Thank you for being a dear member of the Wisconsin Alliance of Forest Owners. Please know that we are wishing the very best of health to you and your loved ones at this time. We hope you are able to ride out this trying time in the woods. Drop us a line or send us a picture- we’d love to know what you’re doing while in quarantine!
DNR Guidance on COVID 19 Tax Law Operations
The DNR has released guidance on how the tax law program will operate as a result of the COVID 19 restrictions. Importantly they note that the deadline to submit applications for new MFL enrollments will not change and will remain June 1. However, the DNR has noted that they have until October before finalizing applications and that they have some flexibility to work with landowners and service providers to address certain issues during that time period.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Program Applications and Deadlines
The deadline to apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program is May 29. This program can provide participants with a minimum payment of $1500 per year for 5 years to landowners for benefits they produce through current and future conservation practices. Landowners interested in the program should contact their local county NRCS service center for more information on how to apply.
Due to various delays in finalizing NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) grants, landowners who’ve applied to develop a forest management plan can contact their local office and ask for a waiver. This will allow them to immediately begin to work with their technical service provider prior to formal grant approval. Time is very limited for those who are hoping to get an MFL application together before the June 1 DNR application deadline.
Status of Senate Vote on SB 867
We are still waiting for the final Senate approval of the Managed Forest Law Cleanup bill we’ve worked on. At this time it is still unknown when the Senate will return to take up all pending legislation. We will keep you posted. Read more about SB 867.