Key Facts about “710 acres of Southern Lake Geneva”:

·         OVER 6 - 16% of Geneva Lakes’ water comes from the Buttons Bay Creek.

·          The Geneva Lake Environmental Agency is currently conducting a detailed report measuring the groundwater, springs, and watershed areas around the lake.  Please wait for the study to be done (March 2008) before deciding on any zoning changes in this sensitive area.

·         1 acre foot of water is 325,361 Gallons.  In August 07, rain was greater than 1 foot.  710 acres = apx 255.5 million gallons of water.  Apx 84 million gallons ran off this property into Geneva Lake and Nippersink Creek Watersheds.  In addition, apx 160 million gallons were absorbed into the recharge groundwaters of Geneva Lake. (ratios by GLEA)

·         This property contains a large swath of Primary Environmental Corridor, and is included in the Shoreland Protection Border for Geneva Lake.  This area is also noted as Lake Geneva’s FEMA flood area.   Do Not allow the SEPTIC system to be placed through the old Dump, the wetlands, and into the development.  This could cause irreversible damage to this watershed and the Lake.

·         Several large plots of forest on the property contain Endangered Oak Savannas. These forests share equal billing with the Tallgrass Praires as some of the most endangered plant communities in Wisconsin, and are among the most threatened in the world.

·         Fish species in the Buttons Bay area have reduced from 15 in 1970 (which included sensitive, rare species dependant on aquatic plants) to 8 in 2004, (none of which are rare or sensitive to shoreline habitat changes.)   Though the other two sampling crews found pockets with more diverse species, the total haul on Geneva Lake is 17 native species compared to 29 at the same sites in the 1970s.”  (see WNR Shoreline Sentinels article, Feb 2005)

·         Big Foot Beach State Park Master Plan includes requests to expand their property to include more of the wetlands to the south, in order to protect and monitor the quality and quantity of runoff in to Geneva Lake.  Also to buffer the park from development and disturbance, preserve amazing views to the south, allow trail-related recreation, as well as, provide wetland education for our schools, local population, and tourists alike.     

·         Lake Geneva is working on their Park Plan, it shows the need for expansion of the open space, nature viewing, and trails with in the city.  Changes to the South Lake Geneva Plan should be done as information is learned about special features to the land.  Expanding the system of open space and recreational opportunities will have a direct and generational impact on the economic and financial aspect our government may be looking for.

·         A detailed Environmental Impact Study should be performed, as well as, a thorough search for Native American burial grounds before any decisions are made.

·         There are several designated A-1 plots of land with-in this property.  By following the Smart Growth Plan survey of Walworth County, you will see that over 80% of Walworth County residents want to see A-1 designated farm land preserved for continued farm use. 

·         Historic Walworth County farming, Archaeological, and Geological facts abound on this property.

·         TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND CONSTRUCTION FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS.

·         “By conserving a greenway corridor rather than permitting intensive development, local agencies may reduce costs for public services such as sewers, roads, and school facilities.”

·         Oversupply of housing in a slow market will result in lower prices and devaluation of homes.  Lake Geneva should finish what it has started before damage is done. 

·         “Analysis of the bottom surficial sediments of Geneva Lake indicated that municipal and agricultural drainage from the watershed has produced elevated (above natural levels), and potentially problematic, concentrations of some elements and compounds in the lake sediments.  Because concentrations of some constituents were elevated indicates little about actual toxicological effects on any biological species, but it serves as a signal that future investigators of contaminants in the lake may want to focus on such details as bioavailability, cycling within the ecosystem, and toxicology of these compounds.”

·         DENSITY AND ROW HOUSES WILL CRUSH OUR COUNTRY SMALL TOWN CHARM AND SOUTHERN LAKE GENEVA WILL BE LOST TO SUBURBAN SAMENESS.