Meeting on February 24, 2004 at Ho-Chunk Convention Center, representatives of the Ho-Chunk Nation reinforced their determination not to sign a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the reassignment of land at the former Badger Army Ammunition Plant near Baraboo, WI.  Part of the Intergovernmental Group (Badger Reuse Committee) concerned with the reuse of land at the 7,350-acre site, the Nation was originally granted 1500 acres, which it planned to use to expand its Bison Project.  The latest plan, which reduces the Nation’s ownership to 420 acres, has caused a delay in the agreement.  “Because we don’t understand how we got to this point in the agreement,” Area V Representative John Dall stated that without a clarification the Nation is not prepared to sign the Memorandum of Understanding.  Because as a Federal Agency the Nation is entitled to be given first priority regarding ceded land that is no longer needed, Dall questioned why the Nation should be forced to negotiate with the State of Wisconsin for ceded parcels of land.  “As a matter of law we’re entitled to it,” he stressed.

In 2000 the appropriate local, state and federal agencies formed the Badger Reuse Committee assigned the task of developing “a common vision for the reuse of the Badger property that can be meaningfully considered and realistically implemented by the appropriate local, state and federal agencies.”  In 2002 the Committee favored awarding sole ownership of the property, but since that time the General Services Administration (GPA), in charge of dispersing the property, has sought to split ownership between the Wisconsin DNR, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture and the Ho-Chunk Nation.

Though the parties have for the most part agreed on the way the land should be used, Dall stated “to us the issue of usage and ownership is the same,” again noting that the Nation should have the 1500 acres agreed to earlier.  GSA Realty Officer Mark Lundgren earlier stated the land allocation was a “done deal,” a statement that Ho-Chunk Legislative Attorney Ken Artis cautions is not true.  Artis plans to continue seeking the 1500 acres proposed in the original agreement. 

Area IV Representative Christine Funmaker-Romano expressed her concern after reading an advance copy of a story to be published in the March issue of Wisconsin Agriculturist.  In the article, Bill Wenzel, Sauk County Board of Supervisors representative to the Committee expressed concern about what the Nation plans on doing with the land.  He is quoted as saying, “ We think they want this land because it’s free.  If they had to pay for it they wouldn’t use it.”  Others quoted in the article fear that because the Nation’s land would be held in trust, it could do whatever it wanted without input from the community.”  Funmaker-Romano responded that the site “has Ho-Chunk footprints all over it,” and the Nation will continue to seek what’s right.  Referring to the magazine article, she believes that “working under these conditions isn’t helpful.”

 In an effort to break the stalemate, the Department of Agriculture presented a proposal that would change the wording in the original Memorandum of Understanding.  Members of the Committee agreed there was a need to consider new options and will study the proposal before the next meeting.  “We all agree on that point,” Dall concluded.