S-1262 — A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to release a reversionary interest in certain land in the Black River State Forest in Millston, Wisconsin, and for other purposes.

YourVoice.Now Summary

EnvironmentCorporate Benefits

Wisconsin would trade 32 acres of state forest to a moss business — and get 37 acres back.

Environment

Size of Black River State Forest — up about 5 acres

Wisconsin would give up 31.83 acres and take in 37.27 acres owned by the business. The new land would become part of the state forest.

Public-use requirement on 31.83 state forest acres — lifted

Those acres must be used for public purposes forever, a string attached when the land was first handed over. That rule would end so the state can pass the land to a private business.

Corporate Benefits

Federal land claim dropped for one moss business — no payment

The Secretary of Agriculture would sign away the federal claim on the land for free. Deli, Inc., which grows sphagnum moss in Millston, would end up with those acres through the swap.

More about this bill

Almost no one would notice this outside one small part of Wisconsin. The change would allow a land swap at the Black River State Forest in Millston. Wisconsin would give about 31.83 acres to Deli, Inc., a moss-growing business. In return, the state forest would gain about 37.27 acres from that business. Right now those 31.83 acres come with a federal rule: they must serve public purposes forever. The Secretary of Agriculture would drop that claim, at no charge, once Wisconsin puts the trade in writing. Wisconsin's natural resources agency, its resources board, and the governor would all have to approve. The forest would end up about 5 acres larger than before.

Congressional Summary

This bill directs the Forest Service to release its reversionary interest in approximately 31.83 acres in the Black River State Forest if the State of Wisconsin offers to exchange those acres for approximately 37.27 acres of land owned by Deli, Inc., a sphagnum moss production business located in Millston, Wisconsin. The Forest Service's reversionary interest requires the state forest land to be used for public purposes. After the release, the Forest Service must provide a quitclaim deed of the release as expeditiously as practicable.

Legislative Subjects

Forests, forestry, treesLand transfersWisconsin

Details

Congress: 119th
Chamber: Senate
Status: summarized
Action: Reported to Senate
Action Date: 2025-10-27
Date Added: 2026-08-08
Source: Congress.gov →

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