HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 3/14/2022
BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING
March 14, 2022
County Board Room
Members Present: Fred Strand, Chairperson; Jeffrey Silbert, David Zepczyk, Larry Fickbohm, Steve
Sandstrom
Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, Administrator; Lindley Mattson, Office Manager
Others in Attendance: Joseph Lebouton, WI DNR
1. Call to Order of Forestry and Parks Committee Meeting.
This meeting was called to order at 6:01pm.
2. Public Comment: None
3. Approval of the March 14th Meeting Minutes.
MOTION: (Fickbohm, Zepczyk) Approve and place on file, with one change. All:
Yes. Carried.
4. Management Plan for the Mt. Ashwabay SMA.
Bodine presented the final draft plan as well as comments from Ashwabay and BATS. No formal
comments from CAMBA were received, but they verbally indicated no major issues and accepted the
plan as written. Some minor changes were made to the previous draft, primarily based on feedback
received from each group.
MOTION: (Silbert, Sandstrom) Approve Ashwabay SMA Management Plan wholeheartedly.
All: Yes. Carried.
Some committee discussion on the process and plan as written. Fickbohm brought up the addition of fire
vulnerability language in the plan, which could be incorporated in a future version. Committee thanked
Jason on a plan well written.
5. Monthly Reports. Discussion of general activities, events, issues and accomplishments. Possible
action on report(s) only.
a. Forestry (all updates): EAB (Emerald Ash Borer) was identified in the City of Bayfield. We have
been preparing for this for a few years, but has now become a reality. February stumpage was
slightly below normal at around $166k. March revenue is off to a good start at just under $364k.
Town Road Aid letters were distributed in early March with a deadline for projects April 1. There is
$60k available for 2022 projects. A summary of the projects will be brought to the April meeting.
Spring timber sales will also be addressed in April.
a) Carbon Project. Project estimates remain strong. Still looking at options for re-investing a
portion of the carbon revenues to meaningful projects within the department.
b) Red Cliff Land Sale (348 acres) Officially completed. Revenue from this sale will be used
toward the purchase of replacement lands.
c) CFL Withdrawal – Red Cliff Land Sale (706 acres) The DNR had a few follow up questions.
Should be approved soon.
d) Burns/Duquette Trespass CFL Withdrawal. Corp Counsel is working on this sale now. Also
should be approved soon.
e) Stewardship Project. The Town of Bell recently supported the 160 acre property at Lost Creek.
Landmark is finishing up the application for Coastal funds. Some tweaks were needed to the
Knowles Nelson application that is being updated. All projects continue to be moving forward.
f) New Rec Position. We continue to prepare for upcoming workloads.
g) Office Manager Position. Lindley remains in her current office manager position.
h) DNR County Forest Time Standards Revision. WCFA voted to submit the time standards
request to the DNR with a straight pro-rate (over 52,000 hours/year was requested, but only
46,000/year is currently available) We are expecting a little over 4,200 hours/year for the next
five years. Our current allotment is a little over 3,600 hours/year.
b. Campgrounds and Day Use Parks: We plan to have Govpay up and running at the campgrounds this
year allowing the option to pay with a credit card. With this, we will need to update the
reservation/cancellation policy. The Wifi at both Twin Bear and Delta will be updated this spring as
part of planned capital improvement projects.
c. Trails and Recreation:
a) Motorized Trail Updates: recent snowfall has kept the snowmobile trails in good condition and
extended the season. The clubs have been doing a tremendous job grooming and keeping the
trails in great riding condition.
b) Non-Motorized Trail Updates: One bid was received on the pruning RPF at Siskiwit Falls. But
it was well above available funds. We will do some clean-up in house and re-advertise this fall.
Working with highway to get the three concrete vault privies installed this spring.
c) Yurt Updates: Bodine presented the occupancy rates for each yurt.
d) Events:
d. Delta Landfill Update: Highway is actively working on procuring materials. Both Highway and
Land Conservation are getting the last remaining permits in order.
MOTION: (Fickbohm, Zepczyk) Receive reports as presented and place on file. All: Yes.
Carried.
Some discussion on the Siskiwit RFP as well as managing the “meadow” at Siskiwit.
6. Recreation Request: Bellas Mentoring Inc.
Chequamegon Area is requesting permission to use trails located within the Ashwabay SMA for a girl’s
mountain bike clinic to be held in June and July. They are expecting 25 girls and approximately 10 adult
mentors. Bodine recommends approval.
MOTION: (Silbert, Sandstrom) Approve the recreational use request from Bellas Mentoring Inc
for the Little Bellas event. All: Yes. Carried.
7. Recreational Use Agreement: Cable Namakagon Historical Society, Inc.
The Historical Society made a request to formally recognize the old Frels School House in the town of
Cable. The site would be roughly ½ an acre in size and involve occasional pruning to keep encroaching
vegetation at bay. They would like to install a plaque and some form of sign/kiosk. Bodine presented a
map and photo of the area. Bodine recommends entering into a long term rec use agreement with the
society.
MOTION: (Fickbohm, Sandstrom ) Approve the development of a draft rec use agreement. All:
Yes. Carried.
8. Committee Members Discussion.
Committee discussed the issue around the previously approved “Pratt’s Peak trail improvement”
proposal by Corny Trails Club. Committee continues to be in favor of the improvements.
9. Joseph Lebouton – No comments.
The next Forestry and Parks Committee meeting has been scheduled for Monday, April 11th at 6:00 P.M.
Meeting adjourned at 7:02 PM
Submitted by,
Lindley Mattson