HomeMy WebLinkAboutForestry & Parks Committee - Minutes - 11/11/2024
BAYFIELD COUNTY FORESTRY AND PARKS DEPARTMENT
COMMITTEE MEETING
November 11, 2024
County Board Room
Members Present: Fred Strand; Steve Sandstrom; Larry Fickbohm; Charly Ray; Jeff Olsen
Staff in Attendance: Jason Bodine, Administrator; Deanna Regan, Office Manager
Others in Attendance: Joseph LeBouton, WI DNR; Sue Rosa, County Board Member
1. Call to Order of Forestry and Parks Committee Meeting.
This meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM.
2. Public Comment: None
Public comment closed at 6:01 PM.
3. Approval of the October 14th Meeting Minutes.
MOTION: (Olsen, Sandstrom) Approve minutes and place on file. All: Yes. Carried.
4. 2024 Fall Timber Sale Offering. There were 115 bids submitted, none rejected. Prices were down a
little compared to last year but there was a good turnout. Red pine carried the sale. All new sales sold
as well as 2 of the reoffers. The 5 no-bid sales are being offered as direct sales.
MOTION: (Olsen, Fickbohm) Approve 2024 Fall Timber Sale high bids. All: Yes. Carried.
5. Resolution: Knowles-Nelson Stewardship and WI Coastal Management Grant Applications for
the Acquisition of County Forest Land. To apply for a Stewardship grant, formal Committee and
Board approval is needed. The Committee authorized moving forward with these acquisition projects
last month, including applying for grants, but the resolution formalizes it a bit better. Since we are still
negotiating with numerous landowners, we don’t have a final project developed yet. As such, the
resolution grants us permission to apply for grants, pending final approval by the Committee, when we
have the final details fleshed out. Once the dust settles on final purchase pricing and grant funds, if
awarded, the final package would still need to be presented to the Committee and Board before closing
on the actual purchases.
MOTION: (Ray, Sandstrom) Forward to County Board for recommended full approval. All: Yes.
Carried.
6. Recreational Use Request: Town of Barnes. The Town of Barnes is requesting the establishment of
a new non-motorized rec trail segment to the Tomahawk Lake Trail system. Bodine recommends
approval.
MOTION: (Fickbohm, Olsen) Approve recreational use request. All: Yes. Carried.
7. Monthly Reports
a) Forestry.
a. 2024 Budget. Timber sale revenue did slow a bit, but just for one month, September.
October was above average again at nearly $477k. To date, stumpage returns are just
under $4.44 million, meaning we have now exceeded the one million dollar mark for surplus
revenue. To restate previous concerns, the more revenue we generate now will almost
surely impact future returns. Bodine is anticipating returns to be closer to budget next year
(if not a little under). Expenses are still on target, although with the large surplus in
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November 11, 2024 Meeting Minutes
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stumpage returns, the 10% payment to the towns will be significantly over budget. A year
end budget amendment will be required to address that, which is typically presented in
January. Also, we were recently awarded an Arbor Day grant for the cost of trees that will be
part of our 2025 reforestation (planting) program. The grant totals roughly $53k and will
cover all seedlings planted next year (just the cost of trees, not physically planting). We did
not get the grant in 2024, and are expecting a tighter budget next year, making this award
even more welcome.
b. Carbon Project. Nothing new to report, though we should be seeing the final payment from
the previous large sale soon. Bodine has reached out to ANEW for a meeting, primarily to
hear their thoughts on how/if the results of the elections will impact future carbon markets as
well as an update on the second issuance of credits for reporting periods 2 and 3.
c. Land Acquisition Projects.
i. Landowner Outreach Updates. We are in different stages of negotiations on
numerous different properties where the current landowner has expressed a desire to
sell. Only one offer has been signed thus far (the 120 acres off Lindgren Rd).
Committee discussion ensued regarding the different properties.
ii. Community Forest Grant – Iron River Community Forest. No changes to the status of
this project. Landmark is still waiting for the Stewardship contract, and we are waiting
on the paperwork for the Community Forest grant. Still expecting this one to close in
Q1 2025.
iii. Whittlesey Creek. No changes to this project either. Both Landmark and the County
are waiting for formal grant contracts on the previously awarded funds. Closing is also
expected in Q1 2025.
d. 4-H Properties at Topside Lake. Back in the mid-60’s, Bayfield County conveyed
approximately 57 acres to the 4-H Leaders Association, to be used as a 4-H camp and other
4-H projects. The county also tagged the adjacent 20 acre parcel as a Park property. Bodine
believes these parcels were once part of the county forest, which is also adjacent. As part of
that conveyance, the fee simple title would revert back to Bayfield County if 4-H use was
discontinued for a year or more. The deed was reauthorized again back in 2000, ultimately
restating the same terms. Two small outhouses (both in poor condition) and a small covered
picnic shelter (with concrete base) were established a few decades ago on the 40 acre
parcel, but the property has been idle for many years. Bodine proposes that these parcels
return to Bayfield County for future entry into County Forest Law. The current 4-H parcels
contain over 1,700’ of frontage on Topside Lake. The forested acres are mostly productive
upland hardwoods with a few small wetland pockets. The Park parcel contains over 1,300’
of frontage on Topside, as well as about 300’ of frontage on Wentzel Lake (which is
otherwise privately owned). Bodine recommends this parcel be entered into CFL as well. As
part of entry into CFL, he recommends that these parcels be included as a match in our
future Stewardship grant application. As per terms of the grant, the county can include the
appraised value of county owned, non-CFL properties to cover some of our required match.
Since these properties have been owned by the county for more than a year, match value
would be ½ of the appraisal. When combined, these parcels total 77 acres with over 3,000’
of frontage on Topside and 300’ on Wentzel Lakes. The appraised value will be significant
and allow us to leverage even more of our cash resources towards future acquisitions. In
CFL, the properties would remain available for use by 4-H and the general public, and we
could include a provision that allows them to “reserve” the area for future 4-H events. As
county forest, it also opens this property up to a variety of funding sources and would be an
ideal target for a future lake access project. Current access is on the gas pipeline, which
isn’t ideal, but can be improved as part of a future project. Committee discussion ensued.
e. Herbicide Overspray Issue. Corp Counsel is wrapping up the final demand letter this week.
Otherwise, nothing new to report.
f. 2025 Workplan. Bodine’s target is to present a draft to the Committee during the December
meeting (if we have one). As per the terms of the DNR County Forest Admin Grant, an
annual workplan also needs to be approved by the Board, which usually occurs during the
January meeting. Other than more expansive goals for the rec program, Bodine isn’t
expecting any significant changes/deviations from previous plans.
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g. County Land Timber Sale (non-CFL). When looking for county parcels that might be good
additions to a Stewardship project, we found numerous properties in the Iron River area;
roughly 70 acres near the Highway Department salt shed (across from Spider Lake) and
another 40 acre parcel off N. Gravel Pit Rd. Both parcels contain merchantable timber that is
ready for management, around 70-75 acres total between the two properties. The
recommendation will be to establish a timber sale on both, which would be offered during
our normal spring letting, but sold as non-CFL. It would be managed/administered in the
same way, but since it’s not CFL, it won’t be sold as certified. Also, we’ve approached the
Town of Iron River to see if they are interested in managing some of their adjacent forest
lands and it sounds like they are. If so, we would include their property on our contract and
cut them a check at the end based on their pro-rated share of the total (less an admin fee).
This would be a sand ground sale, roughly 2,000 cords, with a heavy run of aspen. As such,
Bodine expects above average pricing and a significant level of interest.
h. WCFA Board Member Update. WCFA is asking for more budget support for Forestry across
the state.
b) Campgrounds and Day Use Parks. Campgrounds are officially closed. Materials will be ordered
for the final phase of retaining wall replacement. The goal is to get all materials on site and
staged before the end of this year tin order to be ready for installation first thing next spring.
Once completed, all the old and failing retaining walls will have been replaced. Highway will
complete the installation.
c) Trails and Recreation.
a. Motorized Trails. the recent rains put a damper on some planned work, but overall, the
motorized trails are in good shape. The snowmobile alliance is prepping for the upcoming
season. All are hoping for the return of a normal winter. Will soon transition into grant close-
outs and preparation for the next round of motorized grant applications. Lindley recently
conducted SNARS training with the various snowmobile clubs to better facilitate grooming
and maintenance entries into the tracking system.
b. Non-Motorized Trails. All yurts are stocked with firewood and ready for winter use. We did
have a record number of mice (in bucket traps) this year, but fortunately no reports of mice-
related damage. We are meeting with the Town of Barnes at Tomahawk Lake on Friday
morning to review a request for a new trail. Also continuing collaborations with BATS on
their local rec impact study and potential future rec development and/or improvement
opportunities.
c. Rec Coordinator and 2nd Rec Officer Positions. Now that the rec coordinator position was
officially approved, time spent preparing for that position will soon increase. Bodine’s goal is
to have that position filled in early 2025, with a late-February/mid-March starting date.
Bodine was also informed that the 2nd rec deputy was approved. Bodine will be working with
Tony, Andy and Matt in the upcoming months to better flesh out the goals and expectations
of that new position.
d. Yurts Updates. Cable yurt rentals are still much lower than the occupancy rates of the
Bayfield locations.
e. Events. The Northern Pines Dogsled race was approved, as were the traditional cross-
country ski events hosted by the North End Ski Club.
Committee acknowledges that reports are received and placed on file.
8. Committee Members Discussion. None.
9. Joseph LeBouton, DNR Representative, Comments: None.
The next Forestry and Parks Committee meeting has been scheduled for Monday, December 9th, at 6:00
PM in the County Board Room.
Meeting adjourned at 7:06 PM.
Submitted by,
Deanna Regan