HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 12/12/2022BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING
December 12, 2022
County Board Room
Members Present: Fred Strand, Chairperson; Jeffrey Silbert; Larry Fickbohm; Charly Ray; Steve Sandstrom
Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, Administrator; Steve Probst, Assistant Administrator; Cassie Taylor,
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 6:05 PM.
2.Public Comment: None.
3.Approval of the November 14th Meeting Minutes.
MOTION: (Fickbohm, Silbert) Approve and place on file. All: Yes. Carried.
4.Monthly Reports.
a)Forestry (all updates): Bodine presents slightly below average stumpage revenue for November at
roughly $220k. Timber sale revenues are just over $4.5 million to date. Total stumpage revenue
should approach $4.6 million this year, or roughly $1.4 million over budget. Expenses are still on
target, but with a significantly larger town revenue sharing payment due to increase in stumpage
returns, requiring a budget amendment. Also likely are budget amendments to address the
snowmobile supplemental payment and turkey stamp wildlife grants received in 2022. Both types of
amendments are common and have become routine.
a.Carbon Project. Verification process is still ongoing with nothing new to report.
b.FCOR. Executive Committee reviewed FCOR and a first draft of the CCOR during their
meeting last week. Administration’s version was divided into three payments instead of the
original five. Bodine recommends moving forward with releasing FCOR funds as available,
as CCOR development and finalization may take substantially more time.
c.Land Acquisition Project(s). Status of four current projects below:
a.East Eight Mile Lake. This roughly 1-acre project was completed last week. We will
start the process of enrolling it in County Forest Law.
b.Lost Creek. The 160-acre purchase has an official closing date of Dec 16. The
roughly $60k Coastal grant still has not been awarded, but assurance has been given
that it’s coming.
c.Sand River. This 2,000-acre project is being held by TPL and is awaiting the
outcome of the NOAA grant.
d.Town of Clover. This roughly 1,580-acre project is still hinging on the outcome of
the Sand River project.
e.Other projects. Other projects/opportunities are forthcoming and will be presented to
the committee as information becomes available.
d.2023 Workplan. In process of establishing 2023 harvest goals and writing the annual plan.
Bodine anticipates harvest goal will be slightly lower than typical, with carbon becoming a
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December 12, 2022 Meeting Minutes
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central focus. A draft should be ready for review during the January meeting, which will also
need to be approved by County Board.
b)Campgrounds and Day Use Parks (update). Total net camping returns ended at roughly $144,500 and
established a new record to total annual revenue.
c)Trails and Recreation.
a.Motorized Trails: Alliance meeting is being held this evening, eager to open trails. Working
on a few minor reroutes and revising the grooming and maintenance contract with the
Alliance.
b.Non-Motorized Trails: Working with Bayfield Nordic on grooming agreement for newly
constructed trail on Siskiwit property for cross country skiing (approximately 1.5 miles).
c.Pigeon Lake: Engaged in conversations with BCPL regarding this property; a site condition
report and feasibility study are recommended prior to any serious negotiations. Summary
shared with Administration for consideration of future LATCF funds, which could be used to
commission the studies.
d.Yurts. Current occupancy rates presented by Bodine.
e.Events. Item 6 summarizes all Birkie events scheduled for 2023; all but the Ski de She (new
event) were previously approved.
d)Delta Landfill Update. Nothing new to report. A short presentation might be given during January’s
board meeting, highlighting inter-departmental collaboration on this property development.
MOTION: (Silbert, Sandstrom) Receive reports as presented and place on file. All: Yes.
Carried.
5.Resolution. County Forest Law Withdrawal and Land Transaction. Anderson encroachment.
Purchase agreement, draft plat, and draft resolution are reviewed. Landowner will conduct the survey.
Will need to be approved by committee, board, and DNR before sale is official.
MOTION: (Sandstrom, Fickbohm) Forward resolution to board with recommendation for
approval. All: Yes. Carried.
6.Event Request. American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. Event requests from ABSF; most are
recurring events that have been approved in the past. Ski de She camp and race event is new and would
be held January 27-29. Bodine recommends approval.
MOTION: (Ray, Fickbohm) Approve events as requested. All: Yes. Carried.
7.Forestry and Parks Department – Recreation Direction and Visioning. Discussion is had regarding
workloads, responsibilities, projects, and resources associated with rapidly evolving recreation in the
department. Bodine requests recommendations to establish sideboards, understanding department’s
limitations and defining its vision, goals, objectives, and purpose pertaining to recreation. With a fourth
yurt and sizeable rec grant forthcoming, in addition to expanded engagement with existing rec partners,
how engaged/involved should department be in rec management? Bodine recommends three-pronged
approach: analyze current and anticipated workloads internally, obtain input from Forestry and Parks
Committee, and get input from various rec partners.
Sandstrom inquires how Bayfield compares to other counties regarding rec management and Bodine
responds that some have separate rec and forestry departments, while others manage rec with small fleet
of seasonal staff; there is no established standard. Fickbohm adds partnering with tourism department
would be beneficial. Silbert comments/requests more interpretive/educational kiosks established at trails.
Ray lists strengths of Bayfield County including Lake Superior shoreline, headwaters and chain of lakes,
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non-intensive ATV/snowmobile presence on peninsula providing opportunity for non-motorized use.
Ray suggests investment in mountain biking and water trails. Sandstrom seconds our unique and diverse
natural areas and feels environmental education should be part of long-term plan with expansion of
quiet/primitive campsites and non-motorized trails. Steve Probst questions whether department is solely
focused on nature-based recreation. Probst suggests possibility of investing in underdeveloped municipal
properties (parks, pools, etc.) to provide youth/community recreation opportunities for local community
members versus tourists. Discussion is had regarding underutilized properties in the area, rec grant
opportunity for public projects, non-profits, etc. Fred comments on the need to maintain the land and
projects the department currently has, while considering expansion.
This was a discussion only item, so no formal action was taken.
8.Committee Members Discussion. Brief discussion is had regarding the prolonged timeline of the
carbon project. Bodine states that Anew’s capacity for workload has not caught up with demand,
slowing down the process. Ray inquires how the carbon program will increase the harvest workload and
Bodine responds that an increase on the front-end workload, including administrative planning and
strategizing, will be required. Silbert inquires about new properties acquired through land acquisition
projects and whether they will be included in the carbon program. Bodine responds that the current
carbon program only includes land assessed at the time of project development, and that a second carbon
project can be established if enough land is acquired to warrant it.
9.Joseph Lebouton: No comments.
The next Forestry and Parks Committee meeting has been scheduled for Monday, January 9th at 6:00
P.M.
Meeting adjourned at 7:02 PM.
Submitted by,
Cassie Taylor