This email thread dated May 30–31, 2019 centers on a proposed conservation easement involving the Paine property in Superior, Wisconsin. It shows coordination between Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials and City of Superior leadership.

Key Players

The correspondence involves DNR attorney Diane L. Milligan, City of Superior official Frog Prell, and Economic Development Director Jason Serck. Additional DNR staff and city personnel appear in copied communications. Each participant plays a role in shaping how the easement discussion proceeds.

Core Issue

The central issue concerns whether the Paine property retains sufficient conservation value to justify an easement. Milligan raises the idea of sending someone to inspect the land. She questions whether the Paine family would resist such an inspection. This concern reveals uncertainty about cooperation from the property owners.

Prell admits limited familiarity with the Paine family. He suggests others may better understand their behavior. Serck reinforces this by recommending consultation with a DNR official who knows the file well. The language hints at prior difficulties with the property owners.

Coordination Efforts

The group works to schedule an in-person meeting on June 17, 2019. They consider hybrid participation, including phone attendance for DNR staff. The effort shows an attempt to align multiple agencies while managing logistical constraints.

At the same time, communication gaps emerge. Milligan notes she has not received responses from the Paines. Prell confirms he has not reached out, citing advice that doing so would be futile. This reluctance suggests a breakdown in direct engagement with the landowners.

Implications and Outcomes

The emails expose a process driven more by internal coordination than by public-facing transparency. Officials discuss property evaluation without clear consent from the owners. They also rely on secondhand impressions rather than direct dialogue.

The next step involves a potential site visit and the scheduled June meeting. Whether the Paine family participates remains uncertain. The thread leaves open questions about how decisions may proceed with the bird sanctuary.

Frog Prell – https://www.superiorwi.gov/directory.aspx?EID=40

Jason Serck – https://www.superiorwi.gov/directory.aspx?EID=28

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources – https://dnr.wisconsin.gov

City of Superior – https://www.superiorwi.gov

Wisconsin DNR Conservation Easements – https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/lands/easements

DNR.5.30.2019.1