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HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 2/13/2023 BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING February 13, 2023 County Board Room Members Present: Fred Strand; 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; Bill Bussey, Citizens’ Climate Lobby; Fred Clark, Citizens’ Climate Lobby; Bruce Moore, Citizens’ Climate Lobby; Bill Bailey, Cheq Bay Renewables; Kate Ullman; Megan Salmon-Tumas; Elizabeth Andre; Dave Ullman; Erika Lang, Landmark Conservancy; Eddie Shea, WI DNR; Ryan Frostman, South Shore Sand and Gravel 1. Call to Order of Forestry and Parks Committee Meeting. This meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM. 2. Public Comment: Public Comment opens at 6:01 PM. a) Bill Bussey, Citizens’ Climate Lobby – Chequamegon Chapter: Speaks on agenda item #9 (FCOR), proposes provision to FCOR proposal. Would like more direct and concise language allowing for proceeds to be taken from carbon credit revenues to replace potential lost stumpage revenues on county forest tracts managed for recreation or carbon sequestration. Also proposes that $750k from recreation grant program allocated funds is moved to the forest management program category. b) Bill Bailey, Cheq Bay Renewables: Speaks on agenda item #9 (FCOR) specifically regarding language used to market carbon credits. Proposes use of terms such as “old growth” and “mature forests” in carbon credit marketing to increase tourism dollars, using carbon as economic development tool for Bayfield County. Also proposes that, similarly to CCOR, fifty percent of carbon revenues in FCOR are assigned to carbon reduction projects. c) Kate Ullman: Speaks on agenda item #7e (Ashwabay SMA) as a trail user on county forest land. Opposed to timber harvests planned on/near recreation trails, expressing that logging operations effect the feel and natural beauty experienced on ski and bike trails. Asks committee to reprioritize management plans of SMA areas, using carbon revenues for alternative management solutions to maintain natural feel on trails. d) Megan Salmon-Tumas: Speaks on agenda items #9 (FCOR) and #7e (Ashwabay SMA). Wants to see FCOR language expanded to consider programs that delay harvesting and prioritize mature forests. Wants harvests reduced in SMA. e) Elizabeth Andre: Speaks on agenda item #7e (Ashwabay SMA) from a trail user and recreational perspective. Expresses that human-powered recreationalists prefers aesthetic of forest that isn’t actively managed; “old growth” type forest. Expresses support of responsible timber harvesting and forest management, but suggests committee capitalize on untouched, pristine trails. f) Dave Ullman: Speaks on agenda item #7e (Ashwabay SMA) as local geologist and ambassador for Ashwabay trails. Seeks to preserve the existing landscape of this special trail system. Public Comment closes at 6:24 PM. 3. Approval of the January 9th Meeting Minutes. MOTION: (Fickbohm, Silbert) Approve and place on file. All: Yes. Carried. Bayfield County Forestry & Parks Committee February 13, 2023 Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 4. Presentation: Erika Lang, Landmark Conservancy. Presents a project involving restoration of the Brownstone trail, just outside the City of Bayfield along Lake Superior shoreline. Landmark is gauging county (and Town of Bayfield) interest in purchasing the “Maki” property, leaving Landmark to design restoration, plan and execute community outreach, and act as trail steward. A feasibility study (funded by WI Coastal grant) was conducted and concluded the best option for trail restoration is to purchase the “Maki” property and move the trail further from the lake. Issues include shoreline erosion due to high lake levels, runoff, etc., infrastructure crowding the trail (close to Hwy 13), and private land easements. County would benefit from an enhanced rec opportunity and publicity. Landmark would ask county to apply for trail restoration grants. Discussion is had regarding the sanitation system (not connected). A private landowner currently owns actual shoreline (Dobson parcel) which is under water. Erika clarifies that this is a multi-use trail: ski, bike, hike. Official proposal will be made to the Town of Bayfield next month. Committee discusses infrequency of lake access properties becoming available; this would be a rare and beneficial opportunity for the county. Committee agrees to move forward with reviewing options to consider in another future proposal from Landmark. This was a discussion only item, so no formal action was taken. 5. Presentation: Ryan Frostman, South Shore Sand and Gravel. Presents a land trade proposal that would allow expansion of current South Shore Sand and Gravel facilities operations via an addition to their shop. Bayfield County is adjacent landowner to the south. Easement for the use of Primrose Lane would be included in land trade. Committee inquires whether county foresters have cruised the property; they have not. Discussion is had regarding use of the easement (i.e. – recreation access); because of the heavy equipment used, Ryan would prefer access on the easement remain limited. Bodine advises that the proposal would need to demonstrate “higher and better” value to the public, in order for the land to be removed from County Forest Law, and would likely be denied as it stands. Consensus is to have Ryan return with a revised proposal. This was a discussion only item, so no formal action was taken. 6. Wildlife Opening Maintenance Request. Eddie Shea presents to request permission to continue maintaining existing wildlife openings throughout the county forest. This is part of a long-standing annual request from the DNR. 2022 data is presented showing that 61 of the 72 planned openings were completed. 2023 proposal includes 121 openings, using ATV or skid steer powered mowers. Three opening clusters are near Cornucopia, Iron River, and Cable. No issues. Bodine recommends approval. MOTION: (Silbert, Sandstrom) Approve wildlife opening maintenance request. All: Yes. Carried. 7. Monthly Reports. a) Forestry (all updates): Stumpage revenue for the month of January 2023 was just over $237k. Current timber sale revenue is just under $300k. Both average for this time of year. The annual town road aid letters will be distributed shortly, traditionally addressed during March or April meeting. a. Carbon Project. Passed verification audit, in ACR review phase. ANEW is actively marketing project but has not officially released for sale. b. Land Acquisition Project(s). a. Lost Creek. Completed December 16. Project is done and property has been deeded to the county. Waiting on Coastal grant contract before claiming reimbursement. b. Sand River. Have been verbally informed that project will be selected for NOAA grant and will likely be awarded full amount of $1.965 million. Official announcement expected mid-month. ARPA cannot be reassigned. A lot of moving Bayfield County Forestry & Parks Committee February 13, 2023 Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 pieces need to come together in a short time frame. Working with TPL on options to maximize various grant funds. c. Town of Clover – Bark River. ARPA cannot be reassigned so this project is closing late February. c. Encroachment in Town of Hughes. Approved by Board last week, planning to have withdrawal paperwork into the DNR shortly. d. Lake States Bat Habitat Conservation Plan. Northern Long Eared Bat will be listed as endangered, likely by end of March. Little Brown Bat likely listed in 2023 or 2024. As a result, WI, MN and MI are in the process of developing a joint bat habitat conservation plan (HCP). This will be required to obtain an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act, as it pertains to forest management activities. Once an HCP has been developed, individual counties must sign on to participate and receive coverage under the permit. This may require board approval. e. Ashwabay SMA Timber Sale. Bodine explains plan for spring offering. One quarter to one third of existing trees in this unit are on the harvest schedule, primarily thinning oak. Conifer will be retained. Future plans to underplant white pine for diversity. Effort and modifications have been made to minimize impact of harvest to recreation. Twenty eight percent of this area has been removed from harvest schedule. Public comments are being accepted via department website and the sale plan is being shared with local rec partners. Two comments received via form on forestry website are shared with the Committee. Silbert thanks administrator and foresters for sensitive and scientific plans, comments that the yurts wouldn’t be as dynamic without views of the lake, made possible by timber harvesting. b) Campgrounds and Day Use Parks (update). Nothing new to report. c) Trails and Recreation. a. Motorized Trails: Installed trail counters on various snowmobile trails throughout county. Goal is to get better idea of use, like our data collection on non-motorized trails. Clubs are reporting high levels of use with the snow this year. i. DNR Winter Storm Damage Grant. DNR Snow Council announced additional funds available to counties that experienced above average storm damage from heavy, early season snowstorms. Alliance is meeting tonight to discuss this and determine if an application is necessary. Bayfield County trails weren’t hit as hard as adjacent counties. b. Non-Motorized Trails: Currently in process of developing rec use agreement with Bayfield Nordic for grooming cross-country ski trails on Siskiwit Falls property. c. Yurts. Current occupancy rates presented by Bodine. d. Events. Nothing new to report. d) Delta Landfill Update. Nothing new to report. Project was presented during last board meeting. MOTION: (Silbert, Fickbohm) Receive reports as presented and place on file. All: Yes. Carried. 8. Access Permit Renewal Request. Jim Hartmon is requesting a renewal of a previously approved 10- year temporary access permit. MOTION: (Fickbohm, Ray) Approve access permit renewal request. All: Yes. Carried. 9. FCOR. Latest change is moving from a five-year plan to a three-year plan. Discussion is had regarding public comments made on the marketing of carbon credits and the macro perspective the FCOR is meant to have. Bodine emphasizes that the FCOR is a dynamic plan that can and will change, meant to provide Bayfield County Forestry & Parks Committee February 13, 2023 Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 a lot of flexibility to designate and shift funding based on priorities or unexpected projects. Marketing will be conducted by ANEW for the most part. MOTION*: (Silbert, Fickbohm) Adopt FCOR as presented and forward to the Executive Board. MOTION: (Ray, Silbert) Re-open public comment. All: Yes. Carried. Bill Bussey speaks asking Committee to consider inserting revised language into FCOR proposal. Public comment closed. Bodine reads aloud revised language: As noted above, an important short-term objective is to evaluate recommended climate adaptation tools and strategies, as well as various carbon metrics, and formulate forest management approaches that enhance climate resiliency, improve carbon stocks and increase sequestration rates, without significantly impacting traditional timber outputs. As part of the process, it is likely that sustainable harvest goals will be impacted, in some way, especially once climate adaptation strategies and carbon metrics become a more prominent fixture within the forest management framework. Programmatic modifications may include slight increases in lands removed from future harvest considerations; an increase in delayed harvests or extended rotations; or similar modifications to forest management strategies that result, on average, in either a small decrease in annual timber sale outputs or a lower amount of volume harvested per annum. Modifications could also result in improved carbon offset production and subsequent increases in returns from the sale of more carbon credits. If forest management strategies were intentionally modified to better optimize various carbon metrics and enhanced climate resiliency, but at the expense of traditional timber outputs, then the net loss of stumpage revenue may be replaced by an equal amount of net gain in carbon returns. MOTION: (Sandstrom, Fickbohm) Amend current motion approving FCOR to include revised language. All: Yes. Carried. *MOTION (as amended): All: Yes. Carried. 10. Recreational Use Agreement. Bayfield Nordic. Collaboration with Bayfield Nordic regarding potential to create and groom cross-country ski trails on Siskiwit Falls property. Need to expand a few areas to get grooming equipment through. Installed a trail counter to monitor use. Bodine recommends approval. MOTION: (Ray, Fickbohm) Approve rec use agreement with Bayfield Nordic. All: Yes. Carried. 11. Committee Members Discussion. Fickbohm comments on a Washington Post article regarding Australia’s carbon market. Concern is that funds won’t be available in the future if there is a surplus of carbon credits available. Recommends the article. Ray adds that the market may become flooded, but on the contrary the possibility exists that it will become extremely profitable. 12. Joseph Lebouton: No comments. Bayfield County Forestry & Parks Committee February 13, 2023 Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5 The next Forestry and Parks Committee meeting has been scheduled for Monday, March 13th at 6:00 P.M. Meeting adjourned at 8:18 PM. Submitted by, Cassie Taylor