Are there any rules and regulations which govern the use of forestland in Wisconsin?
Yes, but they do not apply uniformly to every parcel. Most government and industry owned land is managed according to carefully written plans which specify environmental protections, insect and disease control, recreational uses of the property and wood production. Parcels of individually owned forest land are subject to some environmental restrictions on harvesting near lakes or streams, and many owners voluntarily observe “best management practices”. One state program offers landowners a property tax deferral in exchange for certain forest stewardship practices. Otherwise, few rules and regulations apply to individual holdings, which comprise 57% of the forests in the state.
