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Other Planning Considerations The Cherokee Marsh Long Range Open Space Plan was adopted in 1981 by the City of Madison, Dane County, and the Towns of Westport, Burke and Windsor. As part of implementing this plan, several public entities including the City of Madison, Dane County and the State of Wisconsin have purchased much of the land within the recommended protection area. Additional private holdings within that Plan's recommended protection area are acquired from time to time as opportunities and funds are available. Planning Area N6 includes more territory than the current Cherokee Marsh Plan. In particular, it includes more upland at the Marsh's edges. If the lands surrounding the Marsh come under pressure for more intensive development, an expansion of the Cherokee Marsh protected area is considered as important as securing open space in areas with less environmental significance. There is a real concern that urban development in the surrounding areas could adversely affect Cherokee Marsh and the Madison lakes. In addition to concern about altered stormwater runoff as a result of development, pumpage from either shallow or deep wells to serve urban (or industrial) development might eliminate the springs and seepages which provide dry weather baseflow through the marsh and lakes. Furthermore, extensive areas of peat have built up in the marshes over underground discharges. If the springs stopped flowing, extensive areas of peat would slowly oxidize, releasing tons of nutrients to be washed into the lakes. Drying would also increase the chances of a deep peat fire, releasing even more nutrients in a shorter period of time. These concerns also apply to lands further north along Token Creek where major seepages occur. Water pumpage and urban development have dried up springs and damaged stream flows in other parts of the urban area. How much development can occur in the area between DeForest, Windsor, Sun Prairie and Madison without jeopardizing this resource is unknown at this time. Only detailed hydrological research could begin to answer this question, but it is ill-advised to continue urban expansion until these questions are answered. The City of Madison considers protecting the quality of Cherokee Marsh and the Madison lakes as a highest priority objective. Concern for the potential impact of additional development on the surface and groundwater systems is one reason that urban development is not recommended in Planning Areas N3, N4, N5, N7, N8, and N9, in addition to N6. Planning Recommendations The City of Madison should join with appropriate County, State and Federal agencies to seek support for a comprehensive hydrological study that would determine the potential impact of urban development and water pumpage on the surface water and groundwater systems important to the health of Cherokee Marsh and the Yahara River-Token Creek wetlands, and the summer base flow to the Madison lakes. The City of Madison will oppose any intensive development in Area N6. 142