Dispute Resolution Process (DRP)

The DRP is a voluntary process that can be used when disagreements on lands enrolled in the Managed Forest Law (MFL) and Forest Crop Law (FCL) cannot be readily resolved between department tax law specialists and private sector foresters (i.e., cooperators and others), loggers or landowners.

We offer the Tax Law Dispute Resolution Process to facilitate mutual learning among the professional forestry community and foster collaborative outcomes resulting from disagreements.

Disagreements and Disputes

The DRP considers disagreements and disputes. Disagreements relating to MFL and FCL implementation and administration inevitably occur given the complex nature of these programs. DNR endeavors to resolve disagreements at the local level when possible, and the DRP outlines a progressive approach working through the Tax Law Section chain-of-command. If a landowner prefers not to discuss a disagreement directly with the locally-assigned Tax Law Forestry Specialist, Tax Law leadership may be contacted independently.

When routine resolution of a disagreement cannot be achieved within the Tax Law Section, the issue may be elevated to a formal dispute. The Chief State Forester renders the decision in a formal dispute. The Chief State Forester may gather additional information, convene with the parties involved, consult subject matter experts, and/or engage the services of a cooperating forester as a third-party consultant to inform the decision.

Qualifications for a Dispute

Any of the disagreements that can result from differences in professional opinion may qualify as a dispute. For example, DNR decisions regarding silvicultural prescriptions, forest health and disease restrictions, best management practices, logging practices and adherence to the principles of sound forestry. Disputes may be related to DNR decisions on any of the following:

• MFL management plan
• MFL management plan amendment
• MFL or FCL cutting notice and report
• MFL certified group requirements

Initiating the DRP

To communicate directly with Tax Law leadership regarding a disagreement or for questions relating to the DRP, please contact:

Cody Didier
Forest Tax Law Compliance Specialist
608-574-6878
Cody.Didier@wisconsin.gov

To request the DRP, submit a written statement to the Tax Law Section Chief:

RJ Wickham
Tax Law Section Chief
625 E County Road Y Ste 700
Oshkosh, WI 54901-9731
Richard.Wickham@wisconsin.gov 

In your statement to the Tax Law Section Chief, please include the following information:

• The involved party’s position on the dispute (landowner, service provider, landowner agent, etc.)
• Request the DRP and Chief State Forester decision
• Agreement to participate fully in the DRP

More Information

The DRP flowchart provides an easy-to-understand description of the steps in the DRP.

Please refer to Chapter 310 of the Forest Tax Law Handbook (2450.5) [PDF] for more details on the DRP.