HomeMy WebLinkAboutCounty Board of Supervisors - Minutes - 1/30/2018
1
Minutes of the
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors’ Meeting
January 30, 2018 – 6:00 p.m.
Bayfield County Board Room, Courthouse, Washburn, Wisconsin
Due to minor revisions being made to the County Board Room, this evening’s meeting was
held in the EOC Room of the Bayfield County Courthouse Annex. Chairman Pocernich called the
meeting to order at 6:00 pm. A roll call was taken by Scott Fibert, County Clerk, as follows: Shawn
Miller-present; James Crandall-present; Brett Rondeau-absent; Brian Goodwin-present; William
Bussey-present via telephone conference; Larry Fickbohm-present; Harold Maki-present; Jeremy
Oswald-present; Jeffrey Silbert-present; Dennis Pocernich-present; Fred Strand-present; District
#9-vacant; Rachel Coughtry-absent. Total 13: 10 present, 2 absent, 1 vacant seat. A quorum was
present to conduct business. The following were also present for this evening’s meeting: Mark
Abeles-Allison, County Administrator; Dawn M. Bellile, Deputy County Clerk; Elizabeth Skulan, DHS
Director; Jason Bodine, Forest Admin., Tim Kane, UW-Ext. Community Development Educator;
Scott Galetka, Land Records Admin.; Kurt Tibbals, Land Records; Robert Mick, County Land
Surveyor.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all attending this evening’s meeting.
Supervisor Rondeau arrived at 6:05 pm.
1. Public Comment.
Bill Bailey – Spoke to the Board reading the following letter to the Board to be put
on record. It reads as follows:
Cheq Bay Renewables submitted an alternative last Sept. to Xcel Energy’s 2nd Circuit
Transmission Line proposal. That alternative included an alternate transmission route under Lake
Superior from Ashland to Washburn and a solar generation facility with battery storage. This
proposal was rejected by the Xcel’s transmission team because they said it did not meet their
resiliency requirements. Cheq Bay Renewables still believes our proposal coupled with an upgraded
transmission line in the existing right-of-way would solve the foreseeable energy needs of the
Bayfield Peninsula.
Because of this difference in opinion, we have asked Xcel Energy, along with Dairyland Power
and Bayfield Electric to join us in a community conversation about renewable energy and its
relationship to the grid. Xcel is being represented by Patrick Dalton, their top engineer in
distributed energy. Dairyland Power’s Sr. Resource Planning Engineer, John McWilliams, will
attend, and Bayfield Electric will have their Director of Informational Services, Larry Roecker.
This event called, “At the Table: Communities & Utilities Working Together to Deliver Renewable
Energy and an Upgraded Grid” will be held at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor’s Center on Feb. 6th
at 6:30 pm and is being sponsored by UW-Extension, the City of Ashland, and Cheq Bay Renewables.
I invited all the Bayfield County Board members to attend.
Cheq Bay Renewables has many initiatives underway to advance solar electricity in our area.
The Washburn Solar Project, which you are a part of, now includes the Bayfield School District and
Rec Center, and Red Cliff, increasing the potential solar capacity of the entire project to 3mW. We
are also working with a solar developer to present Dairyland Power a proposal for an additional 1
2
mW of solar capacity, and Cheq Bay Renewables has an ongoing Solar PV Group Buy. All this, plus
other commercial solar projects in the pipeline and Xcel’s 1 MW of community solar in Ashland, will
add 6 mW of solar capacity to our area within the next two years.
Dairyland Power is planning a 550 MW renewable energy enabling plant to come online in
2024 in Superior. “Renewable energy enabling,” those are Dairyland’s words, not mine. It is a
natural gas fired plan that can ramp up or down quickly to match the variable nature of solar and
wind energy.
We are actively engaged with Xcel Energy and Dairyland Power to explore solutions to grid
resiliency. I encourage the Bayfield County Board to invest in Xcel’s community solar program in
Ashland, not to take action on the transmission line easement, and to continue to support the
Washburn Solar Project. These actions are a proactive approach to your citizens clean energy
future.
Bob Adams – Town of Washburn, designated spokesperson for BPEA (Bayfield Peninsula
Energy Alternative), read the following letter to the Board to have put on record. It reads as
follows:
I thank you for listening once again as we discuss the status of the proposed transmission
line by Xcel Energy. It has been over 4 months since we asked for an extension of time on any
County approvals of land ROW’s. Through the insight of a few Board Supervisors whose districts
would be directly affected by this proposed 2nd Circuit Transmission Line, the County Board
granted a stay in their approval process. A group of citizens formed an organization called Bayfield
Peninsula Energy Alternative that met weekly. During the first 2 months, we tried to grasp the
fundamentals of Xcel’s 2nd Circuit proposal and also learn the highly complex issues of electrical
energy transmission. All the while we communicated often with Xcel with our questions. The level of
cooperation was very transparent during this time period. Also during this process. BPEA has
reached out to the 5 affected Township Boards, the Cities of Bayfield and Washburn, and the
Bayfield Chamber of Commerce. We have received near unanimous approval in supporting our
initiatives of looking at what would be the very best solution for all the residents of Bayfield
County. This approval has been presented to the County Board in the form of resolutions and
letters of continued support. We have developed a ranking tool to fairly evaluate routing
implications upon affected land owners. By n ow as we learn more about the electrical transmission
process, we started to ask more involved questions that required instrumental data to allow us to
move forward.
It was at this point that BPEA came to realize the requested data and figures would not be
released. Xcel cited it was proprietary information and denied our requests. Without this data
BPEA cannot proceed further in our alternative proposals to the project. BPEA fully understands
the agenda of a large corporation that methodically moves their projects through the application
process.
The Public Service Commission has stated, “Public comments and testimony that are most
useful to the Commission are those which are specific in nature and have a basis in personal
knowledge or experience. Useful comments may also include reasonable alternatives to the
proposed route or ways to reduce or eliminate specific impacts. All testimony is recorded and
made part of the permanent case record. Once a hearing is completed, the record is closed and no
new information may be added. The Commission must use the information in the record as a basis
3
for its decision.” The PSC’s view of community involvement is fully substantiated by the Bayfield
County Comprehensive Plan 2010 which also asks for citizen involvement. BPEA will and prefers to
stay engaged with Xcel at the present time and work together through all our concerns and
requests. In the month or so to come, we will have a routing workshop and open house forum with
Xcel.
BPEA as a local citizens advocacy group recognizes the tremendous opportunity put before
the Bayfield County Board with Xcel Energy’s proposal in providing reliable electricity. Our
concerns include a 21st century approach that would be viable into the future and include
alternative sources of electricity. We also want to be certain that any project meets the needs of
the residents affected and the population demographics. This all must be balances with our rural
setting that our tourist economy is so dependent upon. Bayfield County has recognized the future
direction of solar energy in our area by committing over 300,000 dollars to Xcel’s Solar Farm in
Ashland. It is the same company, Xcel Energy, that wants to spend millions of dollars within out
County. Again, BPEA wants to be sure that this will be the best and most sustainable for the
economic future of Bayfield County.
In summation, BPEA is not here to give you any requests. We would be satisfied to accept
Xcel’s request to the County Board of Supervisors #3 “Keep project on the agenda for the January
30th meeting as a discussion item, but take no action at this time.”
2. Motion Regarding Minutes of December 14, 2017 Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors’ Meeting. A motion was made by Rondeau/Maki to adopt the Minutes of the
December 14, 2017 Bayfield County Board of Supervisors’ Meeting. The motion carried.
3. Appointment of George P. Newago, District 1 and Tom Snilsberg, District 9, to
the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors for Vacated Seats. At this time, Chair Pocernich
turned the floor over to Supervisor Brian Goodwin. Goodwin read the following letter to the Board:
Dear Dennis:
It is with regret that I’m writing to inform you of my decision to resign my position as
District 1 Supervisor on the Bayfield County Board, effective immediately.
My health issues have become too great for me to be able to fulfill the requirements of my
position on the Board and various committees, and in the best interest of Bayfield County residents
we should have complete representation for those we serve. It’s time for me to make room for
someone with the time and energy to devote to the job.
It has been a pleasure being part of the Bayfield County Board and its many
accomplishments these past two years, and have no doubt the Board will continue these successes
in the future.
Thank you all very much for your support.
Brian Goodwin
Supervisor Goodwin recommended George P. Newago to the Board for his replacement.
Chair Pocernich recommended appointment of George P. Newago to fill the vacancy of Goodwin’s
seat in District #1. Pocernich pointed out that Newago is running unopposed for this seat in April.
4
A motion was made by Fickbohm/Crandall to accept Goodwin’s resignation and to accept
Chairman Pocernich’s appointment of George P. Newago to the vacant District #1 seat on the
County Board. The motion carried.
At this time, County Clerk, Scott Fibert, read the Official Oath and swore George P.
Newago into office, with a round of applause.
It was noted that Wayne “Rusty” Williams had resigned from his seat as District #9 County
Board Supervisor. Thomas Snilsberg is running for William’s seat. Pocernich stated that he would
like to appoint Snilsberg to this vacant position with the Board’s ratification. A motion was made
by Rondeau/Strand to ratify the recommendation to appoint Thomas Snilsberg to the District
#9 County Board position. The motion carried. Fibert stated that he will be sworn in at a later
date.
4. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2018-01, Honoring Tim Kane upon his Retirement
from the Bayfield County UW-Extension Office. Abeles-Allison stated that we have the
opportunity to honor 2 individuals who have given much time to Bayfield County. He then read the
following Resolution:
WHEREAS, Tim Kane has served Bayfield County with distinction, honor and dedication as
UW-Extension Educator for 28 years.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 30th day of January, 2018, honors Tim Kane for his 28 years of public service to
Bayfield County and expresses gratitude for his efforts, wishing him well in the years ahead.
By Action of the
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
Dennis M. Pocernich, Chair
A motion was made by Strand/Silbert to adopt Bayfield County Resolution No. 2018-
01, Honoring Tim Kane upon his Retirement from the Bayfield County UW-Extension Office.
The motion carried. Supervisor Strand presented Kane with a plaque on behalf of the County
Board. The UW-Extension office also prepared a short powerpoint honoring Kane that was shown.
The Board wished Kane well and thanked him for his service.
5. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2018-02, Honoring Robert Mick Upon His
Retirement as Bayfield County’s Surveyor. Abeles-Allison read the Resolution honoring Robert
Mick, which reads as follows:
WHEREAS, Robert Mick has served Bayfield County with distinction, honor and dedication
as Surveyor for 20 years.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 30th day of January, 2018, honors Robert Mick for his 20 years of public service to
Bayfield County and expresses gratitude for his efforts, wishing him well in the years ahead.
By Action of the
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
Dennis M. Pocernich, Chair
5
A motion was made by Miller/Maki to adopt Bayfield County Resolution No. 2018-02,
Honoring Robert Mick upon his Retirement as Bayfield County’s Surveyor. The motion carried.
Scott Galetka, Land Records Admin. stated that Mick volunteered for Bayfield County from 1986-
1995 putting records into proper format so he could use them for his work. He was actually
contracted with Bayfield County from 1995 to 2018. We have been very fortunate to have Mick
working for Bayfield County and he will be missed. The Land Records department put together a
powerpoint which Galetka presented on Mick’s behalf.
Supervisor Rondeau presented Mick with a plaque honoring his services with Bayfield County.
At 6:40 pm, the Board recessed for a small reception in honor of Kane and Mick and the Board was
back in session at 6:50 pm.
6. Reappointment of Two Citizen Members to the Department of Human Services
Committee – Lona Schmidt from Iron River and Kent Seldal from Washburn. Elizabeth Skulan,
DHS Director, was present to recommend reappointment of Lona Schmidt and Kent Seldal to the
Human Services Committee. Skulan stated that each of them have completed a 3-year term and
are interested in service new terms.
A motion was made by Fickbohm/Crandall to reappoint Lona Schmidt from Iron River
and Kent Seldal from Washburn for an additional 3-year term to the Department of Human
Services Committee. The motion carried.
7. Bayfield Second Circuit, Xcel Energy, Discussion and Possible Action Regarding
Xcel Energy’s Request to Construct a New Low-Voltage Transmission Line, Partly Located on
County Forest Land in Northern Bayfield County. Abeles-Allison explained that a letter has been
received from Xcel Energy asking that the Bayfield 2nd Circuit Transmission Project be postponed.
The letter received reads as follows and is entered into record.
Mr. Abeles-Allison,
Xcel Energy would like to request that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors postpone any
action regarding the Bayfield Second Circuit Transmission Project at the January 30, 2018 board
meeting. Following a meeting last week with many Bayfield citizens we have decided that it would
be appropriate to remove the item from consideration until a later date. We plan to continue
evaluating alignment alternatives and will schedule a second public open house sometime later this
winter. We will keep the County updated on progress and will coordinate with you at a later date to
determine an appropriate time for the item to be placed back on the Board agenda as an action
item.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact me at
Ellen.L.Heine@xcelenergy.com or (612) 330-6073.
Sincerely,
Ellen Heine
Sr. Land Agent, Siting and Land Rights
A motion was made by Silbert/Maki to accept Xcel’s letter request and to delay action
and postpone indefinitely to a future date to be determined. Fickbohm stated that he
6
appreciates the honest negotiations; they are healthy and we will end up with a better product in
the end. The motion carried.
8. Bayfield County Resolution 2018-10, Authorizing Participation in the Xcel Energy
Solar Garden Project. Mike BeBeau was present to speak with the Board about the project. This
has been approved by the Public Service Commission as a pilot program. We proposed gardens to
be located in Eau Claire and LaCrosse. We are pushing for another in Northern Wisconsin. We
have accepted a bid from a developer, if we receive enough subscriptions to this garden we will be
up and running. Presently, Bayfield Electric’s solar garden is fully prescribed.
The new garden will be located on Xcel property. BeBeau explained the logistics of how the
garden works based on investment and credit over time.
Discussion took place with the Board on the tariff of the solar panels. The panels will be
located close to the substation in Ashland County that would have good visibility to the
communities, located on St Hwy 13 and Farm Road. Discussion on natural disaster situations and
what would happen if the panels were damaged. The solar equipment innovators are responsible for
construction, installation, and bringing it on line as well as annual upkeep for the length of the
contract.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the Resolution, which reads as follows:
WHEREAS, Bayfield county supports Xcel Energy’s Community Solar Initiative, generating
clean and renewable energy, constructed locally; and
WHEREAS, the benefits of Community Solar include participating in solar without
installation or maintenance of the system; and
WHEREAS, a new potential Solar Garden has been announced for construction in Ashland in
mid-2019. Applications for the garden are now being accepted; and
WHEREAS, the Bayfield County Executive Committee approved this project, expenditure
and credits on future utility bills; and
WHEREAS, Bayfield County Courthouse and Jail complexes consumes over 1,000,000 kWh
a year; and
WHEREAS, Bayfield County has funds budgeted in the 2018 Bayfield County budget for
this solar initiative; and
WHEREAS, funds on deposit will earn interest at the rate of 1.6% if the project does not
move forward due to lack of subscriptions; and
WHEREAS, utilities are a major expense for Bayfield County; and
WHEREAS, Bayfield county will receive a monthly credit on its Xcel Utility bills for the
kWh associated with its subscription to the Solar Garden program. The estimated return for
Bayfield County, based on 190 KW purchase (266,000 kWh) is $19,950 for the first full year,
based on the bill credit rate of $.075 per kWh for 2018. The bill credit rate floor payable is
$.074 per kWh of Solar Energy, which will be paid based on the actual kWh generated; and
WHEREAS, this investment is based on cost estimates provided by Xcel Energy as follows:
7
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 30th day of January 2018, does hereby approve the purchase of a subscription to
the output of 190 KW of Solar Panels or approximately 613 panels, at the purchase price and terms
established in the Xcel Energy Solar *Connect Community Solar Garden Contract; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Bayfield County approves the down payment of $38,000
payable to Xcel Energy; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon Xcel Energy making the final decision to proceed
with the Solar Garden, Bayfield County agrees to pay the remainder amount of $266,000 for a
total of $304,000 in exchange for 25 years of annual energy credits under the terms established
in the Xcel Energy Solar*Connect Community Solar Garden Contract, estimated at approximately
$19,950 for the first year; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Clerk and County Administrator be
authorized to sign final enrollment contracts upon Solar Garden establishment.
By Action of the
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
Dennis M. Pocernich, Chair
8
A motion was made by Strand/Fickbohm to authorize participation in the Xcel Energy
Solar Garden Project. Discussion as to whether or not it will affect the bio-mass production.
Also discussed was whether Xcel is thinking of shutting down the Bay Front plant as the Board felt
it would be far more devastating to our area as this supplies electricity everywhere, not just
Ashland. A roll call vote was taken as follows: Crandall-yes; Rondeau-yes; Newago-yes;
Bussey-yes, via telephone; Fickbohm-yes; Maki-yes; Oswald-yes; Silbert-yes; Pocernich-yes;
Strand-yes; District #9 vacant; Coughtry-absent; Miller-yes. Total: 13, 11 yes, 0 no, 1
absent, 1 vacant. The motion carried.
9. Discussion, Possible Action, and Approval Regarding the Forestry & Parks
Department Operating Work Plan for Calendar Year 2018. Bodine was present to go over the
Forestry & Parks Operating Work for Calendar Year 2018 with the Board and go over some of the
highlights specific to the forestry program. The Board dispensed with the reading of the Work
Plan, which reads as follows:
BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPT.
Courthouse, PO Box 445
Washburn, WI 54891
Telephone (715) 373 - 6114 Fax (715) 373 - 6310
email forestry@bayfieldcounty.org
BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY & PARKS DEPARTMENT
ANNUAL WORK PLAN
January 1 through December 31, 2018
The Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Department Work Plan for calendar year 2018 gives direction
and meaning to the Forestry and Parks budget, further defines and supplements the Comprehensive
Fifteen Year Land Use Plan, and emphasizes current goals and needs of the County Forest, Parks and
Trails Programs. This plan also complies with Chapter NR47 Wisconsin Administrative Rules for the
administration of the County Forest Administrator Grant Program.
SUSTAINABLE TIMBER HARVEST
One of the primary missions of the Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Department (hereafter
“Department”) is to manage, conserve, and protect the natural resources of the county forest. Multiple use
and sustainable forest management practices will be utilized to provide a wide variety of forest products
and amenities for current and future generations. Sustainable forest management is commonly defined as
meeting the forest resource needs and values of the present without compromising the similar necessities
of future generations.
Wisconsin’s county forests are governed under County Forest Law (s. 28.11) and were created to become
working forests, with an emphasis on optimizing the production of forest products and maximizing public
benefits. Below is the purpose statement as found in s. 28.11(1):
9
The purpose of this section is to provide the basis for a permanent program of county forests and
to enable and encourage the planned development and management of the county forests for
optimum production of forest products, together with recreational opportunities, wildlife,
watershed protection and stabilization of stream flow, giving full recognition to the concept of
multiple-use to assure maximum public benefits; to protect the public rights, interests and
investments in such lands; and to compensate the counties for the public uses, benefits and
privileges these lands provide; all in a manner which will provide a reasonable revenue to the
towns in which such lands lie.
Partnership with the DNR
In accordance with s. 28.11, the DNR oversees the county forest program. As per that partnership, the
DNR provides an abundance of professional, technical and financial assistance to counties having lands
entered in the county forest program. As part of the technical assistance, the DNR allocates a total of
46,000 hours, statewide, to counties having lands enrolled in the county forest program.
The amount of technical assistance (termed “time standards”) dedicated to each county is determined
through a fairly complex formula. Past, present and future workloads are incorporated into the formula to
determine the level of assistance required by each county. Timber sale establishment, reforestation,
regeneration monitoring, reconnaissance, timber sale administration, road and trail maintenance, as well
as time associated with certification, work planning, various meetings, other professional services, and all
associated paperwork (and more) are all part of the calculation. If the total request from all counties
exceeds the 46,000 hour annual threshold, a general proration is adopted to equally adjust the final figure
accordingly.
On the Bayfield County Forest, the annual time commitment allocated by the DNR to the county has been
calculated at 3,395 hours. This calculation was established from FY 2014 through 2018. Time standards
will be revisited in CY 2018 to determine the next four to five year commitment. It is expected that the
that the total annual time commitment will remain around 3,400 hours per year.
As part of the 3,395 hour time commitment, the DNR provides assistance in a variety of areas, including,
but is not limited to:
1. Establishment of timber sales. Roughly 20% to 25% of the annual sustainable harvest goal is
accomplished by DNR foresters.
2. Forest reconnaissance (both compartment and stand updates).
3. Forest stand data entry (WisFIRS, see below) and maintenance.
4. Regeneration monitoring, both artificial and natural.
5. Timber stand improvements (TSI).
6. Timber sale administration.
7. Mechanical site preparation for natural regeneration.
8. Mechanical site preparation for artificial regeneration.
9. County forest road and trail construction and maintenance.
10. Road right of way and wildlife (game) opening mowing/maintenance.
11. Support from professional forest management specialists, including forest hydrologists, wildlife
biologists, forest ecologists, forest health specialists, GIS specialists, etc.
12. Support, manage and administer the county forest group certifications, for both SFI and FSC (both
forest certificates are administered by the DNR through a group format).
13. Assistance in the development and maintenance of the comprehensive land use and annual work
plans.
10
14. Function as a catalyst for the transfer of technology and professional or scientific information, as
well as providing opportunities for training or enhancement.
15. Financial support through various grants, aids and loans.
Forest Certification
The Bayfield County Forest is dual, third party certified (as part of the Wisconsin County Forest Program
group certificates, which are managed by the DNR). For the past ten plus years, the Department has
maintained forest certificates with both SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) and FSC (Forest Stewardship
Council). The DNR maintains all aspects (administratively and financially) of both the SFI and FSC
group certificates.
The standards, principles and/or strategic direction of each non-profit, independent forest certifying body
are developed by their respective board members and staff, which include representation from
conservation organizations, academia, tribal entities, family forest owners, private forest landowners,
public forest landowners and the forest products industry. Each certifying organization is further
structured into three sectors (SFI) or chambers (FSC), incorporating environmental, social and economic
components. This diversity reflects the wide variety of interests in the forest management community.
As part of certification, the county forest management program is audited annually against the strict
standards, guidelines and principles of each independent organization. To date, every year, Bayfield
County has either met or exceeded each standard.
Maintaining forest certification isn’t a mandate. The Department invites each certifying entity to analyze
and scrutinize our management of the forest. We ask them to subject our forest management practices,
plans and principles to their strict, rigid and dynamic internal standards, principles and guidelines.
Maintaining one certificate, let alone two, is a significant commitment and demonstrates the county’s
desire to ensure the public that we have some of the best managed forests in the country.
In 2018, the Department will continue working with each independent certifying body, as well as the
DNR. This collaboration will help to ensure that the county forest is sustainably managed, not only to the
standards and expectations of those auditing and overseeing the program, but also to the professional
principles and values exhibited and demanded by all staff members within the Department.
Sustainable Harvest Goals
The Bayfield County Forest totals 171,993 acres (and growing), making it the fourth largest county forest
in the state. Optimizing the production of forest products was the primary reason the county forest
program was developed. Timber harvests are important for the economic well-being of Bayfield County,
as well as for the health and vigor of the forest.
One of the major objectives of timber management is to produce a perpetual sustained yield of forest
products. In part, this is realized through the analysis and scheduling of forest stands for management
and, ultimately, the development of sustainable annual and long term harvest goals. Implementation of
sound, professionally recognized forest management and harvesting techniques is an essential part of the
process.
Numerous criteria are analyzed when developing short and long term sustainable forest management
goals. Existing reconnaissance data (as entered and compiled in WisFIRS, short for Wisconsin Forest
Inventory and Reporting System, a data management application developed and maintained by the
11
WDNR), along with thorough field inspections conducted by professional Department and DNR foresters,
will be used to determine which stands are ready for treatment.
Short or long term adjustments to the management approaches or philosophies of specific forest types
may also be incorporated in the goal development process. Such modifications may be needed as a means
to address numerous challenges that eventually (or inevitably) arise over the course of managing a vast
and diverse forested resource. Some of which include: addressing unbalanced age class distributions; the
management direction of timber types where a large percentage of the acreage base is either at or
approaching maturity; unpredicted or unexpected responses to previous silvicultural treatments; response
to insect or disease outbreaks or other natural disasters (i.e. wind storms); challenges regarding natural or
artificial regeneration (i.e. deer browse or other forms of herbivory, invasive species control, competition
from undesirable vegetation, etc); and responses to research or other professional recommendations
regarding the management approaches of specific forest types or communities.
In addition, the long term monitoring of stands that have previously received treatment is crucial in
determining the success of past management practices. The results of previous management will also aid
in the development and implementation of future prescriptions. The Department will be incorporating a
permanent continuous forest inventory program in 2018 (please see page 21 for more information).
• The estimated 2018 sustainable timber harvest goal for the Bayfield County Forest is 4,642 acres.
This represents a decrease of 388 acres (roughly 8%) when compared to the harvest goal for 2017
(5,030 acres).
As previously stated, numerous factors have the potential to influence the harvest goal for any given year.
Below is a brief summary regarding the 2018 management approaches, issues, philosophies, and/or
direction for the major timber types on the forest:
Jack Pine (and Barnes Barrens Management Area):
At nearly 12,500 acres, jack pine is the fifth largest timber type on the county forest. It’s also a very
young type, with over 55% of the acreage base established within the past 20 years and another 25%
between 21 and 30 years ago (nearly 80% of the acreage base is less than 30 years old).
Jack pine exists in basically two areas on the forest, all within the Northwest Sands Ecological landscape.
Roughly 2,500 acres occurs on sandy soils in the northern parts of the county (mostly east of Valhalla –
on the northeastern most fringe of the NW Sands) and 10,000 acres in the barrens areas located between
Iron River and Barnes.
Most of the jack pine stands located in the barrens north of Barnes are part of the Barnes Barrens
Management Area (currently at roughly 7,000 acres of jack pine within the Area). This special
management area was formally designated in 2012 with the goal of developing and maintaining critically
important Pine Barrens habitat through the simultaneous management of jack pine and open/early
successional barrens. Among other things, the Barrens Management plan defines operational parameters
and guidelines that must be followed to achieve the desired future condition.
A few important objectives of the Barnes Barrens Management Plan are as follows (for detailed
information on the Plan, please visit our website at https://www.bayfieldcounty.org/243/Plans):
• Delineate approximately 11,500 acres as a special management area on the Bayfield County Forest
for the simultaneous management of timber products and the development and maintenance of
early successional Open and Brush Prairie Pine Barrens habitat.
12
• Identify, delineate and maintain a “core” area and four management zones within the special
management area. Prescribed fire and/or chemical treatments will be utilized to maintain the
permanent core area in an open condition. Approximately 307 acres of the core are scheduled for
treatment (via burning) in 2018.
• Each management zone surrounds a roughly 1,000 acre, permanently open core area and ranges in
size from roughly 2,500 to over 2,900 acres. The management zones are assigned a 12 year
harvest interval (each zone is completely harvested over a period of 12 years). During the harvest
interval, whenever possible, all stands within each zone will be harvested and seeded or planted
exclusively to jack pine (though seeding is preferred). From the time of harvest until the point
when the jack pine regeneration is approximately 10 feet in height, stand characteristics will meet
the criteria for Brush Prairie Barrens. Typically, suitable Brush Prairie habitat will exist for 10 to
15 years after harvest. The habitat created during this 10 to 15 year window will serve as
temporary or “surrogate barrens”. Combined with the permanently open core, when fully
established, between 3,500 to nearly 4,000 acres of prime barrens habitat will exist within this
special management area.
• Develop a timetable for the systematic harvest and regeneration of timber within each designated
management zone. When fully regulated, jack pine stands will be managed on roughly a 48 year
rotation (as stated above, it will take about 12 years to manage each zone).
• Designate approximately 200 contiguous acres within each zone as Kirtland’s Warbler Habitat
Areas (KWHA). Reforest these areas to jack pine at densities that are conducive to creating
suitable Kirtland’s Warbler habitat. Currently, suitable habitat contains at least 1,200 stems per
acre, combined with 1 to 5 unforested openings per acre. Openings should total approximately
25% of the stand and be evenly distributed (the first confirmed nesting and successful fledging of
Kirtland’s Warblers in Bayfield County occurred in the Barnes Barrens Management Area in
2016. All five nestlings successfully fledged). Birds were also observed and banded in 2017,
however, no documented nesting activities occurred.
• Some aspen, red pine and scrub oak will also exist within the Barrens, but the goal will be to
regenerate jack pine whenever possible.
• Development of the Barrens will take some time, as the Department is still managing the results of
previous management (with a diversity of species and age classes). However, the core area is on
target to be fully established by at least 2035 (and probably much sooner). Once all stands are
addressed and ready for management, the Department will begin the harvest of Zone 1, thus
marking the beginning of the floating barrens.
• In the meantime, the Department will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the plan. As with
any plan, amendments, alterations or modifications are expected. The Department will also
continue to work with the DNR regarding the technical aspects of barrens development and
maintenance.
In the jack pine type, for the past decade, the Department has attempted to carry mature stands on the
landscape for as long as possible. This was done primarily to provide a relative even flow of annual
harvest, as well as to maintain a level of mature jack pine on the forest (i.e. structural diversity).
However, currently, many stands are experiencing significant mortality, at levels equal to or exceeding
30%. The Department can no longer carry these mature stands without experiencing even greater losses
of volume. A higher percentage of dead and dying trees also increases the risk of insect and/or disease
outbreaks (as well as heavier fuel loads), which would potentially have a negative impact on other stands
in the area. As a result, the short term objective was to manage all stands experiencing 30% mortality or
greater within a two to three year period. That process started in 2016, continued in 2017 and will be
completed in 2018.
13
In 2016, the focus was managing the targeted stands within the Barnes Barrens Management Area. In
2017, the focus was on stands located outside the Barrens. A few remaining stands outside the Barrens
will be managed in 2018, however, the accelerated harvests of 2016 and 2017 have already addressed the
stands with the highest levels of mortality.
Once the management of the over mature stands is completed (by the end of 2018), it is anticipated that
the vast majority of remaining mature jack pine will be managed within the next five to ten years (again,
with an emphasis on carrying mature stands for as long as possible). Afterwards, it is anticipated that
there will be a narrow window where significantly less jack pine will be managed, at least until the next
larger age classes begin to reach maturity (generally between 50 to 60 years of age).
• The 2018 goal for jack pine will be broken into two parts: 158 acres located outside of the Barnes
Barrens Management Area and 34 acres located inside the Barrens, for a total of 192 acres. This
represents a decrease of 153 acres (nearly 80%) when compared to the total goal for 2017 (345
acres). The significant decrease is due to the accelerated harvest associated with high risk stands
that has already occurred. If the Department determines that other stands are rapidly deteriorating
or otherwise need to be managed immediately, the goal for 2018 may be adjusted accordingly.
The Department will also continue to manage stands located within the Barnes Barrens
Management Area as outlined in the Barnes Barrens Management plan. Modifications to the plan
may be necessary, depending on a stands response to treatment or the development of better
direction, and will be addressed on a case by case basis.
Red Pine:
Red pine is the third largest timber type on the county forest, comprising a total of nearly 18,000 acres.
Most of the acreage base is composed of plantations, but about 1,000 acres of natural stands exist.
Natural stands tend to be much smaller in size (acreage) and widely scattered throughout the forest.
The general model for red pine management is fairly simple. Most of the management centers around
stands of artificial origin (plantations). In plantations, once stands reach the stage in which they can be
managed (typically around 30 years old), a timber sale is established. That harvest cycle is then repeated
about every 10 years. Once a stand has been thinned about three times, harvest intervals tend to slow a
bit, primarily contingent upon the growth response from previous treatments. At this point, harvest
intervals can still be on a 10 year cycle, but more typically end up closer to every 12 to 15 years.
Depending on a variety of factors, including responses to previous treatments, presence of insects or
disease, general management direction for the timber type, forest product development and markets, etc.,
the stand can be rotated anywhere between 70 and 120 years of age (a little earlier or later depending on
the above mentioned factors).
Rotation typically involves prescribing a clearcut, in which all trees are removed (especially critical if re-
establishing a red pine plantation, as older trees can be vectors for future insect or disease infestations).
Natural stands are managed as well, with a focus on stands of higher density or those that have enough
acreage for harvest. However, roughly 95% of the harvest goal is derived from the management of
plantations.
• The 2018 goal for red pine is 930 acres (roughly 870 acres prescribed for thinning and 60 as
regeneration). This represents an increase of 15 acres (or about 2%) when compared to the goal
for 2017 (915 acres).
14
Northern Hardwood:
In the northern hardwood type, prescriptions for existing stands have repeatedly conflicted with field
observations. Previously, the standard prescription given to nearly all northern hardwood stands was un-
even aged (or all-aged) management or a thinning, regardless of stand or site quality. Consequently, over
the past 20+ years, many stands have been managed with un-even aged prescriptions (i.e. relatively light
selective harvests which incorporate small gaps to facilitate new regeneration).
Northern hardwood stands developing on drier (or wetter) sites of medium to medium-poor quality have
generally not responded well to the traditional methods of management (or traditional thinking). Growth
of residual trees has been relatively poor, desired regeneration has been sporadic and slow to develop, and
competition from undesirable regeneration has been, at times, very aggressive (primarily ironwood).
Through routine and regular regeneration monitoring, the Department is discovering that regeneration
gaps (associated with traditional un-even aged management practices) are oftentimes dominated by
ironwood, while the preferred species that do regenerate (i.e. maple, basswood, yellow birch, oak) are low
in number, slow to develop/grow and/or repeatedly browsed by deer (which allows them to get quickly
overtopped by undesirable species). Growth and development on the remaining stems is also largely poor
and slow, with stands, in general, just not responding to the traditional practices. Additionally, it was
discovered that previous treatments oftentimes didn’t adequately incorporate regeneration gaps, in both
size and total number (something the Department has remedied through the establishment of a systematic
approach to gap design and placement). All of which is a serious concern.
The county forest contains nearly 20,000 acres of northern hardwoods (including stands typed as red
maple), making this the second largest cover type on the forest (aspen being the largest). For the reasons
previously stated, the Department is in the process of re-evaluating the management approach on all
stands of northern hardwood, especially those developing on medium to medium poor quality sites. The
Department is finding that more intensive or less traditional methods of management on these poorer
quality sites, that utilize larger canopy gaps, groups or patches, or even aged practices, generally yield
more favorable results.
One goal for 2018 is to continue updating all recon information in the northern hardwood type, with a
focus on stand and site quality (both existing and potential) when developing future prescriptions. Results
from previous management and subsequent regeneration monitoring will also aid in the development of
future prescriptions.
Once all stands have been updated (again, the goal is to have that completed by the end of 2018), it is
anticipated that many of those developing on poor to medium-poor quality sites will be managed with
more intensive un-even aged or even-aged treatments, while stands on medium quality or better sites will
continue to be managed with more traditional un-even aged prescriptions.
Whether traditional or more intensive, all regeneration gaps associated with all uneven-aged treatments
will continue to be designed and applied systematically. The systematic approach to gap placement
ensures that all gaps are of the appropriate size and evenly distributed throughout the stand. Systematic
application also helps to ensure that prescribed stand level gap targets are met (i.e. a typical prescription
may have a goal of 10% to 20%, sometimes more, of the stand in gaps).
Knowing the general gap size and total number installed also makes it easier to determine stand level
accomplishments. Flexibility is also part of the design, as gaps can be moved slightly or excluded
altogether, depending on the overall goals of the prescription. Systematically installed gaps are also easy
to re-locate, which is critical when performing routine monitoring or when needing to address
15
issues/concerns regarding regeneration (i.e. site preparation, competition control or supplemental
planting).
When utilizing un-even aged management methods on the poorer quality sites, whenever practical, larger
gaps (or groups) will be incorporated with lighter thinning as an attempt to maintain structural integrity
within the stand, develop a new age class (regeneration), increase species diversity (regeneration) and
improve quality on the remaining/residual trees. In general, it’s understood that growth and development
on poorer quality stands will be significantly less than similar treatments on better sites. It is also
anticipated that the amount of time between thinnings (or thinning intervals) may increase slightly.
Traditional methods state that re-entry should be attainable every 10 to 20 years (depending on growth
and response to previous treatment). Northern hardwood growth and development is typically much
slower on sites of lesser quality. As a result, re-entry may be feasible every 20 to 30 years. As with all
plans, goals and direction may be modified based, in part, upon measured responses to previous
treatments.
• The 2018 goal for thinning or un-even aged management of northern hardwoods is 480 acres,
which represents a decrease of 75 acres when compared to the goal for 2017 (555 acres). The
2018 goal for even aged management is 240 acres, which constitutes a decrease of 95 acres when
compared to the goal for 2017 (335 acres). The overall northern hardwood management goal for
2018 is 720 acres, which is a decrease of 170 acres (or about 23%) when compared to the goal for
2017 (890 acres).
Based on preliminary recon information, the total harvest goal for northern hardwoods is expected
to continue decreasing, albeit slightly, to an average hovering between 700 to 750 acres per year.
Of that total, the amount of acres thinned (un-even aged management) are expected to decrease
slightly (compared to current levels), while the amount of acres regenerated (even-aged
management) are expected to increase. However, since more trees per acre are removed during
regeneration harvests (when compared to lighter thinnings), the total amount of northern hardwood
volume should remain about the same every year.
Red Oak:
The Department also recently completed the re-inventory of all mature stands of red oak on the forest.
This was accomplished over the past few years, as an attempt to better capture management needs and
priorities. As expected, the updating process has revealed a significant decrease in acres ready for, or
otherwise in need of, a thinning.
There is a little over 15,000 acres of the red oak type on the forest. Of that, nearly 90% is older than 75
years (nearly 13,500 acres). To drill down further, nearly 65% is 90 years of age or older (approximately
10,000 acres). In essence, the vast majority of red oak on the forest is either at or rapidly approaching
maturity.
The rotation age for red oak is generally around 100 years of age (up to 120 years on higher quality sites
and lower on poorer quality sites). At current conditions, the Department is faced with the potential task
of addressing (regenerating) a large acreage base of mature red oak, basically all at the same time. That’s
neither practical, nor feasible. This is a prime example of where management goals sometimes need to be
adjusted in order to better manage a resource.
The general management direction for red oak is to maintain the type (dominance), where practical, and
spread out or distribute the regeneration phase as much as possible. It will vary by location, but, generally
16
speaking, and barring any natural influences i.e. insects, disease, wind, drought, etc., the regeneration
phase can be extended equally over the next 20 to 25 years (sometimes earlier in areas where oak is
significantly older). The process has already begun, as this issue was identified years ago (hence one of
the reasons to update the type).
Considering the current condition of red oak on the forest, the average age of mature stands, and the long
term management potential of the type, the overall goal for regeneration will be around 400 acres per year
over the next 20 to 25 years. This will provide better regulation of the red oak resource, yield a more
uniform flow of forest products, generate a more even distribution of age classes over the landscape
(which will also maintain structural diversity and produce more diverse wildlife habitat), and create a
more balanced work load, both short and long term.
As part of the update process, stands were prioritized based on age, quality, species diversity (whether
there was a significant component of over mature aspen or birch), previous management (if any), etc.
Furthermore, stands were ranked based on the potential or likelihood of maintaining (regenerating) the red
oak component, as well as the density of overmature aspen and/or paper birch.
For a variety of reasons, red oak can be one of the most challenging timber types to regenerate (further
described below). Understanding how these current stands were established (the stands we are managing
today) can reveal some of the challenges we face today.
Most of the red oak stands we are managing today originated during the period of the last big cutover
(early 1900’s). Back then, stands were basically clearcut, with little (if any) regard to resource damage,
best management practices for water quality (or anything for that matter) or slash control. Soil
scarification was extensive, as was logging debris. Then the fires came. The result, extensively scarified
sites, exposing a large percentage of bare mineral soil, with little to no competing vegetation, no mature
overstory trees, and very little impact from animals that love to nibble on acorns or freshly regenerating
seedlings i.e. deer or hare (there wasn’t much for regulation back then and homesteaders needed to eat
too).
Red oak, being a fire tolerant species, is built for this exact scenario. It needs relatively bare mineral soil,
a good amount of sunlight, little competition from other tree species, and minimal predation or browse
pressure. While the intensive fires killed much of the competing vegetation, it only temporarily impacted
the red oak. Carbs stored in the root system afforded it the luxury of rapidly developing after the fire.
Newly germinating acorns were established under ideal growing conditions. Many new red oak seedlings
rapidly and aggressively attained dominance, well before other tree species were able to re-establish. The
result: a dense stand of red oak, oftentimes with only minor components of paper birch, aspen, red maple,
white pine, red pine and, on better sites, sugar maple.
Fast forward to today. Much emphasis is placed on the suppression of wildfires with the goal of reducing
or eliminating its potentially devastating impacts. While prescribed fire is still commonly used today as a
management tool to facilitate the regeneration of oak, the scale and intensity of previous (historical) stand
initiating fires will never be duplicated (and results of prescribed fires are oftentimes unreliable and
difficult to predict).
Deer densities (and other seedling or acorn predators), by design, are currently much larger than 100 years
ago and have the potential to completely wipe out any red oak regeneration attempt. Stands of oak are
generally all the same age (either mature, between 90 to 100 years of age, or approaching maturity),
meaning most stands originated during a period when deer densities were very low and oak sprouting
potential and acorn viability (both critically important in the development of new oak stands) will only
17
continue to decrease. Current harvesting methods and management practices result in a lighter footprint
on the landscape, meaning scarification isn’t as intensive and mineral soil is less exposed.
Methods of regeneration have also evolved over time. All are geared towards manipulating light and
competition. Red oak is classified as intermediate in shade tolerance. Generally speaking, this means that
the intensity of sunlight is a critical factor influencing initial seedling survival, as well as subsequent
annual growth and development. Silvicultural techniques such as shelterwood, seed tree and clearcut are
all used in attempts to regenerate new stands of red oak (in part, with the goal of manipulating levels of
sunlight able to reach the forest floor).
Some methods, like the shelterwood, leave a few more trees, equally distributed, on the landscape, with
the goal of establishing and tending the new crop of trees before eventually removing most of the
overstory (to release the advanced regeneration). Other methods, like the seed tree, leave fewer trees, still
equally distributed on the landscape, with the goal of providing even more light and resources available
for new seedlings.
Seed tree methods also typically leave the remaining mature trees in place (meaning we don’t come back
in to remove them), thus reducing damage to newly developing and recruiting seedlings, which would
inevitably occur during the removal of the overstory. Clearcut methods are the most intensive, often
removing most of the overstory and heavily relying on the subsequent flush of regeneration to establish
the next stand. Each method has its pros and cons and all are used on the forest when attempting to
regenerate red oak, with the Department currently experiencing greater success with more intensive
harvests.
Regardless of the regeneration method, other components required to successfully develop a new stand of
red oak still need to be considered i.e. competition control, soil scarification, herbivory control, acorn
dispersal and viability, site potential, and sprouting potential, etc. If competing vegetation is a concern,
some stands are scarified with a dozer and straight blade in an attempt to knock back undesirable tree
species and expose mineral soil. Anchor chains, salmon blades or other implements are also used as a
means to scarify soil and reduce competing vegetation. Prescribed fire can also be used to control
unwanted vegetation. Timing of acorn dispersal and quantity (and quality) of acorn production are also
critical, but much more difficult to predict and control.
When determining where to invest additional inputs in the management of red oak, all of the above
mentioned factors need to be considered, as does site quality and location. Some stands on higher quality
sites will receive intense pressure from red and sugar maple (and ironwood), which, inherently, makes it
more difficult to establish a new stand of red oak. They also tend to occur on rugged locales, making it
difficult to stage and maneuver heavy equipment or administer a prescribed fire.
Many of these stands may be better suited as moderate quality northern hardwoods, with a minor
component of red oak ( i.e. more maple and less oak). The general management direction in this scenario
may be to lightly thin, incorporate large gaps or groups and allow the stand to naturally convert to
northern hardwood, again, with a lesser component of oak.
On the other end of the spectrum, red oak stands growing on lower quality sites tend to be associated with
heavier components of aspen, birch and pine. Competition from red and sugar maple (and ironwood) are
also often less intensive, thus providing a more favorable environment for red oak regeneration.
However, these sites are generally less productive, resulting in growth and development that tends to be
on the lower end of the range. Managing these stands with a goal of increasing the component of aspen,
birch or pine may be seriously considered.
18
In general, maintaining as much red oak as possible is a priority for the Department. However, a
considerable amount of emphasis will be placed on sites of medium quality, where oak production and
quality (or potential) is good, competition from other tree seedlings is lower, and additional inputs from
the Department, if needed, are the most effective.
• The goal in 2018 will be to regenerate approximately 395 acres of red oak (which is nearly
identical to the 2017 goal of 400 acres). Whenever possible (or practical), an emphasis will be
placed on maintaining stands as red oak. In addition, approximately 160 acres will be thinned and
240 acres will receive an overstory removal (harvesting most of the remaining overstory trees from
a previous shelterwood prescription). Overstory removals will only occur if the Department has
determined that the stand has successfully regenerated with desirable tree species.
Aspen:
At nearly 78,000 acres, aspen is, by far, the largest single cover type on the county forest (roughly 45% of
the entire forest). Similar to the issue with red oak, a significant portion of the aspen type occurs within a
relatively narrow age class window. Nearly 55% of the aspen type is between 25 and 45 years of age,
with an additional 20% greater than 45 years old. Ultimately, to address the relatively large wave of
aspen soon to reach maturity, the Department needs to make minor adjustments to the management
approach for this type.
The management and regulation of the aspen type is pretty straight forward. Under ideal conditions, and
assuming an equal distribution of age classes, the sustainable harvest goal for aspen is essentially
calculated by dividing the total acreage by the rotation age. The rotation for aspen varies by location and
site quality, but generally is between 50 and 55 years of age (sometimes longer on the highest quality sites
or shorter on poorer sites). When considering just the raw numbers, if the average rotation age were
around 52 years (and it is), the optimal sustainable harvest goal for aspen would be approximately 1,500
acres per year.
When calculating the long and short term sustainable management goals for the aspen type (as is done
with all other forest types), all data is analyzed by location (IRMU – Integrated Resource Management
Unit). Each unit (IRMU) represents a general area of the forest. Each area contains slightly different
growing conditions and influences.
Within each IRMU, current age class distributions, site quality, previous management (or stands excluded
from management), recommended forester prescriptions, etc., are all weighted and analyzed when
determining the harvest goal per unit. Current age class distributions are charted against desired
distributions to determine if additional adjustments to the management strategies are needed. In some
cases, like those we are experiencing now, the Department needs to enter stands a little sooner (i.e. as
early as 40 years old), in order to better distribute age classes on the landscape and avoid similar problems
in the future.
In order to spread this narrow band of age classes out and realize a more evenly distributed condition, we
need to harvest some stands sooner than normal. These adjustments will produce similar benefits as
addressed in the red oak section, including a more regulated distribution of aspen on the landscape. When
fully regulated (and when all stands excluded from future management are removed from consideration),
the sustainable harvest goal for aspen will be about 1,450 to 1,500 acres per year.
19
• The 2018 sustainable harvest goal for aspen is 1,420. This represents an increase of 45 acres
(roughly 3%) when compared to the goal for 2017. Again, the small increases are generally due to
the Department addressing the large acreage band of relatively narrow age class distributions
looming on the not so distant horizon.
It’s worth noting that the aspen type, particularly trembling aspen, is predicted to be one of the more
negatively impacted forested communities, when modelled against a potentially warming climate. With
roughly 45% of the ownership comprised of the aspen type, that is a concern.
At greatest potential risk would be stands currently developing on sites of poor quality (where nutrients
and/or moisture are most limited and trees are inherently stressed). Aspen developing on dry to very dry
sites or sites that are overly wet, would be the most at risk. Another goal for 2018 will be to develop a
process or direction to analyze stands most susceptible, if climate change models are correct, and flesh out
future management strategies and goals.
Since predicted warming climate related impacts are expected to be decades away, any modifications to
management would most likely occur well into the future (when the youngest stands approach maturity).
Still, having the discussion now will allow us to be better prepared, especially if predictions hold true.
Total Sustainable Harvest Goal:
Table 1 displays the sustainable timber harvest goal (acres) per primary timber type for 2018 The goal
for 2017 is also included for comparison:
Table 1: Sustainable Timber Harvest Goal (acres)
Timber Type 2017 2018
Aspen 1,375 1,420
Northern Hardwood 890 720
Red Oak 900 795
Paper Birch 30 25
Scrub Oak 215 255
Red Pine 915 930
Jack Pine 345 192
White Pine 90 80
Swamp Conifer 140 100
Swamp Hardwood 100 120
Fir/Spruce 30 25
Total 5,030 4,642
As previously stated, one of the primary objectives in managing the forest is to strive for a regulated, even
flow of harvests, equally distributed over the landscape. However, sustainable harvest goals typically
fluctuate slightly from year to year. Most fluctuations are explained by the natural irregular distribution
of age classes over the entire forest and, subsequently, when they are ready for management.
Among other things, fluctuations are also a result of a change in management direction for individual
timber types, responses to natural disturbances or other unforeseen natural events, a relatively poor
response in growth from previous management, modifications in response to accomplishments from the
previous year or land acquisition.
20
Again, during the season, the harvest goal may be adjusted for a variety of reasons, i.e. response to
unanticipated natural events or significant changes in reconnaissance data or as otherwise stated above.
On the Bayfield County Forest, the primary annual differences in sustainable harvest goals are a result of
a variety of factors, some of which include: improved reconnaissance information, a significant increase
in the number of stands reaching management age (particularly in the aspen, red oak and red pine types),
the inclusion of harvest goals for the swamp hardwood and swamp conifer timber types (types that were
excluded from consideration in the past), adjustments in the management approaches of the aspen, red oak
and northern hardwood timber types, and general modifications as a result of stand level responses to
previous treatments.
In 2015, the county purchased 1,855 acres of industrial forest lands with the assistance of the Knowles
Nelson Stewardship grant. The county also included 747 acres of county owned, non-county forest lands,
as a match. In total, 2,602 acres were added to the county forest program. These acres will naturally
provide an increase in harvest levels, particularly in the red pine type.
In 2016 (actually completed in 2017), the county purchased another 200 acres of land previously owned
by the Wisconsin DNR. Over the past two years, the county has added about 2,800 acres to the county
forest. Much of this land has immediate management potential and will have a modest impact on short
and long term sustainable harvest goals.
Since 2006, the sustainable harvest goal has increased by approximately 50%; from 3,134 acres to 4,707
acres in 2018.
Figure 1 displays the total sustainable harvest goals over the last eleven years (since 2008).
Over the past decade, the sustainable harvest goal has changed significantly. The peak harvest goal was
in 2012, with a target of 5,238 acres. This was primarily due to the addition of numerous older,
backlogged stands. Now that many of the backlogged stands have been managed, the annual sustainable
harvest goal should hover between roughly 4,500 and 5,000 acres per year.
Figure 1
21
Maximizing the sustainable management of the county forest was a primary goal heading into calendar
year 2011. As displayed in Figure 1, the average sustainable harvest goal from 2011 through 2017
increased by over 1,250 acres per year, when compared to the average goals from 2006 through 2010.
The significant increase in the sustainable timber harvest targets created a substantial increase in the
amount of time required to successfully accomplish the goal. In addition, numerous other forest
management responsibilities increased over the same time period creating a significant deficit in time
required to accomplish both annual and long term goals.
To address the deficit, one full time forester position was added to the staff in early 2011. The impact of
the additional forester was immediate (see Figures 2 and 3 below). In addition, a recreation forester
position was created in 2013. Initially, roughly 20% of this position’s workload was dedicated towards
various forestry related activities.
However, as the recreational footprint of the Department and subsequent responsibilities have increased
significantly over the past few years, the amount of time this position has to dedicate towards forestry
activities is almost nil.
Figure 2 displays the annual sustainable harvest goal, accomplishment and sold timber sales from 2008
through 2018 (2017 and 2018 are estimates):
Prior to 2011, the Department averaged 45 timber sales, covering 3,044 acres per year. The average total
winning bid value for those sales was approximately $2.36 million. Since 2011, the Department has
averaged 57 sales, covering just over 4,500 acres. During that time, the average total winning bid values
have basically doubled, to over $4.62 million. The total winning bid values peaked in 2015, at just over
$6.5 million!
Figure 3 displays the total sold value of timber sales and actual revenues from stumpage (harvested
timber) from 2008 through 2018 (2018 is a conservative estimate):
Figure 2
22
Bayfield County has generated roughly $5.0 million in total stumpage revenue in each of the last three
years (2015, 2016 and 2017), which is a stark contrast to the average $2.285 million collected between
2007 and 2010. However, this trend is not expected to continue. Total sold timber sale values have
decreased significantly since the peak in 2015. The average total sold timber sale values were roughly
$5.5 million between 2014 through 2016. The total sold value for 2017 was approximately $3.72 million,
a decrease of nearly $1.8 million (or roughly 32%).
General Information of Timber Sale Revenues
When analyzing timber sale revenues and the results from previous timber sale offerings, general patterns
develop that allow the Department to estimate when to expect proceeds from existing contracts. In
general, roughly 45% of the revenue generated during any calendar year comes from contracts sold during
the previous year. Approximately 20% comes from those sold during the current year, 20% from two
years prior, 10% from three years prior and the rest beyond that.
For example, based on the above model, the general expectation is the 20% of the revenue generated in
2018 will come from sales sold in 2018 (which is an unknown); 45% from sales sold in 2017; 20% from
sales sold in 2016; 10% from sales sold in 2015 and the rest from 2014 and 2013. In essence, markets and
weather conditions are primary drivers of timber sale activity, both of which are extremely difficult to
predict.
Referring to Figure 3, the banner stumpage revenues received by the Department in calendar years 2015,
2016 and 2017 were, in part, a result of very strong markets from the year’s prior (timber sale bid values
were at an all-time high in 2015). CY 2017 was a poor market comparatively. As a result, and assuming
an average or slightly better market in 2018, the general prediction is a significant decrease in sale of
wood revenues for 2018, by as much as 20 to 30%.
Township Payments
Ten percent of the total stumpage revenues generated from the county forest are distributed to Townships
that contain county forest land. Distribution is prorated and based solely upon the total amount
(percentage) of acres located within each Town. In 2017, that total amount is predicted to be around
$500,000 (based on a stumpage revenue stream of approximately $5.0 million). Prior to 2013, towns
received an average annual total payment of roughly $220,000. In addition to the mandated 10%
stumpage payment, towns also receive an annual PILT payment (payment in lieu of taxes) from the state,
at a rate of $0.30 per acre.
Figure 3
23
For 2018, the budgeted 10% payment to the Town is set at $323,000 (based on a stumpage revenue budget
of $3.23 million).
Maximizing the sustainable harvest of the forest has numerous benefits. Not only does it have the
potential to significantly increase revenues, but it also supports numerous local jobs, fosters new job
growth, provides additional recreational opportunities, provides exceptionally well managed products to
local wood industries, improves forest health and productivity, protects water quality and
creates/maintains a diversity of wildlife habitat.
More Sustainable Harvest Information and Green Tree Retention
During the timber sale establishment process, scheduled stands are examined to determine if they are
indeed ready for management. Traditionally, some aren’t, leading to approximately 5 to 10% of the
sustainable harvest goal being removed from management consideration.
In general, some stands either aren’t ready for management, are typed incorrectly or are removed from
future management consideration for another reason i.e. riparian/wetland protection, steep or inoperable
slopes, special, rare or unique features, etc. Stands that simply aren’t ready for treatment are re-scheduled
for future management. Stands that are used to protect wetlands and other riparian, sensitive, unique, or
special features are permanently removed from future harvest consideration.
• After removing approximately 5 to 10% from harvest consideration, the long term net sustainable
harvest goal (actual timber sale establishment) will range between roughly 4,000 to 4,500 acres per
year. Based on the sustainable harvest goal for 2018, the expectation is that approximately 4,300
to 4,400 acres will be ready for management, which equates to about 2.5% of the forest. Over the
long term, when only considering the net sustainable harvest goal, management (in the form of a
timber sale) will occur on roughly 2.3% to 2.6% of the forest per year.
Additionally, as part of the timber sale process, a representative portion of most stands are purposely left
unmanaged, termed green tree retention (also called legacy tree, reserve tree, etc). This can be
accomplished by leaving individual trees or small patches (remnants) of the previous stand or a
combination of the two. Green tree retention can also be incorporated as part of other reasons to leave
stands unmanaged i.e. BMP’s for water quality, unique/special features or aesthetic considerations.
• The goal for green tree retention is to reserve roughly 3 to 10%, of the original stand area, as
unmanaged, scattered individual trees or remnant small patches, on each timber sale.
However, due to the nature of some stands or forested communities, green tree retention is not always
considered or feasible. For example, jack pine stands/barrens require intensive management to maintain.
Remnants of older trees provide vectors for insect or disease outbreaks that can be devastating to newly
developing stands. For that reason, green tree retention is not applied wherever threats to young
regenerating stands exist (primarily jack or red pine) or when the regeneration of target species would
otherwise be compromised.
The retention of reserve trees (or green tree) can provide numerous benefits, all of which ultimately
contribute to the conservation of biological diversity. Among other benefits, these structures facilitate the
perpetuation of some biota (plant and animal species and genotypes) on site. They can maintain
landscape connectivity by enabling the movement of some organisms. Reserve trees also influence
reorganization and recovery processes after a timber sale, as well as help to sustain functional roles and
modify the post disturbance environment.
24
Green tree retention in stands that required significant amounts of riparian protection can add up to be
substantially greater than the upper threshold of 10%. It’s fairly common to see retention levels at 25% or
greater in stands with heavy riparian protection measures. Finally, green tree retention really only applies
to stands that are managed with more intensive even aged practices i.e. clearcutting, seed tree harvesting,
etc. Stands that are thinned, already leave behind more trees than those that are harvested. Of the 2.3% to
2.6% of the forest that is managed over the course of a year, roughly 55% is managed with more intensive
even aged harvests.
It’s worth noting that a substantial portion of the forest has already been removed from future timber
management consideration. Roughly 11,000 acres, or about 6% of the forest, have been designated and
removed from the scheduling process. The reasons for removal are numerous, many of which having
been previously mentioned, and primarily include: riparian/wetland protection; conservation of rare or
unique landscapes (i.e. Glacial Kettles and Shultz Swamp); and protection of sensitive slopes (primarily in
the clay plain).
It should also be noted that, regardless of market conditions or budget shortcomings (or anything for that
matter), the sustainable harvest goals have never been, nor ever will be, artificially inflated or adjusted.
Quite simply, it is what it is, all based on sound data and science.
Timber Sale Administration
Since 2011, the Department has sold an average of 57 new sales every year (covering about 4,500 acres
per year). This number has ranged from a low of 53 sales in 2012 and 2017 (though still covering an
average of 4,500 acres) to a high of 64 sales in 2016 (which covered nearly 4,800 acres). Timber sales are
sold on a two-year contract. Extensions may also be granted, which can extend a contract up to a period
of four years (and, in some cases, longer).
Depending on the sale restrictions of the contract, markets, seasonal conditions, etc., a contractor can
choose to go active on a timber sale at virtually any time throughout a given year. Once a timber sale
goes active (actually slightly before), the Department immediately begins the administration process.
Timber sale administration is a critically important facet of any forest management program, as it serves
to ensure field operations are in compliance with the contract and accomplishing the goals of the sale. On
a routine and regular basis (from the start of the contract to the end), Department staff work directly with
timber harvesting contractors on all facets of the sale, including, but not limiting to: timber sale contract
review, harvesting parameters and restrictions, goals of the timber sale, road and skid trail layout,
recreational concerns (if any present), Best Management Practices for Water Quality, monitoring of sale
progress, tracking and scaling of harvested timber, etc. As part of the process, if any issues or concerns
arise, they are dealt with promptly, as per the contract.
A total of 60 timber sales were active in 2017 (down slightly from the 74 that were active in 2016).
Activity can be highly variable and may include, but not limited to: timber harvesting, forwarding,
scaling, hauling, summarizing mill slips/scales, making stumpage payments or timber sale close-out
actions (i.e. road work, final inspections, site repairs, etc).
Timber sale activity can last anywhere from a period of a few weeks to a few months to most of a year,
depending on the size of the sale, harvesting restrictions, operating conditions and the general goals of the
contractor. As of the end of CY 2017, the Department has 130 timber sales under contract, with 33
25
different contractors and a total contract value of nearly $11.5 million. During any point in the year,
anywhere from around 10 to upwards of 20, or more, timber sales can be active at one time.
The Assistant Administrator assumes the lead role in the administration of all active timber sales. When
activity ramps up, Department foresters and the DNR will provide some assistance.
FOREST INVENTORY
Correct, up-to-date stand information is imperative in the development of accurate short and long term
sustainable harvest goals. There is a direct correlation between the quality and accuracy of the
reconnaissance data and the ability for forest managers to confidently develop precise short and long term
sustainable harvest goals. The accuracy of any sustainable harvest goal is only as good as the data from
which it was derived. Therefore, it is important to update a certain level of stand information on an
annual basis.
Table 2 summarizes the inventory goal (compartment and stands) and actual accomplishments since 2008
(accomplishments for 2017 and 2018 are estimated):
Table 2: Bayfield County Forest Inventory (acres)
Year Goal Accomplishment
2008 17,000 9,807
2009 10,000 2,872
2010 10,000 4,079
2011 10,000 9,728
2012 10,000 8,135
2013 10,000 9,316
2014 10,000 8,552
2015 12,500 16,868
2016 12,500 8,367
2017 12,500 12,500
2018 12,500 12,500
Average 11,545 9,339
Starting in 2014, the Department began an emphasis on updating select individual cover types rather than
entire compartments, though a few compartments were still reviewed. In 2014, the two major cover types
targeted for update were mature stands of red oak and mature stands of jack pine. One primary goal of re-
inventory was to develop a system to better prioritize the future management of these two types.
In 2015 and 2016, the target species was the remaining stands of mature red oak (and developing
strategies/plans for northern hardwood), for similar reasons. In total, approximately 2,600 acres of mature
jack pine was re-inventoried in 2014 and approximately 9,000 acres of red oak (all mature stands) were
re-inventoried between late 2014 and early 2016.
26
In 2017, the emphasis was placed on stands of northern hardwood. Site quality, and, subsequently, stand
quality are highly variable within the northern hardwood type. As previously stated, the prescription
applied to nearly every stand of northern hardwoods, by default, has been all-aged management
(individual tree selection). While this prescription is often applied over much of the cover type, it is
arguably not sustainable on many of the low end moderate, and nearly all of the poor quality sites.
Northern hardwood re-inventory will continue in 2018. The overall goal of re-inventory is to better
capture site and stand quality as part of the silvicultural prescription. Accurate data that, in part,
incorporates site/habitat quality, growth potential and responses to previous management is an essential
part of the prescription development process.
Once the northern hardwood re-inventory is complete, it is anticipated that the total acreage slated for all-
aged management will decrease slightly, with a small increase in even-aged management (especially on
the poor to moderately poor quality sites). However, the use of group selection as an alternative to the
traditional individual tree selection method may be applied on moderate to poor
Northern hardwood re-inventory will continue in 2018. The overall goal of re-inventory is to better
capture site and stand quality as part of the silvicultural prescription. Accurate data that, in part,
incorporates site/habitat quality, growth potential and responses to previous management is an essential
part of the prescription development process.
Once the northern hardwood re-inventory is complete, it is anticipated that the total acreage slated for all-
aged management will decrease slightly, with a small increase in even-aged management (especially on
the poor to moderately poor quality sites). However, the use of group selection as an alternative to the
traditional individual tree selection method may be applied on moderate to poor quality sites. This will
maintain a more uneven-aged structure and allow mature stands to perpetuate on the landscape (and
maintain structural diversity).
Swamp hardwood will be the next forest type slated for re-inventory. Roughly 3,000 acres are currently
typed as swamp hardwood. In Bayfield County, swamp hardwood primarily contains a mixture of black
ash and red maple as the dominant types, with the former being the most prevalent.
One primary objective of re-inventory in swamp hardwoods will be to locate stands of high priority (for
management). In part, these would be stands that contain significant levels of mature or over-mature
aspen; those that have been previously un-managed and in need of treatment; or those exhibiting higher
levels of mortality, crown die-back or disease. Another objective will be to determine the overall density
of the ash component.
With the threat of Emerald Ash Borer looming (both Douglas and Sawyer counties have been
quarantined), it’s extremely important to locate all stands that have a significant ash component
(particularly important in preparation for impending EAB infestations) and, subsequently, to develop short
and long term plans/objectives for management.
Once the remaining stands of northern hardwood have been re-inventoried, the attention will shift to
swamp hardwoods.
• The total update goal for 2018 will remain 12,500 acres. Of that, roughly half will be in the form
of compartment updates. The remaining will be in the form of stand updates, primarily northern
hardwood and swamp hardwood. Since 2001, 188 of 202 compartments, totaling 152,199 acres
have been updated. The goal is to re-inventory the remaining 14 compartments over the next 2 to
3 years. Once completed, a 15 year, modified re-inventory cycle will be re-implemented.
27
When updating entire compartments, priorities will be placed on those that contain a larger percentage of
old data (≥20 years old), as well as those that contain a larger percentage of stands prescribed for
management in the near future.
Continuous Forest Inventory (CFI) and Forest Regeneration Metric (FRM) Programs
Starting in 2018, the Department will begin the development of a new long term forest monitoring
program, termed continuous forest inventory (or CFI for short). As part of the program, a total of 670
permanent plots will be randomly located throughout the forest. The plots will be established throughout
all cover types on the forest and will conform with Wisconsin DNR CFI protocols. The Wisconsin DNR
will be providing some assistance in the establishment of the program, particularly in the early stages.
Establishing 670 permanent plots, county forest wide, will provide a sampling error not to exceed 5%
across all timber types and 10% within each two-inch size class, up to 17 inches in diameter. Establishing
CFI plots at this level of intensity equates to about 1 plot for every 260 acres of forest land.
The primary purpose of implementing a permanent and continuous forest inventory is to collect
statistically sound stand information that will be used to report on the status and trends of the forest. The
multitude of data that will be collected as part of every plot will be used to track variables like, but not
limited to: forest extent, forest cover (by type), volume, growth, quality, mortality, removals,
regeneration, habitat, health (both at the stand level and forest wide), carbon sequestration, invasive
species, soils, down woody debris, biomass, insects and disease, herbivory, and more.
Current reconnaissance or forest monitoring efforts provide a stable foundation, but information gleaned
from CFI will take it to the next level. In addition, CFI will not replace the need to continue monitoring
the forest on a stand or compartment level basis. However, CFI will cover a broader depth of forest
attributes; will provide significantly greater analysis and reporting capabilities; and will supplement
information obtained through annual and routine reconnaissance.
Forest regeneration sub-plots will also be incorporated as part of the CFI. The Department is currently in
the process of implementing/fine tuning a system of forest regeneration monitoring, utilizing the WDNR
Forest Regeneration Metric (FRM), on all stands that have received management, where regeneration is a
primary goal (also in the process of developing a sub-sample for the aspen type). Regeneration data
obtained from CFI will be used to supplement the already exhaustive FRM information that will be
collected, by the Department, at the stand level.
Continuous forest inventory will also produce a wealth of information to assist in the planning and
decision making processes (both short and long term). Factors and/or questions like annual volume
growth per cover type, product and/or quality development, responses to forest management, extent of
invasive species, impacts of insects and/or disease, impacts of climate change, etc., will all be attainable
with the statistically sound information gleaned from CFI.
The goal is to establish all 670 plots over a two-year period (335 plots in both 2018 and 2019), as
complete implementation in one year is unrealistic. Data collection will begin at year one (starting in
2018), with a goal of completing the initial data collection phase in three years (roughly 223 plots per
year). Starting at year four, all plots would be placed on a five-year re-measurement schedule (roughly
134 plots per year).
A new position was created within the Department to, among other things, manage both the CFI and FRM
programs. The position will start around the first of February 2018 and will be titled Inventory and
Analysis Forester. In addition to managing the CFI and FRM programs, this position will also be charged
28
with performing various analyses of the data; the management of various databases; the development of
various summaries and reports; and numerous other field forestry related tasks.
REFORESTATION
Reforestation, be it natural or artificial, is a core building block of forest sustainability and a fundamental
component of any forest management program.
A successful reforestation program provides numerous benefits, some of which include: the restoration of
forest productivity, fertility and environmental function; the assurance of a perpetual, sustainable supply
of forest resources and amenities for future generations; the protection of soil and water quality; and the
establishment and development of quality wildlife habitat.
Table 3 summarizes the reforestation efforts since 2010. The values for 2010 – 2016 are actual, 2017 are
estimated and 2018 are planned:
Table 3: Bayfield County Forest Reforestation Program Summary 2010 - 2018 (acres)
Seeding Monitoring
Red Pine Jack Pine White Pine Other1 Jack Pine Trench Fire Plow Scarify Spray Fire Spray Bud Cap TSI2 Regen
2010 367 196 0 0 0 363 118 0 420 42 305 0 0 2,183
2011 319 153 35 68 0 900 88 0 186 21 324 0 0 1,424
2012 295 107 274 0 0 0 177 120 727 32 609 0 0 2,736
2013 281 174 92 0 558 264 0 40 0 0 449 239 0 2,522
2014 0 0 0 0 0 503 20 115 264 0 273 239 0 2,929
2015 62 0 129 0 202 717 0 99 634 0 0 239 0 2,337
2016 203 39 0 0 393 570 0 102 492 0 0 239 0 2,580
2017 36 2 0 0 460 279 0 115 585 0 0 71 46 2,931
2018 134 0 0 0 523 275 0 200 295 0 0 68 60 4,500
Avg.189 75 59 8 237 430 45 88 400 11 218 122 12 2,682
1 In 2011, tamarack and white spruce.
2 Timber stand improvement.
Year Planting Site Preparation Maintenance
Spring Planting
The planting program has changed significantly since 2013. Between 2008 and 2013, an average of 350
acres of red pine, 210 acres of jack pine and 70 acres of white pine were planted every year. Since 2013,
the average has been 110 acres of red pine, 10 acres of jack pine and 30 acres of white pine. In addition,
prior to 2013, 0 acres of jack pine was artificially seeded. From 2013 through 2018, an average of over
350 acres of jack pine has been seeded per year.
The primary reasons for the changes in the reforestation program (planting and seeding) are as follows: 1)
re-planting of the old fuel break areas has been completed. The last remaining piece scheduled to be
reforested (144 acres) was seeded to jack pine in 2016; 2) a general lack of previously open areas, which,
29
in the past, were planted to red pine; 3) a lack of mature red pine stands that are ready for regeneration; 4)
movement towards primarily jack pine regeneration in the Barnes Barrens Management Area; 5) an
emphasis on seeding when attempting to regenerate jack pine; and 6) much of the acreage planted during
the early 2000’s was in direct response to severe defoliation and subsequent mortality related to an
outbreak of jack pine bud worm.
As mentioned above, one direction over the past decade plus was to reforest some of the previously
established fuel breaks. The breaks were/are located in the barrens area, south of Iron River and north of
Barnes. These breaks were approximately ¼ mile wide by a few miles long and were maintained as
primarily open grasses. In theory, the breaks would provide a first level of defense if an intensive wild
fire were to occur. Portions of the break still exist near the Potawatomi sub-division, but a majority of the
breaks have now been reforested.
In total, roughly 1,300 acres of old fuel break have been reforested, primarily to red pine, but also some to
jack pine. Approximately 350 acres still exist near the sub-division. As part of the local wildfire
mitigation plan, the Department now incorporates wider harvest corridors along road rights of way in an
attempt to increase the defensible space (the goal is to maintain a grass or fuel free zone at least 50 feet in
width on each side of a town road corridor). Also, an additional fuel break road (averaging 100 feet in
width) was established between Barnes and Weldon roads, to provide another level of defense in an area
where some private development exists.
In 2017, 36 acres were planted with containerized red pine, at a rate of roughly 800 seedlings per acre
(with a total of approximately 30,000 seedlings). Two acres of jack was also planted with containerized
stock, at similar densities.
In 2018, approximately 134 acres are scheduled to be planted with red pine. These sites will all be
planted with containerized stock at rates of approximately 800 per acre (total of about 108,000 seedlings).
In the future, the general expectation is that red pine plantings will hover between 100 and 200 acres or
less per year. White pine under plantings will vary, depending on the availability of suitable sites. While
jack pine will be planted when it’s determined to be more advantageous to do so (typically on sites of
relatively small acreage, where seeding is more difficult or on sites that require more intensive site
preparation due to excessive competition or other similar concern).
The Department will also continue to analyze red pine to determine if there is a need to begin regeneration
harvests sooner, in an attempt to evenly distribute age classes over the landscape. If so, annual harvests,
and subsequent reforestation levels, would be adjusted accordingly.
Spring Seeding
The seeding program also changed significantly over the past few years. Before 2013, the Department
had generally moved away from artificial seeding. Starting in 2013, the Department began implementing
objectives that were developed in the Barnes Barrens Management Plan. Among other things, the plan
identifies a preference to regenerate a jack pine dominated landscape (within the Barrens area), with
artificial seeding as the preferred reforestation method. Seeding is preferred primarily because of the
potential to create a more naturally regenerating landscape (higher levels of variability and diversity).
Before a site is seeded it needs to be mechanically prepped and usually sprayed. This provides a better
seedbed for the delicate jack pine seed to germinate and develop. Also, adequate acreage needs to be
available before local contractors are interested in the work. Many of the acres that were trenched in 2016
were also sprayed in 2017. These sites would then be seeded in 2018.
30
The timing of timber harvests also has a direct impact on how many acres will be available for
reforestation. As previously stated, timber sales are sold under two year contracts. The contractor can
request up to two - one year extensions (meaning it can take up to four years to complete the sale).
In 2018, approximately 483 acres will be seeded with jack pine and 40 acres with a mixture of white pine
and white spruce (523 acres total), using a total of about 131 pounds of seed (seeded at a rate of roughly 4
ounces per acre). All jack pine seeding will occur in the Barnes Barrens area, while the white pine and
spruce will be added to a poor quality stand of previously managed northern hardwoods in the Barnes, in
an attempt to increase species diversity (at very little cost). This will mark the first attempt at direct
seeding white pine and/or white spruce from an airplane. As per routine practice, the site will be
monitored regularly to determine success. Generally speaking, all seeding is accomplished aerially, in
coordination with DNR aircraft and pilots.
Site Preparation
In 2018, approximately 275 acres are planned for site preparation via power trenching, 295 acres will be
treated with chemical and 0 acres will be fire plowed.
Site preparation goals reflect the amount of known sales that have been completed within the past year
(and are in need of site prep). Occasionally, a few more timber sales are completed in time for addition to
site prep goals. When that happens, the goal is adjusted accordingly, as budgets allow.
In addition, approximately 200 acres of red oak, paper birch and/or northern hardwoods will be scarified,
usually with a dozer and straight blade. Scarification will facilitate the natural regeneration of red oak and
paper birch, as well as reduce competition from non-desirable species, such as ironwood and, in some
stands, red maple. This work is generally accomplished by DNR staff, with DNR equipment. If fire plow
sites become available in 2018, there may be some additional acres treated, again, as budgets allow.
Release
On occasion, young regenerating stands, whether reforested naturally or with artificial means, need a little
assistance. Competition from other trees or vegetation can significantly reduce growth rates, negatively
impact species density and diversity, and, in some cases, if not treated, result in partial or complete failure
of the reforestation activity. As part of the routine and regular monitoring program, stands are examined
to determine if additional inputs by the Department are needed to help with development (if needed, the
activity is generally termed release).
In general, the Department has used three different forms of competition control, or release, to help
achieve desired stand objectives: spraying (use of chemicals), timber stand improvement, or TSI, which
uses hand held power tools (i.e. brush saws, chainsaws, etc.) or prescribed fire.
Spraying is most common when treating plantations, generally red pine, and is prescribed on an as needed
basis. Occasionally, young plantations need treatment in order to release seedlings from undesirable
vegetative competition. This release can significantly increase seedling growth and improve the rate of
survival. In 2018, it is anticipated to 0 acres will be treated for release. However, through routine and
regular monitoring, a few stands may be determined to require release. If so, these stands will be treated
as budgets allow.
The prescribed burn program, for the regeneration and/or maintenance of specific timber types (typically
red oak), is still under review to gauge the effectiveness of fire. As a result, 0 acres will be burned in
2018, though the DNR still maintains portions of the fuel break via prescribed fire.
31
Currently, roughly 190 acres of existing fuel break, along Blue Lake and Island Lake roads, in the Town
of Barnes, is scheduled for maintenance via prescribed fire. This work is accomplished by the DNR with
DNR staff and equipment. Department staff may provide some assistance with prescribed burning.
Timber stand improvement may also be prescribed on regenerating stands in need of maintenance. In
2017, 46 acres of northern hardwood stands were treated with brush saws to release desirable
regeneration. This marked the first time the Department used contract crews to treat a regenerating stand.
In these northern hardwood stands, undesirable species (primarily ironwood) were severed to release the
more desirable maple, red oak and birch. Failure to do so has the potential to significantly decrease
species diversity, reduce the growth and development of desirable tree species, and negatively impact the
future production of the stand.
In 2018, approximately 60 acres of northern hardwoods and/or red oak will be treated with contract TSI
crews. The goals will be similar i.e. targeting the removal of dense ironwood to release desirable tree
species. Routine and regular monitoring may reveal additional stands in need of treatment. If so, these
stands will be managed as budgets allow.
In the future, it is anticipated that TSI will become more routine and will be required to improve the
growth potential and survival of desired regeneration in many previously managed hardwood stands i.e.
northern hardwoods, red oak, birch, etc., as well as some conifer stands (primarily white pine under
plantings). Other forms of mechanical release are also constantly being explored (i.e. mowing, dozer and
straight blade, etc.) and may be prescribed if deemed feasible, as budgets allow. CFI and FRM will help
to reveal the extent to which TSI will be required, as well as to monitor the impacts/results of previous
treatments.
Seedling Protection
Starting in 2013, the Department used bud caps to protect young jack pine seedlings from browsing by
white tailed deer. In total, 239 acres were bud capped. This literally involves stapling a 3”x 3” piece of
copy paper over the terminal bud/leader of each planted seedling. The reason: plantation monitoring in
this area has shown signs of excessive deer browsing. Failure to protect the seedlings could lead to
plantation failure. Bud capping would need to be repeated every year until the seedlings are beyond the
reach of the deer, which typically takes 3 or 4 years. Currently, the focus is on stands that are planted
with containerized jack pine (as these seedlings are a little more nutrient rich when compared to bare root
stock or natural regeneration).
These same stands were capped in 2014, 2015 and 2016. A few stands reached the desired height and
were removed from capping in 2017. As a result, only 71 acres were capped in 2017. A similar amount
of acreage will be capped in 2018. The bud capping goal for 2018 is 68 acres.
Because most of the jack pine in the future will be regenerated via seed, bud capping will most likely only
be used when absolutely necessary, and mostly on jack pine stands that were planted with containerized
stock. However, regeneration is monitored on a routine and regular basis. If plantations of red pine or
underplantings of white pine or other similar reforestation attempts are experiencing similar browsing
issues/pressures, these stands may also be bud capped, as budgets allow.
The Department also maintains two large scale deer exclusion fences on the forest. Both were constructed
with eight foot tall, high tensile woven wire. A 29 acre exclusion is located south of Oulu and was
installed during the spring of 2007. While a 50 acre exclusion is located south of Cable and was installed
during the fall of 2008. Both fences were constructed on stands being actively managed for red oak. Both
32
locations are routinely monitored to study the growth and development of regeneration and to better
understand the potential influences of browsing by deer.
Both fence locations have also been recently harvested, where the overstory was removed to allow
established regeneration to recruit. Each site will continue to be monitored to evaluate the effectiveness
of the fence. The fences will also be maintained throughout this process, with the goal of eventual
removal once seedlings have established and attainted dominance.
A few smaller scale fences (less than ¼ acre in size) have also been constructed on the forest. These are
much smaller in size, but still intended to monitor the impacts of excessive browsing by white tailed deer.
As we monitor regeneration in stands of northern hardwoods (and red oak), small exclusion fencing may
also be installed around canopy gaps as a way to monitor regeneration and potential browsing impacts.
This will occur as time and budgets allow.
Natural Regeneration
The majority of stands managed by the Department regenerate naturally i.e. they do not require site
preparation, planting or seeding in the reforestation process. In 2018, thousands of acres, across a variety
of forest types, will be naturally regenerated. The exact amount is solely dependent on the total number of
acres previously harvested.
Forest types such as northern hardwoods and aspen regenerate naturally via seed, stump sprouting and/or
coppicing (vegetative sprouting from existing root system) and require very little additional input from the
Department. However, the natural regeneration of hardwood forest types such as red oak and paper birch
often require additional Departmental maintenance efforts.
As previously stated, reforestation can be accomplished by either natural or artificial means. Table 3
above tracks annual reforestation accomplishments, but primarily as they pertain to artificial regeneration
or when additional inputs were required by the Department (i.e. site preparation, release, bud capping,
etc.). Subsequently, most of the monitoring listed in Table 3 is centered around stands that were
reforested artificially, those that also received additional inputs from the Department, or when the
establishment of adequate and/or desirable regeneration is a concern i.e. excessive deer browse issues,
most oak harvests, most white birch harvests, and some northern hardwood gaps (primarily where site
quality is marginal and/or competition from ironwood is excessive).
Examples of additional inputs to aid in the natural regeneration process include: pre or post sale site
scarification to prepare a favorable seed bed and reduce competition, pre or post sale burning, TSI to
reduce competition from undesirable tree seedlings and/or prepare favorable seedbeds, and deer browse
protection i.e. fencing, repellents, etc. to improve the tree seedlings chance of survival. These additional
inputs occur when issues or opportunities arise and are treated on a case by case basis, as budgets allow.
Every stand that is managed by the Department is ultimately reforested. However, not all treatments are
regeneration harvests. Some stands are thinned, where a small portion of the trees are removed, typically
with the goal of improving development on the higher quality stems left behind. Termed even-aged
thinnings (also improvement or intermediate harvests), these treatments generally target the removal of
the poorest quality trees; those that exhibit poor form and/or vigor; and undesirable, diseased or otherwise
unhealthy individuals.
During the thinning process, trees are also removed to improve the development of adjacent higher quality
stems, that are also competing for the same limited resources i.e. light, nutrients, water, etc. Stands that
33
are managed with even-aged thinning practices are ultimately regenerated, but only when approaching the
designated rotation age for that species.
Natural regeneration (either from seed or vegetatively via root suckers or stump sprouts) is the preferred
method of reforestation in all hardwood types (i.e. aspen, birch, northern hardwood, oak), as well as some
stands of conifer (primarily swamp conifer i.e. tamarack and black spruce, as well as some stands of white
pine).
Hardwood types such as red oak and paper birch are reforested primarily with even-aged treatments (i.e.
shelterwood, seed tree and/or clearcut) and typically require additional inputs from the Department to
facilitate the natural regeneration process. Site preparation, competition control, the manipulation of light,
timing of seed dispersal, etc all need to be considered when regenerating red oak and white birch. As a
result, these stands are monitored more intensively, as regeneration can be highly variable and the
Department may need to act quickly if the stand is not responding to the treatment.
Hardwood types such as northern hardwood (typically dominated by sugar maple and basswood, and
sometimes with components of yellow birch) can be managed with even or un-even aged techniques.
Maple isn’t as unpredictable as red oak and typically doesn’t require additional inputs from the
Department to encourage adequate regeneration. However, when implementing un-even aged treatments
(i.e. when gaps or small groups are incorporated to initiate a new cohort or age class), the Department is
discovering some issues with the process of natural regeneration.
On moderate or poorer quality northern hardwood sites, competition from ironwood has been a growing
concern. Deer exacerbate this problem, as repeated browsing slows growth (and can eventually kill the
tree) and allows less desirable or undesirable (i.e. ironwood) species to attain and maintain dominance.
Gaps or groups comprise a relatively small percentage of the stand (typically 10 to 25%), so it doesn’t
take a large population of deer to eventually locate and browse the seedlings.
Poor/slow growth rates on the residual trees, and inadequate recruitment of regeneration into the
overstory, are also significant concerns on these lower quality sites. As a result, most northern hardwood
stands that are treated with gaps or groups are monitored intensively. Additional inputs may be required
to facilitate the natural regeneration of desirable hardwood seedlings (i.e. site preparation or TSI).
Other hardwood types, such as aspen, regenerate prolifically after harvest and rarely require additional
inputs or follow-up from the Department. These stands are regularly monitored as part of the
Department’s reconnaissance program. However, due to concerns with the potential impacts of a
warming climate, the Department is in the process of establishing a more intensive monitoring program
for regenerating stands of aspen.
Quaking aspen has been identified as one of many timbers type that could be negatively impacted due to
changes in the climate. Stands developing on marginal sites are more inherently stressed and could be
most at risk (i.e. sites that are nutrient poor). Monitoring will cover a cross section of habitat types, but
will prioritize stands developing on sites classified, by the Department, as marginal or nutrient poor.
However, a subset of aspen sites, developing throughout all habitat types (poor to high), will also be part
of the regeneration monitoring process.
For every stand, when a management prescription is developed, goals/plans for reforestation or
regeneration are included as well. How a stand will regenerate is a critical facet of the process (more
precisely, a mandatory part of the process). As part of the forest management prescription, reforestation is
basically categorized or classified in one of three ways: 1) with natural regeneration as the reforestation
34
goal; 2) with artificial regeneration as the reforestation goal; or 3) as an even aged thinning (or
intermediate treatment), where reforestation will come at a later date.
Table 3a summarizes the general management or reforestation goals for every completed (closed out) sale
from 2011 through 2017 (total sales sold are also included). An important distinction between Tables 3
and 3a: Table 3 summarizes the actual reforestation activity that was physically accomplished per year;
while Table 3a summarizes the planned reforestation activity that will occur in the future, once a timber
sale has been closed out (which may take multiple years to fully realize).
Table 3a: Summary of Reforestation Activities on Completed Timber Sales (acres)
Year Natural Reforestation1 Artificial Reforestation2 Thinnings3 Total Completed Sales4 Total Sales Sold
2010 1,404 364 486 2,254 3,218
2011 2,408 672 745 3,824 4,156
2012 1,515 265 939 2,719 4,782
2013 1,493 803 1,040 3,335 4,177
2014 3,010 574 1,238 4,821 4,388
2015 2,730 811 888 4,428 4,958
2016 2,146 180 943 3,269 4,750
2017 1,721 558 753 3,032 4,101
Average 2,053 528 879 3,460 4,316
1 Natural reforestation refers to stands that will regenerate via seed located naturally on site, or vegetatively via coppicing or stump sprouts.
2 Artificial reforestation refers to stands that will be physically planted or seeded by the Department.
3 Thinnings encompase stands that were treated with all-aged management (where portions of a stand will regenerate naturally), as well as
intermediate harvests, where stands are eventually reforested at a specific rotation age (either naturally or artificially).
4 Timber sales that have been completed or closed-out with the calendar year.
A timber sale is considered completed when every component of the contract has been met, to the
satisfaction of the Department. This includes harvesting, hauling and stumpage payments, as well as all
road maintenance and/or closure or other similar requirements.
Timber sales are sold under two year contracts and can be extended for another two to three years (and
sometimes more). At any point during the contract period, a timber sale can go active. Once active, it is
common for a contractor to harvest a portion of the sale and then move off, leaving more to harvest at a
later date. It’s also common for activity to carry over into another calendar year. A timber sale can still
be classified as active even if all harvesting, hauling and stumpage payments have been met, but other
contractual obligations are still outstanding i.e. road work or other similar requirements.
In Table 3a, the acres of completed sales are highly variable, ranging from a low of 2,254 in 2010 to a
high of 4,821 in 2014. However, acreage of sold timber sales remains relatively constant, as have
stumpage revenues, which have hovered around $5.0 million in each of the last three years (2015, 2016
and 2017).
Of the completed sales, since 2010, a vast majority are regenerated naturally, with an average of over
2,050 acres per year. An average of 528 acres are reforested artificially and 879 acres are treated with
even-aged thinnings (or intermediate treatments). Red pine and red oak are the two most prominent
timber types that receive intermediate treatments.
Seedling Counts (including the Forest Regeneration Metric)
All planted and seeded sites and many areas that were regenerated naturally require survival or
regeneration counts. Monitoring the development of newly regenerating stands is an integral part of the
reforestation process. Data collected from the counts are used to assess the development of the stand in a
35
variety of ways, some of which include: determine stocking levels of desired tree species; survival and
quality of regenerating seedlings; degree/intensity of undesirable competition; existence of insects and/or
disease, and, if present, extent of threats/impacts to the stand; impact of herbivory, if present; and
anything else of note. All of which provides valuable information when determining the effectiveness of
the reforestation activity, if any additional inputs by the Department will be required to achieve the
desired future condition and the next management prescription for the stand.
Seedling counts are generally administered at one, two, three, five and/or ten years, or some combination
thereof, after the regeneration activity on most planted and seeded sites. Seedling counts on naturally
regenerating hardwood stands are typically administered two to four years after harvest (depending on the
forest type) and also include one to two additional surveys to determine success. Some stands may
receive additional monitoring after 10 years of age, especially if issues are discovered or if stands aren’t
responding to treatment.
Over the past few years, the Department has work closely with the WDNR in the development of a Forest
Regeneration Metric (FRM), primarily for the assessment of sites regenerating naturally (primarily
hardwoods). The metric was established, in part, to develop general survey methodology designed to
assess natural regeneration by seedling and sapling size classes, thus providing a better, more scientific
way to quantify results and discover/address potential issues.
Not unique to Bayfield County, the WDNR created the metric to be utilized by all foresters as an
additional measure during routine stand assessments. This type of metric can be used to characterize and
quantify stand-level regeneration or be used in multiple stands to distinguish reforestation efforts by cover
type on a county, regional, or statewide scale. If adopted by multiple agencies, it will also provide an
opportunity to analyze regional trends, across ownerships, by providing a framework that allows for direct
comparisons of data.
Another primary responsibility of the newly created Inventory and Analysis Forester will be to develop,
establish and implement a forest wide regeneration monitoring program utilizing the FRM methodology.
Work has already begun on stands of northern hardwood, red oak, and paper birch, but the goal will be to
expand monitoring to all stands, throughout all forest types. In addition to northern hardwoods, red oak,
and birch, this will include monitoring aspen, scrub oak, swamp hardwoods, swamp conifer, and any other
stand that will be regenerated naturally.
The sampling of every stand of regenerating aspen is neither practical, nor feasible. As previously stated,
much of the initial focus will be on stands regenerating on nutrient limiting soils, either very dry or wet.
Sampling protocols for aspen will be established in 2018, with the goal of monitoring a representative
cross-section of stands developing on every general location/habitat type.
• In 2018, seedling counts will be administered on approximately 4,500 acres. Roughly 1,300 acres
of sites that were regenerated artificially (planted or seeded); and roughly 3,200 acres of sites
regenerated naturally. Because the regeneration monitoring program is being re-developed and
expanded, utilizing FRM, the goal may fluctuate accordingly.
In addition to determining the general success of the reforestation activity, other specific goals of
regeneration monitoring will include, but not be limited to: identifying stands that may require additional
inputs i.e. mechanical scarification, TSI, prescribed fire, etc.; more intensive observation on cover types
that are typically difficult to regenerate i.e. red oak, paper birch, as well as stands where competition from
undesirable species has traditionally been more prevalent i.e. ironwood in stands of northern hardwood;
and quantifying the presence and intensity/level of deer browse, especially important in cover types that
36
have a history of being over browsed i.e. red oak, paper birch (as well as gaps within northern hardwood
stands).
FRM will be a component of the continuous forest inventory and incorporated as part of that program
(which, as previously described, will also be developed and implemented in 2018). Between FRM and
CFI, Bayfield County will have a myriad of stand and landscape level information that will be used in all
future forest management planning processes.
Prescribed Fire
Prescribed fires has traditionally been used to maintain portions of the fuel breaks located in the Township
of Barnes, as well as to facilitate natural red oak reproduction in stands located throughout the county
forest.
In 2018, 0 acres of forested stands will be treated with prescribed fire, where the goal is to facilitate the
regeneration of certain tree species i.e. red oak. However, portions of the existing fuel breaks may be
treated with fire, if conditions allow. Fuel break burns are coordinated by the DNR.
In 2018, in addition to the 190 acres of fuel break maintenance, roughly 307 acres within the core of the
Barnes Barrens Management Area will be burned. County staff has always been invited to assist in the
process and generally do, if time allows.
WILDLIFE PROJECTS
A number of wildlife projects will again be undertaken in 2018. The majority of wildlife habitat
improvement work conducted on county forest land will be accomplished utilizing funding from
Wisconsin DNR grant programs, specifically, the County Conservation Aids and Nickel-an-Acre
programs.
The Nickel-an-Acre program reflects a change from the previous Dime-an-Acre funding. As indicated in
the name, the program funding was cut in half starting in 2010 and will continue to be funded at a nickel
an acre into the foreseeable future. The County Conservation Aid grant requires a 50% county match on
eligible projects.
The Conservation Aids project for 2018 have yet to be determined. There traditionally has been
approximately $3,993 available for eligible projects. Additional monies may also be available, as
determined by the total amount of unallocated funds. If additional funds are available, the Department
may apply for more assistance.
The Nickel-an-Acre grant totals roughly $8,467. This grant has been used to fund a variety of County
Forest wildlife projects in the past.
Potential projects for 2018 could include, but are not limited to:
• Site prep for and seeding of jack pine in the Barnes Barrens Management Area.
• Mechanical and/or chemical treatments for wildlife opening maintenance (currently roughly 100
acres combined per year).
• Wildlife habitat development/improvement throughout the forest.
• Mechanical site prep for natural white birch, red oak or northern hardwood regeneration.
• Prescribed burning of wildlife openings and oak regeneration areas.
• Fish habitat projects.
37
• Habitat projects on old homesteads.
• Wildlife monitoring.
• Breeding bird surveys.
• Land acquisition.
• Trail development and renovation (primarily for hunting access).
• Trail mowing and/or game opening maintenance.
• Equipment purchase (where the equipment would have a specific benefit wildlife habitat).
• Invasive species control and eradication.
• Deer exclosures for red oak regeneration (fencing).
• Seedling protection (bud capping, spraying, etc.).
Any of the above listed projects, or those of a similar nature, could be implemented in 2018, generally as
conditions and funding allow.
ACCESS MANAGEMENT
The revised Access Management Plan (Chapter 700) was finalized and approved in 2013.
Implementation of the Plan began in 2014 and will continue through 2018. The focus will be on the
placement of road and trail markers, informational signage, minor repairs of existing roads and trails,
evaluation of and potential changes to current use designations and the installation or removal of
restrictive features (i.e. berms, gates, etc.) to manage motorized access.
Also, the Department will monitor existing road and trail infrastructure to determine future use status or
need. All new roads created as part of a timber sale will also need to be reviewed to determine the future
use status. Motorized and non-motorized uses are consistently increasing. The Department will continue
to address recreational needs and requests on a case by case basis.
Repair and maintenance of the infrastructure will occur on an as needed basis, as funding allows. Road
building projects may also be developed, especially on those that receive high levels of use, are located in
more sensitive areas in need of minor attention, and/or provide access into current or future timber sales
and have the potential to increase future stumpage prices. Road projects can be performed by Department
staff, DNR staff or general contractors.
The Access Management plan will also be reviewed periodically to determine effectiveness and/or in
response to general feedback. Any and all proposed updates to the Plan will be presented to the
Committee for review and approval.
The Department will continue to maintain roughly 40 miles of Primary Forest roads, for which we receive
DOT County Forest Road Aids (currently $336/mile, which is pro-rated based on available funding). The
Department will also continue to identify, plan and/or develop additional forest roads and trails, as the
need arises, for later entry into the County Forest Road program.
The Department also maintains an abundance of private temporary access permits. These permits
authorize a landowner the right of ingress and egress to privately owned land, through the county forest.
Permits are temporary, generally good for a period of ten years, and must be renewed upon expiration (or
sale of the property). If approved, the permitted landowner must maintain the approved access road as
outlined in the agreement. Every year, the Department approves anywhere between 6 to 10 temporary
access permits. Permitted access roads are generally monitored
One primary goal heading into 2018 will be the development of a more effective plan for monitoring the
extensive road and trail infrastructure. The creation of the Inventory and Analysis Forester position will
38
provide added flexibility to more effectively allocate workloads and prioritize the implementation of the
access management plan.
BAYFIELD COUNTY FOREST PLAN
The existing County Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan for the period 2006 – 2020 may be amended to
reflect changes and/or updates. Some items that may require updating in 2018 include, but are not limited
to:
• Integrated Resource Management Unit (IRMU) summaries.
• IRMU boundaries.
• Barnes Barrens Management Plan summary.
• Timber sale contract language.
• Firewood permit language.
• Miscellaneous forest products permit language.
• Timber sale rutting policy.
• Forest certification (addition of FSC).
• Silvicultural revisions/updates on individual forest types.
• Updates to specific sections of the Plan.
There were some general expectations that updates to the Comp Plan would have begun in 2017.
However, that did not happen. The development of two new programs (CFI and expansion of FRM) will
consume a considerable amount of time in 2018. However, there may be an opportunity to begin the
update process in 2018. If so, it is not fully known which sections will be updated first. Chapters 600
(Protection), 500 (Land Management and Use) and 800 (Integrated Resource Management) are all high on
the priority list. All updates would be addressed by the Committee, will incorporate a level of public
input/involvement and eventually be addressed by the full Board for final approval.
RECREATION (on County Forest Lands)
The Department will continue to work with the County Tourism Department and interested user groups
regarding recreational activities occurring on the county forest. The demand for recreational use on
county forest land continues to increase.
Over the past few years, the Forestry and Parks Committee has approved numerous re-routes of
snowmobile and ATV trails, the construction of new, and re-routes of existing, mountain bike and cross
country ski trail networks, numerous improvements to existing hiking, mountain bike and cross country
ski trails and an expansion of the shooting range off North Boundary Road to include a trap component.
Requests to host events on trails located within the forest continues to increase as well. Some of the more
notable events that utilize portions of trails located on the forest include: the American Birkebeiner Cross
Country Ski Race, the Chequamegon Fat Tire Mountain Bike Race, the Cable Area Off-Road Classic
Mountain Bike Race and the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race. Over the past few years, the Department
(Committee) approves an average of approximately twenty (20) organized events per year that utilize
trails located on the county forest.
The Department also maintains land or recreational use agreements or leases with a variety of
organizations, some of which include: the American Birkebeiner Association, CAMBA, North Country
Trail Association, North End Ski Club, Ashwabay Outdoor Education Foundation, National Fish
Hatchery, Town of Barnes, ABC Sportsmen’s Club and more.
39
In general, the use agreements highlight specific areas or trails within the forest and outline management
or use requirements expected from each organization. Use requests are treated on a case by case basis and
require approval from the Committee.
Requests for new or improvements to existing motorized and non-motorized trail systems are expected to
continue in 2018 and beyond. Requests for additional trails will be treated on a case by case basis, as per
the Access Management Plan.
Counters have been installed in a variety of settings to determine actual use of certain trails and/or areas.
Data received from these counters will provide the county with valuable information needed to determine
future direction. Additional counters have been purchased and will continue to be installed throughout the
forest to monitor usage in 2018.
Throughout any given year, the Department will explore additional opportunities to enhance and improve
the recreational use of the forest. Existing networks are routinely analyzed and areas are explored for new
or improved recreational potential. Some potential projects for 2018 include:
1. Finish minor repairs and signing of the Lost Creek Falls Trail. Due to an abundance of trail use,
the Department may also install a temporary portable restroom at the Lost Creek Falls trail head.
Access to the stream will be re-assessed in 2018. Steps or similar structures may be required to
accommodate the intensive amount of use this trail receives. Over the past few years, this trail has
received significant upgrades by the Department. Since the upgrades, use of the trail has increased
substantially. Counters installed on the trail before and after the upgrades have verified the
increase in use: from an average of about 2 users per day (before upgrades), to an average of
around 20 users per day (after upgrades), with a peak use of over 80 users per day (around 4th of
July weekend).
2. Continue routine maintenance of the two newly constructed yurts on County Forest land. During
the summer of 2016, one yurt was constructed in the Cable area and one near Mt. Ashwabay.
3. Construct the third yurt about ½ mile north of the existing yurt at the Bayfield location. Layout
and amenities will be about the same as the current structure, i.e. 20 foot yurt, extensive deck,
woodstove, two bunkbeds, outdoor fire pit, pit toilet/privy, lean-to for firewood storage, bear proof
box, numerous picnic tables. Will share the same parking area as the existing yurt, which may
require a minor amount of expansion. This location will also be made available for rent through
Airbnb, in a similar layout and manner as the existing units. Price will also be the same, currently
$65/night.
4. Re-evaluate the Jolly trail network. As part of the process, determine existing uses and future
direction. Also re-explore partnerships with the Ashwabay Outdoor Education Foundation, as well
as the Town of Bayfield, regarding future maintenance and/or grooming of the trails. As part of
the assessment, upgrades to existing features, including the trail and parking lot may be required,
as budgets allow.
5. Explore the potential of creating new, or improvements to existing, multi-use, non-motorized trails
at numerous locations including: the Glacial Kettles Area, Spring Creek Area, Lost Creek Falls,
the Menard Road Area and/or other locations throughout the Forest where good potential exists. It
may also require submitting applications to one or more grants, to assist in any requirements
related to planning, development or construction. Pursue as time and funding allows.
6. Explore the potential of improving or expanding the existing motorized trail networks on public
and private lands (both state funded and non-funded). This may require collaborating with other
public land managers i.e. USFS, DNR, etc., the Red Cliff Tribe, interested user groups and the
general public. It may also require submitting applications to one or more grants, to assist in any
40
requirements related to planning, development or construction. Pursue as time and funding allows.
7. Explore the potential of creating dispersed rustic camping sites on other portions of the county
forest. Pursue as time and funding allows.
8. Develop and implement strategies for advertising and/or promoting recreation on the county
forest. This may include collaborating with the Tourism Department, as well as other agencies or
local businesses where tourism is a primary objective. Pursue as time and funding allows.
9. Create a new recreational trail development and maintenance strategy, with an emphasis on
identifying critical trail connections and areas for new construction or enhancement. The plan
would/could include strategies for both motorized and non-motorized recreation, as well as the
development of incentives or other appreciation type programs for private landowners when trails
are located on private land.
10. Continue working with existing user groups on the management of approved trails located within
(or otherwise connected to trails located on) the forest. This could include assistance, both
financially and/or physically, associated with the construction, maintenance or development of
new or existing trails and trail heads. Also includes consultation and collaboration regarding
potential re-routes or other issues pertaining to the management of the trails. Will be working with
the dogsled group in the north to develop a similar rec use agreement.
11. Continue working with the ABC Sportsmen’s Club with regards to the newly revised shooting
range lease. The Club operates and maintains a shooting range, on county forest land, off North
Boundary Road in the Town of Bell. As part of the new lease agreement, the Club will be
required to submit annual reports to the Department summarizing range use, soil testing and lead
reclamation activities (if any). Also, in 2018, the Club may begin construction of a trap range,
assuming all applicable permits have been acquired, located adjacent to the shooting range.
12. Update the GIS database to accurately reflect the location and relevant information regarding all
currently approved motorized and non-motorized trails, trail heads, recreational structures and
access routes on the forest.
13. Continue the development and installation of interpretive signs and/or kiosks along popular or well
used trails or areas. The goal of the signs would be to convey information regarding any timber
management that did or will occur in the general proximity of the recreational trail or area. The
signs would be fairly general in nature and intended to provide baseline information regarding
forest management. Pursue as funding allows.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Insects and Disease:
The DNR and Department are continuing to monitor the effects of forest insects and diseases, including,
but not limited to: jack pine budworm, two-lined chestnut borer, emerald ash borer (though not currently
located on the forest, but both Douglas and Sawyer counties are under quarantine), gypsy moth, oak wilt
(though not in this county), annosum root rot (now called Heterobasidion root disease or HRD for short)
and more. If sites containing a significant amount of insect infestation or disease are discovered, they will
be monitored for damage and/or mortality. Depending on the level of damage, prompt management may
be required. As new threats are encountered, the Department may need to alter management plans
accordingly.
Gypsy moth numbers, and subsequent defoliation, had been previously observed in very high numbers in
the Bayfield Peninsula. The greatest numbers were initially discovered along higher elevations located in
the general vicinity of Jammer Hill and Echo Valley Roads. Red oak and aspen are their preferred
primary food sources and are the most susceptible to potential mortality, especially the suppressed and
over mature individuals (red oak being of most concern). Significant defoliation of red oak and aspen
occurred in these areas during the summer of 2012.
41
However, egg mass numbers declined dramatically in 2013 and remained low in 2014 and 2015, and
relatively low in 2016 and 2017, indicating that defoliation may only be minor in 2018 and beyond. As a
result, we will resume all red oak management in the areas where egg mass counts were high in 2012
(currently IRMU’s 1 and 8). If gypsy moth numbers significantly increase in 2018, oak management may
be adjusted accordingly. If oak management is reduced in specific units, the sustainable goal in all other
units may be adjusted accordingly.
The Department is continuing to work with the DNR regarding up to date information and management
recommendations, as well as determining the best course of action regarding general forest management
practices in the face of a threatening gypsy moth defoliation event or any other impending impacts by
insects or disease.
Emerald ash borer (EAB) was discovered in Douglas County and, most recently, in Sawyer County, our
neighbors to the west and south. As a result, those counties have been quarantined, meaning, in general,
that there are now restrictions on the movement of wood. To date, EAB has not been discovered in
Bayfield County. However, based on current locations, discovery in Bayfield County is inevitable.
In general, ash contributes less than 0.5% of annual stumpage revenues and is present, as a dominant
forest type, on less than 1.0% of the county forest. Other than targeting ash a little more often during
management (and encouraging the regeneration of other suitable species), Bayfield County is not
expecting a major change in forest management practices if/when EAB is found on the forest, though the
movement of ash products would be regulated if/when quarantined. However, the re-evaluation of swamp
hardwood stands has been identified as a top priority in 2018. The density of ash will be one of the major
criteria collected as part of the re-evaluation, as will be different forms of reforestation.
Invasive Species:
The Department routinely inspects roads and timber sales for the presence of invasive species. If located,
a plan for treatment is developed. The presence of invasive species (both native and non-native) is
relatively rare on the forest, though treatment efforts have steadily increased over the past decade. The
Department typically treats a few small patches of land per year.
The most common non-native invasive species treated on the county forest are buckthorn (in the forest)
and spotted knapweed (on roads and trails). Black locust has been the most common native invasive to be
treated on the forest, typically occurring in small isolated patches in the vicinity of old, abandoned
homesteads.
Treatments have traditionally been performed by Department staff, usually involving chemicals. In
general, the Department treats less than 10 acres of invasive species per year. In 2018, that number is
expected to be as high as 40 acres of buckthorn and up to 40 acres of black locust. Consequently, it may
become necessary to contract out treatment, especially if other Department activities require more time or
become higher priority. All occurrences are managed on a case by case basis, as funding allows.
In 2014, the Department received a Sustainable Forestry Grant for the treatment of spotted knapweed on
50 miles of forest roads in the Barnes Barrens Management Area. The project was completed in 2015.
However, spotted knapweed maintains a persistent and viable seedbed for around 7 years, meaning
multiple successive treatments are required to reduce the population.
The same 50 miles of road was treated in 2016 and 2017 (actually 52.5 miles in 2017), and will be treated
again in 2018. The long term goal is to use herbicide to manage and eventually eliminate (or significantly
42
reduce) knapweed in the area and, hopefully, prevent any further spread into the barrens. To date, the
treatment has been a success, as knapweed has already been significantly reduced. In addition, the
amount of chemical used to treat the same 50 miles of road and significantly declined with each treatment.
The project focuses on roads that are the most heavily infested, but more still needs to be done.
Permits:
Every year, the Department reviews numerous requests to utilize portions of the Forest. Requests vary,
but the most commonly include: providing access to private lands; providing access to land or trails for
hosting organized recreational events; collecting balsam boughs; and collecting firewood. All requests are
treated on a case by case basis and are typically handled with a use permit.
Table 4 summarizes the total permits and approvals issued by the Department from 2008-2017 (2017 is an
estimates):
Table 4: Bayfield County Forest Summary of Issued Permits and Approvals
Fire Balsam Christmas Birch Disabled
Wood Boughs Trees Twigs Hunting
2008 360 8 0 1 0 2 9 3 1
2009 423 5 1 1 0 0 10 3 1
2010 436 5 1 1 0 3 10 3 2
2011 503 7 1 6 0 9 10 10 2
2012 441 6 1 7 0 8 12 7 2
2013 406 16 13 3 2 6 17 6 2
2014 486 9 6 4 1 7 21 5 2
2015 394 8 5 5 0 10 18 9 1
2016 331 10 3 4 0 6 17 10 1
2017 285 19 1 4 0 7 16 6 1
Avg.407 9 3 4 0 6 14 6 2
* specifically advertised for jack pine cones in 2013
Cones*Access StorageYearEvents
Many of the permit templates are old or outdated. The Department will periodically review existing
permits, including permit fees, or identify the need for new ones and bring all recommendations to the
Committee for review.
Town Road Aids:
In 2010, Bayfield County developed the Town Road Aid Fund. This fund was created to help improve
problem areas on Town Roads that provide critical access to the County Forest. Town Road Aids were
initially funded at 1% of total annual timber sale revenues (enacted once actual revenues exceed the
budgeted amount). Starting in CY 2014, Bayfield County increased the funding level to 2%, with a cap of
$80,000. As a result, $80,000 has been available for eligible Town Road projects in each of the last four
years (2014-2017).
It is anticipated that $80,000 will again be available in 2018. All projects are submitted to the Department
and ultimately approved by the Forestry and Parks Committee. The Department works closely with each
Town in the development and administration of each potential project.
Land Transactions (Acquisition and Sale):
The Department will continue efforts to acquire private properties on a willing seller, willing buyer basis,
when advantageous to the long term goals of Bayfield County. A priority will be given to land located
43
within the existing county forest blocking.
In December 2014, the Department received preliminarily approval for two Knowles-Nelson Stewardship
Land Acquisition Grants. The grants were officially awarded in June 2015. As a result, Bayfield County
purchased 1,392 acres from Meteor Timber and 463 acres from Lyme Timber. Additionally, the county
provided a match of 747 acres of county owned, non-county forest land. In total, 2,602 acres of land was
added to the county forest.
By using the appraised value of county owned land as the required match, the Department can tailor
projects that significantly reduce (or eliminate) out of pocket expenses. The Meteor Timber and Lyme
Timber acquisition projects totaled roughly $2.616 million (including the cost of land, appraisals and
other associated fees). The county received approximately $2.265 million from the Stewardship grant
(primarily from the appraised value of matched lands). As a result, the county spent roughly $350,000,
out of pocket, to purchase over $2.6 million in productive forest land.
The county still maintains ownership of approximately 245 acres of non-county forest lands that could be
used as a match in future Stewardship projects. These properties were appraised at $423,000, meaning
they would have roughly $211,500 worth of buying (match) power (as per the Grant, properties owned for
more than one year are valued at ½ of the appraised assessment). In addition, the county also owns over
3,000 acres in the Bibon Swamp. These properties may also be used as a match and enrolled in county
forest law as special use lands.
As previously mentioned, in late fall 2016, the county purchased another 200 acres of land previously
owned by the Wisconsin DNR. Combined, these two acquisitions have added 2,800 acres to the county
forest.
In 2018, the Department will prepare and present another large Stewardship acquisition project, utilizing
the above mentioned county owned properties as a match. Assuming favorable appraisals on the match
lands, as well as fair pricing on the purchase properties, the Department will be able to develop a grant in
the neighborhood of $3.0 million.
As part of the Stewardship grant application process, the county forest blocking boundaries may also need
to be modified (all properties included as part of the grant, either as a match or a purchase, must be
located within the County Board approved county forest boundary). The primary goals of land acquisition
are to further improve the efficiency of county forest management by consolidating (or blocking) lands
within established county forest blocking and to provide additional public benefits through the purchase of
forest land or special and/or unique areas. County forest blocking boundaries were traditionally arbitrarily
placed, based primarily on the current location of county forest lands. If a parcel of interest (to purchase)
or match property is located outside the current boundary, the blocking will be adjusted accordingly.
The grant would also include $80,000 from the most recent sale of land to the Red Cliff Band of Lake
Superior Chippewa (80 acres was sold to the Tribe in 2017 as part of the recently ratified MOU between
Red Cliff and Bayfield County). An additional 80 acres of land is currently in the process of being sold to
Red Cliff. If the timing works, proceeds for that sale will be added to the grant application as well. No
additional out of pocket costs by the county are expected as part of the Stewardship grant.
If approved and awarded, the Stewardship grant would utilize the appraised value of 3,040 acres of county
owned land within the Bibon Swamp and a little over 261.25 acres of county owned forested properties, to
purchase approximately 2,350 acres of privately owned forest land. All lands identified as part of the
project would be enrolled in county forest law, meaning over 5,600 acres could be added to the county
44
forest.
As previously mentioned, the County will also continue to engage with Red Cliff regarding the future sale
of county forest land to the Tribe, as per the MOU. Such transactions will be treated on a case by case
basis. Other requests to purchase land will also be treated on a case by case basis. All proceeds from the
sale of county forest land will be re-invested in land, and enrolled in county forest law.
Forestry and Parks Department Garage and Equipment
Periodic and general maintenance will be required on the newly constructed Forestry and Parks
Department garage (construction finished in the fall 2014), including minor work on the grounds and
landscaping.
The Department maintains a sizeable fleet of vehicles, implements and equipment, including, but not
limited to:
1. Nine (9) 4x4 pickup trucks.
2. Five (5) ATV’s.
3. One (1) UTV.
4. Four (4) snowmobiles.
5. One (1) bat wing field mower and one (1) trail mower.
6. One (1) 2002 115 hp New Holland TM115 tractor, with end loader.
7. One (1) 2006 John Deere 450J bulldozer.
8. Two (2) light weight trailers.
9. Numerous site prep implements including Brackee seeders, anchor chains, and various plows.
10. Numerous power tools, saws and trimmers.
The repair and maintenance on any of the above listed items could occur at any time during CY 2018. All
repairs are treated on a case by case basis, as budgets allow. Major repairs (or replacements) may require
funding that would exceeded budgeted amounts. If that occurs, additional requests for funding will be
brought to the Committee and full Board.
Management of Other Bayfield County Owned Lands:
Currently, Bayfield County owns approximately 2,000 acres of county tax title lands, not including lots
and other small parcels, in addition to the above listed county forests lands. Also, the county owns
approximately 3,000 acres of land located in the Bibon Swamp.
On occasion, the Department will monitor these parcels for land and/or timber sales, monitor for potential
trespass issues, negotiate road, utility and recreational easements or permits and explore for sand and
gravel potential. As new parcels are acquired, typically through tax delinquency, the Department will
commonly inspect for timber management potential and/or for potential retention and enrollment into
county forest law.
Good Neighbor Authority:
The US Forest Service has been authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with states to carry out
approved forest, rangeland and watershed restoration services, including timber sales, on federal land, as
per the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA). Under a cooperative agreement between the US Forest Service
and the DNR, the DNR may conduct forest management activities on federal lands. Further, the DNR
may contract with a county for the purposes of conducting forest management activities on federal lands,
as outlined under the GNA agreement.
45
Recently (fall 2015), the DNR and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF) signed a ten year
GNA Agreement, which will be reviewed annually to update the scope of work, as well as to identify
additional timber and restoration treatments. The partnership enables the CNNF to more fully implement
their forest plan and increase the amount of timber offered for sale. The goal for the CNNF in FY 2017 is
to again reach 100 million board feet in timber sales. Through the GNA, the DNR has a goal of assisting
the CNNF in accomplishing approximately 25 million board feet (roughly 5,500 acres) of additional
timber sales in FY 2017 (that may not have been established otherwise).
The DNR anticipates 15 to 20% of the timber sale work identified under the Agreement to be
accomplished by interested counties. If interested, a county can decide their level of involvement, which
could include the use of existing staff or hiring part time employees. Counties would be reimbursed for
all expenses, including salary, fringe, supplies and service costs, and overhead. Also, if interested, each
county would need to adopt a resolution, which approves entering into an MOU with the DNR. As per
the MOU, each county would be required to enter into a GNA program contract with the State, which
describes the level of involvement and project budget (i.e. rates of reimbursement).
In spring 2016, Bayfield County entered into a GNA MOU with the DNR. As part of the MOU, the
county agreed to become a contractor of the state, with the ultimate goal of assisting in the establishment
of timber sales on federal land. Program contracts are established with the state on an annual basis and
subject to a mutually agreed upon scope of work. The Department will continue to work with the state on
the development of annual GNA program contracts.
The scope of work defines the level of involvement the Department is willing to provide, outlines general
goals and expected accomplishments and establishes an estimated budget. All salary, fringe, supplies,
services and overhead costs, contributed by the county as per the GNA program contract, are reimbursed
by the state. All work provided by Department staff related to GNA will come as overtime, as the
Department has no time to spare during normal business hours. The scope of work is subject to annual
revisions and Department involvement will be highly dependent on opportunities located within the
Washburn Ranger District.
In 2017, the county entered into a program contract with the DNR to manage 675 acres of red pine (20
stands) on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (Washburn District). It was estimated that 971
hours would be required to establish the timber sales. The program contract runs through June 2018.
In 2018, it is anticipated that the Department will allocate another 750 to 1,000 hours of time towards the
establishment of timber sales on federal land within the Washburn Ranger District. Again, this would be
as overtime (and totally dependent upon interest from Department staff), which would be identified and
reimbursed as such under any GNA program contract signed with the DNR.
PARKS
The management of all Bayfield County parks and campgrounds was assigned to the Forestry Department
in September 2010. The four parks and campgrounds include:
1. Twin Bear Campground
2. Delta Lake Campground
3. Big Rock Campground
4. Atkins Lake Park
Since 2010, numerous changes and upgrades have been made to many of the campgrounds. Some of the
more significant improvements include:
46
1. Twin Bear Campground
a. Complete electrical rebuild and upgrade throughout entire campground.
b. Repair of all major outbuildings and cabin.
c. New fishing pier near the beach area.
d. New ADA ramp construction near beach area.
e. Creation of new tent camping site.
f. Re-establishment of sand beach.
g. Re-establishment of the parking area near the beach, including the installation of a french drain
to better control runoff.
h. New individual gas water heaters for each of the three showers.
i. New playground equipment near the beach area.
j. Re-surfacing of walking path near Puig’s Point.
k. New wireless high speed internet access throughout the entire campground.
l. New locks/keysets on all outbuildings (all keyed the same).
m. Added canoe and kayak rentals (though temporarily discontinued in 2017).
n. New seasonal mooring dock.
o. New transient mooring dock located near the seasonal docks.
p. New overflow parking area located near the dump station.
q. Installed new fencing and gravel pad next to the garage (for outdoor storage).
2. Delta Lake Campground
a. Complete re-grade on nearly all existing campsites.
b. New playground equipment near beach area.
c. Two new fishing piers.
d. Repair of all major outbuildings.
e. New electric added to remaining campsites.
f. New wireless high speed internet access throughout the entire campground.
g. Installation of new mooring dock and small picnic area.
h. Modifications to the ADA ramp/path.
i. New locks/keysets on all outbuildings (all keyed the same).
j. Added canoe and kayak rentals (though temporarily discontinued in 2017).
k. Repair of walking path near the playground.
l. Repair of beach area.
3. Atkins Lake Park
a. New boat launch ramp installed in 2017.
All parks and campgrounds undergo routine cleanup of brush and downed trees on a regular basis. Parks
and campgrounds are also regularly inspected for hazard trees and branches, which are removed as
needed. The removal of hazard trees or branches typically occurs when camping is inactive, usually in the
late fall or early spring. Most of the trees are cut up and left on site to be used as firewood. Every year,
there will be some removal of hazard trees and/or branches
Some anticipated projects or minor repairs needed to the parks and campgrounds in 2018 include:
1. Twin Bear Campground
a. Continue hazard tree removal and overhead branch mitigation, as needed.
b. Inspection of retaining walls on a few campsites for future repair.
c. Re-grade on a few existing campsites and road surfaces.
d. Explore the need to add gutters on the cabin store to divert water away from the entrance to the
building.
47
e. Explore the potential for two new tent campsites on the hill behind shower building. Clear
area and remove hazard trees. Develop as funding allows.
f. Assist campground manager in some routine maintenance of the grounds, as time and funding
allows.
g. Install/re-establish speed bumps at multiple locations.
h. Install fencing around new electrical box near garage.
i. Assess potential to improve ventilation in the shower building. Mold and mildew buildup are
constant issues and current overhead venting may be inadequate. Proceed as funding allows.
j. Continue routine replacement of numerous old picnic tables, as needed.
k. Transplant trees from hill behind the shower building to the perimeter of the beach to provide
future shade.
l. Draft and implement a noxious weed mitigation plan for the campground. Continue to monitor
for new infestations. Treat as required.
m. Continue monitoring existing infrastructure, repair as needed and as budgets allow.
2. Delta Lake Campground
a. Evaluate the condition of all primitive toilets in the campground. Replace as necessary and as
budgets allow.
b. Explore the potential for tent camping on county owned island.
c. Some minor clean up and rehabilitation of grounds may still be necessary after the winter
2014/2015 timber sale, which removed all hazardous trees.
d. Re-grade a few existing campsites and road surfaces.
e. Explore the potential for a new fishing pier off the end of the access path near the beach.
f. Assist campground manager in some routine maintenance of the grounds, as time and funding
allows.
g. Assess potential to improve ventilation in the shower building. Mold and mildew buildup are
constant issues and current overhead venting may be inadequate. Proceed as funding allows.
h. Continue routine replacement of old picnic tables, as needed.
i. Continue monitoring existing infrastructure, repair as needed and as budgets allow.
3. Big Rock Campground
Repairs, upgrades, improvements and short/long term planning will be a priority at Big Rock in
2018. A total of $25,000 has been budgeted for maintenance and trail development. Some of the
priorities will include:
a. Explore the potential of adding a covered pavilion near entrance of campground, though
building a pavilion was not funded in 2018.
b. Minor repair on all access roads and the primary parking lot. Most likely will require
additional surface material.
c. Minor repairs to sections of the primary access trails to the river. Some portions may require
relocation. These are old fisherman trails that were established by use, over a long period of
time. Many are currently unsustainable and in need of maintenance.
d. Assess condition of trees throughout the campground. Develop hazard tree trimming and
removal plan. Many of the large white pine are in need of branch trimming or complete
removal. Pursue as funding allows.
e. Explore potential for rec trail development within the 40 acre county owned parcel. Pursue as
funding allows. This portion was approved for funded in 2018, up to $10,000. Also
collaborate with the DNR regarding the potential to extend rec trails onto adjacent state owned
properties.
f. Re-grade or repair camping pad locations on numerous campsites. Pursue as funding allows.
g. Repair and/or replace the large primary campground sign. Explore new sign designs and
pursue as funding allows.
48
h. Replacement of numerous picnic tables.
i. Repair and/or replacement of many campsite markers.
j. Explore the potential of developing a hike in rustic campsite or yurt on the property.
k. Assist campground manager in some routine maintenance of the grounds, as time and funding
allows.
l. Collaborate with the DNR on a lease, trade or sale of the strip of state owned land on the
eastern most portion of the property. Purchase of this small sliver of land would be preferred.
A very large, dead white pine exists on this piece of state land that needs to be removed, as it is
threatening a campsite and the primary parking area.
m. Possible replacement of a door on one of the bathrooms.
4. Atkins Lake Park
a. Replace sign leading into the park.
b. Assist campground manager in some routine maintenance of the grounds, as time and funding
allows.
c. Brush encroaching trees and vegetation along primary access road into the park.
Numerous unknown issues or projects will undoubtedly surface throughout the year. All unknown issues
will be addressed based on significance and/or importance, as time and budgets allow.
Another primary goal for all parks in 2018 will be the development of short/long term comprehensive
management plans. Among other things, the plans would summarize each park, while fleshing out
short/long term goals, visioning, objectives and priorities.
MOTORIZED TRAILS AND RECREATION (Emphasis on State Funded Trails)
The management of county recreational trails was assigned to the Forestry and Parks Department in July
2013. Primarily, this involves the management/oversight of all state funded motorized trails located on
county and private land (also groom snowmobile trails on federal land). To help accomplish this task,
Bayfield County maintains agreements with the Bayfield County Snowmobile Alliance and local ATV
clubs (and USFS).
Table 5 displays the total miles and annual maintenance funds received from the State of Wisconsin per
trail type:
Table 5: Mileage and Funding For Trails Managed by Bayfield County
Trail Type Miles Rate/Mile Total
Snowmobile 437 $300 $131,100
ATV Summer 86.75 $600 $52,050
ATV Winter 168.15 $100 $16,815
UTV 86.75 $100 $8,675
Total 778.65 $210,305
In addition to the routine maintenance performed on these trails by the Alliance and local clubs, below is a
listing of anticipated Trails projects or issues that may be addressed in 2018:
49
1. Generate a recreational trail development and maintenance strategy, with an emphasis on
identifying critical connections and areas for new construction or enhancement. This may require
input from existing partners and user groups, as well as the general public.
2. Continue to re-establish roles and responsibilities with the BCSA, snowmobile clubs and ATV
clubs.
3. Update contracts with the BCSA and other clubs.
4. Continue to resolve numerous landowner disputes regarding land ownership and/or trail location.
5. Continue to work, along with the County Tourism Department, on building a supportive network
of local chambers, business owners and community members that will help in the financial and/or
logistical support of the Bayfield County trail networks
6. Maintain a database identifying each club and officers, as well as location and mileage maintained
for snowmobile and ATV trails.
7. Develop and maintain a database identifying the location and condition of all bridges, culverts,
gates and outbuildings on snowmobile and ATV trails.
8. Creating a maintenance/inspection schedule for #7.
9. Develop and maintain a database for all existing permits or easements allowing snowmobile and
ATV trails to occur on private land.
10. Develop and maintain a database that categorizes the importance of each trail to the overall
network/community i.e. high, medium, low. The database would help ascertain the importance of
future repair work. For example, a major repair on a trail designated as low importance might not
be a high priority.
11. Combine #’s 9 and 10 to determine where to focus obtaining future easements or access permits.
12. Develop updated permit/easement form.
13. Pursue the concept of compensation to private landowners who allow recreational trails on their
land.
14. Explore the potential to install trail counters at strategic locations throughout both networks (ATV
and snowmobile) in an attempt to gain a better of how each system is used (quantify use).
Understanding the level of use will provide a wealth of information for both short and long term
planning efforts.
15. Continue to pursue 5 acre land acquisition to secure ATV and snowmobile trail access on Trail 7
in the Town of Barnes (DNR ORV grant was preliminarily awarded in 2017).
16. Complete repair work on Trail 1 off Klemik Road (previously awarded DNR Snowmobile grant).
17. Complete minor repair work on Trail 31 north of 43 Road, that was damaged from the heavy July
2016 rain storm (a FEMA project).
18. Assess Trail 31, the portion on county forest land, for potential application of a DNR snowmobile
trail rehabilitation grant. Much of the trail is very wet and in need rehab, including, but not limited
to: beaver mitigation, trail surface improvements, potential trail widening and/or reestablishment
in sections, water management, and treatment of encroaching brush. Proceed as need and funding
allows.
19. Continue coordination with the Snowmobile Alliance and DNR on the implementation of the
newly established Snowmobile Electronic Reports System (SNARS), recently developed by the
state.
20. Compile a list of beaver dam issues impacting trail infrastructure. Coordinate with local trappers
and/or the USDA APHIS Animal Control Services to eradicate the problem animals and destroy
associated dam structures.
The above listed items are known issues or projects that need attention in 2018. All or most of the
projects that will require significant repair work or new construction/installation will be submitted to the
State for potential funding.
50
Numerous unknown issues or projects will undoubtedly surface throughout the year. All unknown issues
will be addressed based on significance and/or importance, as time and budgets allow.
Meet the Staff
The information listed above describes the general Departmental goals and objectives for CY 2018.
Below is a brief background history of Department and DNR staff employed to accomplish those goals (a
new position will be created in 2018, thus increasing the number of staff members by one).
Administrator: Jason Bodine.
a. Experience: Forester with Bayfield County from 2000 to 2009. Administrator from 2009 to
present.
b. Highest Level of Education: Master of Science in Forestry from Michigan Technological
University.
c. Primary Role: administers and manages all aspects of the forestry, parks and recreation programs.
Directs day to day operations and all planning efforts. Supervises all employees working within
the Department.
Assistant Administrator: Steve Probst.
a. Experience: Forester with Bayfield County from 1999 to 2000. Assistant Administrator from
2000 to present.
b. Highest Level of Education: Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from UW Stevens Point.
c. Primary Role: assist the administrator in all facets of the forest management program. Provides
lead field role in all aspects of timber sale administration.
Forester: Mike Amman.
a. Experience: Forester with Bayfield County from 2003 to present.
b. Highest Level of Education: Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources from UW Madison.
c. Primary Role(s): timber sale establishment, forest reconnaissance, reforestation and regeneration
monitoring and database management (GIS and WisFIRS). Assist in other aspects of the forest
management program.
Forester: Andrew O’Krueg.
a. Experience: Forester with Bayfield County from 2010 to present.
b. Highest Level of Education: Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from UW Stevens Point.
c. Primary Roles(s): timber sale establishment, forest reconnaissance, reforestation and regeneration
monitoring and database management (GIS and WisFIRS). Assist in other aspects of the forest
management program.
Forester: Jeremiah Neitzel.
a. Experience: Forester with Bayfield County from 2011 to present.
b. Highest Level of Education: Bachelor of Science in Forest Management from UW Stevens Point.
c. Primary Roles(s): timber sale establishment, forest reconnaissance, reforestation and regeneration
monitoring and database management (GIS and WisFIRS). Assist in other aspects of the forest
management program.
Forester: Jason Holmes.
a. Experience: Forester with Bayfield County from 2012 to present.
b. Highest Level of Education: Master of Science in Forestry from Michigan Technological
University.
c. Primary Roles(s): timber sale establishment, forest reconnaissance, reforestation and regeneration
51
monitoring and database management (GIS and WisFIRS). Assist in other aspects of the forest
management program.
Recreation Forester: Jenifer Bratsch.
a. Experience: Recreation Forester with Bayfield County from 2016 to present.
b. Highest Level of Education: Master of Science in Physical Geography from the University of
Calgary.
c. Primary Roles(s): assist in the management of state funded ATV and snowmobile programs, all
recreation related activities on county forest lands, including all designated non-motorized trails
and yurts, and county owned campgrounds and day use parks.
Forest Technician: John Mesko.
a. Experience: Forest Technician with Bayfield County from 2001 to present.
b. Highest Level of Education: employed in the general field of forest management for over 30
years.
c. Primary Roles(s): heavy equipment operation, road and trail maintenance, repair and construction,
parks maintenance, assist in the timber sale program, assist in the reforestation program.
Office Manager: Patricia Bruno.
a. Experience: Office manager with the Forestry and Parks Department from 2011 to present.
Employed in other departments within Bayfield County from 1994 to 2011.
b. Highest Level of Education: Vocational School Certificate.
c. Primary Roles(s): maintains accounts receivable and payable, prepares vouchers for all
expenditures, manages all accounts and paperwork associated with the timber sale program,
manages and prepares all financial records, statements and reports, provides customer service.
WDNR – County Forest Liaison Forester: Joseph LeBouton.
a. Experience: WDNR - County Forest Liaison Forester from 2011 to present.
b. Highest Level of Education: PhD candidate in the Department of Forestry at Michigan State
University for five years where he studied links between forest landscape composition, white-
tailed deer densities and northern hardwood forests.
c. Primary Roles(s): coordinating the DNR’s contribution to Bayfield County Forest management
activities. The DNR provides the county with enough forest management assistance annually to set
up 25% of the sustainable harvest, perform roughly 50% of the required forest reconnaissance
updates, as well as contribute to road maintenance, forest improvement activities, prescribed fire,
and wildlife habitat improvement projects.
Submitted by Jason Bodine, Forestry & Parks Administrator, December 29, 2017.
A motion was made by Silbert/Fickbohm to approve the Forestry & Parks Department
Operating Work Plan for Calendar Year 2018. Discussion took place on concerns of the red and
scrub oak wilt. The motion carried.
10. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2018-05, Sale of County Forest Land (80 Acres)
to the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and Withdrawal from County Forest Law.
Bodine updated the Board on this Resolution. Bodine went over the maps showing where the lands
are located and discussion took place. The Board dispensed with the reading of the Resolution,
which reads as follows:
52
WHEREAS, Bayfield County received a request to sell approximately 80 acres of County
Forest land to the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (hereafter, the Tribe) in the Town of
Bayfield; and
WHEREAS, County Forest land, described as the E½ SE, Section 2, Township 51 North,
Range 5 West, in the Town of Bayfield, has been identified as the parcel of interest; and
WHEREAS, Bayfield County and the Tribe ratified a Memorandum of Understanding
(hereafter, MOU) addressing lands within the reservation; and
WHEREAS, one goal of the County Tribal Relations Committee is to facilitate the
repatriation of lands within the reservation to the Tribe, while fostering mutual respect and
cooperation; and
WHEREAS, as part of any potential land transaction Bayfield County is subject to
exercising reasonable business judgement in the conveyance of real estate; and
WHEREAS, during their meeting on December 11, 2017, the Forestry and Parks Committee
approved the Tribe’s land acquisition proposal, for the above described property, in the amount of
$1,000.00 per acre, and recommended the issue be sent to the County Board for consideration; and
WHEREAS, as part of the Forestry and Parks Committee’s recommendation to sell the land
to the Tribe, all proceeds from the sale are to be reinvested in forest land and made part of the
County Forest; and
WHEREAS, the sale of County Forest land currently enrolled in County Forest Law is
inconsistent with the purposes set forth in ss. 28.11, Wisconsin Statutes (County Forest Law); and
WHEREAS, any proposal to sell County Forest land will first require filing an application to
withdraw said parcel from County Forest Law; and
WHEREAS, the Forestry and Parks Committee has recommended the sale of the above
parcel, with all proceeds being reinvested in land that would be enrolled in County Forest Law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 30th day of January, 2018, authorizes the Bayfield County Forestry and Parks
Administrator, on behalf of Bayfield County, to make application to the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources, pursuant to Section 28.11(11), Wisconsin Statutes, to withdraw the real estate
described above from the provisions of the County Forest Law (Section 28.11, Wisconsin Statutes);
and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, if the application for withdrawal from County Forest
Law is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Bayfield County Board of
Supervisors approves the sale of the above described property to the Tribe, in the amount of
$1,000.00 per acre; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all proceeds from the sale of the above described
property must be reinvested in forest land that will be enrolled in County Forest Law and made
part of the County Forest and that the Forestry and Parks Department will search for other lands
to add to the County Forest; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the following budget amendments will be made to the 2018
Forestry and Parks Budget:
53
REVENUES:
Increase Land Acquisition NL: 100-34-46813 by $80,000
By Action of the
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
Dennis M. Pocernich, Chair
A motion was made by Miller/Rondeau to adopt Bayfield County Resolution No. 2018-
05, Sale of County Forest Land (80 Acres) to the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
and Withdrawal from County Forest Law. Discussion took place on whether it was consistent with
the MOU, which it is. Chad Abel, representing the Red Cliff Tribe was present to speak to the
Board. The Board allowed him to speak to them. Abel extended his appreciating and stated that
this is benefitting the County as well as the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. Abel also
introduced Gabrielle VanBrugen who has been working along side him for the past 3 years, and will
be more involved as time goes on. A roll call vote was taken as follows: Rondeau-yes; Newago-
yes; Bussey-yes, via telephone; Fickbohm-yes; Maki-no; Oswald-yes; Silbert-yes; Pocernich-
yes; Strand-yes; District #9 vacant; Coughtry-absent; Miller-yes; Crandall-yes. Total: 13,
10 yes, 1 no, 1 absent, 1 vacant. The motion carried.
11. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2018-06, 2017 Year End Budget Amendments in
the Forestry & Parks Department. Bodine explained that Bayfield County is required to
distribute 10% of het timber sale receipts to towns that contain county forest lands and this
Resolution is allowing for that payment. The Board dispensed with the reading of the Resolution,
which reads as follows:
WHEREAS, as per Wisconsin State Statute 28.11(9)(d), Bayfield County is required to
distribute 10% of net timber sale receipts to towns that contain county forest lands; and
WHEREAS, the 2017 expense budget for the 10% net timber sale receipts due to Towns
(100-34-56125-50590) was $310,000.00; and
WHEREAS, the 2017 revenue budget for county forest stumpage (100-34-46811 & 100-34-
46815) was $3,100,000.00; and
WHEREAS, the actual county forest timber sale revenues for CY 2017 was $5,009,892.32;
and
WHEREAS, the required 10% timber sale payment due to the towns totaled $500,989.23;
and
WHEREAS, the required 10% timber sale payment to the towns exceeded the expense
budget by $190,989.23; and
WHEREAS, there are sufficient funds available in the 2017 county forest stumpage
revenue lines to offset the overage in the town payment; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors,
assembled this 30th day of January, 2018 approve the following 2017 budget amendments:
54
Increase 2017 10% Timber Sales Due Towns expense line:
100-34-56125-50590 by $190,989.23;
Increase 2016 Sale of Wood-CFL-Co Share revenue line:
100-34-46811 by $171,890.31;
Increase 2016 10% County Forestry-Towns revenue line:
100-34-46815 by $19,098.92
By Action of the
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
Dennis M. Pocernich, Chair
A motion was made by Miller/Maki to adopt Bayfield County Resolution No. 2018-06,
2017 Year End Budget Amendments in the Forestry & Parks Department. A roll call vote was
taken as follows: Newago-yes; Bussey-yes, via telephone; Fickbohm-yes; Maki-no; Oswald-
yes; Silbert-yes; Pocernich-yes; Strand-yes; District #9 vacant; Coughtry-absent; Miller-
yes; Crandall-yes; Rondeau-yes. Total: 13, 11 yes, 0 no, 1 absent, 1 vacant. The motion
carried.
12. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2018-07, Amending the Bayfield County Forest
Comprehensive Land Use Plan – County Forest Blocking. Bodine explained that this and the 2018-
08 are part of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. The Board dispensed with the reading of
the Resolution, which reads as follows:
WHEREAS, Bayfield County has lands enrolled as County Forest pursuant to s. 28.11 of the
Wisconsin statutes; and
WHEREAS, the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors on January 31, 2006, adopted
resolution #2006-030 approving the Bayfield County Comprehensive Land Use Plan for a period of
15 years; and
WHEREAS, said Plan is a dynamic document to be revised as changing conditions require;
and
WHEREAS, subsection (5)(a) of the above referenced State statute requires said Plan
amendments to be approved by the County Board of Supervisors and the Department of Natural
Resources; and
WHEREAS, the County Forest blocking boundary is defined as the area within the County
where the County could potentially have an interest in acquiring additional forest lands, to be
enrolled in County Forest Law, and managed as part of the County Forest; and
WHEREAS, the County Forest blocking boundary is proposed for expansion to include
existing County Forest lands and to better meet the objectives of the Bayfield County
Comprehensive Land-Use Plan 2006-2020; and
WHEREAS, the proposed changes to the County Forest blocking boundaries were approved
by the Forestry and Parks Committee during their meeting held on January 15, 2018; and
WHEREAS, Plan amendments for the fifteen year period encompassing 2006-2020 have
been prepared by the Forestry and Parks Administrator, on behalf of the Forestry and Parks
Committee and are submitted for approval before the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors; and
55
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 30th day of January, 2018, authorizes the following: That the County Forest
blocking boundaries listed and described in the Bayfield County Forest Comprehensive Land-Use
Plan 2006-2020 be amended as set forth herein (deleting all maps and reference to the old
blocking boundaries and adding maps and reference to the new blocking boundaries, as attached);
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Forestry and Parks Administrator, on behalf of the
Forestry and Parks Committee, is directed to forward these amendments to the Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources for their approval.
By Action of the
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
Dennis M. Pocernich, Chair
A motion was made by Silbert/Oswald to adopt Bayfield County Resolution No. 2018-
07, Amending the Bayfield County Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan – County Forest
Blocking. A brief discussion took place and the motion carried.
13. Bayfield County Resolution No. 3018-08, Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant
Application for the Acquisition of County Forest Land. Bodine explained that this application is
very similar to that of 3 years ago and went over the contents of the Resolution with the Board.
The Board dispensed with the reading of the Resolution, which reads as follows:
WHEREAS, Bayfield County would like to purchase an estimated 2,350 acres of land,
described in attached documents Attachments 1 and 3, located within Bayfield County Wisconsin;
and
WHEREAS, the County Board has the authority to acquire said property for the purpose of
establishing County Forest Land pursuant to ss. 28.10 Wis. Stats; and
WHEREAS, the acquisition policy and blocking boundaries are outlined and defined in
Chapter 400 of the Bayfield County Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan, as approved for years
2006-2020 by the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors on January 31, 2006; and
WHEREAS, acquisition of said properties will perpetually provide sustainably managed and
certified forest products to our local economy, revenues to the County and Towns (that contain
County Forest lands), an abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities to the public, and improve
the overall property administration of the County Forest; and
WHEREAS, the County is eligible to apply for land acquisition funding through the Knowles-
Nelson Stewardship Grant Program for County Forest Land Acquisitions pursuant to ss. 23.0953
Wis. Stats; and
WHEREAS, said Grant may provide funding for up to 50% of the acquisition price, with the
County being required to provide the remaining 50% match; and
WHEREAS, as part of the matching funds, the County intends to use the appraised values
of 3,301.25 acres of County owned lands (not currently part of the County Forest), as described in
attached documents Attachments 2 and 3; and
56
WHEREAS, in addition to the appraised value of the above mentioned lands, the County also
intends to contribute $160,000.00 in proceeds, received from the combined sale of 160 acres of
land to the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, towards the required match; and
WHEREAS, the appraised value of the match properties to be included by the County as
part of the grant application is estimated to have an overall grant value of $2,678,188; and
WHEREAS, combining the estimated value of the match lands, with the proceeds from the
two land sales to Red Cliff, the estimated total value of the Stewardship application is estimated
to be $2,998,180; and
WHEREAS, as per a letter of intent with Ceres Timber, LLC, roughly 2,350 acres has been
identified for purchase at a rate of $1,215 per acre, for a total of $2,855,250.00; and
WHEREAS, as per the application process, additional expenses associated with the
Stewardship grant (i.e. appraisals, legal fees, signs, recording fees, etc.) are estimated to be
roughly $65,000.00; and
WHEREAS, all above mentioned fees are reimbursable through the Stewardship grant, with
the County’s required match covered through the previously mentioned land and cash contributions;
and
WHEREAS, due to the overall project size and scope, unforeseen expenses are a valid
potential. To address potential unanticipated expenses, the County also intends to allocate
additional funds, up to $20,000.00, with the understanding that some or all of these expenses may
not be reimbursable through the Stewardship grant, in the event that such expenses may occur;
and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors,
that the County requests the grant funding available from the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources under the Knowles – Nelson Stewardship Land Acquisition grant program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors hereby
authorizes the Forestry and Parks Administrator and County Administrator to act on behalf of
Bayfield County to: submit an application to the State of Wisconsin for land acquisition grant
funding; sign documents; and take all necessary and required action(s) to undertake, direct, and
complete an approved land acquisition project; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Bayfield County will make one Stewardship application: to
purchase approximately 2,350 acres from Ceres Timber, LLC, at the rate of $1,215.00/acre; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Bayfield County will use the appraised value of land currently
owned by Bayfield County to meet the County match obligations outlined in the Stewardship
application, with the understanding that all properties, both acquired and those used as a match,
will then be enrolled in County Forest Law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the actual amount of land purchased by Bayfield County as
part of the Stewardship grant is primarily dependent upon the final appraised value of the lands
included as a match. The actual amount of land purchased from Ceres Timber, LLC may increase or
decrease slightly subject to the final valuation of the match properties. The final Stewardship
application will be adjusted accordingly, by the Forestry and Parks Administrator and County
Administrator, based on the final valuations; and
57
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the final Stewardship application will be structured so that
the entire balance owed by Bayfield County will be covered by the value of the match properties
and cash contributions, resulting in as little additional out of pocket costs as possible for Bayfield
County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Bayfield County will comply with State rules for the
program and meet the financial obligations under the Stewardship grant; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors, meeting this
30th day of January, 2018 approves the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship County Forest Land Grant
Acquisition project, as presented, and approves the following amendments to the 2018 Forestry
and Parks Department budget:
Expense:
Increase Knowles-Nelson Grant Purchase of Land: 100-34-56105-50252 by
$2,855,250.00
Increase Knowles-Nelson Grant Contractual Services: 100-34-56105-50290 by
$65,000.00
Increase Knowles-Nelson Grant Other Supplies & Expense: 100-34-56105-50390 by
$20,000.00
Revenue:
Increase Knowles-Nelson Grant: 100-34-43586 by $2,920,250.00
By Action of the
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
Dennis M. Pocernich, Chairman
A motion was made by Miller/Strand to adopt Bayfield County Resolution No. 2018-08,
Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant Application for the Acquisition of County Forest Land.
Discussion took place on the County buying land and the impact on the tax roll. A roll call vote was
taken as follows: Bussey-yes, via telephone; Fickbohm-yes; Maki-yes; Oswald-yes; Silbert-
yes; Pocernich-yes; Strand-yes; District #9 Vacant; Coughtry-absent; Miller-yes; Crandall-
yes; Rondeau-yes; Newago-yes. Total: 13, 11 yes, 0 no, 1 absent, 1 vacant. The motion
carried.
14. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2018-04, Request to Amend the Bayfield County
Land & Water Conservation 2017 Budget. Abeles-Allison explained that this Resolution is for
minor adjustments to grants in the Land & Water Conservation Department. The Land & Water
Conservation Committee has already approved these adjustments. The Board dispensed with the
reading of the Resolution, which reads as follows:
WHEREAS, the Bayfield County Land and Water Conservation Department requests that
their 2017 budget be amended as follows to reflect actual amounts through the grant; and
WHEREAS, the Land & Water Conservation 2017 budget included a $30,000.00 grant that
was not received; and
WHEREAS, the Land & Water Conservation was awarded a modification to the Weed
Cooperative grant in the amount of $16,993.00; and
58
WHEREAS, the Land & Water Conservation was awarded a Farmland Preservation grant in
2016, and did not have any expenses for this grant; and
WHEREAS, the 2017 budget was established anticipating an $8,000.00 expense in the
Farmland Preservation grant; and
WHEREAS, the 2017 included $12,000.00 in the Lake Superior-Clean Boats Clean Waters
grant; and
WHEREAS, $16,000.00 was actually awarded for Lake Superior-Clean Boats Clean Waters
grant; and
WHEREAS, amendments to the accounts listed below are necessary to reflect account
actuals versus projected amounts from 2017; and
WHEREAS, the 2017 budget was established anticipating $2,427.00 in expenses and
revenues in the Garlic Mustard grant; and
WHEREAS, the balance available at the end of 2016 was $1,738.00 to be carried over into
2017.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors,
meeting this January 30th, 2018 approve the following budget amendments to reflect the grants,
cost-share and cooperative agreements.
Decrease revenue account 100-28-43580-008 (Weed Co-op) by $13,007.00
Decrease expense account 100-28-56110-50290 (Weed Co-op) by $13,007.00
Increase revenue account 100-28-43586-002 (Farmland Preservation) by $8,000.00
Increase expense account 100-28-56116-50290 (Farmland Preservation) by $8,000.00
Increase revenue account 100-28-43590-104 (CBCW LS) by $4,000.00
Increase expense account 100-28-56131-50290 (CBCW LS) by $4,000.00
Decrease revenue account 100-28-43580-007 (Garlic Mustard) by $689.00
Decrease expense account 100-28-56144-50290 (Garlic Mustard) by $689.00
By Action of the
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
Dennis M. Pocernich, Chairman
A motion was made by Rondeau/Crandall to adopt Bayfield County Resolution No. 2018-
04, Request to Amend the Bayfield County Land & Water Conservation 2017 Budget. A roll
call vote was taken as follows: Fickbohm-yes; Maki-yes; Oswald-yes; Silbert-yes;
Pocernich-yes; Strand-yes; District #9 Vacant; Coughtry-absent; Miller-yes; Crandall-yes;
Rondeau-yes; Newago-yes; Bussey-yes, via telephone. Total: 13, 11 yes, 0 no, 1 absent, 1
vacant. The motion carried.
15. Appointment of Connie Cogger to the Northern Waters Library Board for the
Term of 3-years, 2018-2021. Abeles-Allison explained to the Board that Connie Cogger is
currently serving on the Northern Waters Library Board and would like to serve another term if
59
allowed. A motion was made by Crandall/Fickbohm to reappoint Connie Cogger to the Northern
Waters Library Board for the term of 3-years, 2018-2021. The motion carried.
16. Bayfield County Resolution No. 2018-09, Quit Claim Deed of parcel to the City
of Bayfield. Abeles-Allison explained the background of this piece of property. The Bayfield
County Development & Land Sales Committee has approved this and is forwarding on to the Board
for approval. The Board dispensed with the reading of the Resolution, which reads as follows:
WHEREAS, in 2005, Bayfield County sold and quit claimed tax delinquent parcel of land in
the City of Bayfield; and
WHEREAS, in 2014, questions arose regarding the property description; and
WHEREAS, in 2017, Bayfield County reached a settlement with the property owners and
repurchased the property; and
WHEREAS, the property is not a buildable lot and contains part of the city street right of
way; and
WHEREAS, the Bayfield County Development and Land Sales Committee discussed deeding
this parcel to the City of Bayfield.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
assembled this 30th day of January, 2018, does hereby quit claim parcel #04-206-2-50-04-13-2
00-127-02200 (Legacy PIN 206100110000, Tax ID 31574) to the City of Bayfield.
By Action of the
Bayfield County Board of Supervisors
Dennis M. Pocernich, Chairman
A motion was made by Miller/Rondeau to adopt Bayfield County Resolution No. 2018-
09, Quit claim Deed of Parcel to the City of Bayfield. Discussion took place, and the Board felt
it was a good resolution to the matter. The motion carried.
17. Administrator’s Report:
a) Future County Board Meeting Dates:
✓ February 27th there is a conflict with the Wisconsin Technical Council
meeting being held from 5-7 pm. (Can we move date?) Abeles-Allison
stated that this meeting is on broadband and thought it might be of
interest to Board members and thought we maybe could push the County
Board meeting off by one day. Chairman Pocernich asked the Board how
many wanted to attend the meeting, receiving one response from
Supervisor Oswald. Chair believed one person was not enough to move the
meeting date and the Board concurred. The meeting will stay set at
February 27th at 6:00 pm.
✓ March 27th was talked about changing due to spring break for some. It
was suggested to leave the date as is and to bring this up at the February
meeting.
✓ April 17th will be a day meeting starting at 9:00 am with the sewaring in
of the new County Board.
60
18. Supervisors’ Reports: Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race will be this weekend.
19. Future Agenda Items: None.
There being no further business to come before the Bayfield County Board of Supervisors,
Chairman Pocernich adjourned the meeting at 7:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Scott S. Fibert,
Bayfield County Clerk
SSF/dmb