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Oneida County updates Forestry and Outdoor Recreation code with extensive new rules and penalties
Summary
The board adopted Ordinance Amendment #01-2026 to revise Chapter 14 (Forestry and Outdoor Recreation) and related provisions, tightening definitions, clarifying committee powers, establishing campground and trail rules, trail-pass requirements, forest-use permits, and a detailed forfeiture schedule for violations.
The Oneida County Board on March 17 approved a comprehensive ordinance amendment (Ordinance Amendment #01-2026) making wide-ranging changes to Chapter 14 – Forestry and Outdoor Recreation (and Chapter 25) to reflect updated Forestry Department policies.
The Forestry, Land & Recreation Committee presented the revisions, which include expanded definitions (ATV, UTV, E-Bike, motorized vehicle), clarified committee powers and duties, updated administration of the county forest and recreation areas, and detailed financial rules for state allotments and stumpage receipts. The amendment defines permitted and prohibited timber-cutting activities, establishes permitting processes for commercial and noncommercial wood collection, and sets conditions for treaty-rights participants seeking miscellaneous forest products.
The ordinance also enumerates designated recreation areas, boat landings, special use areas and ‘‘silent sports’’ trails, sets trail cross-use and grooming rules, requires trail passes for adults on designated non-motorized trails, and describes seasonal and pet-related restrictions. Campground regulations were expanded to include registration procedures (first-come/first-serve and reservable sites), occupancy limits, quiet hours, firewood rules (including a prohibition on bringing firewood into Oneida County), and limits on consecutive nights and annual stays for dispersed camping (14 consecutive nights; 28 total annually). Enforcement mechanisms were updated, providing criminal, civil, seizure and citation remedies and a detailed forfeiture schedule tied to specific code sections.
The committee recommended adoption; the full board approved the ordinance as part of the consent agenda. The amendment takes effect the day after passage and publication as required by law.
Why it matters: The rewrite consolidates numerous operational rules that determine how residents and visitors may use county forest lands, trails and campgrounds and clarifies enforcement and fines for violations. Officials cited alignment with the County Forest Fifteen-Year Plan and cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in several provisions.
What’s next: County departments (Forestry; County Clerk) will implement registration and permit processes and publish any required trail maps, opening/closing dates and fee schedules.
