CONTACT: Tia Nelson, Executive Secretary (608) 266-8369
MADISON – The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) today approved twenty-one loans totaling nearly $16.5 million to benefit communities across Wisconsin. In addition, the board approved two Trust Land sales to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Loans approved include:
* City of Bayfield – Bayfield County / Finance marine electrical project / $400,000
* City of Bayfield – Bayfield County / Finance boat ramp project / $500,000
* Town of Boulder Junction – Vilas County / Finance fire truck purchase / $100,000
* Town of Boulder Junction – Vilas County / Refinance prior service pension liability / $32,850.96
* Boyceville Community School District – Barron, Dunn and St. Croix Counties / Refinance prior service pension liability / $585,722
* Village of Chenequa – Waukesha County / Purchase four-wheel drive tractor / $73,000
* Village of Coon Valley – Vernon County / Finance village office expansion / $70,000
* City of Cumberland – Barron County / Construct municipal administration building / $1,825,000
* Town of Lake Tomahawk – Oneida County / Purchase land / $145,000
* Town of Madison – Dane County / Finance road project, parking lot, and equipment purchase / $670,155
* Town of Menasha – Winnebago County / Finance park improvements, fiber optics and road work / $2,885,120
* Town of Menasha – Winnebago County / Refinance water utility debt / $2,373,875
* Village of Poplar – Douglas County / Purchase fire tanker diesel chassis / $15,000
* City of Prairie du Chien – Crawford County / Finance capital projects / $1,257,160
* City of Prairie du Chien – Crawford County / Finance TID #1 projects and refinance STFL #2009127
* City of Reedsburg – Sauk County / Finance city hall improvements and equipment purchases / $540,000
* City of Reedsburg – Sauk County / Finance street improvements and fire equipment / $1,840,500
* City of Reedsburg – Sauk County / Finance street improvements and property purchase / $845,000
* Rusk County / Finance economic development project / $620,000
* Town of Springwater – Waushara County / Finance real estate purchase for park use / $200,000
* City of Viroqua – Vernon County / Finance street improvements and squad car / $618,000
In the last 12 months, including actions approved today, the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands has approved 188 loan applications totaling almost $157 million. The loans can be made to municipalities and school districts for any public purpose.
The Board also approved the sale of 61 acres of land located in the town of Knight in Iron County and 269 acres of land in the town of Hazelhurst in Oneida County to the DNR. Both properties are unique natural areas and predominately low lying wetlands. The Oneida County property is a class 2 trout stream and an important cold-water tributary to the upper Tomahawk River. Due to the unique water chemistry of the wetland, rare plants including dragon’s-mouth orchid and sparse-flowered sedge have been identified within its boundaries. The sale of these properties to the DNR will ensure the long-term protection of exceptional wetland communities supporting important wildlife habitat. BCPL will reinvest the proceeds of these sales in timber producing lands.
Since being granted land bank authority by the legislature in April 2006, BCPL has sold 8,982 acres of land poorly suited for timber production, located within the boundaries of another government agency or containing unique natural area qualities. As directed by the legislature, proceeds from the sale of those Trust Lands can be reinvested in other property, which helps the agency meet its goal of consolidating its Trust Lands and increasing timber revenue to benefit public education. This consolidation plan improves land management efficiency for the agency. In addition, BCPL’s ability to support sustainable timber management, reduce forest fragmentation, permanently protect unique natural areas and improve public access is enhanced with these purchases.
Created in 1848 by the Wisconsin Constitution, the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands was established to accept federal land grants and to manage trust funds for the benefit of public education in Wisconsin. The Board consists of Secretary of State Doug La Follette, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and State Treasurer Dawn Marie Sass. The majority of Trust Fund assets are held in the Common School Fund, from which the majority of State Trust Fund loans are issued. Earnings from this fund are distributed to K‑12 public school libraries annually.
Loans approved in the last twelve months can be found here: http://bcpl.wisconsin.gov/docview.asp?docid=20854&locid=145
The agency’s current biennial report can be found here:(http://bcpl.wisconsin.gov/docview.asp?docid=18464&locid=145
