DNR Board Approves New Round Of Land Sales

The Department of Natural Resources Board has approved most of a DNR plan to sell nearly 6,000 acres of state land.

The proposal is part of a mandate from the governor and Legislature for the department to sell 10,000 acres of land. The latest chunk of planned sales brings the DNR to within about two-thirds of the state’s goal. The sales are raising funds to cover debt from the department’s land stewardship program.

The DNR Board did change the latest proposal to make sure 460 acres in Forest County would either be sold to the county or receive further state study. George Meyer of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation said the property is important to local water quality.

“It’s very water-rich,” said Meyer. “(It) has almost seven miles of two-bank frontage on high-quality tributaries of the Peshtigo River.”

The board also pulled from the plan about 250 acres near the Willow Flowage in Oneida County.

DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp agreed with the changes. She also warned that state land sales may get more contentious during an expected third round this fall.