28.04 Management of state forests.

348 words·~2 min read·/wi/chapter-28/28-04

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

(1)Definitions. In this section:

(a)“Biological diversity” means the variety and abundance of species, their genetic composition, and the communities, ecosystems and landscapes in which they occur. “Biological diversity” also refers to the variety of ecological structures, functions and processes at any of these levels.

(b)“Community” means an assemblage of species living together in a particular area, time and habitat.

(c)“Ecological capability” means the potential of an area to support or develop one or more communities through management, with the potential being dependent on the area’s abiotic attributes, its flora and fauna, its ecological processes and disturbances within and upon the area.

(d)“Native” means indigenous to the area or region.

(e)“Sustainable forestry” means the practice of managing dynamic forest ecosystems to provide ecological, economic, social and cultural benefits for present and future generations.

(2)Purposes and benefits of state forests.

(a)The department shall manage the state forests to benefit the present and future generations of residents of this state, recognizing that the state forests contribute to local and statewide economies and to a healthy natural environment. The department shall assure the practice of sustainable forestry and use it to assure that state forests can provide a full range of benefits for present and future generations. The department shall also assure that the management of state forests is consistent with the ecological capability of the state forest land and with the long-term maintenance of sustainable forest communities and ecosystems. These benefits include soil protection, public hunting, protection of water quality, production of recurring forest products, outdoor recreation, native biological diversity, aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, and aesthetics. The range of benefits provided by the department in each state forest shall reflect its unique character and position in the regional landscape.

(b)In managing the state forests, the department shall recognize that not all benefits under par.

(a)can or should be provided in every area of a state forest.

(c)In managing the state forests, the department shall recognize that management may consist of both active and passive techniques.