Community Consensus

In 1942, the Badger Army Ammunition Plant (BAAP) was constructed in Sauk County, Wisconsin. The plant manufactured ammunition for the Army until it was closed in 1975. In 1998 the Army declared the property to be excess, and began the process to transfer it to other entities. Many communities, organizations and individuals expressed strong concern about the future of this extraordinary property.

The BAAP property is over 7,000 acres adjoining Devil’s Lake State Park. Set in the beautiful Baraboo hills, the opportunity to preserve the land for the use and enjoyment of future generations is truly extraordinary.

I have always believed in the importance of community participation in this determination, and worked hard to establish a facilitated community consensus process.

I was pleased to secure a special federal grant of $100,000 to fund that process. After countless hours of work by numerous concerned state and local government organizations, community leaders, environmental organizations, and concerned citizens, a consensus plan was developed. The plan is truly visionary—restoring the land for conservation and recreation. My work in support of this community consensus plan continues.

Badger Reuse Committee Final Report

Next Steps

The General Services Administration (GSA)—the federal agency responsible for the disposal of the Badger property—has a legal obligation to manage the property disposal process.

I am pleased that GSA continues to coordinate with the State of Wisconsin, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Ho-Chunk Nation to implement a plan for the property that is grounded in the work and report of the Badger reuse committee. Transfer of a part of the land to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its Dairy Forage Research facility has already been completed.

Environmental cleanup of Badger remains one of my top priorities, and I will continue my work with other federal and state officials to ensure the best possible remediation of the Badger property. However, the level of remediation required by law is not as comprehensive as the cleanup that will be needed if the reuse committee’s vision is to be fulfilled. That achievement will require active participation and support at all levels, both inside and outside of government. Already, the Army has made significant progress in addressing the environmental hazards that exist in certain portions of BAAP, and I intend to remain actively involved in ensuring full cleanup.

It will be many years before the complete transition from the BAAP of today to the full implementation of the community’s vision for the BAAP lands. Hundreds of committed individuals have given thousands of hours of effort to make it this far, and more will be required. My commitment to the extraordinary consensus expressed in the Badger reuse plan is unwavering.

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