MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Department of Natural Resources’ board has approved spending nearly $2 million to acquire an easement for about 21,000 acres in northern Wisconsin. The board voted Wednesday to spend $1.9 million in stewardship dollars and $3.8 million in federal forestry aids to purchase the easement from the Lyme St. Croix Forest Company. The board approved buying an easement on nearly 45,000 acres from the company for $11.3 million in 2012. The two purchases together will form the new 66,000-acre Brule-St. Croix Legacy Forest. DNR officials say it’s the largest recreational and forest land acquisition in state history. Gov. Scott Walker has proposed freezing the stewardship program.
