Regional Comprehensive Plan 2025-2045

NCWRPC began the process of updating its Regional Comprehensive Plan, formerly known as the Regional Livability Plan (2015), in April 2024. This document meets Wisconsin State Statutes 66.1001, which requires regional and local comprehensive plans to be updated every 10 years. This document guides the development of North Central Wisconsin and provides local comprehensive plans with data and strategies to address opportunities and issues facing the 10-county region. Below are meeting agendas and the most recent version of the plan’s draft chapters. Final review and adoption of the plan is expected to occur in spring and summer of 2025.

Tentative Project Timeline
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Agendas and Packets

Meeting 1: June 3, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Agenda / Packet

Future meetings TBD

Draft Chapters

  1. Introduction, and Demographics and Issues
  2. Natural, Agricultural, and Cultural Resources
  3. Housing
  4. Utilities & Community Facilities
  5. Transportation
  6. Economic Development
  7. Land use
  8. Public Health
  9. Intergovernmental Cooperation
  10. Implementation

For questions, contact Sam Wessel at swessel@ncwrpc.org

Langlade County Scout Camp Concept Plan – 2019


The 522-acre camp was closed in 2015 and became available. The County researched and evaluated acquiring the site for a variety of potential uses. They then applied for funding from the Department of Natural Resources through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Land Acquisition program to help fund the purchase. The acquisition of the 522-acre site cost a total of $1.35 million, with $730,000 being provided from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Land Acquisition Program. Map 2: Site Boundary displays the boundaries of the entire site.

The County plans to utilize the site as a campground and to open public access to the two lakes on the site. The Langlade County Forestry Department will also manage the site’s wooded areas for timber production. The campground will be developed in phases over time and will provide for tent, cabin, and RV camping. This concept plan was prepared to provide a general development plan for the site, and to provide some general recommendations for the site.

On December 15, 2017, Langlade County purchased the Robert S. Lyle Scout Reservation, which is located east of Elcho in the northeast section of the County, from the Three Harbors Boy Scout Council of Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha counties. For a representation of where the camp is located within Wisconsin, see Map 1: Location. The facility operated as a Boy Scout Camp for over 50 years.

Adams-Juneau Flood Resiliency Study

This study is in response to impacts suffered resulting from this flood event. The area had rainfall totals of 3 to 7 inches, while some localized areas experienced 9 to 11 inches total. At one Adams County location, a three day of total of 8.2 inches of rainfall was reported. The Wisconsin DNR issued warnings to residents and tourists urging them to avoid contact with flood waters, as well as notification to private property owners to be aware of possible well contamination. In Adams County, several homes were damaged. Additionally, numerous local and county road segments were closed due to water over the roads and culvert washouts, causing damages estimated to exceed $108,000. Reports of flooded parking lots impeded customer access to some businesses. Additionally, the County issued a press release to residents living in low lying areas and those living along the Wisconsin River/Castle Rock and Petenwell Flowages. Conditions above and below dams were considered dangerous, and recreationists and residents were urged to take extra precautionary measures and watch for rapidly rising water. In Juneau County, flooding occurred on the Yellow and Baraboo Rivers. Damages to residential and business properties was scattered throughout those basins. Public sector damages were in excess of $160,000. Several Town and county roads were closed due to high water.

Transportation Assessment Report – Regional Livability Plan

The Transportation Assessment Report is one of four reports prepared as part of the overall Regional Livability Plan effort undertaken by the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. Each Assessment Report focuses on the foundational topics of Housing, Economic Development, Transportation, and Land Use. These four reports along with demographic data will form the basis of the overall North Central Wisconsin Regional Livability Plan.


Transportation is a crucial component of livability and provides a basis for the formulation of policy to coordinate transportation facilities with a sustainable pattern of development. This Assessment Report examines transportation on a regional scale. The existing network, from roads to rails, needs to be coordinated to maximize efficiency for the overall system. The connection between home and work is an important part of any transportation system. A range
of transportation alternatives should be supported, including walkability wherever possible. Perhaps the greatest challenge in the North Central Wisconsin Region is in developing an efficient and cost effective rural transportation system to serve what is likely to be the continuing trend of development of second and retirement homes in amenity-
rich rural areas.

Land Use Assessment Report – Regional Livability Plan

The Land Use Assessment Report is one of four reports prepared as part of the overall Regional Livability Plan effort undertaken by the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. Each Assessment Report focuses on the foundational topics of Housing, Economic Development, Transportation, and Land Use. These four reports along with demographic data will form the basis of the overall North Central Wisconsin Regional Livability Plan.


This Assessment Report examines land use on a regional scale. Land Use is a crucial component of livability and provides a basis for the formulation of policy to coordinate a sustainable pattern of development. The existing natural landscape, land use patterns and demographic projections are all examined as they influence future land use and development. Much of the Region has population and housing densities well below the state average, which in turn places more reliance on automobiles to get to and from work, shopping and other activities. In addition, within the ten counties that make up the Region there are 198 towns, 39 villages, 21 cities and 4 tribal nations. All of these communities have an impact on the development of the region.

Economic Development Assessment Report – Regional Livability Plan

The Economic Development Assessment Report is one of four reports prepared as part of the overall Regional Livability Plan effort undertaken by the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission. Each of the Assessment Reports focuses on the foundational topics of Housing, Economic Development, Transportation and Land Use. These four reports along with demographic data will form the basis for the overall Regional Livability Plan in North Central
Wisconsin.


This Assessment Report examines economic development on a regional scale. The business and employment mix, in part, defines the Region. Economic Development is an important component of any planning effort, be it at the local or regional level. Economic Development is a crucial component of livability and impacted by the housing, transportation, and land use of the Region. In addition to explaining the current population, education, and employment
conditions in the Region, this report will also observe projections for the future. Further, this report will study the Region’s economic strengths and weaknesses in the context of industry trends and emerging industry clusters.

Regional Livability Plan

The Regional Livability Plan identifies ways to address the region’s opportunities and weaknesses to become more livable for all residents. The plan addresses four specific areas: Housing, Economic Development, Transportation, and Land Use. The RLP introduces goals, objectives, and recommendations that can help the region use the money we have more effectively and efficiently by investing in solutions that solve multiple problems. Mainly, livable and sustainable developments are less expensive to build, require fewer municipal services, result in higher property values, and generate a range of long-term social and environmental benefits.