Pelican River Forest Easement Completed
Private donors replace JFC blocked Knowles Nelson funding to secure Phase II of forest project.
By Tom Wiensch January 24, 2024- During the State of the State Address on January 23rd, 2023, Governor Tony Evers announced that the State is completing the purchase of Phase II of the Pelican River Forest Easement from the Conservation Fund. Together with Phase I of the easement, this represents the largest conservation project in Wisconsin state history.
The two phases together will conserve nearly 70,000 acres of land for sustainable logging, recreation, and wildlife habitat, and will open miles of forest roads to public access for outdoor recreation. The map to the right shows the phase I lands in tan and the Phase II lands in olive green.
The land being conserved lies on the sub-continental divide between the headwaters of the Pelican River (Mississippi Watershed) and the Wolf River (Great Lakes Watershed.) The parcel connects the eastern portion of the Chequamegon- Nicolet National Forest with the Oneida County Forest. The conservation of this land will help ensure clean water for an enormous number of users downstream of this project.
The Conservation Fund, which is a nationwide organization, carries out its conservation mission by purchasing land, selling conservation easements, and then selling the land with the easements remaining in place. Conservation easements are different from access easements between neighboring landowners. Conservation easements are voluntary agreements which govern the future use of land such that the land’s conservation values are protected. In this case, the easements will mean that the land will not be developed or mined, and that it will be available for sustainable logging and recreation. The protection from mining is significant, as exploratory mining drilling has taken place on the land in recent years.
The purchase of phase I of the easement was paid for with funds from the State Knowles-Nelson Stewardship.
The majority of the Phase II purchase price was to have been paid for with Federal Forest Legacy Funds, with a substantial fund match to have been made from Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funds, and smaller, but important part of the match coming from The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The Wisconsin Joint
Finance Committee voted against spending Stewardship Program funds on Phase II of the project, which included about 56,000 acres of land. The vote was on party lines, with all Republican members voting against the project.
Now, the majority of the purchase price for Phase II is to be paid for with Federal Forest Legacy Program funds, with significant matching funds provided by private donors, and the additional match from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The federal Forest Legacy Program receives its funding from two sources: 1. Royalties paid by energy companies drilling for oil and gas on the Outer Continental Shelf; and 2. Inflation Reduction Act funds.
The land was once owned by the Consolidated Paper Company. When that company owned it, the land and logging roads were open to the public for hunting, hiking, and outdoor recreation generally. A later owner kept the roads gated for most of each year. This made access to much of the land for recreation very difficult. After Phase I of the easement project was completed, The Conservation Fund opened the majority of the gates on that land. With the completion of Phase II, the majority of the gates on both the Phase I and Phase II lands will be open for most of the year. This project represents an enormous win for the forest products industry and for snowmobilers, hunters, and outdoor enthusiasts generally, who will finally again have good access to the nearly 70,000 acres of land.
Thanks to the Conservation Fund, and to Gathering Waters, Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts, for making this historic conservation project possible. Thanks also to the many individuals who worked long and hard to see this project through. Thanks to the Native American Tribes, municipalities, organizations, and businesses in Wisconsin that supported this project, with a special thanks to The River Alliance of Wisconsin. Please see the list of tribal, municipal, organizational, and business supporters below.
Celebrate this historic action, which will help protect such a large Northern Wisconsin Forest, and in fact, the way of life in Northern Wisconsin!
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel coverage: Tony Evers bypasses GOP on Pelican River Forest conservation project (jsonline.com)
Ten-minute radio interview with DNR's Jim Lemke and Gathering Waters' Charles Carlin on what Pelican River Forest will look like. Wisconsin to Acquire Pelican River Forest with Forest Service Grant - WORT-FM 89.9 (wortfm.org)
Pelican River Forest Funding Back in the News
Joe Hovel from Partners in Forestry weighs in on latest Pelican River Forest controversy.
January 23, 2024, Submission from Partners in Forestry, By Joe Hovel - We have covered the Pelican River Forest Legacy project for over a year now. You recall, the local partisan-based opposition to the project and the Joint Committee on Finance denying the Knowles Nelson Stewardship funded state share last year. The Conservation Fund stepped up their fundraising and has matched the deficit from the denied state grant to achieve a match to the USFS Forest Legacy grant. So, let’s get it done-right?
Last year the opposition had stated that the project could proceed without state funding. An early opposition point was taking future development off the Monico lands on the highways. So DNR and the Fund drafted a new map removing ~1200 acres near the main roads, and had the project reappraised. But, recently as the project seemed set to proceed, the partisan opposition from Oneida, Forest and Langlade counties sent letters to the USFS asserting the federal grant should be rescinded.
Weirdly, it appears the opposition is either being led by or assisted by an extremist group from Texas called the American Stewards of Liberty (ASL). Research shows this group was originally formed based on opposition to paying the federal government for cattle grazing on public lands. Thus, we scratch our heads wondering why and how a fringe Texas group should dictate forestry policy in northern Wisconsin. The group has a campaign underway to oppose the volunteer 30x30 conservation initiative, and essentially opposes conservation overall. ASL claims to be a property rights group, but apparently only when our property rights agree with their outlook. In other words, it’s your right to fragment, develop, destroy or abuse your land, but not to conserve it!
But this gets stranger. A search found these excerpts from western news stories and commentary:
American Stewards of Liberty is very aware that its position is on the far fringe of American public opinion. In March 2022, ASL emailed its supporters to inform them that “Four out of five voters in the U.S. support the 30 x 30 Plan which is embraced by the Biden administration”—a remarkable moment of honesty from a group that generally relies on misrepresenting statistics. ASL correctly cited polling from Colorado College and Natural Resources Defense Council that found 77% of Westerners and 80% of voters nationwide support the 30x30 goal. The email went on to say that “we all know that this plan is not about conservation. It is about the destruction of our nation, and it is only the first step in their agenda.” ASL’s plea to ignore this widespread support was stunningly anti-democratic and racist: it argued that “only 1 in 4 Americans own land,” therefore “the majority of people supporting 30x30 do not own land and should have no say.”
Financially, ASL exists primarily as a pass-through for its only employees, Margaret and Daniel Byfield. In 2020, the most recent year for which data is available, the Byfields paid themselves $192,000, accounting for 65 percent of the group’s total spending, according to the group’s IRS filings. That year, ASL raised $203,000 in revenue, resulting in a $90,000 loss for the non-profit. Each year since 2017, the Byfields’ salaries have amounted to more than half of ASL’s total expenses.
However, that is not to say ASL has steered all Texans. This story talks about Texas, mostly privately owned, has about a million acres in conservation easements- Texas family makes heartwarming decision about property that’s been in their family for generations: ‘It will always be our family place’ (msn.com)
However, Texas ranks number 45 (at the bottom) of the list for the percentage of conserved public land available for recreation. Texas only has 4% of its land-space available for public use. The other 96% is privately owned. Recreation options in Texas are fee-based because there is so little public land available.
See: https://www.summitpost.org/public-and-private-land-percentages-by-us-states/186111
Nor has ASL influenced all conservative states as this western excerpt and the example below state so well------- In recent years, ASL has sought to push itself more squarely into mainstream conservative circles, but has suffered setbacks as governors and members of Congress have withdrawn from working with the group.
likes it“We’re going to get more of these. The timber industry likes it, the conservation community likes it, the hunters like it. The conservation community likes it because the land doesn’t get fractured….”
So, it appears to be a fair question—Why are these Texas folks with extremist views, steering the future of forestry in northern Wisconsin?
Parting words from Joe
As you know by now, PIF and Northwoods Alliance follow a little different model than does a typical forest owner COOP, or land conservation group. No one receives a salary, which exposes our all-volunteer model. Being physically unable to do most of the high demand heavy lifting my long career required, I however still feel the need to be productive. I believe I speak for several of my associates as well, when I say productive means assisting in sustaining and providing nature’s benefits to you and the general public including those who do not own land!
Northwoods Alliance now holds two community forests and you and the general public, including those who do not own land, have a stake in those diverse 400 acres, as we all do in the USFS, State and County forests. As users and supporters, we also have a stake in Forest Legacy program lands.
I encourage you to be involved in these critical issues which will lay the template for the opportunities our grandkids and future generations will have.
According to this news story, https://www.wpr.org/pelican-river-forest-secures-funding-local-leaders-want-federal-grant-revoked our very own 7th district congressman thinks we do not deserve more accessible acreage for the public. Maybe not surprising, as in 2015 as State Senator, he said about the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program: ‘we can no longer afford nature lands.’ I do not want politics to be part of this newsletter, but I must state some facts.
When I researched this American Stewards for Liberty group, I could not disagree with them more. They are essentially saying the strictly volunteer 30-30 movement and Forest Legacy are seizing private property rights--- but if a landowner wanted to destroy their land forever that is some-how noble?
All this gets plenty depressing and frustrating and makes one consider withdrawing. But I receive plenty of compensation just thinking about those two Community Forests and this little note which just came in, “Your efforts are so greatly appreciated. Thank you for fighting for the land”. When I meet visitors at any of these projects, I never see partisan divisiveness, I simply see folks grateful they have the land to hunt, fish, hike, ski and recreate.
OCWA Note: Joe Hovel heads Partners in Forestry Coop and is deeply involved in land conservation through the Northwoods Alliance Inc. He recently wrote about the Pelican River project in Partners News, their regular newsletter. Joe is a strong advocate for the Forest Legacy Program and manages two properties with Forest Legacy designation, one in Wisconsin, and one in the upper peninsula. He also serves on Wisconsin’s Forest Legacy ranking committee. You can see this and past Partners News at www.partnersinforestry.com and follow the groups conservation efforts at www.northwoodalliance.org
Pelican River Forest Funding Challenge?
Unclear if Chairman Holewinski and Supervisor Briggs are speaking for Oneida County on funding issue
By Kathleen Cooper January 22, 2024- Here We Go Again.
It’s been almost a year since the Oneida County Board overrode the will of the people and passed an advisory resolution against the acquisition of conservation easements in the Pelican River Forest. These conservation easements would assure that this land would remain in its natural state, and would safeguard the headwaters of the Pelican and Wolf Rivers from the pollution that comes with development, particularly the development of sulfide mines. They would allow public access to hunt, fish, snowmobile, use ATV’s, hike, bike, and just enjoy this beautiful wilderness. The Pelican River Forest is a 55,000+ acre parcel of land that is privately owned, and therefore taxed as managed forest land. It is NOT public land, as some lawmakers repeatedly and falsely declare. The conservation easements proposed would enable the best of both worlds-land that is open to the public for recreating and that is also working land to be used for responsibly harvesting trees, therefore contributing to the local economy via recreational and tourist activities, as well as the local lumber industry.
The public easements in the Pelican River Forest are extremely popular with the people of Oneida County. The majority of our residents cannot afford to own large tracts of land on which to hunt, fish, and recreate. Land that is open to the public, like the proposed easements in the Pelican River Forest, do a great service for our people, by giving them access to land that they may not have otherwise been able to enjoy. Our elected officials, who, against the will of the people, voted against the acquisition of these conservation easements, are doing us a great disservice.
On the state level, our lawmakers, led by State Senator Mary Felzkowski, blocked funding for the Pelican River Forest from the Wisconsin Knowles Nelson Fund, but the purchase was and is not a dead issue. Funding from the US Forest Service is still very much on the table. However, Congressman Tom Tiffany, Oneida County Board chair Scott Holewinski, and Monico supervisor Robert Briggs, have collaborated with the American Stewards for Liberty, a far-right extremist organization out of Texas, that wants all US land to be open for development. Chair Holewinski and Supervisor Briggs wrote a letter to the US Forest Service requesting a delay in funding for the Pelican River Forest. There has been no county board action known by this writer to authorize the county board chair to work with the American Stewards for Liberty or to send the letter to the Forest Service on behalf of Oneida County. Scott Holewinski and Robert Briggs falsely claim that they represent the wishes of the people of Oneida County in opposing the Pelican River Forest funding. They most certainly do not represent our wishes in this matter.
The action of Mr. Holewinski, supervisor Briggs, and Mr. Tiffany is astonishing and alarming. They will stop at nothing to assert their agendas over the will of the people of Oneida County. The people of Oneida County want something much different. We want to protect the forests, to preserve the right of the public to recreate in these forests, and we want naturally clean air and water. We don’t want to live in a wasteland of mining or other industrial developments. We want to preserve our unique northwoods way of life, the beauty of our forests, lakes, and rivers. We want to pass this legacy of clean and natural living on to our children and grandchildren. And we want to be heard, not ignored, by our elected representatives.
Understanding Forest Legacy Program
The Conservation Fund using the Forest Legacy Program to create private forest.
BY Eric Rempala June 15, 2023- As The Conservation Fund (TCF) Wisconsin Archives - The Conservation Fund continues to move forward with the potential Pelican River Forest, we at OCCWA feel towns and residents may want to understand better what exactly the Forest Legacy Program Forest Legacy | US Forest Service (usda.gov) is and how it works. This program is the instrument TCF is using to establish this privately owned forest with public access. So, directly from the Forest Legacy Program website,
"The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) is a conservation program administered by the U.S. Forest Service in partnership with State agencies to encourage the protection of privately owned forest lands through conservation easements or land purchases. Protection of private forests through FLP maintains a multitude of public benefits including:
- Opportunities to hunt, fish, and camp.
- Clean and abundant drinking water,
- Habitat for fish and wildlife, and
- Timber, fuel wood, and other forest products.
Loss of forested areas poses an increasing threat to the integrity of the nation’s natural resources. As these areas are fragmented and disappear, so do the benefits they provide. By providing economic incentives to landowners to keep their forests as forests, we can encourage sustainable forest management and support strong markets for forest products.
Since its creation in 1990, FLP has conserved over 2.8 million acres of forest land and expanded across the country to 53 states and territories. These “working forests” protect water quality and provide wildlife habitat, forest products, opportunities for recreation and other public benefits."
With this in mind I recently had a discussion with Ron Eckstein Town of Pelican resident as well as retired DNR forester. Ron shared this insight below.
"Information from DNR Forestry: Here is a list of WI Forest Legacy Projects in Wisconsin. All seem to be progressing with only minor problems. One problem was lack of road access in some of the earlier large easements. Local outdoors people didn’t like closed roads. The result is all large easements since 2014 have a “road maintenance endowment”. A problem with forest management occurred some years ago when Plum Creek Timberlands owned several large easements. There were legitimate concerns about over harvest in northern hardwood stands (a few years ago Plum Creek sold all its WI land). As with all forest land owners in Wisconsin (public & private) there are always concerns about how active forest management proceeds.
This is what I understand based on information from DNR & people familiar with the program:
- All easements are administered by DNR Forestry.
- There has been no federal interference in forest management.
- Over 300,00 acres are currently in Forest Legacy in WI.
- Early date easements were small parcels.
- After 2005 the focus changed to large industrial easements (much bigger bang for the buck).
- Each easement is visited once a year by DNR.
- Each year DNR determines status of the road maintenance endowment, condition of forest stands, and any unauthorized uses.
- Forest Management plans for Forest Legacy projects are guided by the original easement terms and forest management BMP’s, WI’s Silviculture Guide (712 pages, 2023), and local environmental conditions. Forest management plans are reviewed and approved by a DNR MFL specialist. Most large easements have their own forester and/or forestry consultant develop the plan and set up and administer timber sales.
- Side note: Oneida County gets a total of $693,000 per year in payments for the various conservation lands (state, MFL, etc.).
The reason DNR changed to acquiring large easements on industrial forest tracts after 2005 was the rapid change in industrial forest ownership starting around 1990. Large blocks of paper mill-owned industrial forests were sold to Timber Management Investment Organizations (TIMOs). The TIMO’s basic business plan is to purchase forest land, cut timber, sell off some of the parcel to developers, then sell the whole parcel to another TIMO after 10 or 12 years. This business plan results in fragmentation of ownership and a lack of long-term commitment to sustainable forest management."
Here is a link to DNR Forest Legacy Program information Forest Legacy Program | | Wisconsin DNR Also provided a link to DNR map of all other FLP projects in Wisconsin Forest Legacy Program Conservation Easements (wisconsin.gov)
An excellent source of forestry information is Joe Hovel at Partners in Forestry (PIF). PIF has a Forest Legacy easement in Vilas County and is active with DNR’s Private Forest Management team. Partners in Forestry
Oneida County Opposes Private Forest
County Board passes convoluted resolution in opposition of Private Forest with public access.
By Eric Rempala May 22, 2023- At the May 16th, three-hour Oneida County Board meeting the board voted 12 to 6 with two abstentions against the Pelican River Forest project. For those who support the proposed forest it was disappointing. However, there may be light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to protecting water, our most valuable natural resource in the county.
First, the resolution directly out of committee was amended multiple times by the board with the final version linked here 20230516161005907.pdf (brightspotcdn.com) A final version that Supervisor Rio noted was poorly written, too convoluted and too disjointed. Looking at the resolution one can see there are some valid points made. Namely multiple asks for the DNR to do a better job informing affected towns with a project such as this and also a request to increase the time allotted for towns to make a decision. After that the resolution veers off the rails with requests that the state buy road access easements on the private land and deed it to the county so that they may maintain the roads. The county board who opposes more public land in the resolution then asks for more public land that they must maintain. Huh?
Interestingly the board added a new item to the resolution, one asking to reinstate a Managed Forest Land severance tax that was eliminated in April of 2016 during the Walker administration. The thought process being not enough income is generated from MFL land.
Moving on to the entertaining part of the board meeting. Link to full board meeting County Board - YouTube
Many interesting comments were made. Below are short descriptions of highlighted comments with the time they occur in the above YouTube link for your viewing pleasure.
1) At the 28-minute mark 25 public comments lasting an hour begin, all in favor of Pelican River Forest.
2) At 1HR 17-minute mark Charlie Carlin of Gathering Waters provides an overview of all public support as well as already in place ATV and Snowmobile access.
3)At 1HR and 20-minute mark Clint Miller of The Conservation Fund explains who they are and the intent and objectives of the Forest Legacy Program.
4) At the 2HR and 32-minute mark Supervisor Rio thoughtfully speaks to his concerns of the resolution as written and states " I refuse to vote against my constituents" constituents who overwhelmingly support Pelican River Forest.
5)At the 2HR and 39-minute mark Supervisor Roach speaks to the reasons he supports the resolution and states " I don't do necessarily what my constituents want". Mr. Roach then continues on to disparage those who spoke publicly.
Finally, I would like to address an issue that we at OCCWA have been concerned about for quite some time. The issue is the disconnect between Towns and residents with the County Board. The City of Rhinelander as well as the towns of Schoepke, Pelican, Lake Tomahawk, and Pine Lake all have passed resolutions in favor of Pelican River Forest. Yet multiple Supervisors failed to recognize this input with their votes. Perhaps these supervisors have valid reasons? We look forward to them sharing these reasons publicly.
Here are five examples of how voting according to constituent input would have changed the outcome.
1) If Supervisor Condado who represents Pelican and voted for the County resolution would have voted against the resolution as the Pelican Town resolution infers.
2) If Supervisor Fisher who represents wards in Rhinelander and Pelican and abstained from voting actually voted against the County resolution as his town's resolutions infer.
3) If Supervisor Oettinger who represents Rhinelander, Pine Lake, and Stella voted against the County resolution as both the Rhinelander and Pine Lake resolutions infer. Rather, he voted for the resolution.
4)If Supervisor Roach who represents Newbold and Lake Tomahawk voted against the County resolution as the Lake Tomahawk resolution infers. Alas Mr. Roach, like Supervisors Condado and Oettinger voted against his constituent's wishes.
5) In a different vein but still significant was Supervisor Showalter's absence. Mr. Showalter who represents wards in Rhinelander may well have voted along with his constituents opposing the resolution.
If my math is correct, and in all five instances Supervisors voted with their constituents the vote would have been 11 to 9 against the resolution. So, there you have the light at the end of the tunnel as promised earlier. If the Towns communicate with the Supervisors who in turn vote with their constituents, just maybe we see favorable votes on water protection going forward!
WXPR coverage of May 16th board meeting Oneida County passes “disjointed” resolution opposing Pelican River Forest easements | WXPR
Pelican River Forest Uncertainty
Real objective lost when politics raises its ugly head.
By Tom Wiensch May 3, 2023-Near Rhinelander Wisconsin is a 70,000 acre tract of land known as The Pelican Forest. Until recently, this privately owned parcel had no protection against risky development projects. Recently, the State of Wisconsin purchased from the owner a conservation easement. Unfortunately, that easement (Phase I) only protects less than half of the land.
The unprotected part of the land amounts to about 55,000 acres near the headwaters of the Wolf and Pelican Rivers. In recent years, a foreign mining company has conducted exploratory drilling on that unprotected land. More recently, another foreign mining company has announced plans to explore for minerals on a nearby parcel.
People around the State are working hard to see that the State buys a conservation easement on the remaining land (Phase II.) The easement would protect the land as harvestable forest land, and would allow public access to many miles of logging roads for outdoor recreation.
You can help support the easement by adding your name to the list of proponents and by sending letters to elected officials. Both things can be easily done at this website: https://pelicanriver.org/
What’s at stake if this land ends up with a mine rather than an easement? In a few words, clean water, Native American heritage, wildlife, sustainable forestry and recreation.
The Wolf arises near the Village of Hiles in Forest County Wisconsin. It eventually flows into Lake Butte des Morts, where it reaches the Fox River which flows into Lake Michigan.
The upper river flows through the lands and former lands of The Menominee Indian Tribe, the Forest County Potawatomi, and the Sokaogon Chippewa Community. Each of these three sovereign nations have worked hard to protect the sacred water resources of the area. For example, the Forest County Potawatomi expended a tremendous amount of community resources purchasing land where a sulfide mine was proposed.
The Wolf River is one of the most beautiful and beloved recreational rivers in Wisconsin. The Upper River has long been popular with trout and bass fishermen and whitewater enthusiasts. The river is known for brook, brown and rainbow trout, as well as smallmouth bass. The lower river is equally famous for its spring run of walleyes and a recovering run of sturgeon.
Although not as famous as the Wolf River, the Pelican River also represents a remarkable resource. With two forks beginning in the Moens Lake Chain and Pelican Lake, the Pelican flows to the Wisconsin River in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Recreationally, this beautiful river offers opportunities for canoeing and kayaking, as well as fishing opportunities.
Much of the Pelican River Forest sits on the Lake Michigan/Mississippi River sub-continental divide. The forest contains thousands of acres of precious wetlands that provide habitat for most of the species of large mammals and many of the species birds that live in Northern Wisconsin. Among these animals is the moose. Perhaps once extirpated from Wisconsin, this animal now exists in small numbers in the state. One of the relative strongholds of the moose in Wisconsin is the Pelican River Forest. In recent years there have been numbers of moose sightings in the area and even in the City of Rhinelander.
In addition to being located between two important rivers, the Pelican River Forest is also located between the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest and the Oneida County Forest. Protecting this land, which will continue to be privately owned, will create a wildlife habitat link between these two governmentally owned forests.
Protecting the Pelican River Forest will protect the sacred lands and waters of the original residents of Northern Wisconsin, an immense amount of wildlife habitat, and expand the recreational opportunities offered by the forest and rivers.
We are at a tipping point. There will almost certainly never be another chance to protect such a large block of forest land in Wisconsin. If the easement is purchased, there may well soon be a sulfide mine located on the divide between two great rivers. The choice is ours – Clean waters and multiple use forest? Or sulfide mine? Let’s choose wisely.
Momentum grows for Pelican River Forest
City of Rhinelander and town of Lake Tomahawk join Shoepke and Pelican in support of PRF project.
By Eric Rempala April 24, 2023- Despite Wisconsin's Joint Finance Committee (JFC) rejecting Knowles Nelson funding for the Pelican River Forest (PRF) Joint Finance Committee discusses the Pelican River Forest project process during meeting to deny funding | WXPR , the city of Rhinelander and the town of Lake Tomahawk have passed resolutions in favor of the proposed project. They join the towns of Schoepke and Pelican in support of the project and the easements that protect sustainable forestry and public access.
End of Pelican River Forest? Not so fast! There are several ways the project may still be financed. Not the least of which would be the residents and towns of Oneida County showing enough support to dispel the JFC's initial assumption that the county is in opposition to the project. The question now becomes how does Oneida County go about changing that perception. The answer to that question is towns considering the facts of the project and making their own decisions as to whether they should support it by way of a resolution. OCCWA has long supported towns passing resolutions based on their residents' positions. Yes, resolutions are non-binding, but they are an effective way for towns to inform the county and the state of where they stand. Resolutions have gained even more importance now, as the Oneida County Board recently has voted to restrict public comments by way of Zoom participation for county meetings.
We at OCCWA have been working with Friends of the Pelican River Forest to share information about this project. Currently there is much disinformation being circulated, and we hope that with a clearer picture, towns will be able to form their own positions. We have visited multiple towns already, and plan on continuing that process with any town who would like to have us out as an agenda item. Residents and towns can contact us through our contact page at Oneida County Clean Waters Action - Home (occwa.org) to schedule a presentation.
Most recent WXPR coverage 4/28/23
More WXPR coverage below.
Also, you may page down on this home page for previous articles and updates on this subject.
Forest or Open Pit Mine?
Exactly what type of development are our legislators talking about?
By Kathleen Cooper April 25, 2023- On April 18, 2023, Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee voted to kill funding for the largest land conservation project in Wisconsin history. This is heartbreaking, especially since it was done during the week of Earth Day. In spite of this vote, hope is not lost. There are many people working earnestly to keep this purchase alive.
The vote was not surprising. Mary Felzkowski stated during a “listening session” in Rhinelander that she was not changing her mind about the acquisition of conservation easements in the Pelican River Forest. These easements will protect nearly 70,000 acres of working forest in Oneida, Forest, and Langlade Counties. It is at the headwaters of the Wolf and Pelican Rivers, and straddles the mid continental divide between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River Watersheds. This acquisition conserves our forest habitat and drinking water, maintains our robust forestry and tourism industries, and preserves this land for recreation, with ATV/UTV trails, snowmobile trails, hiking, biking, and snowshoeing trails as well as hunting opportunities. It will preserve this forest and these waterways for our children and grandchildren for perpetuity with money from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Federal Forest Legacy Program, and the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
Senator Felzkowski incorrectly asserted that this purchase would take land off of the tax rolls. The land is privately owned, and taxed. She also used fear tactics to convince the public that this is a bad idea, stating that vital emergency services would be curtailed because of a false loss of local tax money. The truth is that local governments are tax starved because the state has lowered the amount of funding it provides for municipalities during Ms. Felzkowski’s tenure in the legislature.
Green Light Metals, a Canadian mining company, has mining interests on the land adjacent to the Pelican River Forest. On their website, Green Light Metals expresses their desire to make northern Wisconsin into a metallic sulfide mining district. The acquisition of the Pelican River Forest will reflect the results of the 2018 referendum, in which sulfide mining was defeated in Oneida County by 62%. Mary Felzkowski has been vocal about her support for sulfide strip mining in northern Wisconsin, in direct opposition of her constituents.
This isn’t about Republicans versus Democrats, it isn’t about liberals versus conservatives, it isn’t about tree hugging hippies versus hunters and outdoorsmen. It is about life - our lives, the lives of our neighbors, the wildlife, and the life of our beautiful forests. It is about the gift of our naturally clean air and water. It is about protection - protecting the forests, and in turn, protecting ourselves, our children, and grandchildren. Please let the legacy we leave behind be that of life and not destruction, nature instead of devastation, health instead of disease.
For more information, please contact pelicanriver.org. In addition, it is not too late to call or write to your state legislators regarding preservation of the Pelican River Forest
Provided here is a link to Green Light Metals presentation on changing the Northwoods to a mining District PowerPoint Presentation (greenlightmetals.com)
Pelican River Forest Committee Begins Work
As the PRF committee begins fact checking potential resolution, public support for forest continues.
Update March 17, 2023- Since the publishing of this article by Kathleen Cooper, a new resource for finding facts about Pelican River has been created. Friends of the Pelican River Forest is a website where you can gather information, see detailed maps, as well a consider avenues of support. Link provided below.
Friends of the Pelican River Forest
By Kathleen Cooper March 9, 2023-There has been much discussion concerning the acquisition of conservation easements in the Pelican River Forest. The Pelican River Forest is 68,000 acres of workable forest land. This is private property whose current owner is the Conservation Fund. This organization is partnering with the Wisconsin DNR to use funding from the state-based Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, federal Forest Legacy Program, and private funding via the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, to secure an easement focused on public access and forest conservation. This will protect the state’s largest remaining unprotected private working forest. In other words, this is free money to secure conservation easements that directly benefit Oneida County residents by providing 68,000 acres of forestland that will always remain wild, and that will provide recreational opportunities for residents and tourists. It also will provide jobs in the forest products and tourism industry, and will protect our air, soil, and water, not only for us, but for our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. There are enough roads and trails through this tract of land to accommodate all kinds of activities: hunting, fishing, ATV/UTV, snowmobiling, hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, and the feelings of gratitude that come from living in such a beautiful place.
The discussion about the Pelican River Forest centers around an objection to the conservation easements made by senator Mary Felzkowski, and a resolution presented to the Oneida County Board objecting to the acquisition of these conservation easements by Oneida County Board supervisor Robert Briggs. Some of the objections voiced by Scott Holewinski, chairman of the Oneida County Board, at the Pelican River Forest Committee meeting on March 6, are as follows:
“These easements were pushed through with little or no input from affected towns:”
The Conservation Fund, the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, and the other entities involved have been working on this acquisition for two years. It is a part of a two-phase program, phase one of which has already been completed. Two years ago, when the work started, all parties were notified, and there were also articles in the newspaper concerning the plan. Phase 1 (12,000 acres) easement was conveyed to the state DNR in March 2022. State DNR Natural Resources Board approved Phase 2 unanimously in November 2022. This is all public record. None of the affected towns have voiced any objection to any part of this except for Mr. Briggs (Monico) and Mr. Holewinski (Sugar Camp.) This stance does not seem to be popular among their constituents, who voiced overwhelming agreement to the conservation easements in a meeting at the Monico Town Hall on March 2, 2023. Is this perception of the lack of notification adequate grounds to turn down a once in a lifetime acquisition of this vast swath of land?
“There is no guarantee that the roads that run through this property will be used as ATV/UTV trails.”
The easements guarantee public access, and the private owners have reached out to ATV/UTV organizations, who wholeheartedly support this acquisition and object to the resolution presented by Mr. Briggs. The location of the ATV/UTV trails will be determined by the owner, the DNR, and the ATV/UTV clubs. This is necessary so that all the different types of outdoor recreation that will be done in this forest area can have a safe place, free from the disturbance of other types of outdoor activities. It is not to promise one thing and do another, which is what Mr. Holewinski is inferring. Careful planning is needed so that people who are on hiking trails are not run over or suffer other mishaps from poorly planned roads and trails.
“How much land is enough to be owned by the government?”
This is not government owned land, it is privately owned land, taxed land, that will hopefully have conservation easements for public access and the protection of the forest and wetlands.
Mr. Holewinski objected to the amount of Managed Forest Land (MFL) in Oneida County because the tax revenue to the townships involved is less with MFL than it is with private land not in MFL status. This is something that needs to be addressed at the state level, because it is the state that determines the tax rates for MFL. Also, there is a difference between MFL with public access, and therefore benefiting the public, and MFL that is closed to the public. Landowners who deny public access to their MFL land, in some cases, are the same residents who object to the conservation easement acquisition on the grounds that the MFL land in the Pelican River Forest will not be paying enough taxes. This is somewhat hypocritical, when THEIR private land, which is NOT open to the public, is also enjoying the reduced taxation rate. The fact that many property owners do not allow public access and still enjoy the MFL taxation rate has not been brought up in these discussions thus far.
Just because this publicly accessible land is taxed at the lower MFL rate doesn’t mean that it doesn’t earn its keep. It supports the forest industry, which is a major employer in Oneida County, and brings in money from the trees harvested. It also supports the tourism industry, which brings in revenue for the various towns in our county. There is also the intangible benefit of contributing to the health of our populace, with clean air, clean water, and natural beauty. You cannot put a price tag on that.
Residents of the Northwoods live here because of the natural beauty of this area. If we cut down our forests for development, our area will be just like any other - except with longer and colder winters. This is a pivotal time, one with the potential to change the future, either favorably or unfavorably, for our children. We are at a fork in the road, and it is up to us to decide whether to preserve our heritage, to preserve what makes our Northwoods outstanding and beautiful, or to give in to the pressures of the outside world and be just like any other place. When this beautiful land, with its forests, wetlands, lakes and rivers, is gone, it is gone forever. Please help us to preserve this magnificent forestland.
Kathleen Cooper is a 21 year resident of Oneida County, Pelican Township. She is a mother, grandmother, and retired RN, after a 43 year nursing career. She spends her time with family and friends, writing, and playing outside with her dog Gordy.
The Daily Cardinal, Pelican River Forest article link here.
Can Pelican River Forest Improve Development?
Would negotiated forest access and sustainable forestry improve neighboring town development?
By Dan Butkus March 10, 2023- Growing up, we would travel north to our place on Squash Lake by way of Monico on U.S. Highway 45. It wasn’t much of a town in the early 60’s. And sorry to say, nothing has really changed except for the reconstructed intersection of 8 and 45. No growth in 60 years. No development. No nothing. It’s still a place you pass through on your way to somewhere else. Like Sugar Camp, it’s not a destination.
In all the arguments back and forth over the Pelican River Forest easement controversy, I think the County and the Town of Monico have lost sight of what will be lost by advocating the status quo. The lands are and will be in Managed Forest Land. No change in tax base there. But without the easements, there are no ATV/UTV or snowmobile trails and no open, maintained, recreational roads. Senator Felzkowski says they can open them up now if they wanted. What’s the incentive to open up private lands? None. The owners are not obliged to open them without the assurances that come from easements. The Senator, County Chair Scott Holewinski (Sugar Camp) and County Supervisor Briggs (Monico) are angry because the DNR only gave the towns 30 days notice. Thirty (30) days might not be much time, but at least the state followed the law. When Senator Felzkowski objected to the project, her committee was required to schedule a hearing to discuss the grant. Nearly four months later, no hearing has been scheduled. Briggs and Holowenski, meanwhile, threw an epic temper tantrum. Those three have orchestrated a hostage situation: “Give us what we want, or no deal.” Well, news flash. They are not interested in negotiating. They just like bullying. To get their way, misinformation is being spread. And who loses? The Town of Monico.
The land is in new hands. It is still and will be a working forest with or without the easements. So for now, nothing changes. Status quo. Monico remains a place you pass through on your way to somewhere more interesting. But with the easements, there is the prospect of development. Monico could be a trailhead for ATV/UTV and snowmobiling. And that comes with all the support businesses and development geared toward outdoor activities. The easements ensure the lands are managed in a way that generates revenue from timber AND from recreation. The easements ensure the forest stays contiguous to support wildlife habitat that becomes threatened when large tracts are broken up. With proper planning around the Pelican River Forest, Monico could become an outdoor recreation destination with maintained recreational roads.
Here’s the choice. Keep the status quo because you’re having a tantrum, and Monico remains stuck in time in arrested development. It remains a place you have to pass through to get to somewhere else. Or look beyond your petty grievances, Ms. Felzkowski, Mr. Holewinski, and Mr. Briggs, and make this project happen.
Dan Butkus
Waunakee, WI and Property Owner – Town of Crescent
Towns Pass Resolutions In Favor of PRF Project
Towns of Schoepke and Pelican realize benefits of Pelican River Forest
By Eric Rempala April 11, 2023- Recently the towns of Schoepke and Pelican passed resolutions in favor of the Pelican River Forest (PRF) project. Both towns met with Clint Miller of The Conservation Fund and decided to support the PRF project and the easements that go along with it. Links to both resolutions provided below.
Schoepke Support Resolution.pdf (dropbox.com)
Town of Pelican Support Resolution March 2023.pdf (dropbox.com)
Below we are including a recent Letter to the Editor piece by a resident of the town of Pelican.
"Please support the purchase of the Pelican River Forest conservation easement by the State. The DNR Board has approved an easement purchase on about 70,000 acres of land in Oneida, Forest, and Langlade Counties which include the headwaters of the Wolf and Pelican Rivers. The easement is a fantastic opportunity for outdoor recreation and sustainable forestry. It will require future owners of the property to: have forestry management plans, allow public access to the land, allow access to about 70 miles of currently gated logging roads, and keep all current snowmobile trails open in the future. It will also prevent mining in a sensitive area where there has been recent mineral exploration. The State has already purchased an easement on about 20,000 acres of the land, but the purchase of the rest is being stalled by the Joint Finance Committee. Senator Mary Felzkowski, and reportedly, three other committee members are opposing the project. Federal Funds will cover 75% of the rest of the purchase price. To complete the purchase, the State will have to pay about four million dollars, which is available in the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund. Please check the following site where you can support this project: www.pelicanriver.org"
Tom Wiensch Town of Pelican
Update April 14, 2023- The city of Rhinelander has joined the towns of Schoepke and Pelican in passing a resolution in favor of the Pelican River Forest. See link below.
Oneida County towns take stances on Pelican River Forest Project | WXPR
Call to Action
Immediate response needed to resolution challenging conservation and access easements.
Update: By Eric Rempala February 22, 2023
Oneida County Clean Waters Action attended the county board meeting on February 21st. The purpose of attending this meeting was to observe and report on the Robert Briggs Resolution Res-25-2023-Object-to-state-removing-future-taxable-land.pdf (oneida.wi.us) covered below in the February 17th Call to Action.
The estimated crowd attending the meeting in person and on zoom was 100. There were over 20 public comments, all of which were opposed to the proposed resolution. Not one public comment was given in support of the resolution.
The Conservation Funds Clint Miller along with Charles Carlin of Gathering Waters and Jim Lemke of the DNR presented information on the project that they have worked together to accomplish. Much of Mr. Carlins' presentation contested the accuracy of many of the statements in the resolution. Carlins' presentation cast plenty of doubt on the resolution's accuracy warranting more investigation. Here is a link to Gathering Waters' Resolution-25-2023 fact checks oneida-county-factual-errors-and-statements-out-of-context-final.pdf (brightspotcdn.com)
Senator Mary Felzkowski was on hand and presented to the County Board as well. Senator Felzkowski was in favor of the resolution directly opposing the public commenters.
There was much debate by the board after the comment and presentation period. Much of the debate was if a resolution with potential inaccurate information should be voted on at all.
The board first voted on postponing the resolution vote until more information and public input could be gathered. That first vote failed, and more debate ensued, mostly centered around going forward with the vote on the resolution. Supervisor Mike Roach was the most adamant about voting on the resolution as is, stating that the board needed to send a message to the State of Wisconsin opposing DNR purchases in Northern Wisconsin.
It is important to note here that the DNR is not purchasing the land. The DNR is purchasing permanent easements on the property which will permit commercial forestry and increased public access. The Conservation Fund actually has purchased the land and will sell it after the easements are applied to a private buyer who will continue to log and pay taxes under Managed Forest Law same as the previous owners did. It is also interesting to note that Senator Felzkowski also argued in her presentation opposing the state buying more land up north when in fact the state is not purchasing this land.
So finally, after more debate and with advice from corporate council the county board considered then voted to form a committee of five board members appointed by Chairman Holewinski to investigate the facts of the resolution and report back in 90 days with recommendations. One hopes Mr. Holewinski chooses a mix of supervisors so that varied points of view are considered.
This appears to be a logical decision confirming the resolution is accurate and based on facts that can be verified. Perhaps the board members will also gather public opinion during the 90 days and take that into consideration? It would be refreshing to see supervisors and senators alike support what their constituents want rather than what they personally want.
As always Katie Thoresen with WXPR provided much more professional coverage that I could hope to do and here is the link Oneida County Board wants more information before making a decision regarding the Pelican River Forest project | WXPR
Also here is a WJFW piece interviewing Clint Miller of the Conservation Fund Pelican River Forest in limbo | | wjfw.com
By Eric Rempala February 17, 2023
A recent resolution addition to the Oneida County board meeting for Tuesday February 21st is concerning. OCCWA is issuing an immediate call to action for residents to give input to your County Supervisors or attend the county board meeting in person. Meeting information here County Board – Click here to view resolutions – Oneida County, WI
Agenda link here 2-21-23-Agenda.pdf (oneida.wi.us)
County Supervisor Robert Briggs of Monico has with very short notice introduced a resolution to challenge the Purchasing of Conservation and Access Easements. This information was made available Thursday February 16th for County Board meeting February 21st. The resolution is directly related to the Pelican River Forest project that OCCWA has be reporting on most recently. (See article below)
There is too much information to un-pack on this issue to cover with a short presentation followed by discussion and County Board vote. Public notification should be required with a reasonable time granted for public response. So OCCWA is asking the public to share your position if you have one already with your County Supervisor or ask them to postpone and reschedule a vote until such a time that one can form an informed opinion. County Supervisor contacts here County Board – Oneida County, WI
We at OCCWA have long supported Local Control emphasizing town involvement and resident input. This is yet another example of how that process is ignored. We thank you for your consideration and action.
Pelican River Forest Project Threatened
Anonymous joint finance committee member lodges objection.
Update information- By Eric Rempala February 15, 2023
The town of Schoepke has passed a resolution in the past week in support of the Pelican River Forest (PRF) project. Schoepke has successfully negotiated with the Conservation Fund for land exemptions to the project. See Schoepke resolution here. Schoepke Support Resolution.pdf (dropbox.com)
The town of Pine Lake has an agenda item on their board meeting tonight February 15th to discuss the (PRF) project.
The Conservation Fund has agreed to Monico's request that property along both routes 8 and 45 be removed from the project in consideration for future development. The Conservation Fund did attend Monico's town board meeting on Monday February 13th and have committed to the town for more discussion going forward. Actually, listening to a town and taking action? Imagine that.
We at OCCWA have provided information on this subject already and hope to have more available in the coming days. We urge towns and residents to give careful consideration to all information on this subject before making a final decision. Se link below for more facts as well as contact information to the Conservation Fund and Gathering Waters.
Pelican River Forest Facts.docx (dropbox.com)
In the meantime, feel free to peruse the information we have shared previously below.
Update information- By Eric Rempala January 10, 2023
Recent coverage by WXPR's Danielle Kaeding (see link included) has revealed that there are discussions ongoing with the town of Monico and the Conservation Fund pertaining to lands the town wanted to reserve for future development. If a compromise is reached there should be no reason for Senator Felzkowski's objection to stand and we look forward to the Joint Finance Committee's decision to hold up financing being reversed. The willingness of the Conservation Fund to negotiate with Monico is encouraging for sure.
Update information- By Eric Rempala January 4, 2023
The anonymous objector on the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) has been identified as State Senator Mary Felzkowski. Contact for Senator Felzkowski is (608 266-2509)
Senator Mary Felzkowski confirms Pelican River Forest vote | Local News | wjfw.com
It is the JFC's responsibility now to have a hearing and make a determination on the Pelican River Forest Project. Past instances of the Committee not addressing issues and failing to have a hearing are numerous. Hopefully the JFC will do their job and come to a final determination on this project rather than choose to not do the job which they accepted as public servants.
Please consider the Take Action link we are sharing for residents to request Governor Evers to direct the DNR to fund the Pelican River Forest Project.
Take Action – Knowles Nelson Stewardship
By Eric Rempala December 9, 2022- For those who are not familiar, The Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement is a proposed conservation easement that will protect the largest remaining unprotected private working forest in Wisconsin. What that consists of is continuing sustainable forestry and permanent public use and access to the forested woodlands. WDNR fact sheet information below.
"The Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement project represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to protect 56,000+ acres of working forestland in Wisconsin. Current owner, The Conservation Fund, is partnering with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources which will use funding from the Knowles -Nelson Stewardship Program to secure a conservation easement to protect the largest remaining unprotected private working forest in Wisconsin.
The Pelican River Forest straddles the Continental Divide between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River watersheds. It contains 68 miles of streams and is located in the headwaters of the Wolf River and the Wisconsin River. Permanent protection will preserve the water quality of these rivers that provide drinking water to over 40,000 people downstream. It will also permanently secure public access for outdoor recreation including hiking, hunting, fishing, trapping, snowmobiling, ATVs/UTVs, and cross-country skiing.
The Pelican River Forest contains hard maple, oak, aspen, spruce, red pine, and jack pine. The Forest grows about 25,000 cords of harvestable volume each year for an estimated annual value of $1.1M. Accounting for 16% of Oneida County’s timber output from private forestland it helps supply 17 mills in Oneida and adjacent counties which support 636 jobs. Additionally, the project guarantees permanent public use and access to the forested woodlands. This includes vehicular access to over 40 miles of maintained interior roads and will be supported by a $1M perpetual road endowment fund for long-term maintenance.
The acquisition will be financed with a combination of funds including a $600,000 gift from The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a federal Forest Legacy Program grant in the amount of $10,884,000 and the remaining $4,028,000 from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program."
As you can see from the DNR fact sheet, financing this forest consists of a $600,000 gift from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, $10.88 million form a federal Forest Legacy Program grant, and $4.03 million from our own Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.
Thank you very much, the DNR Natural Resources Board appreciates your generous gift and approves of the acquisition. See link below
But hold on now. All that is left is for the Wisconsin State Legislature's Joint Finance Committe (JFC) to approve of the Knowles-Nelson funds being used as they were intended. But that's where this story goes off the rails. All it takes is one member of the JFC to anonymously object without giving a reason and this 70,000-acre forest ceases to exist and that's exactly what has happened. Clearly this is a process that is not transparent or democratic. Does anyone vote for a politician thinking they should have this anonymous power? Of course not.
So, what's the solution? Well, Team Knowles Nelson just so happens to have a Take Action page online that allows Wisconsin residents to easily send an objection to the JFC and vote to support the Pelican River Forest. Link provided. Conservation project sabotaged by anonymous legislator – Knowles Nelson Stewardship
We at OCCWA urge you to consider the facts of the JFC process as it applies to environmental issues such as this and voice your opinion.
. More informational links on the Pelican River Forest provided below.
Large Wisconsin forest purchased for conservation | Forest… (forestdatanetwork.com)
Pelican River Forest – Wisconsin | The Conservation
