Land rights conveyances

Limited Use of State Land

In the management of DNR properties, it is sometimes necessary to allow limited use of state-owned land such as easements, access permits, power lines, pipelines and fiber optic cable. Limited use of DNR land may be approved, granted, sold or exchanged only with a written document between DNR and an individual or corporation and with a payment of appropriate compensation. These are called "land rights conveyances."

NOTICE: Beginning in November 2024 the Web Access Managed System (WAMS) security access will be replaced by MyWisconsin ID. 
In order to access the online application you will need a MyWisconsin ID account. 
Please visit MyWisconsinID for instructions on how to create a MyWisconsin ID account. 
Users are encouraged to create the account in advance of accessing the Land Rights Conveyance application.

Types of agreements

There are four types of written real estate agreements between DNR and other parties.

Conveyed Easement

A conveyed easement permanently conveys specified rights from the landowner (DNR) to another party. It is typically in perpetuity. It can be for specified terms which are usually more than 10 years. Conveyed Easements allow a second party to use department lands for a limited, specified purpose such as access across department land to reach private lands. Conveyed Easements do not end if land is sold or leased.

Lease

A lease temporarily conveys real property to another party for a period of time. Leases convey most property rights, not just a few specified rights. Leases are typically annual, usually do not exceed three years, may be renewable and may not exceed a term of 15 years on state land except for state-owned access sites which have a term of up to 20 years. Leases are not assignable and usually do not end if land is sold.

Permit

A permit conveys a specific right or privilege for a specified period of time or until a particular project is complete. Where a lease temporarily conveys most property rights, a permit conveys just a few specified rights for a limited time period. Permits can be revoked by the landowner and may not be assignable. If land is sold, the permit may end. Permits may not exceed a period of 15 years on state land; typically they are for five years or less.

Land use agreement

A land use agreement is executed by two (or more) persons expressing a mutual and common purpose where both parties mutually benefit and share use. A permit grants one party a specific right; in a land use agreement, both parties agree to do (or not do) certain things. Land use agreements normally are five years or less; they may not exceed a period of 15 years on state land. The agreement may or may not end if the land is sold or leased.