State, county and national forests are some of the biggest attractions of northwest Wisconsin. But uninhabited land with more bears than people on it is untaxed. That poses a problem for Northern Wisconsin counties, which have a disproportionate share of forest lands compared to the rest of the state.
“There are about 2.3 million acres of county forests in the state of Wisconsin, and nearly 30 percent of that acreage is located in our four counties on the northern tier of the state,” said Bayfield County Administrator Mark Abeles-Allison. “Bayfield County has over 170,000 acres of county forests. Douglas County has about 280,000 acres. Ashland County and Iron County also have substantial amounts of county forests.”
Abeles-Allison spoke with WPR’s Robin Washington on “Morning Edition” about efforts by the counties to increase aid provided from the state to offset untaxed county forest lands that hasn’t kept up with inflation.
Stay informed on the latest news
Sign up for WPR’s email newsletter.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Robin Washington: Are these forest areas completely off the tax rolls?
Mark Abeles-Allison: State and federal lands are not on the tax rolls. County forests, as local government property, are not taxed either. However, statutorily, the state of Wisconsin has certain provisions on reimbursements for county forests called acreage share.
Up until 2021, towns with county forests would receive a payment from the state in the amount of 30 cents per acre. It had been that way from 1989 until 2021. That year, it was increased to 63 cents per acre. There’s been significant inflation since then, so we’re seeking an adjustment like what the Legislature did in 2021.
RW: Regarding the difference between the different jurisdictions, I understand that federal government payments are about $2 per acre. All of this compares to individual taxes for inhabited land that would be the equivalent of $10 per acre. All that being said, the bears I referred to don’t require schools or sidewalks like people do.
MA: That’s correct. While there are fewer needs for public services on forest lands, forest lands also reduce the overall tax base for local governments. We have some towns where half of the lands are in state, national or county forests. If your lands are fully developed, you can spread those costs over a larger tax base and more people.
RW: Why should this matter to tourists and residents?
MA: I can talk about Bayfield County, where we really focus on forest appreciation. The resources that forests provide are just tremendous. Take our waterfalls in the northern part of the county for example.
There’s the Lost Creek Falls Waterfall, which is a 45-minute beautiful walk, and then you see this stunning waterfall on the Siskiwit River. Those are two examples of investments in forest appreciation that the county has made, and we believe all our forests are beautiful.
We’re trying to create access and opportunities for everyone. That’s why people live here and that’s why people visit here.
If you have an idea about something in northern Wisconsin you think we should talk about on “Morning Edition,” send it to us at northern@wpr.org.
