Madison, WI – A new report by the Wisconsin Examiner reveals that gubernatorial candidate Rep. Tom Tiffany authored legislation to sell off public land in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest to benefit a local concrete company. Months later, the company’s owner made his first-ever political donation, and it was to Tiffany’s campaign.
Tiffany is one of 25 members of Congress currently advancing dozens of anti-parks bills aimed at stripping protections from the nation’s public lands and waters. These efforts coincide with a year of intensifying attacks on American landscapes by Donald Trump and Republican allies in Congress, like Tiffany. Locally, these actions have already resulted in the layoffs of park staff within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Last year, Wisconsin’s outdoor recreation sector saw its third consecutive year of outstanding growth, contributing a historic $12 billion to the state economy.
“Public lands are an essential backbone of Wisconsin’s economy–selling off public lands piece by piece to well-connected donors puts all of that at risk,” said Michelle Hernandez, Wisconsin Director for Climate Power. “Wisconsin’s public lands belong to everyone, not to politicians and their donors.”
Wisconsin Examiner: Tiffany accepts donation from business owner he’s helping to purchase national forest land
Last July, U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany authored legislation that will allow a Forest County concrete supplier to purchase 14 acres of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. In October, the owner of the business made his first ever political contribution — $520 to Tiffany’s gubernatorial campaign.
Tiffany’s bill, the Wabeno Economic Development Act, would allow Tony’s Wabeno Redi-Mix to buy the national forest land adjacent to the company’s current property for “market value.” The purchase of the land includes the mineral rights for extracting underground resources from the current public lands.
Tony Smith, the company’s owner, wrote a letter to Tiffany in January 2022 asking for help because his current property was running out of the raw materials he uses to make concrete.
“We are currently projected to run out of aggregate materials in the next 2-3 years,” Smith wrote. “I have talked to Forest Service district ranger, Mike Brown, several times about the possible trade of these properties and he stated, ‘this would not be a priority to them.’ Tony’s Wabeno Redi-Mix currently owns the west and north side of the proposed property to trade, and we are aware there is adequate material there to continue running Tony’s Wabeno Redi-Mix for many years to come. I have also searched privately owned properties in Forest and surrounding counties with no luck in finding material within a sustainable distance to remain profitable.”
Last June, Tiffany introduced the legislation, stating in a news release that the sale would allow the company to stay in business.
