VIROQUA, Wis. — Vernon County Forester Nick Gilman briefed the county board Thursday on significant changes to the state Department of Natural Resources’ timber sales agreements, a move that will double the share of timber sale revenue the county must use to repay state project loans. Gilman explained that the DNR is shifting from a 20% to a 40% payback structure for counties seeking project loan funding to acquire public land.
According to Gilman, the way the program works is when Vernon County acquires land, the state provides grant funding for half the cost, while the other half is covered by a project loan from the DNR. The county repays this loan by dedicating a percentage of its timber sales revenue—previously 20%, now increasing to 40%—until the loan is paid off. Gilman emphasized that this is a 0% interest loan, and the repayment is based on actual timber sales, not a fixed monthly payment. This structure allows the county to continue acquiring land for public use while gradually repaying the state through proceeds from sustainable forestry operations.
According to the Vernon County Land and Water Conservation Department webpage the county currently manages about 1,800 acres of public land for various uses including camping, horseback riding, swimming, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, picnicking or visiting one of our fabulous scenic overlooks. The county also maintains more than 31 miles of multi-use trail on that land.
“The DNR has asked that we move our payment system from 20% of our timber sales to 40% of our timber sales if we’re going to get any more project loan funding,” Gilman said. “This is not punishing Vernon County. This is a public good. This is a process that we want counties to use the money. We just have to show the state budget that we are trying to get this money back.”
The change means Vernon County will have less timber sale revenue available for its forestry program, but Gilman said the county can continue to apply for project loan funding as long as it is available. “At a 20% payback rate through our current timber sales, I projected about a 114-year payback period. So at a 40%, I projected it to be roughly 60 years,” he said, noting that future timber revenues may fluctuate.
Supervisors discussed the trade-offs of the new agreement. Supervisor Nathaniel Slack said, “This is kind of an ethical dilemma, right? Do we prioritize the land that we currently have, or do we prioritize putting more land into the public holding?”
Slack emphasized the importance of public land for local families, saying, “For most kids in the county, the only outdoor access they have is public lands. This is super important for the next generation.”
Supervisor Alycann Taylor echoed the need to preserve green space. “We have a responsibility to preserve some green space and some outdoor space for a generation who are losing touch with their natural world. If we want stewards for our future, if we want conservation, we have to show them why it matters, and we have to offer them that,” Taylor said.
Supervisor Mary Henry highlighted the health and economic benefits of public land, noting, “It’s very well documented that being out in nature is one of the best health sources for mental health. We also want home access to the water for fly fishing and fishing that is hugely popular and brings in revenue, unbelievable for tourism in our area.”
Gilman said the county will revisit the memorandum of agreement with the DNR at a future meeting once more information is available. The board will continue to weigh the financial impact of the changes against the long-term benefits of expanding public land holdings.
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