Managed Forest Law

Land Use

Forestland

Focus

Incentive program

Resource Concern

Soil erosion, Water Quality, Air Quality, Wildlife habitat, Forestry sound management of forests

Purpose

The environmental purpose to encourage sustainable forestry practices on private woodlands in Wisconsin.

Landowner Benefits

Landowners receive a reduction in property taxes for the duration of the plan.

Description

The Managed Forest Law (MFL) is a landowner incentive program which encourages sustainable forestry on private woodlands in Wisconsin. Together with landowner objectives, the law incorporates timber harvesting, wildlife management, water quality, and recreation to maintain a healthy and productive forest. Sustainable forest management benefits Wisconsin's economy, hunting, fishing, wildlife, recreation, soils, waterways, and air quality, and renews our beautiful forests for everyone to enjoy.

Practices

No practices are covered.

Costs to Landowner

Landowners are responsible for accomplishing the required practices as detailed in the plan that is developed for their property. There is a $20 application fee. The landowner incurs the cost to hire an independent certified plan writer (ICPW) to develop the management plan.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Managed Forest Law (MFL), a landowner must:

  • Have 10 or more acres of contiguous (touching) forestland under the same ownership.

  • Have a minimum of 80% of the land in forest cover. No more than 20% of each parcel may be unsuitable for producing merchantable timber, including water, bog, rock outcrops, sand dunes, vacant farmland, roadway, utility right-of-way, or railroad right-of-way.

  • The land must be used primarily for growing forest products, it may not be used for any other industry or land uses such as cropland, pasture, orchards, etc.

Contract

The typical contract is 25 years or 50 years.

Other Notes


Landowner Initiation

  • Contact your local DNR forester in the county where you own land.

  • Ask about enrolling your land into Wisconsin's Managed Forest Law.