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Purchase
of Development Rights
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Conservation Easement |
Managed Forest Law |
County Forest |
Community & School Forests
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County Stewardship Fund |
Forestry Zoning District |Capital
Improvement Planning |
Conservation Subdivision/Limited Development |
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Tool |
Definition |
How it works |
Benefits |
Limitations |
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Purchase of Development
Rights |
A legally binding
agreement where a forestland owner sells or donates rights to
develop his/her property, to a land trust, non-profit organization,
or government agency. A conservation easement is subsequently put on
the property.
Example
- Baraboo Hills Protection Program
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The party purchasing
the development rights uses criteria to determine lands that are in
need of protection.
An appraisal of the development rights is conducted by an
independent appraiser. Payment arrangements are determined;
donation, bargain sale or purchase.
If Local
government is purchasing, it can use bonds, impact fees, levies; if
a land trust or non-profit is purchasing, they can use State
Stewardship Funds, other grants, etc |
Economic:
Forestland owner can receive compensation, and his/her estate taxes
may decrease. Does not remove land from tax rolls so local
community is not impacted.
Ecological:
Conserves valuable forestland long term.
Social:
Voluntary and keeps land in private ownership |
Economic:
There needs to be funding for acquisition and monitoring costs.
Projects often compete for funding.
Ecological:
Could still result in sprawl or scattered preservation
areas.
Social:
Public access is not a requirement |
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Tool |
Definition |
How it works |
Benefits |
Limitations |
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Conservation Easement
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A legally binding
agreement between a forestland owner and a land trust, non-profit
organization, or government agency where the latter holds & monitors
certain rights of the cooperating landowner's forestland, such as
rights to plant trees, protect streams, and manage the forest.
Examples -
Drager property
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The forestland owner
can donate the easement or receive payment for it. The land under
the easement is conserved by limiting most development and managing
the forest according to a management plan. The agreement is
recorded on the deed and is permanent even when the land is sold. |
Economic:
Estate taxes may decrease because the tax assessor will take into
account loss of value. No tax is paid on the difference in value
between easement and non-easement land.
Ecological:
conserves forestland long-term.
Social:
Voluntary and forestland owner still owns land. Land can be passed
on to heirs. |
Economic:
Need to set aside funds for long term monitoring and possible legal
fees.
Ecological:
Could still result in sprawl or scattered preservation areas.
Social:
A few local residents may not support a landowner�s decision |
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Tool |
Definition |
How it works |
Benefits |
Limitations |
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Managed Forest Law |
A DNR program to foster sustainable forest management
and timber production on private lands while reducing property tax
burden of forestland owners. This program has recently been
revised. See the
DNR's website
for more information, or read the
MFL Fact Sheet (.pdf file). |
A landowner selects a 25 or 50 year contract period.
He or she drafts a forestry plan with help from a chosen forester,
covering mandatory and recommended practices for the chosen time
period. The reward for following the plan is that MFL property taxes
average 80% less than regular property taxes. The landowners pay
only $.83 or $1.95 per acre annually (depending upon the land's
status as open or closed public access, which the landowner selects)
and a 5% tax on harvested timber. |
Economic:
Landowners receive a reduction in property taxes.
Ecological:
Keeps land forested and ensures that timber will be harvested
sustainably.
Social:
The program is flexible; landowners can choose the contract period
and whether their land will be open or closed to the public.
Enrollment is open to landowners with 10 or more acres of
forestland. Makes more land available for recreational use. |
Economic:
$300 application fee unless landowner submits a management plan,
then it is $20.
There is less of a tax break if land is closed to the
public
Ecological:
Harvests are based on time estimates, not when stand needs to be
harvested. The percent acreage to be harvested can be rigid and not
consider steep slopes and wetlands.
Social:
Landowners may keep their lands closed and pay the higher tax rate,
so less land is open to the public |
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Tool |
Definition |
How it works |
Benefits |
Limitations |
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County Forest |
Public forestland
managed for timber and recreation that is owned and maintained by a
County in cooperation with the DNR.
49 Wisconsin
counties have County Forests. Vernon County is the most recent to
join.
Example:
Vernon County Forest
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A county formally decides to enroll in the County
Forest program. It can get a DNR grant to pay 1/2 of salary of
administrator and other grants to pay for seedlings, planting and
other costs. It writes a management plan for the land to be enrolled
in the program. |
Economic:
The county can receive revenue from timber harvests and trail/entry
fees to the forest. 1/2 of the forest administrators' salary is
paid by the state.
Ecological:
Forestland is protected.
Social:
More land is available for recreational use. |
Economic:
The county still has to pay the other 1/2 of the administrators'
salary and may have to hire additional help.
Ecological:
Revenue needs may outweigh ecological needs of the forest
Social:
Certain activities may not be allowed |
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Definition |
How it works |
Benefits |
Limitations |
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Community &
School Forests |
A state program to maintain forested land for the
public's benefit, and education, and to involve them in managing it.
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Ten acres or more of municipally owned land is set
aside for the purpose of growing forest products for community use
or sale. The community develops a management plan, completes an
application, and submits it to the DNR. |
Economic:
Eligible for grants, free seedlings, and free forest management
assistance. Harvest revenue can provide income for education
projects or other community needs.
Ecological:
Community keeps land forested.
Social:
Community is educated on sustainable forest management, can improve
community relations with DNR |
Economic:
May need to acquire land.
Ecological:
Revenue needs may outweigh ecological needs of the forest
Social:
There may not be enough volunteers for forest projects
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Definition |
How it works |
Benefits |
Limitations |
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County Stewardship Fund |
A fund where land trusts, non-profit organizations,
or municipalities can receive money from the County for land
conservation projects. The fund provides an incentive in addition to
state and federal grants, to protect local land.
Example:
Chippewa County Stewardship Fund
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County uses a
portion of sales taxes or other funds that are allocated to the
administering department. That department takes applications and
rewards grants each year for a certain period of time. Land must
meet certain criteria to receive funding. |
Economic:
Funds can be used to match other grants, and may increase the
likelihood of receiving grants.
Ecological:
Protects forestland and maintains specific management standards
Social:
Voluntary program that creates an incentive to conserve land |
Economic:
usually outside funding needs to supplement the County funds
Ecological:
Does not directly deal with the problem of sprawl.
Social:
Landowners need to be willing to participate.
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Definition |
How it works |
Benefits |
Limitations |
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Forestry Zoning District |
A type of forestry zoning that says
that a parcel cannot be broken into parcels below a certain size for
forestry or other purposes.
Examples -
Langlade County Forestry Zoning District
Agricultural Zoning District
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The minimum lot size within a previously established
forestry zone is designated. Lot size is determined by legal and
political acceptance balanced with effective land protection. |
Economic:
Easy to administer. Keeps forestland in large blocks to maintain
economic viability.
Ecological:
Large blocks also protect
habitat and water quality.
Social:
Can be changed over time as circumstances change.
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Economic:
Real estate or other developers might not be able to carry out
plans.
Ecological:
Can be ineffective if lot size is reduced to a size that makes
forestry impossible, or if standards for conditional use permits are
very lenient.
Social:
Residents may be un-accepting of forestry practices.
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Definition |
How it works |
Benefits |
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Capital Improvement Planning |
A
part of the municipal budget that outlines major expenditures for
repair and new construction of streets, sewer and water lines, parks
and land acquisition for the next five to ten years.
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A local government's planning committee or council
will identify and prioritize future infrastructure needs, thus
guiding future development. The plan is approved and administered by
the local government. |
Economic:
Can save money in the long run by keeping public service costs low.
Ecological:
Can reduce sprawl into forested areas
Social:
Community and developers know what to expect. |
Economic:
Driven by political and economic realities.
Ecological:
Economic needs may override environmental issues
Social:
Relies on local government commitment to implementing the plan.
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Definition |
How it works |
Benefits |
Limitations |
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Conservation
Subdivision/ Limited Development |
A local government protects natural resources while
allowing for the maximum number of residences in a subdivision under
current community zoning and subdivision regulations.
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A local ordinance sets criteria for conservation
subdivisions. A four step process: identify primary and secondary
conservation areas; design open space to protect them; arrange
houses outside of protected areas; and lay out streets, lots and
infrastructure |
Economic:
Allows the same or greater housing density than a traditional
development. Does not require public funds, does not depend on
donations from landowners.
Ecological/Social:
Preserves open space. The land that is conserved can be retained for
forest use, community common area, or managed by a land trust |
Economic:
May not provide affordable housing.
Ecological:
Should be attached to already developed areas to avoid sprawl.
Social:
Requires long term legal protection of open space
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