26.38 Forest grant program.

(1) In this section:

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

(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.

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

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

(2m)

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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:

1. Soil and water quality.

2. Endangered, threatened or rare forest communities.

3m. Sustainable forestry.

4. Habitat for fish and wildlife.

5. The recreational, aesthetic and environmental benefits that the forest land provides.

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

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

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

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

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