Chapter 26

26.30(9)(a) (a) At the completion of the control measures in any area, or at the end of the calendar year, the department shall prepare a certified statement of the expenses incurred in carrying out such measures including expenses of owners covered by agreements pursuant to sub. (8) but these charges shall not include salary or expenses of regular permanent or seasonal personnel of the department, or operating costs for such regular equipment as may be owned or purchased by the department for insect pest control work. The statement shall show the amount which the department determines to be the state’s share of the expenses, but this amount shall not be less than 50 percent of the balance of such expenses incurred on forest lands after federal funds allocated to a specific control project have been deducted. The share of the state may include any federal aid funds and the value of contributions made available by other cooperators. The balance of such costs shall constitute a charge on an acreage basis against the owners of lands in the area affected by the forest pests for which control measures were conducted. In fixing the rates at which charges shall be made against each owner, the department shall consider present values and the present and potential benefits to such owner and to the state as a whole from the application of control measures, the cost of applying such measures to the owner’s land, and other such factors as in the discretion of the department will enable it to determine an equitable distribution of the costs to all such owners. No charge shall be made against owners to the extent that they have individually or collectively contributed funds, supplies or services pursuant to agreement, and 160 acres or less of forest land owned by any person within any county shall be exempt from any control cost.

26.30(9)(b) (b) As soon as the expenses incurred by the state in forest pest control work have been paid by the secretary of administration, the department shall send to each landowner a bill covering an equitable share of such expenses as herein provided.

26.30(9)(b)1. 1. When such work has been performed on county lands, the department shall send to the proper county treasurer a bill for the county’s share of such expenses and a copy of the bill shall be filed with the department of administration. The county shall have until October 1 of each year to pay such bill. If payment is not made by October 1 of each year, the secretary of state, upon information certified to the secretary of state by the department of administration, shall include such amount as a part of the next levy against the county for state taxes, but no county shall be required to pay more than $5,000 of such amount in any one year. Any unpaid levy under this section shall remain a charge against the county and the secretary of state shall include such unpaid sums in the state tax levy of the respective counties in subsequent years.

26.30(9)(b)2. 2. When such work has been performed on other public or private lands the department shall certify to such owner the claim of the state in writing and list the items of expense incurred in such pest control work. Such claims shall be paid within 60 days and, if not paid within such time, the state may begin an action thereon at any time within 2 years.

26.30(9)(b)3. 3. If any claim is not paid within 60 days, the state may file a mechanics’ lien within 6 months after the 60-day period expires against the land affected in accordance with ch. 779, and shall have the necessary remedies to enforce the lien.

26.30(10) (10) Dissolution of infestation control zones. Whenever the department finds that forest pest control within an established zone of infestation is no longer necessary or feasible it shall set aside the order establishing the zone.

26.30 History History: 1977 c. 29 s. 1650m (1); 1979 c. 32 s. 92 (9); 1979 c. 110 s. 60 (11); 1983 a. 189; 1985 a. 13; 1991 a. 316; 2003 a. 33, 57.

26.30 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. NR 47.910, Wis. adm. code.

26.35 26.35 Forest productivity. The department shall identify types of privately owned forest lands which are most likely to provide high forest productivity benefits to the economy of the state. The department shall target its activities in providing assistance to owners of privately owned forest lands in order to concentrate on those types of forest lands identified as most likely to provide high forest productivity benefits to the economy of the state.

26.35 History History: 1983 a. 27.

26.36 26.36 Forest energy resources. Biennially, in consultation with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection and any other appropriate agency, the department shall prepare a report regarding the extent of forest lands in this state and the potential of such lands to provide fuel for use in electric generating facilities, industrial facilities and home heating systems. The report shall evaluate progress made in meeting the afforestation goal under s. 1.12 (3) (c). The department shall submit the report before April 1 of each even-numbered year to the legislature under s. 13.172 (3).

26.36 History History: 1993 a. 414.

26.36 Note NOTE: 1993 Wis. Act 414, which creates this section, contains extensive explanatory notes.

26.37 26.37 Lake states wood utilization consortium.

26.37(1) (1) The department of natural resources shall develop a plan to establish a lake states wood utilization consortium to provide research, development, and demonstration grants to enhance the forest products industry in Wisconsin and other states. The plan shall do all of the following:

26.37(1)(a) (a) Define the powers, duties and responsibilities of the consortium.

26.37(1)(b) (b) Establish an implementation committee for the consortium. Members of the committee may include one or more representatives from the department of natural resources, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, and the forest products industry.

26.37(1)(c) (c) Specify eligibility requirements for the grants and criteria for awarding the grants, including how the grants are to be distributed to each state participating in the consortium.

26.37(1)(d) (d) Require that the grants require matching funds or in-kind contributions by industrial recipients of the grants.

26.37(1)(e) (e) Require the implementation committee to identify an organization that can administer and award the grants and oversee the grant program.

26.37(1)(f) (f) Require the consortium to actively pursue funding from the states of Michigan and Minnesota of $200,000 annually from each state for 3 years.

26.37(1)(g) (g) Require the consortium to actively pursue federal and other funding sources.

26.37(2) (2) The department of natural resources may not expend moneys from the appropriations under s. 20.370 (5) (ax) or (6) (bt), 1997 stats., unless the department of natural resources and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation first submit to the joint committee on finance the plan required under sub. (1). If the cochairpersons of the joint committee on finance do not notify the department of natural resources within 14 working days after the date of the submittal of the plan that the committee has scheduled a meeting to review the plan, the plan may be implemented and moneys may be expended as proposed by the department of natural resources. If, within 14 days after the date of the submittal of the plan, the cochairpersons of the committee notify the department of natural resources that the committee has scheduled a meeting to review the plan, moneys may be expended only after the plan has been approved by the committee.

26.37 History History: 1995 a. 27 ss. 1430m, 9116 (5); 1999 a. 185; 2011 a. 32.

26.38 26.38 Forest grant program.

26.38(1) (1) In this section:

26.38(1)(a) (a) “Community” has the meaning given in s. 28.04 (1) (b).

26.38(1)(ag) (ag) “Forest stewardship management plan” means a plan describing forest stewardship measures to be used on a particular site to achieve multiple natural resource goals.

26.38(1)(ar) (ar) “Nonindustrial private forest land” means rural land that has existing tree cover or that is suitable for growing trees.

26.38(1)(b) (b) “Sustainable forestry” has the meaning given in s. 28.04 (1) (e).

26.38(2m) (2m) 

26.38(2m)(a) (a) The department shall establish a program to award grants for developing and implementing forest stewardship management plans by owners of nonindustrial private forest land and to award grants to groups of interested parties for projects to control invasive plants in weed management areas. The department shall award the grants only to persons owning 500 acres or less of nonindustrial private forest land in this state or to groups in which each person participating owns 500 acres or less of nonindustrial private forest land in this state.

26.38(2m)(am) (am) Beginning with fiscal year 2008-09, from the appropriation under s. 20.370 (5) (av), the department shall allocate for each fiscal year at least $60,000 for grants for projects to control invasive plants in weed management areas. From the amount allocated, the department shall award grants to all eligible applicants for grants for such projects before awarding any balance of the allocated amount for grants for stewardship management plans.

26.38(2m)(b) (b) Each recipient of a grant under this section shall provide a matching contribution in an amount to be determined by the department for that particular grant based on criteria promulgated by rule under sub. (3). The matching contribution may be in the form of money or in-kind goods or services or both.

26.38(2m)(c) (c) A forest stewardship management plan developed or implemented with a grant under this section shall meet minimum standards that are promulgated by rule under sub. (3) and shall contain practices that protect and enhance all of the following:

26.38(2m)(c)1. 1. Soil and water quality.

26.38(2m)(c)2. 2. Endangered, threatened or rare forest communities.

26.38(2m)(c)3m. 3m. Sustainable forestry.

26.38(2m)(c)4. 4. Habitat for fish and wildlife.

26.38(2m)(c)5. 5. The recreational, aesthetic and environmental benefits that the forest land provides.

26.38(3) (3) The department shall promulgate rules to implement and administer this program, including all of the following:

26.38(3)(a) (a) The criteria for determining the amount of a matching contribution under sub. (2m) (b).

26.38(3)(b) (b) The minimum standards required under sub. (2m) (c).

26.38(3)(c) (c) Eligibility requirements for groups receiving grants for weed management areas, requirements for the grants, and requirements for establishing weed management areas.

26.38 History History: 1997 a. 27; 2007 a. 20.

26.38 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. NR 47, Wis. adm. code.

26.39 26.39 Forestry education and training.

26.39(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

26.39(1)(a) (a) “School forest” means a community forest that is owned or operated by a school as provided in s. 28.20.

26.39(1)(b) (b) “Sustainable forestry” has the meaning given in s. 28.04 (1) (e).

26.39(2) (2) Forestry education curriculum; schools. Using the moneys appropriated under s. 20.370 (2) (cu), the department, in cooperation with the Center for Environmental Education in the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, shall develop a forestry education curriculum for grades kindergarten to 12.

26.39(5) (5) Funding for school forests. The department shall use the moneys allocated under s. 28.085 to provide funding to school districts that have school forests for the purposes of maintaining the school forests and for transporting pupils to and from the school forests. The department shall promulgate rules to implement and administer this subsection, including educational and forest management requirements that school districts must meet to receive funding under this subsection.

26.39(6) (6) Forestry internships. The department shall use the moneys allocated under s. 28.085 to provide internships to University of Wisconsin System students who are enrolled in a course of study that will result in a bachelor’s or higher degree in forestry. The department shall promulgate rules establishing the application process and the criteria for receipt of an internship under this subsection.

26.39(7) (7) Logging certification scholarships.

26.39(7)(a) (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.370 (5) (ax), the department shall establish a scholarship grant program to assist individuals who are seeking certification by the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association as master loggers or who are seeking logger safety training certified by the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association. A scholarship grant under the program may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of receiving the certification or training. The department shall promulgate rules that establish criteria for the program.

26.39(7)(b) (b) The department shall allocate $50,000 for fiscal year 2005-06 and $150,000 for each subsequent fiscal year for scholarship grants under this program.

26.39 History History: 2001 a. 16, 109; 2005 a. 25; 2009 a. 28, 181; 2011 a. 32, 258; 2017 a. 59.

26.40 26.40 Forestry education grant program.

26.40(1c) (1c) In this section, “nonprofit organization” means a nonprofit corporation, as defined in s. 181.0103 (17), and any organization described in section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

26.40(1m) (1m) The department may award grants to nonprofit organizations to develop forestry educational programs and instructional materials for use in the public schools. The department may not award a grant unless it enters into a memorandum of understanding with the grant recipient and the director of the timber management program at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point regarding the use of the funds.

26.40(2) (2) The recipient of a grant under sub. (1m) shall submit the programs and materials developed with the funds to the department and the director of the timber management program at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources for approval. Upon request, the grant recipient shall provide approved programs and materials to school districts free of charge.

26.40 History History: 1997 a. 27; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 25 s. 2361m; Stats. 2005 s. 26.40.

26.42 26.42 Forestry diversification.

26.42(1) (1) The department shall establish a forestry diversification program and shall promote and assist the development and use of industrial and commercial products from forestry products, including all of the following:

26.42(1)(a) (a) Alternative fuels, including fuels that are considered to be renewable fuels under the renewable fuel program under 42 USC 7545 (o).

26.42(1)(b) (b) Heat.

26.42(1)(c) (c) Electricity, including electricity that satisfies the requirements in s. 196.378 (2).

26.42(1)(d) (d) Marketable credits for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, as defined in s. 285.78 (1) (c), derived from appropriate management practices used in the production of timber.

26.42(2) (2) The department shall promote and assist the development and use of the products identified in sub. (1) (a) to (d) in cooperation with and with the assistance of the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection and the University of Wisconsin-Extension.

26.42 History History: 2009 a. 401.

26.97 26.97 Law enforcement and police power. A state forest ranger, town chairperson, conservation warden or other duly appointed deputy may do any of the following:

26.97(1) (1) Arrest a person, with or without a warrant, when the person is detected actually committing a violation of this chapter, subch. VI of ch. 77, or s. 167.10 (3), 941.10 (1), 941.11, 941.12, 941.13, 943.02 (1), 943.03, 943.04, 943.05 or 943.06 (2).

26.97(2) (2) Arrest a person, with or without a warrant, whom the ranger, chairperson, warden or deputy has reason to believe is committing or has committed a violation of a statutory provision specified under sub. (1).

26.97(3) (3) Take the arrested person before the circuit court for the county where the violation occurred and make a proper complaint.

26.97(4) (4) Execute and serve any warrant or process in the same manner as any constable.

26.97 History History: 1989 a. 79; 2003 a. 228.

26.98 26.98 General penalty. Any person who violates a provision of this chapter for which no penalty is provided shall forfeit not more than $50.

26.98 History History: 1975 c. 365; 1983 a. 27 s. 643m; Stats. 1983 s. 26.98.

26.985 26.985 Penalties, repeaters.

26.985(1) (1) In this section, “violation” means any violation under this chapter or any violation of a department order punishable under this chapter.

26.985(2) (2) Except as provided in subs. (3) and (4), if a person is convicted of a violation and has one or more convictions, within the 5 years prior to the current conviction, for one or more violations, the person shall be fined not more than $100 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both. The prosecution shall allege and prove the prior convictions in the manner specified in s. 29.974.

26.985(3) (3) Except as provided in sub. (4), if a person is convicted of a violation and has 3 or more convictions, within the 3 years prior to the current conviction, for one or more violations, the person shall be fined not more than $2,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both. The prosecution shall allege and prove the prior convictions in the manner specified in s. 29.974.

26.985(4) (4) 

26.985(4)(a) (a) A person under this section is subject to a fine not to exceed the fine under this section or the fine or forfeiture for the underlying offense, whichever is greater.

26.985(4)(b) (b) A person under this section is subject to imprisonment for a term not to exceed the amount provided under this section or the amount provided for the underlying offense, whichever is greater.

26.985 History History: 1989 a. 79; 1997 a. 248.

26.99 26.99 Parties to a violation.

26.99(1) (1) Whoever is concerned in the commission of a violation of this chapter for which a forfeiture is imposed is a principal and may be charged with and convicted of the violation although he or she did not directly commit it and although the person who directly committed it has not been convicted of the violation.

26.99(2) (2) A person is concerned in the commission of the violation if the person: