HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 1/13/2020
BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING
January 13, 2020
County Board Room
Members Present: Fred Strand, Chairperson; David Zepczyk and Jeffrey Silbert
Members Absent: Larry Fickbohm and Harold Maki
Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, Administrator; Lindley Mattson, Office Manager; Steve Probst, Assistant
Administrator
Others in Attendance: Joseph LeBouton, DNR Liaison
1. Call to Order of Forestry and Parks Committee Meeting.
This meeting was called to order at 6:01pm
2. Public Comment.
Chairperson Strand called for public comment. After repeating the call no one came forward. Closed
public comment.
3. Approval of the December 9, 2019 Meeting Minutes.
MOTION: (Zepczyk, Silbert) to approve the minutes as presented. All: Yes. Carried.
4. Monthly Reports. Discussion of general activities, events, issues and accomplishments. Possible
action on report(s) only.
a. Forestry (all updates):
a) 2019 Budget. Timber sale revenues in 2019 totaled $4.172 million. About $850,000 more than
the budget. Expenses are slightly under budget, but the additional money sent to towns will
bring us close to the budgeted amount. Will most likely end up $20,000-$30,000 under budget.
At this point there is no reason to amend the budget, but that could change.
b) Red Cliff Land Acquisition (210 Acres). J. Bodine went over the Red Cliff land acquisition
project proposal as a refresher for the committee. The committee approved this potential project
in February 2018, but Red Cliff chose to do something different with their funds. In summary:
the project would entail the tribe purchasing 210 acres of county forest land across from Frog
Bay Park, within the reservation boundaries. Value was determined $1,500/acre. They are
looking to apply for a grant for funding. If they choose to go ahead with this project, it would
come back to the committee for withdrawal from CFL.
b. Parks: Nothing new to update
c. Trails and Recreation:
a) Motorized Trail Updates: Snowmobile trails are open and in good condition. The rain and
warmer temps the end of December and early January caused some wet spots on some of the
trails. Everything is now freezing up nicely.
b) Non-Motorized Trail Updates:
i. Fire Hill. This project closed as of December 27. The land was conveyed to Landmark
Conservancy who then sent the reassignment documents and the deed to the title
company. Final documents should be here this week. We will need to begin to develop
short term goals for the property in 2020.
c) Yurt Updates: Evergreen was at 58% for December and currently 35% for January. Terra Cotta
was 45% for December and 39% for January. Cable, 26% in December and 45% for January.
d) Events. Mt. Borah Epic, mountain bike race in Cable and the Summit Cross Country Ski Race,
at Mt. Ashwabay were both recurring events that were approved over the past month.
MOTION: (Silbert, Zepczyk) Receive and place on file. All: Yes. Carried.
5. 2020 Forestry and parks Department Annual Work Plan.
J. Bodine presented a final draft of the plan as well as an executive summary. Sustainable timber harvest
goal for 2020 is 5,262 acres. About a 7% increase, mostly due to swamp hardwoods and the imminent
EAB threat. Slow acceleration of aspen and red pine as we address the Barnes Barrens. Jack pine will
start to come down over the next couple years naturally as well. There will be a substantial decrease in
goals in 3-4 years.
Parks and Recreation: Siskiwit Falls and Fire Hill will be a big part of 2020. An RFP will be put out this
spring for Siskiwit Falls. Otherwise parks will be business as usual, with projects going on throughout
the year.
Some committee discussion on work plan: chemical treatments, swamp hardwood harvesting regarding
EAB and also the CFI project.
J. Bodine notified Committee of the conservation aid grant we recently received for Perch Lake. The
plan is to improve the existing road, create a parking area and a walking trail to the lake.
MOTION: (Silbert, Zepczyk) Approve the 2020 Forestry and Parks Work Plan and recommend
approval to the full county board. All: Yes. Carried.
6. Comprehensive Land Use Plan
J. Bodine presented the general comments we have received from the public. There are 33 people now
signed up to receive notifications when there are chapters for review.
J. Bodine provided timeline for the next year in regards to the plan:
January: Table of contents – presented today
February: Review draft chapters 100-300
March: Approve chapters 100-300; review draft chapters 400-600
April: Approve chapters 400-600; review draft chapter 700, roads and access management
May: Approve chapter 700; review chapter 800, forest management (largest section of the plan)
June: Continue review of chapter 800
July: Approve chapter 800; review chapter 900, recreation
August: Approve chapter 900; review the various appendixes: contracts, permits, charts, ordinances etc.
September – November: Reviewing chapters, discussion etc. Use these months to finalize/approve a
final draft of the plan
November: Have a final plan ready to present to the full board
End of November – December: Send final Board approved plan to the DNR
December – January 2021: Prepare the website for the new plan
Committee discussion on how to address public comments received. Committee decided to keep public
comment limited to 3 minutes for attendees.
7. Joseph LeBouton, DNR Liaison – no comments
The next Forestry and Parks Committee meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, February 17, 2020 at
6:00 P.M. at Bayfield County Courthouse, County Board Room, Second Floor, 117 E. 5th Street,
Washburn, Wisconsin.
Meeting adjourned at 6:49 PM
Submitted by,
Lindley Mattson