The deal approved, 7-0, is the second phase of a deal that will connect land in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and tribal lands held by the Lac Courte Oreilles band of Lake Superior Chippewa. It also will link to state-owned land on the flowage.

Last fall, the Department of Natural Resources purchased an easement of more than 8,000 acres for $3.7 million.

The second phase, approved on Wednesday, is an easement of 10,083 acres at a cost of $4.5 million.

For the two deals, the state is paying a total of $4.2 million through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, which uses state bonding authority to protect land. The U.S. Forest Service is providing $4 million.

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