DNR board OKs $4.8 million northern forest easement purchase

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Department of Natural Resources board has approved spending nearly $5 million to purchase an easement on more than 14,000 acres of northern forest.

The deal calls for the DNR to spend $4.8 million to secure the easement on 14,350 acres in Iron County from Keweenaw Land Associated Ltd. The money would come from the DNR’s stewardship program.

The property would be called the Great Northern Conservation Easement and would be adjacent to the 13,800-acre Twin Lakes forest legacy easement and the Moose Lake State Natural Area.

DNR officials say the easement would preserve the land for forestry and recreation, including hunting and fishing.

The board voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the purchase. The deal is still subject to approval by the Legislature’s budget-writing committee.