77.82(2)(c)
(c) The legal description of the area in which the parcel is located.
77.82(2)(cm)
(cm) A copy of an instrument that has been recorded in the office of the register of deeds of the county in which the property is located that shows the ownership of the land subject to the petition.
77.82(2)(d)
(d) A description of the physical characteristics of the land, in sufficient detail to enable the department to determine if it meets the eligibility requirements under
sub. (1).
77.82(2)(e)
(e) A statement of the owner's forest management objectives for the production of merchantable timber, in sufficient detail to provide direction for the development and approval of a management plan. The petition may also state additional forest management objectives, which may include wildlife habitat management, aesthetic considerations, watershed management and recreational use.
77.82(2)(f)
(f) Proof that each person holding any encumbrance on the land agrees to the petition.
77.82(2)(g)
(g) A map, diagram or aerial photograph showing the location and acreage of any area that will be designated as closed to the public under
s. 77.83.
77.82(2)(h)
(h) Whether the land will be designated as managed forest land for 25 or 50 years.
77.82(2)(i)
(i) If a proposed management plan is not submitted with the petition, a request that the department prepare a management plan.
77.82(2m)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (b), a petition under
sub. (2),
(4m), or
(12) shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of $300.
77.82(2m)(b)
(b) If the petition under
sub. (2),
(4m), or
(12) is accompanied by a proposed management plan as provided in
par. (c), the nonrefundable application fee shall be $20 unless a different amount for the fee is established by the department by rule at an amount equal to the average expense to the department of recording an order issued under this subchapter.
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (b) is repealed and recreated eff. 11-1-05 by
2003 Wis. Act 228 to read:
Effective date text
(b) If the petition under sub. (2), (4m), or (12) is accompanied by a management plan, the nonrefundable application fee shall be $20 unless a different amount for the fee is established by the department by rule at an amount equal to the average expense to the department of recording an order issued under this subchapter.
77.82(2m)(c)
(c) A proposed management plan that qualifies for the reduced fee under
par. (b) shall be one of the following:
77.82(2m)(c)1.
1. A management plan prepared by a qualified forester, as defined by rule by the department.
77.82(2m)(c)2.
2. Any other management plan approved by the department.
77.82(2m)(c)3.
3. For petitions under
sub. (4m), a recent management plan that was approved by the department for the forest cropland that is subject to the conversion petition under
sub. (4m).
77.82(2m)(d)1.1. All the fees collected under this subsection shall be deposited in the conservation fund. All of the fees collected under
par. (b) and $20 of each $300 fee collected under
par. (a) shall be credited to the appropriation under
s. 20.370 (1) (cr), except as provided under
subd. 2.
77.82(2m)(d)2.
2. The department may establish by rule a different amount of each $300 fee under
subd. 1. that will be credited to the appropriation under
s. 20.370 (1) (cr). The amount shall be equal to the average expense to the department of recording an order issued under this subchapter.
77.82(2m)(e)
(e) If a management plan accompanying a petition filed under
sub. (2),
(4m), or
(12) is not approved by the department under its initial review under
sub. (3) (a), the department shall collect from the petitioner a fee in an amount equal to $300 less the amount the petitioner paid under
par. (b).
77.82(3)(a)(a) The petitioner may submit a proposed management plan for the entire acreage of each parcel with the petition. The department, after considering the owner's forest management objectives as stated under
sub. (2) (e), shall review and either approve or disapprove the proposed plan. If the department disapproves a plan, it shall inform the petitioner of the changes necessary to qualify the plan for approval upon subsequent review.
77.82(3)(b)
(b) If the petitioner requests that the department prepare the management plan, the department shall comply with the request.
77.82(3)(c)
(c) To qualify for approval, a management plan shall include all of the following:
Effective date note
NOTE: Par. (c) (intro.) is amended eff. 11-1-05 by
2003 Wis. Act 228 to read:
Effective date text
(c) To qualify for approval, a management plan shall be prepared by a plan writer certified by the department or prepared by the department itself and shall include all of the following:
77.82(3)(c)2.
2. The legal description of the parcel or of the area in which the parcel is located.
77.82(3)(c)3.
3. A statement of the owner's forest management objectives.
77.82(3)(c)4.
4. A map, diagram or aerial photograph which identifies both forested and unforested areas of the land, using conventional map symbols indicating the species, size and density of vegetation and the other major features of the land.
77.82(3)(c)5.
5. A map, diagram or aerial photograph which identifies the areas designated as open and closed under
s. 77.83.
77.82(3)(c)6.
6. A description of the forestry practices, including harvesting, thinning and reforestation, that will be undertaken during the term of the order, specifying the period of time in which each will be completed.
77.82(3)(c)7.
7. A description of soil conservation practices that may be necessary to control any soil erosion that may result from the forestry practices specified under
subd. 6.
77.82(3)(d)
(d) The management plan may also specify activities that will be undertaken for the management of forest resources other than trees, including wildlife habitat, watersheds and aesthetic features.
77.82(3)(e)
(e) A management plan shall contain a statement that the owner agrees to comply with all of its terms and with the conditions of this subchapter and shall be signed by the owner and a representative of the department.
77.82(3)(f)
(f) An owner and the department may mutually agree to amend a management plan.
77.82(3)(g)
(g) The department shall promulgate rules specifying the qualifications that a person must satisfy to become a certified plan writer. For management plans prepared by the department under this subsection, the department may contract with plan writers certified by the department to prepare these plans.
77.82(4)
(4) Additions to managed forest land. An owner of land that is designated as managed forest land under an order that takes effect on or after April 28, 2004, may petition the department to designate as managed forest land an additional parcel of land in the same municipality if the additional parcel is at least 3 acres in size and is contiguous to any of that designated land. The petition shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable $20 application fee unless a different amount for the fee is established by the department by rule at an amount equal to the average expense to the department of recording an order issued under this subchapter. The fee shall be deposited in the conservation fund and credited to the appropriation under
s. 20.370 (1) (cr). The petition shall be filed on a department form and shall contain any additional information required by the department.
77.82(4g)
(4g) Designation of additional managed forest land for certain owners. 77.82(4g)(a)(a) If an owner of land that is designated as managed forest land under an order that takes effect before April 28, 2004, wishes to have an additional parcel of land that is at least 10 acres in size and that satisfies the other requirements in
sub. (1) designated as managed forest land, the owner may petition the department under
sub. (2) for a new order covering the additional land.
77.82(4g)(b)
(b) If an owner of land that is designated as managed forest land under an order that takes effect before April 28, 2004, wishes to have designated as managed forest land an additional parcel of land that is in the same municipality, that is at least 3 acres in size, that does not satisfy the requirements in
sub. (1), and that is contiguous to any of that designated land, the owner may withdraw the designated land and may petition the department under
sub. (2) for a new order covering both the withdrawn land and the additional land. The withdrawal tax and the withdrawal fee under
s. 77.88 (5) and
(5m) do not apply to a withdrawal under this paragraph.
77.82(4m)
(4m) Conversion of forest croplands to managed forest land. 77.82(4m)(a)(a) An owner of land that is entered as forest croplands under
s. 77.02 may petition the department under
sub. (2) to convert all or a portion of the land to managed forest land, subject to
sub. (1) (c).
77.82(4m)(b)
(b) A petition under this subsection shall specify whether the order designating the land as managed forest land will remain in effect for 25 years or 50 years, as elected by the owner.
77.82(4m)(d)
(d) An owner of land who has filed a conversion petition under this subsection and who has requested that the department prepare a management plan under
sub. (3) (b) may withdraw the request and not have it prepared by the department if the owner determines that the department is not preparing the management plan in a timely manner.
77.82(5)
(5) Notice of petition; request for denial. 77.82(5)(a)(a) Upon receipt of a petition under
sub. (2),
(4) or
(4m), the department shall provide written notice of the petition to the clerk of the municipality in which the land is located.
77.82(5)(b)
(b) The governing body of the municipality in which the proposed managed forest land is located or a resident or property tax payer of the municipality may, within 15 days after the notice under
par. (a) is provided, request the department to deny the petition on the grounds that the land fails to meet the eligibility requirements under
sub. (1) or that, if the addition is approved, the entire parcel will fail to meet those eligibility requirements. The request shall be in writing and shall specify the reason for believing that the land is or would be ineligible.
77.82(6)(a)(a) The department shall conduct any investigation necessary to reach a decision on a petition.
77.82(6)(b)1.1. If the department determines, after receipt of a request under
sub. (5) (b) or as a result of its investigation, that further information is needed, it may schedule a public hearing to take testimony relating to the eligibility of the land.
77.82(6)(b)2.
2. At least 10 days before the date of the hearing, the department shall mail written notice of the date, time and place of the hearing to the petitioner, each person who submitted a request under
sub. (5) (b) and the clerk of the municipality in which the land is located.
77.82(6)(b)3.
3. A public hearing held under this paragraph may be adjourned. No notice of the adjourned hearing is required other than an announcement of the date, time and place given at the initial hearing by the person presiding at the hearing.
77.82(7)(a)(a) After considering the testimony presented at the public hearing, if any, the facts discovered by its investigation and the land use in the area in which the land is located, the department shall approve a petition under
sub. (2) or
(4m) if it determines all of the following:
77.82(7)(a)1.
1. That the land meets the eligibility requirements under
sub. (1).
77.82(7)(a)2.
2. That all facts stated in the petition are correct.
77.82(7)(a)3.
3. That a stand of merchantable timber will be developed on at least 80% of the land within a reasonable period of time.
77.82(7)(a)4.
4. That the use of the land as managed forest land is not incompatible with the existing uses of the land in the municipality in which it is located.
77.82(7)(b)
(b) After considering the testimony presented at the public hearing, if any, and the facts discovered by its investigation, the department shall approve a petition under
sub. (4) if it determines all of the following:
77.82(7)(b)1.
1. That all facts stated in the petition are correct.
77.82(7)(b)2.
2. That the total parcel with the addition will meet the eligibility requirements under
sub. (1).
77.82(7)(b)3.
3. That there are no delinquent taxes on either the land originally designated or on the proposed additional parcel.
77.82(7)(b)4.
4. That the owner agrees to any amendments to the management plan determined by the department to be necessary as a result of the addition.
77.82(7)(c)1.1. Except as provided in
par. (d), if a petition is received on or before March 31 of any year from any petitioner other than a petitioner who owns less than 1,000 acres in this state, the department shall investigate and shall either approve the petition and issue the order under
sub. (8) or deny the petition before the following November 21.
77.82(7)(c)2.
2. Except as provided in
par. (d), if a petition is received on or before July 1 of any year from a petitioner who owns less than 1,000 acres in this state, the department shall investigate and shall either approve the petition and issue the order under
sub. (8) or deny the petition before November 21 of the year following the year in which the petition is received.
Effective date note
NOTE: Subd. 2. is amended eff. 11-1-05 by
2003 Wis. Act 228 to read:
Effective date text
2. Except as provided in subd. 3. or par. (d), if a petition is received on or before July 1 of any year from a petitioner who owns less than 1,000 acres in this state, the department shall investigate and shall either approve the petition and issue the order under sub. (8) or deny the petition before November 21 of the year following the year in which the petition is received.
77.82(7)(c)3.
3. Except as provided in
par. (d), if a petition is received on or before May 15 of any year from a petitioner who owns less than 1,000 acres in this state, who, before the deadline established by the department by rule, submitted a draft management plan prepared by a plan writer certified by the department, and who submits a completed plan, as defined by the department by rule, with the petition, the department shall investigate and shall either approve the petition and issue the order under
sub. (8) or deny the petition before the following November 21.
77.82(7)(d)
(d) The department shall approve or disapprove a petition under
par. (a) that is submitted under
sub. (4m) within 3 years after the date on which the petition is submitted to the department.
77.82(8)
(8) Order. If a petition under
sub. (2),
(4m), or
(12) is approved, the department shall issue an order designating the land as managed forest land for the time period specified in the petition. If a petition under
sub. (4) is approved, the department shall amend the original order to include the additional parcel. The department shall provide the petitioner with a copy of the order or amended order and shall also file a copy with the department of revenue, the supervisor of assessments and the clerk of the municipality, and shall record the order with the register of deeds in the county, in which the land is located.
77.82(9)
(9) Effective date of order. An order or amended order under
sub. (8) issued before November 21 of any year takes effect on the January 1 after the date of issuance. An order or amended order under
sub. (8) issued on or after November 21 of any year takes effect on the 2nd January 1 after the date of issuance.
77.82(10)
(10) Denial. If the department denies a petition, it shall notify the petitioner in writing, stating the reason for the denial.
77.82(11)
(11) Duration. An order under this subchapter remains in effect for the period specified in the petition unless the land is withdrawn under
s. 77.84 (3) (b) or
77.88. An amendment to or repeal of this subchapter does not affect the terms of an order or management plan, except as expressly agreed to in writing by the owner and the department and except as provided in
sub. (11m).
77.82(11g)
(11g) Withdrawal tax on converted forest croplands prohibited. No tax or interest may be assessed under
s. 77.10 (2) (a) on land converted to managed forest land pursuant to a petition approved under
sub. (7) (d).
77.82(11m)
(11m) Orders for the land in the lower Wisconsin state riverway. An owner of timber that is exempt under
s. 30.44 (3) (c) 2. shall comply with a rule regulating timber cutting and harvesting promulgated under
s. 30.42 (1) (d):
77.82(11m)(a)
(a) If the rule is not inconsistent with the order issued under
sub. (8); or
77.82(11m)(b)
(b) If the owner agrees to amend the order issued under
sub. (8) to require compliance with the rules.
77.82(12)
(12) Renewal. An owner of managed forest land may petition the department under
sub. (2) for renewal of the order. A petition filed by an owner of 1,000 acres or more in this state shall be filed no later than the March 31 before the expiration date of the order. A petition filed by an owner of less than 1,000 acres in this state shall be filed no later than the 2nd July 1 before the expiration date of the order. The petition shall specify whether the owner wants the order renewed for 25 or 50 years. The provisions under
subs. (5),
(6), and
(7) do not apply to a petition under this subsection. The department may deny the petition only if the land fails to meet the eligibility requirements under
sub. (1), if the owner has failed to comply with the management plan that is in effect on the date that the petition for renewal is filed, or if there are delinquent taxes on the land. If the petition is denied, the department shall state the reason for the denial in writing.
Effective date note
NOTE: Sub. (12) is amended eff. 11-1-05 by
2003 Wis. Act 228 to read:
Effective date text
(12) Renewal. An owner of managed forest land may petition the department under sub. (2) for renewal of the order. A petition filed by an owner of 1,000 acres or more in this state shall be filed no later than the March 31 before the expiration date of the order. A petition filed by an owner of less than 1,000 acres in this state shall be filed no later than the 2nd July 1 before the expiration date of the order, except that if the owner satisfies the requirement in sub. (7) (c) 3., the petition shall be filed no later than the May 15 before the expiration date of the order. The petition shall specify whether the owner wants the order renewed for 25 or 50 years. The provisions under subs. (5), (6), and (7) do not apply to a petition under this subsection. The department may deny the petition only if the land fails to meet the eligibility requirements under sub. (1), if the owner has failed to comply with the management plan that is in effect on the date that the petition for renewal is filed, or if there are delinquent taxes on the land. If the petition is denied, the department shall state the reason for the denial in writing.
