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The Managed Forest Law (MFL) program is a landowner incentive program that encourages sustainable forestry on private woodlands. In exchange for following sound forest management, the landowner pays reduced property taxes.  Contracts are 25 or 50 years in length and tax rates depend on the year of entry.

Many buyers view land that is for sale that is enrolled in the program as a negative, likely because they have heard misconceptions or do not fully understand the program. Here are some truths and explanations behind the myths.

Common Misconceptions:

  1. MFL land is Open to the public

While many large blocks of industrial forestland are classified as “MFL-Open,” a buyer purchasing MFL land can change the public access status to “Closed” with no penalty other than a slight increase in annual taxes.  A landowner can have 320-acres MFL-Closed land per ownership per township.

  1. One cannot build on MFL land

While this is true, a landowner can pay a low penalty and withdraw 1-5 acres to build on.

  1. The State is going to tell me what to do with my land

Not true!  Each MFL landowner chooses how their property will be managed based on recommendations from a forester of their choice that has been certified through the WI DNR MFL program.  A landowner enrolling in MFL does have to complete a forest management plan with the assistance of a MFL certified forester.  The plan outlines the goals for the property but is written with the landowners’ objectives in mind.   A forester will ensure a plan that aligns with the landowners’ goals and objectives for their property, as well as following sustainable forest management strategies.

  1. The State gets my timber harvest income

Also, not true! The landowner benefits from any timber harvest income from a timber sale.   The forester they are working with will outline costs and expenses involved in managing the sale.

 

If you are still not interested in lands enrolled in the MFL program, know that property can be withdrawn from the MFL program.  It is important to note that it can be quite expensive; the penalty is approximately 10-years back taxes with ad valorem taxes going forward.

 

At Steigerwaldt Land Services, our Brokers are supported by a full staff of foresters and MFL experts to answer any of your questions and help guide you through your MFL forestland purchase and ownership.  Be sure you are correctly informed before making decisions on purchasing lands enrolled in MFL.

For more information, please contact us or visit the WIDNR MFL Site:

Managed Forest Law | | Wisconsin DNR