Committee backs state reauthorization of Knowles-Nelson stewardship fund

The Wausau Parks, Recreation and Forestry Committee on Feb. 3 voted unanimously to recommend a resolution to the Wisconsin Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers supporting reauthorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund.

Jamie (last name not provided), speaking to the committee, said the fund — established in 1989 — is a key source of local government support for trails and county forest purchases; she said the fund typically matches county forest land purchases 50%.

“This is something that's a funding source for that they've had since 1989,” Jamie said. “...our department is also, heavily uses this fund when we purchase any county forest land to add to our county forest. They match our purchase 50%.”

Jamie told the committee the program is at risk of not being reauthorized for 2026 and described recent procedural changes that require projects over $250,000 to be reviewed by the state Joint Finance Committee. She said the Joint Finance Committee has in the past anonymously objected to projects, leaving local officials without stated reasons; she said the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that the committee could not anonymously object without explaining who objected and why.

Jamie said the resolution is not a request for a specific funding amount or duration; rather, it signals local support for reauthorization. She said the committee packet included a list of Marathon County projects that have received funding from the Knowles-Nelson program since 1989.

Alder Rasmussen moved to approve the resolution; Alder Neal seconded. Committee members spoke in support, noting the fund’s value for attracting residents and supporting trails. The motion passed unanimously.

The committee did not specify an amount or duration in its resolution; staff said the resolution will be forwarded to the city council and then to the state legislature and governor as an expression of local support.