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- Info
Promoting forest management: Wisconsin's managed forest law
| Author: |
Stier, J.C. |
| Date: |
1992 |
| Periodical: |
In: Society of American Foresters National Convention: Private Nonindustrial Forestry Working Group; 1992 October 25-28; Richmond, VA. |
| Abstract: |
Wisconsin has 65 years' of experience with an optional yield tax for forestland, and participation is high relative to that in other states. The program has evolved over time. The major policy changes introduced in the 1986 Managed Forest Law include an option for landowners to close some land to public access, a reduced yield tax rate, and broadening of acceptable forest management objectives. Landowners in the more populated southern part of the state exhibit a strong preference for retaining control over public access to their land, whereas in the less populated northern half, the public access requirement is less objectionable. The FCL and MFL both offer choice of 25- or 50-year contracts and there seems to be a preference in recent years for shorter a commitment. A system of shared revenues and state aids spreads the cost of the forest tax laws across all taxpayers in the state. While the tax programs are generally considered to be successful, there is no hard empirical evidence on their effect on forest management. |
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