVE PLAN | CHAPTER 2 Natural, Agricultural, and Cultural Resources | 8 2.6 Implementation Priorities Action Lead / partners Timing Priority Update the Chapter 2 GIS inventory and baseline acreage calculations Town; Adams County; planning/GIS consultant At plan adoption / map phase High Create a natural-resource review checklist for development applications and public projects Town; Adams County 0-2 years High Establish a coordinated private-well testing and septic education program; map aggregate trends without publishing private results Town; County; health and lake partners 0-2 years, ongoing High Prepare a watershed and green-infrastructure action list for priority drainage, shoreline, culvert, and restoration projects Town; DNR; County; Tri-Lakes partners 1-3 years High Assess large-tract land-transition, forest- fragmentation, wildfire, and emergency-access risks Town; landowners; fire/EMS; DNR 1-3 years High Inventory public access points and evaluate accessibility, parking, sanitation, safety, habitat, and maintenance needs Town; partner agencies 2-4 years Medium Develop voluntary scenic, dark-sky, native-landscape, and bird/pollinator design guidance Town; community partners 2-4 years Medium Establish a confidential cultural-resource review protocol and local-history documentation program Town; WHS; tribal and local partners 1-3 years Medium Publish a five-year Chapter 2 progress report using the indicators below Town Plan Commission / Town Board Every 5 years High Suggested indicators • Acres of wetlands, floodplain, forest, agricultural land, and protected open space (GIS baseline and change) • Private-well testing participation and aggregate exceedance trends, where data are available • Septic-system outreach, inspections, replacements, and documented failures, where data are available • Water-quality and aquatic invasive-species indicators used by DNR and local lake-management partners • Acres of native habitat restored or managed and invasive-species projects completed • Linear feet or acres of shoreland buffer, green infrastructure, drainage, or culvert improvements • Public-access and recreation improvements completed • Cultural-resource reviews, preservation projects, and interpretive initiatives completed without disclosing protected locations TOWN OF ROME COMPREHENSIVE PLAN | CHAPTER 2 Natural, Agricultural, and Cultural Resources | 9 2.7 Data Notes and Sources Draft status. This chapter is prepared for comprehensive-plan amendment review. Photographs and maps are intentionally omitted. Acreages from the 2016 plan are retained only as contextual working baselines and should be replaced with measurements from the final adopted GIS layers. Policies should be reviewed with Town, County, and legal staff for consistency with current authority and adopted ordinances. Town of Rome Comprehensive Plan (2016): Controlling source for the chapter structure, local resource descriptions, legacy acreage estimates, and prior goals and policies. Adams County Land and Water Resource Management Plan, current 2025 update materials: County conservation priorities and implementation context. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2024 Groundwater Coordinating Council report: Current statewide groundwater priorities, including nitrate, pesticides, PFAS, standards, monitoring, and water-stressed areas. Wisconsin DNR, Fisheries Survey Report for Lake Arrowhead (2022 survey; report dated December 2023): Lake Arrowhead history, 295-acre surface area, fishery status, and contemporary lake-management context. Wisconsin DNR, Karner Blue Butterfly Habitat Conservation Plan resources and 2026 monitoring information: Current endangered status, habitat needs, survey expectations, and management coordination. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Web Soil Survey: Current authoritative soil survey information for planning-level screening; site investigation remains necessary. FEMA Flood Map Service Center / National Flood Hazard Layer: Current official flood-hazard products; effective mapping should be verified when projects are reviewed. Wisconsin Historical Society databases and State Historic Preservation Office guidance: Current historic-property, archaeological, burial-site, and consultation information; sensitive locations are not published in this chapter. Web references accessed August 3, 2026: dnr.wisconsin.gov; datcp.wi.gov; websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov; msc.fema.gov; wisconsinhistory.org.