Sponsor
Derrick Van Orden
Representative · R-WI
Representative · R-WI
This bill trades a small increase in state-managed forest and a parcel for a local business (supporting local economic use and clearer title) against reduced federal control of the conveyed lands, possible shifted costs to states/taxpayers, and a precedent favoring targeted transfers to private commercial use.
Residents and visitors in Wisconsin (rural communities) gain ~37.27 acres added to Black River State Forest, increasing public forest holdings and recreational/conservation land.
Deli, Inc. (a local small business) receives ~31.83 acres for its sphagnum moss operations, enabling business activity and local economic use of the land.
State and federal entities (state governments and private parties) get clearer property title procedures because the bill requires a USDA quitclaim deed before exchange deeds are recorded, reducing legal uncertainty.
Rural communities and state governments lose some federal control over formerly federal public-use land because the federal interest is conveyed, which could weaken future federal access or conservation protections.
Taxpayers and the public could face a broader risk if this exchange sets a precedent for targeted land transfers that favor private commercial uses over longstanding federal public-land protections.
State governments and taxpayers could incur increased maintenance or liability costs if the loss of long-term federal oversight shifts those responsibilities to nonfederal owners.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Releases the U.S. reversionary interest in ~31.83 acres of Black River State Forest if Wisconsin conveys it to Deli, Inc. in exchange for ~37.27 acres owned or optioned by Deli, Inc.
Introduced October 28, 2025 by Derrick Van Orden · Last progress October 28, 2025
Conditionally releases the United States' reversionary interest in about 31.83 acres of State forest land in Black River State Forest (Millston, Jackson County, WI) if the State conveys that parcel to Deli, Inc. in exchange for about 37.27 acres owned or optioned by Deli, Inc. The Secretary of Agriculture must deliver a quitclaim deed conveying any U.S. interest without consideration and provide recordable evidence of the release to the State before the exchange deeds are recorded. The Secretary may correct the legal description of the quitclaim deed in consultation with the State. The bill defines the relevant parcels, the private party (Deli, Inc.), the State, and references a map dated June 26, 2023, that shows the parcels involved.