While we were enjoying the great outdoors a little more this summer and working a little less, we’re back and continuing our efforts to make positive change for Wisconsin’s private woodland owners. Here’s what we’ve been up to:
- October- Presenting at a Department of Revenue Assessor Training in conjunction with the Wisconsin Towns Annual Conference on “Forestland Appraisal and the Impact of MFL on Wisconsin Towns”
- September- Met with the staff of Rep. Mursau and Sen. Tiffany to discuss items related to the forthcoming MFL clean-up bill. These items include: defining how an allowable structure on MFL land might be taxed and how to define a parcel if the land types are not contiguous.
- September- Met with DNR Tax Law Section Chief RJ Wickham ensure that landowners continue to receive services throughout the DNR’s organizational realignment. Want to know more about your local DNR or cooperating forester? Visit the DNR’s Forestry Assistance Locator.
- July- Reviewed and provided comment to the DNR’s draft of the Forest Tax Law Handbook revision.
- June- Dave Epperly and Mike Greenheck represented the interests of WAFO by testifying at the DNR’s Natural Resources Board monthly meeting in Hudson, WI, in which the DNR asked for approval to revise their administrative rule, NR 46, which provides more detail to the statutory language on MFL. View the meeting agenda and Epperly/Greenheck’s talking points.
There are 155,000 private landowners in Wisconsin who own more than 10 acres of forestland. Clearly developing a connection with these landowners is important to let them know what our legislators and agency regulators are up to.
Membership in WAFO is FREE. By simply providing an email address and information on where your woodland is located, you’ll become a member. Members will receive regular updates on what’s happening at the Capitol and will occasionally be asked to contact their representatives when issues arise. We will not sell or use contact information for any other purpose. Join today!