A lawmaker wants to open up access to state purchased land. A provision in Governor Jim Doyle's proposed budget bill provides a million dollars under the managed forest lands program for purchase of forest lands that are currently closed to the public. Representative Scott Suder wants to make sure those lands are open to all activities, including hunting, fishing and trapping.
Suder said whether or not state owned lands are open for every activity is "a question mark," and his amendment will make sure future purchases are. Suder's motion also required that no more than ten percent of the recreational land acquisition funds may be used to purchase parcels less than 10 acres in size. Suder says the public expects that money be used to purchase large tracts of land. The Joint Finance Committee approved the motion on a 15-1 vote.
