Section 28.15. National forests.

 

(1)  In this section:

(a) “Cooperative agreement" means an agreement between the secretary or the governor and the secretary of the federal department of agriculture under which the department is responsible for conducting forest management activities on federal land in this state.

(b) “Federal land" has the meaning given in 16 USC 2113a (a) (2).

(c) “Forest management activities" means harvesting and selling timber, activities that promote artificial and natural forest regeneration, and other activities to restore or improve the health of forests and forest watersheds, including fish and wildlife habitat in those forests and watersheds.

(2)  As permitted by federal law, the department may conduct forest management activities on federal land under a cooperative agreement.

(3)  As permitted by federal law, the department may contract with a county, private forester, or private contractor for the purpose of conducting forest management activities on federal land under a cooperative agreement.

(4)  The department shall pay the initial costs of administering and implementing a cooperative agreement and any contracts entered into under sub. (3) from the appropriation under s. 20.370 (1) (mv) .

(5)  On June 30 of each fiscal year, 10 percent of the revenues received by the department in that fiscal year from the sale of timber from federal land under a cooperative agreement under this section shall lapse from the appropriation account under s. 20.370 (1) (cz) to the conservation fund. These amounts shall be lapsed until the total amount lapsed equals $750,000.

2015 a. 55 .