Good news on taxes for owners of MFL acres.

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue has updated the tax rate for land enrolled in the Managed Forest Law and Forest Crop Law, and the rate is slightly lower for MFL.  FCL acres remain taxed at the same or higher rate, depending upon when they were enrolled.

Tax rates are calculated based upon a fixed formula.  They are recalculated every five years for MFL land and every ten years for FCL land.  Here are the new rates:

For 2023 through 2027, MFL acres entered before 2005 (1987-2004):

Open land (acreage share tax):   $0.72/acre    (Currently $0.74/acre)

Closed land (acreage share tax plus $0.96/acre closed acreage fee): $1.68/acre   (Currently $1.75/acre)

For 2023 through 2027, MFL acres entered after 2004 (2005 and later):

Open land (acreage share tax):   $1.90/acre  (Currrently $2.04/acre)

Closed land (acreage share tax plus $7.59/acre closed acreage fee): $9.49/acre   (Currently $10.20/acre)

For 2023 thrugh 2033, FCL Tax Rates:

Before 1972: $0.10/acre  (Does not change)

After 1972: $3.60/acre  (Currently $2.52)

The new rates take effect January 1, 2023.

As reported on NBC Channel 26 by: Valerie Juarez

Learn more at the CDC website on Powassan virus.

In partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has detected emerald ash borer (EAB) for the first time in Menominee County. County forestry staff detected this ash tree-killing beetle along the roadside right-of-way of non-tribal land in the area of Legend Lake on August 3.

[Read more…]

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host the first of several educational hunting webinars beginning July 28 for members of the public that are new to hunting or hunting curious.

The webinar series is in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever and Becoming an Outdoorswoman. The series is designed for those interested in learning about hunting, fishing and trapping.

EVENT DETAILS

What: Wanna Go Hunting? Let’s Get Started! Webinar

Who: New hunters Andrea Lutz, Michael Menon and Martin Perales

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, July 28

Where: Tune in via YouTube here. The webinar will be recorded and can be viewed on YouTube any time using the same link.

[Read more…]

Wisconsin Academy Announces 10 Forestry Recommendations to Fight Climate Change

The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts & Letters has identified ten key forestry recommendations that will offset the impact of climate change in Wisconsin. The recommendations are outlined in the newly released report, Wisconsin’s Forested Lands: Opportunities for Carbon Sequestration and Storage.

This report is part of the Wisconsin Academy’s Climate-Critical Lands project, a research initiative which looks at the potential for carbon storage in Wisconsin landscapes. The Academy’s Climate & Energy Team collaborated with researchers and specialists from around the state to develop the report and its recommendations.

“To create an insightful and actionable report, it was imperative that we listen to people with expertise but different perspectives,” said Wisconsin Academy Environmental Initiatives Director Lizzie Condon. “We spoke with foresters, experts who work on building codes, tax law, policy, economics, research, urban wood, and forest products. As a result, the ten recommendations are realistic and achievable for Wisconsin, economically beneficial to the state, and will help mitigate climate change.”

With 17 million acres of forested landcover comprising 46 percent of the total land area of the state, Wisconsin has significant opportunities for carbon sequestration, storage, and emissions reduction through forestry practices on public, Tribal, and private lands.

[Read more…]

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will be setting more than 10,000 traps for spongy moth (formerly known as gypsy moth) in 47 counties from mid-May through early June. DATCP requests that property owners allow trappers access to place traps and not disturb the traps once in place.

“The data we gather from these traps provide an estimate of the state’s spongy moth population and is used to plan for next year’s spray treatment,” said Michael Falk, DATCP Spongy Moth Program Manager. “It also helps DATCP nursery and Christmas tree inspectors check trees for spongy moth egg masses in the fall.”

Traps are small green boxes tied to tree branches. The trap contains the scent of a female spongy moth that is undetectable to other insects and is used to attract and catch adult male spongy moths.

Trappers will monitor traps until male moths stop flying and the traps are removed in August. Trappers wear fluorescent vests and carry identification cards. Each trap is labeled with a phone number that property owners can call if they have questions or decide they want it removed.

For more information on spongy moth trapping:

• Visit https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Programs_Services/SMSurvey.aspx
• Call the hotline toll-free at (800) 642-MOTH.
• Email questions to spongymoth@wisconsin.gov.
• Follow DATCP on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Stevens Point Journal is reporting that the Stevens Point paper mill has been sold to a Miami-based private equity firm.

Pixelle Specialty Solutions and other affiliated paper mill plants have been sold to H.I.G. Capital.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The Stevens Point mill employs about 300 people. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of this year.