Partners in Forestry Landowner Cooperative is holding its annual meeting November 5 at Big Bear Hideaway in Boulder Junction. Director Joe Hovel says among other topics, the meeting will host a discussion on another aspect of property rights.
He says conservation is also a property right and owner property is not just a single item, but a bundle of rights...
".....the development rights, the rights to privatize your land, the mineral rights, the timber rights, on and on. Very often people only own a part of, and not all of, (their property) and when you give up a conservation easement you're giving up some of these property rights...."
Hovel says one often forgotten aspect includes conservation easements which changes the owner's property rights. He says there can be some problems....
"....working with landowners who have given up an access easement. They often don't understand what they are giving up It's hard for people to understand until they understand the Wisconsin easement law. Once you give an access easement you become the subservient party. For people to find that out the hard way can be very difficult...."
Hovel says one guest will be Wausau attorney James Botsford who prevailed in an eminent domain case in North Dakota against the Enbridge Pipeline. Hovel says Botsford is concerned about the eminent domain situation in Wisconsin.
The morning will include a forest tour at 9:30a.m. with lunch and an afternoon meeting and the public is welcome. The cooperative assists members in the sustainable management of their woodlands. More information is available at their website PartnersinForestry.com
