Forest Planning_Content Page_Public Comment

Stakeholder Input Opportunities for Forestry Documents

The DNR Division of Forestry prioritizes soliciting stakeholder input on division documents. As a division, we are committed to informing and involving our stakeholders in the development and review of materials that guide our programs.

Inviting stakeholders to provide input is not only good customer service. It also creates opportunities to identify potential concerns and unforeseen impacts, understand diverse perspectives and determine the level of stakeholder support for division documents.

To provide feedback on a document, email the staff member listed in the "Contact Person" column. Clicking on their name will take you to the staff directory, where you'll find their contact information.

Documents available for stakeholder input

Document Title Contact Person Due Date for Comments Description of Document and Proposed Changes Comment Summary and Final Document
Private Forestry Handbook Kailey Evenson 03/14/2024

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking stakeholder input on proposed changes to Chapter 15 and Chapter 21 of the Private Forestry Handbook, which focus on program guidelines for the School and Community Forest Programs and Private Land Management Plans, respectively.

The primary reason we are updating Chapter 15 is to provide program clarification, updates to the application procedure and eligibility, and add a section outlining the process for the Sale of School and Community Forest Lands.

The primary reason we are updating Chapter 21 is to provide clarity to the different types of private land management plans and updates to the Forest Stewardship Plan standards as set by USFS. There is a 45-day service standard that has been added for review and approval of forest stewardship plans once submitted.

We welcome your feedback on the updates to these chapters and have highlighted all revised language in yellow.

  

Urban Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grants 2024 Application Guide

 Laura Buntrock

02/06/2024

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is seeking input on the Urban Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grants 2024 Application Guide. This guide was created to support applicants as they apply for federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding through the DNR’s Urban and Community Forestry Grant program. These federal monies have different requirements, therefore, a new application guide was created that is specific to the IRA funds. This document does not replace existing guidance for urban and community forest grant opportunities outside those offered through federal IRA funding.

We are seeking public input on the clarity and completeness of this document. The parameters of this funding opportunity are determined through state administrative code and requirements of the USDA Forest Service, which allocated the IRA funds to the Department to sub-award to local entities.

 Publication of the updated application guide included a number of changes based on written comments received during the stakeholder input period and internal review. A summary of those comments and the Division’s response is available for viewing. The Urban Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grants 2024 Application Guide will be housed on the UF IRA Grants webpage.

Forest Tax Law Handbook [PDF]

 Skya Murphy

11/03/2023

Forest Tax Law Handbook Chapter 201 Managed Forest Law Procedures for Applications and Management Plans. Procedures have been updated to reflect updates to Ch. 77, Wis. Stats. and NR 46, Wis. Admin. Code and our current directives and operational processes. These updates replace all content specific to applications and management plans currently found in Chapter 20 of the Tax Law Handbook.

As part of this Handbook update, the stumpage rate information was moved to our public website. The 2024 limited application rates are available there, along with the formula used to calculate them. Search "MFL stumpage rates" at dnr.wisconsin.gov. If you have questions or comments about stumpage values, you may contact Skya Murphy, Forest Tax Law Policy Specialist.

The Forest Tax Law Handbook serves to digest the law relating to the forest tax programs and provide guidance for the administration and implementation of the Tax Law programs. The Handbook embodies statute and rule and provides greater procedural detail to ensure consistency in their application.

Publication of the updated Handbook [PDF] included moving the limited application stumpage rate information to the public website, search "MFL stumpage rates" at dnr.wisconsin.gov.

Three written comments on Chapter 201 were received during the stakeholder input period. One internal comment resulted in no changes. Each of the external comments received resulted in changes to the finalized Handbook, and an additional content edit was made: 

  • Updated Figure 201-4 to include the acreage of the parcel in the 2nd example. 
  • Updated Table 201-6
    • Renamed third column heading “Allowed” 
    • Replaced “power supplies” with “windmills and generators”
    • Included store, retail shop, produce stand, oil change garage, and factory from the prohibited building-examples in the pre-existing table on page 21-26.

The chapter was also reformatted including linking the table of contents and numbering tables and figures. 


 

Prescribed Burn Handbook

 Elena Crownover

08/02/2023

The Wisconsin DNR Prescribed Burn Program is in the process of updating the department’s Prescribed Burn Handbook. Each chapter of the handbook involves different policy aspects of planning, operations, and evaluation for internal staff in the burn program.

Chapter 1: General Policy [PDF] contains all overarching program policy as well as policy that affects our outside fire management partners, businesses, and the general public. We welcome your feedback on the content in this chapter and have highlighted all updated language in green text to aid in your review.