Some 100 square miles of Wisconsin forest will be open to ATV's in perpetuity thanks to a conservation easement purchased by the DNR from a logging company for $67 million. The land cannot ever be split up and sold, according to the agreement. The logging company retains ownership of the land and can cut timber, but it cannot restrict public access. There has been growing concern that large tracts of timber are being split up and sold for private development, and lost to the public forever. This purchase is the latest effort to stem that tide. There will undoubtedly be regulations and restricts, but initial announcements specifically said the land would be open to ATV's.

 

That is good news. That's 64,000 acres and we can always use more land.

 

Great news. It sounds like a good model to follow.

 

There has to be more of this all over the country. Large tracts of land are being subdivided with a cabin on every forty and owners who close trails and post no trespassing signs. Conservation easements are an answer. In this case, the logging company got $67 million and the public got permanent access—a win/win. Plant the seed with your elected representatives.

 

Correction: the easement cost the state $17 million.