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MADISON – With $1.9 million federal dollars available for leasing, the Department of Natural Resources is seeking landowners interested in opening their lands for public access to hunting, fishing, trapping and wildlife observation.
The funds are available through the Voluntary Public Access (VPA) Program of the 2008 Farm Bill.
“VPA provides incentive payments to private landowners who voluntarily open up their land for public access,” said Melissa Keenan, VPA program coordinator. “Eligible land types include grassland, wetland, forestland, and in some cases agriculture land in select geographic areas of the state.”
Land enrolled in conservation programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE), Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), and Managed Forest Law (MFL) may also be eligible for enrollment.
Annual payment rates are based on the offered land type with agricultural land at $3 per acre, Grassland/Wetland at $10 per acre and Forestland at $15 per acre. Lease lengths are up to three years and an upfront lump sum payment would be made at the beginning of the contract. Interested participants should contact Melissa Keenan, VPA Program Coordinator at 608-266-5560 to enroll
Priority will be given to parcels greater than 40 acres in size with at least 25 percent usable cover and located near properties currently open to public hunting and/or fishing. Stream and fishing access will be a priority in the southwest focus area.
Under state statutes, landowners are generally immune from liability for injuries received by individuals recreating on their lands. Landowners would be eligible for compensation if they could demonstrate that the public caused damage to their property, crops or fences.
More information on the VPA program and VPA properties open to public access is available on the DNR website.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Keenan – (608) 266-5560
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