The state Department of Natural Resources' board has approved putting about 3,180 acres up for sale.
The 2013-15 state budget directed the DNR to sell 10,000 acres by mid-2017 to help pay down land stewardship program debt. The board has put about 7,000 acres on the block since 2014. So far the DNR has closed on or has pending contracts to sell 900 acres for $1.1 million.
The final phase called for selling another 3,560 acres. The board on Wednesday reduced that to 3,186 acres. The board decided to retain half-a-dozen parcels the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation warned were crucial for hunting off the block as well as two Waukesha County parcels after a farmer who owns adjacent property said he didn't want people building mansions next to him.
