HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 9/14/2015BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING
September 14, 2015
County Board Room
Members Present: Shawn Miller, Chairperson; Marco Bichanich, Vice-Chairperson; John Bennett; Harold
Maki, and Fred Strand
Other County Board Members Present: Bucky Jardine
Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, Administrator; Steve Probst, Asst. Administrator and Pat Bruno, Office
Manager
Others in Attendance: Joseph LeBouton, WI DNR and other members of the public
1. Call to Order of Forestry and Parks Committee Meeting.
The meeting of the Forestry and Parks Committee was called to order by S. Miller at 6:00 P.M.
2. Approval of the August 10, 2015 Meeting Minutes.
MOTION: (Bennett, Bichanich) to receive and place on file the August 10, 2015 meeting minutes. Carried.
3. Public Hearing Regarding Non-Motorized Uses on State Funded Motorized Trails on County Owned
Lands.
A public hearing has been called by the Forestry and Parks Committee to receive feedback on non-
motorized use of state funded motorized trails on county owned lands, more specifically relating to bicycles.
The trail usage issue does not include trails located in Bayfield County that cross federal, state or private
land where the county does not have a trail easement or other deed restriction. J. Bodine read from Bayfield
County Code of Ordinances Section 12.1.2 Para b.# 9. and Ordinance12.1.5. Para d. #8 specifically.
S. Miller called for public comments.
A total of 11 people spoke and many printed comments were received and distributed. Among points of
concern listed were liability and safety. Cited examples were blind corners, speed, dust, darkness, inclement
weather, and poor trail conditions can be hazardous to bicyclists. Other noted items of concern are potential
lack of cooperation with new trail building, maintenance and fees supporting maintenance grants, vehicle
registration and personal identification. It was also mentioned that the approximately 30 miles of
designated, non-motorized trails in Bayfield could become subject to shared trail designation.
Points of support for changing the ordinance mentioned were the added benefits of education/safety
training, shared signage, labor and monetary support; positive aspect when applying for grant funding as has
happened for other counties; increased interest in the sport bringing more tourism dollars to the County; and
bicycle enthusiasts are generally healthy people with good hearing, do not drink alcohol and follow the
rules.
F. Strand inquired if J. Bodine received feedback from other counties’ experience on whether the
restrictions are successful or not? J. Bodine replied not specifically but there was a safety issue raised. F.
Strand also noted that the Forestry & Parks Committee has set aside grant money for the development of
new, non-motorized trails.
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S. Miller called for public comments. No other comments received at this time.
J. Bodine had conducted a survey of the 29 county forest offices regarding ATV trails access ordinances and
Bayfield County is the only county that restricts non-motorized usage and received 23 responses. Of those
29 county offices polled regarding non-motorized uses on state funded snowmobile trails, Lincoln,
Washburn, Vilas and Bayfield Counties have an ordinance restricting non-motorized vehicles on
snowmobile trails.
Of the approximately 1,200 miles of roads and trails in Bayfield County, 99% are currently open to non-
motorized use, 80 miles are restricted to state-funded ATV trail use only and 200 miles are restricted to
state-funded snowmobile trail use only. There are currently two “bicycle only” areas totaling approximately
30 miles of trails.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Maki) to close public hearing comments. Carried.
4. Non-Motorized Uses on State Funded Motorized Trails on County Owned Lands.
MOTION: (Maki, Bichanich) to deny use to bicycles on state funded motorized trails on county owned land
and to keep Section 12 of the Bayfield County Code of Ordinances as written. Carried.
5. Public Comment.
S. Miller called for public comment. None were received.
6. Monthly Financial Report.
A. Forestry
1) Department Budget Update:
Timber Sale Revenues: August’s revenues were back to a more normal level with the year to date at
approximately $350,000. Revenues are nearly at 100% above CY 2010. Expenses are very close to
the current budget. Expected 2015 budget adjustments will be 10% to the Towns revenue and the
Sustainable Forestry grant offsetting revenue and expense at $37,000.
2) Stewardship Grants.
Both grants are closed and the expenses are expected to be under budget. The process has begun to
enroll 2,602 acres into County Forest Land.
Signage explaining how the property was purchased is a requirement under this grant program.
Those expenses can also be claimed within the first year of the grant process ending.
3) USFS Good Neighbor Authority.
Bayfield County has been approached by the WI DNR as to potential interest in assisting with this
program as a subcontractor. J. Bodine said the proposed project would need to be reviewed before
committing and details of how the sales are processed is not fully known.
B. Parks
The Twin Bear seasonal site reservation call- in event took place on September 12. All 18 seasonal sites
were claimed within 15 minutes. Transient camping at Twin Bear has nearly doubled from this time in
2014 and boat launching has increase by 25%. Brenda Garrett, Campground Manager, has been very
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busy. The campground has more of a family-oriented atmosphere and the new playground has been a
big hit. Lake access points doubled from 2014.
Delta Lake campground however has less use than 2014. Possible reasons for this were the late 2014
timber thinning at the campground and how it has changed. Also the campground provides access to
only two lakes where Twin Bear is on a chain of lakes.
Big Rock campground usage has increased by 30% from 2014.
C. Trails
Recent maintenance projects included removing a bridge and replacing with a culvert and re-rocking the
Wally Polk Trail; Trail 4 re-route; permit to cross a stream with the 20’ bridge on Fox’s property is
secured; working towards a re-route of ATV/snowmobile trail traffic off of Ruth Lake Road and into the
woods; installing a privy at railroad grade near Hughes Town Hall; and installing a new 80’ bridge at the
end of Flag Road. Recreation Forester Leigh Neitzel has done a great job with these projects and John
Mesko has been invaluable with his skills and knowledge base for these projects.
MOTION: (Bennett, Bichanich) to receive and place on file the August 2015 financial report. Carried.
7. 2016 Budget.
J. Bodine will present the budget on Wednesday to the Executive Committee with only minor adjustments
made. It is expected a 2% increase will go to the general fund.
H. Maki inquired on the status of the new shop. J. Bodine said a capital request has been submitted to
install overhangs over the doors for ice damage abatement. H. Maki suggested the 3 foot overhang span the
entire length of the building. J. Bodine will secure another estimate for repair.
No action taken.
8. Access Permit Request. Earl Gregoire.
J. Bodine received a request for a new 10 year temporary access permit to provide access to property located
in the Town of Hughes along Eight Mile Lake. The permit would give shared road access with another
adjoining property owner who currently holds an approved temporary 10 year access permit.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Bennett) to approve the temporary 10 year Access Permit as requested by Earl
Gregoire to property located in the Town of Hughes. Carried.
9. County Conservation Aid Grant.
No specific project has been identified to date but the County has been earmarked for a $3,993 state grant.
A qualifying project must enhance fish or wildlife habitat. If unclaimed, the funds are redistributed to other
counties in the north.
MOTION: (Bennett, Bichanich) to approve the application for the 50/50 cost share County Conservation
Aid Grant. Carried.
10. State Land Sale.
The sale of property is a state law; used to offset the debt created by the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant
Program. Roughly 2,600 acres total have been targeted for sale to either counties or the tribes. Among the
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3 identified tracts of properties located in Bayfield County is a 200 acre tract that would permanently
connect trails in the Jerry Jolly trail system. This tract could potentially hold aspen for future management.
It is expected restrictions on the deed for these tracts would require public access. Straw poll taken
regarding interest: Yes – All; No – None. No action taken.
11. Recreational Use Request. South Shore School District.
J. Bodine received a request from the South Shore School District to host a school event on this newly
acquired property. The property had been use in past years for this event when it was privately owned. For
2015, the group would mow and use the existing trails; however, the group may return to the committee to
expand the event in future years.
MOTION: (Bichanich, Bennett) to approve the use of existing trails on county owned land in the Town of
Hughes for the South Shore School District’s Cross Country running meet to be held on September 17,
2015. Carried.
12. Recreational Use Request. Ashwabay Outdoor Education Foundation.
J. Bodine received a request from the AOEF to use existing trails on county owned forest land in the Town
of Bayfield for two events; a) Adventure Race on September 26, 2015 and b) Peel Out trail run on October
3, 2015. It was announced by an audience member at the meeting that the Adventure Race has been
cancelled for 2015.
MOTION: (Bennett, Maki) to approve the use of existing trails on county owned forest land in the Town of
Bayfield for the Ashwabay Outdoor Education Foundation’s Peel Out Trail Run to be held on October 3,
2015. Carried.
13. Joseph LeBouton, DNR Representative.
J. LeBouton reported that the open Barnes position was recently filled by a forester formerly with the
Douglas County Forestry Department.
14. Adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 7:21 P.M.
The next Forestry and Parks Committee meeting will be held Monday, October 12, 2015 at 6:00 P.M. at
Bayfield County Courthouse, County Board Room, 2nd Floor, 117 E. 5th Street, Washburn, WI.
Submitted by,
Pat Bruno