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HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 5/9/2016BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING May 9, 2016 County Board Room Members Present: Shawn Miller, Chairperson; Harold Maki, Fred Strand, Larry Fickbohm and Jeffrey Silbert Members Absent: None Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, Administrator, Steve Probst; Assistant Administrator, Mike Amman, Forester, Jenifer Bratsch, Recreation Forester; and Pat Bruno, Office Manager Others in Attendance: Joseph LeBouton, WI DNR Liaison and Craig Golembiewski, WI DNR Team Leader 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. Election of Forestry and Parks Committee Chairperson. S. Miller called for nominations for the Forestry and Parks Committee Chairperson. MOTION: (Strand) to nominate S. Miller as the Forestry and Parks Committee Chairperson. S. Miller announced two calls for additional nominations. None received. Nominations closed. MOTION: (2nd : Fickbohm) to nominate S. Miller as the Forestry and Parks Committee Chairperson. Yes: All No: None. Motion carried. 3. Election of Forestry and Parks Committee Vice-Chairperson. S. Miller called for nominations for the Forestry and Parks Committee Vice-Chairperson. MOTION: (Maki) to nominate F. Strand as the Forestry and Parks Committee Vice-Chairperson. S. Miller announced two calls for additional nominations. None received. Nominations closed. MOTION: (2nd: Silbert) to nominate F. Strand as the Forestry and Parks Committee Vice-Chairperson. Yes: All No: None. Motion carried. 4. Approval of the April 11, 2016 Meeting Minutes. MOTION: (Strand, Maki) to receive and place on file the April 11, 2016 meeting minutes. Carried. 5. Public Comment. S. Miller called for public comment. Roger Aiken, representing himself and friends of the Bayfield County forest brought Apostle Islands National Lakeshore published reports to share with the Committee recognizing the importance of the forests to the communities and local tourism. Tom Mason, resident of Cornucopia, shared concerns of over logging in the Siskiwit Lake area and shared photos with the Committee. T. Mason is a trail user and feels the scenery is not what is used to be. Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Committee Page 2 of 4 May 9, 2016 Meeting Minutes Mike Blomquist, procurement forester for Sappi Fine Paper, feels that most of the trails would not exist if it were not for logging. 6. Spring Timber Sale Bid Opening. J. Bodine took the opportunity to introduce to the Committee and the audience the newly appointed committee members, Jeffrey Silbert and Larry Fickbohm; and also the Bayfield County Forestry and Parks and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff in attendance. J. Bodine read the timber sale bids of the 2016 spring timber sales (36 tracts offered). The unofficial winning bids were announced. MOTION: (Maki, Strand) to receive and accept the bids as presented for the spring 2016 Timber Sale offering. Carried. A short meeting break was taken. 7. Monthly Financial Report. A. Forestry 1) Department Budget Update. County Forest Land (CFL) revenues are at $1.13 million with the month of April’s revenues at $236,690. Expenses are normal. 2) Good Neighbor Authority. The Memorandum of Agreement between the County, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the WI DNR are signed. Logistics (stand selection, tree marking, and administration) are not finalized. H. Maki would like to see the County administer the sales. J Bodine explained the hours needed could exceed what the County could provide. 3) State Land Sale. J. Bodine shared a map showing the property that the state is interested in selling to Bayfield County. Consideration is taken of the potential for public use and also that the land offered is land locked. J. Bodine believes it could be a positive addition to the County Forest Land. An internal appraisal by the WI DNR is currently in process. B. Parks The campgrounds opened May 1; although Brenda Garrett, Campground Manager, allowed interested seasonal campers to come on April 30. The Sheriff’s Department became involved when a family was illegally staying at Big Rock campground this spring. Many items were left behind when the campers left. C. Trails and Recreation 1) ATV Trails Update Trails opened May 2. Clubs are taking care of the high wind damage clean up. The Department is currently working on a contract with the Trails North ATV group. Some of the smaller clubs are looking into joining the Snowmobile Alliance to have access to idle equipment. A partnership change would require a revision to the ATV Clubs’ by laws. 2) Yurt Update. The yurts have arrived, the permits have been secured, and the pits are ready for privy construction. Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Committee Page 3 of 4 May 9, 2016 Meeting Minutes A contractor has not been secured to date. S. Miller referred to a motion from the April meeting regarding the proposals coming to the Committee prior to selection. Best construction practices were discussed. F. Strand inquired on the status of the Duck Lake situation. J. Bodine has not received an update from Corporation Counsel during the 45 day appeal that is in effect. To L. Fickbohm’s inquiry regarding the Horseshoe Lake closure, J. Bodine explained that the County has no involvement as the lake lies within the U.S. Forest Service boundaries. MOTION: (Silbert, Fickbohm) to receive and place on file the April 2016 financial report. Carried. 8. Wildlife Opening Maintenance Request: Todd Naas, WDNR Wildlife Biologist. T. Naas appears before the Committee annually to request permission to maintain wildlife openings on county forest land. Approximately 600 natural openings have been maintained since 1970 to provide habitat for deer and other numerous wildlife. Brush clearing a total of 580 openings is included in a 5 year rotation with one person brushing and mowing. In 2015, 86.5 acres in 75 openings of 94 planned were maintained. T. Naas explained that herbicide is used sparingly and berry picking locations and waterways are avoided. The plan for 2016 is to treat 88 acres containing 57 openings. From personal research J. Silbert promoted caution of herbicide use and promoted mowing. T. Naas explained the chemicals used treat the target species and are used precisely and sparingly; often in remote areas. MOTION: (Maki, Strand) to approve the proposal as submitted. Carried. 9. Access Permit Request. Steve Hoffman. J. Bodine recommends approval of a request received from S. Hoffman for road access to personal property in the Town of Iron River. To provide access, twelve inch aspen would be harvested. The cost (approximately $200) would be added to the fee. Stump removal and disposal would be the responsibility of the applicant. MOTION: (Maki, Silbert) to approve the new road going into the Hoffman property off of the existing county forest road as requested. Carried. 10. Access Permit Renewal Request. John Larson, Camp Gunsight, Inc. J. Bodine received a request to renew an access permit to personal property located in the Town of Clover. J. Bodine recommends approval. MOTION: (Maki, Strand) to approve the permit request to the John Larson property. Carried. 11. Recreational Use Request. Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association and Ashwabay Outdoor Education Foundation. Ron Bergin, representing CAMBA and AOEF, appeared before the Committee to propose a new trailhead off of Whiting Road. The original trailhead is located off of Ski Hill Road and there is a growing need for an additional trailhead to access the existing ski trails. A fee tube would be installed at the trailhead. If Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Committee Page 4 of 4 May 9, 2016 Meeting Minutes approval is received from the Forestry and Parks Committee, the proposal would require a Zoning Department permit. MOTION: (Strand) to approve the request. Discussion: The Committee asked if there is existing erosion issues on the trail. R. Bergin explained the trails are built to the contours of the landscape and funneling is prevented; however, over time and usage, maintenance needs are addressed. The proposed trailhead is approximately 1.25 miles away from the proposed yurt site. The yurt site will require a different access point. J. Bodine explained that this is an example of a prime area where forest management and recreational trails coexist; where the County maximizes the land. MOTION: (2nd: Fickbohm) to approve the request. Carried. 12. Joseph LeBouton, DNR Representative. J. LeBouton introduced the new Team Leader, Craig Golembiewski. C. Golembiewski has recently come to the WI DNR; however, he has 17 years of experience as a forester; most recently with Douglas County. 13. Adjourn Meeting adjourned at 8:23 PM. The next Forestry and Parks Committee meeting and timber sale bid opening will be held Monday, June 13, 2016 at 6:00 P.M. at Bayfield County Courthouse, County Board Room, 2nd Floor, 117 E. 5th Street, Washburn, Wisconsin. Submitted by, Pat Bruno