MARATHON COUNTY FORESTRY/RECREATION COMMITTEE AGENDA

Transcription

1 MARATHON COUNTY FORESTRY/RECREATION COMMITTEE AGENDA Tuesday February 6, 2018 Conference Room #3 11:00 AM 212 River Drive, Wausau, WI Members: Arnold Schlei (Chairman), Rick Seefeldt (Vice-Chairman), Robert Wegner Marathon County Mission Statement: Marathon County Government serves people by leading, coordinating, and providing county, regional, and statewide initiatives. It directly or in cooperation with other public and private partners provides services and creates opportunities that make Marathon County and the surrounding area a preferred place to live, work, visit, and do business (Last updated: ) Forestry/Recreation Committee Mission Statement: The Forestry/Recreation Committee shall have the responsibility to manage and protect the County Forest on a sustainable basis for ecological, economic, educational, recreational, and research needs of present and future generations. (Last updated: ) Agenda Items: I. CALL TO ORDER; II. III. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED 15 MINUTES; APPROVE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 3, 2018 MEETING; Policy Discussion and Possible Action: IV. TIMBER SALE CLOSEOUTS; A. KLEINSCHMIDT LOGGING # B. TWIN FOREST PRODUCTS # V. REVIEW PROPOSED DRAFT OF NINE MILE COUNTY FOREST EVENT AND USE REGULATIONS INCLUDING IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS GOING FORWARD; VI. RESOLUTION: APPROVING AN APPLICATION TO ACQUIRE FUNDING THROUGH THE KNOWLES-NELSON STEWARDSHIP GRANT PROGRAM; Educational Presentation and Possible Action: VII. UPDATE ON THE POTENTIAL LAND ACQUISITION IN THE TOWN OF RIB MOUNTAIN; VIII. WISCONSIN COUNTY FORESTS SPRING ADMINISTRATORS MEETING MARCH 15-16, 2018; IX PARKS, RECREATION AND FORESTRY DEPARTMENT WEBSITE HITS; X VALUE OF PUBLIC LAND FOREST TIMBER SALES IN WISCONSIN; XI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS COUNTY FOREST ANNUAL REPORT, FORESTRY DIVISION EXPENSE REVENUE REPORT, 2017 COUNTY FOREST LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORT, SPRING 2018 TIMBER SALE PACKAGE; XII. NEXT MEETING MARCH 6, 2018 AT 11:00 A.M. IN ROOM 3; XIII. ADJOURNMENT SIGNED PRESIDING OFFICER OR DESIGNEE ANY PERSON PLANNING TO ATTEND THIS MEETING WHO NEEDS SOME TYPE OF SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE SHOULD CALL THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE AT OR INFOMARATHON@MAIL.CO.MARATHON.WI.US ONE BUSINESS DAY BEFORE THE MEETING NOTICE POSTED AT COURTHOUSE: FAX/ TO: Daily Herald City Pages Marshfield News Mid-west Radio Group By: FAX/ BY: Date: FAX/ DATE/TIME: a.m./p.m. Time: a.m/p.m.

2 FORESTRY/RECREATION COMMITTEE JANUARY 3, 2018 MINUTES 11:00AM Members present: Arnold Schlei, Robert Wegner Excused: Rick Seefeldt Also present: Tom Lovlien-Forest Administrator, Bill Duncanson-Director, Chad Keranen - DNR Liaison Call meeting to order Meeting called to order by Chairman Schlei at 11:00am, Rm 3, 212 River Dr., Wausau. Public Comment Period Not to Exceed 15 Minutes no comments Approve Minutes Motion / second by Schlei / Wegner to approve the minutes from the December 5, 2017 meeting. Motion carried by voice vote, no dissent. Resolution: Purchase of the Erickson Property for County Forest Lovlien said the Environmental Resource Committee went on record to move this purchase forward contingent upon Forestry and Recreation Committee approval. There is an accepted offer at the appraised price of $60,000. If the Committee votes to approve the purchase it will move to Finance/Property Committee and County Board. This is the highest priority purchase in all of the County forest units. If the County is able to purchase the Rib Mountain property as well, this $60,000 can be used as a match. If the Rib Mountain property purchase doesn t go through, Lovlien said he has a year from the date of closing to write a Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant to receive 50% of the $60,000 purchase price. Questions were answered. Motion / second by Schlei / Wegner to approve the Erickson property purchase. Motion carried by voice vote, no dissent. Wisconsin County Forests Association (WCFA) ATV/UTV Sustainable Trail Guidance Lovlien said some of the northern county forests build a lot of new trails because they receive a lot of use. Over the last several years some counties have been going to the ATV/UTV Governors Council funding decision meetings to try to get funds for graveling to make trails sustainable. WCFA came up with sustainable trail guidelines to help demonstrate what is needed for water quality BMP s and keeping the forests certified. There was a certification finding last year on the audit that a trail in northern Wisconsin was eroding into an ash swamp which is being communicated to the ATV/UTV Council. However, there are some members of the Council that don t think they should be paying for gravel and maintenance to fund these trails up to the levels that the counties think are needed. Lovlien said the County is following the majority of the sustainable guidelines for the trails in the Burma Road Forest Unit and the club is assisting and doing a good job. Lovlien said the guidelines are common sense and Marathon County should be following them. Motion / second by Wegner / Schlei to approve the Wisconsin County Forests Association ATV/UTV Sustainable Trail Guidelines. Motion carried by voice vote, no dissent. Wisconsin County Forests Association Talking Points Lovlien said the information is for education about WCFA s history, what it currently does, its future and how important it is to the economy. He felt it would be a good piece of information for everyone especially for new County Board members. Annual County Forest/DNR Partnership Meeting Minutes Keranen discussed highlights of the partnership meeting including County forest time standards, the County forest work plan, the Wildlife work plan, conservation aids projects, forest certification, land use issues, forest health and invasive species Spring Bird Survey at Nine Mile Forest Lovlien reported that in 2003 a Cerulean Warbler was heard or seen in an old hardwood stand area of Nine Mile Forest. Since 2003 the Bird Club has been out there several times and hasn t heard the warbler since. The Cerulean Warbler is threatened in the State, so timber can t be harvested until August 24 th under the Species Guidance rules. Lovlien has suggested that the Wausau Bird Club do a spring survey to find out if the Cerulean Warbler or any other threatened or endangered species are present in these older hardwood stands. There is a 40 acre hardwood stand that is sold that the logger would like to cut before August 24 th. If the Bird Club does a survey and doesn t hear or see the Cerulean warbler or any other threatened or endangered species then the logging starting date can be moved back to July 15 th. Going forward surveys will have to be done every year if the 300 to 400 acres of older hardwood is to be harvested unless the bird is taken off 1

3 FORESTRY/RECREATION COMMITTEE JANUARY 3, 2018 MINUTES 11:00AM the threatened and endangered species list. Keranen said there is a mile buffer around the area of that original Cerulean Warbler find. The logging job will be completed, it s just a matter of when it can begin. Land Acquisition Updates on the Town of Harrison and Town of Rib Mountain Properties for County Forest Lovlien updated Committee that the Town of Harrison land acquisition should move forward this month. The owners of the Rib Mountain property are in discussions and he will check with them to see if they are going to move forward with the County s offer at the appraised value for the land. Future Agenda Items timber sale closeouts, update on winter logging Next Meeting Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 11:00 am in Room 3 Adjourn Motion / second by Schlei / Wegner to adjourn at 11:35 a.m. Motion carried by voice vote, no dissent. 2

4 CLOSE OUT TIMBER SALES February 6, 2018 Sale KLEINSCHMIDT LOGGING Aspen Pulp Basswood Pulp Mixed Hardwood Pulp Oak Pulp Red Pine Pulp Mixed Hardwood Tops < Ash Sawlogs Basswood Sawlogs Red Maple Sawlogs White Oak Sawlogs Estimated 230 Tons 110 Tons 190 Tons 180 Tons 70 Tons 250 Tons 1030 Tons 2 MBF 20 MBF 4 MBF 10 MBF 36 MBF Cut Tons Aspen Pulp Tons Basswood Pulp Tons Mixed Hardwood Pulp Tons Oak Pulp Tons Red Pine Pulp Total Tons Cut 3.40 MBF Ash Sawlogs MBF Basswood Sawlogs 3.77 MBF Red Maple Sawlogs MBF White Oak Sawlogs Total MBF Cut Total Revenue for Sale: $21, Balance: $0.00 Bond Amount: $4, Bond Type: Letter of Credit Recommendation: Close out and return Letter of Credit

5 CLOSE OUT TIMBER SALES February 6, 2018 Sale TWIN FOREST PRODUCTS LLC Aspen Pulp Mixed Hardwood Pulp Oak Pulp Red Pine Pulp Red Maple Sawlogs Red Oak Sawlogs Estimated 1550 Tons 700 Tons 325 Tons 40 Tons 2615 Tons 10 MBF 15 MBF 25 MBF Cut Tons Aspen Pulp Tons Mixed Hardwood Pulp Tons Oak Pulp Tons Red Pine Pulp Total Tons Cut 6.98 MBF Red Maple Sawlogs MBF Red Oak Sawlogs Total MBF Cut Total Revenue for Sale: $96, Balance: $0.00 Bond Amount: $20, Bond Type: Letter of Credit Recommendation: Close out and return Letter of Credit

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7 MARATHON COUNTY FOREST COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN Mission Statement Natural resources, such as those provided by the County Forest, are the base for addressing the ecological and socioeconomic needs of society. The mission of the Marathon County Forest is to manage and protect these natural resources on a sustainable basis for ecological, economic, educational, recreational, and research needs of present and future generations. County Forest resources should be protected from natural catastrophes such as fire, insect, and disease outbreaks, and from human threats such as encroachment, over-utilization, environmental degradation, and excessive development. While managed for environmental needs including watershed protection, protection of rare plant and animal communities, and maintenance of plant and animal diversity, these same resources must also be managed and proved for sociological needs, including provisions for recreational opportunities and the production of raw materials for wood-using industries. Management must balance local needs with broader state, national, and global concerns through integration of sound forestry, wildlife, fisheries, endangered resources, water quality, soil, and recreational practices. Management will provide this variety of products and amenities for the future through the use of sustainable forest management practices. Goal of the County Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan County Forest Law To administer the Marathon County Forest program consistent with the mission statement and the purpose and direction of the County Forest Law considering recommendations of interested citizens and groups. The purpose of the County Forest Law being: to provide the basis for a permanent program of county forests and to enable and encourage the planned development and management of the county forests for optimum production of forest products together with recreational opportunities, wildlife, watershed protection and stabilization of stream flow, giving full recognition to the concept of multiple use to assure maximum public benefits; to protect the public rights, interests and investments in such lands; and to compensate the counties for the public uses, benefits and privileges these lands provide; all in a manner which will provide a reasonable revenue to the towns in which such lands lie. (Sec , Wis. Stats.) pkdata/tom/policies/comprehensivelanduseplan

8 BACKGROUND AND HISTORY NINE MILE USE REGULATIONS In 1998 the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department began seeing signs of resource damage including erosion on roads and trails at Nine Mile. Some members of the public were building nonsustainable mountain bike trails without permission. Organized rides were occurring drawing many people using trails that weren t developed for mountain biking. Conflicts began between users including cross country skiers, mountain bikers, hikers and hunters. These problems were brought to the attention of the County Forest Citizen s Advisory Subcommittee. Discussions ensued with all the major user groups to determine what could be done to make sure that all groups could have safe and quality recreational experiences. All user groups agreed to compromise. In 2002 PRF staff proposed regulating uses at Nine Mile to alleviate some of the multiple use conflicts. Eight proposals were drafted and forwarded to the Citizens Advisory Subcommittee and the Forestry Committee. They were scrutinized, edited and ultimately adopted by the County. They worked well and user group conflicts were minimized. Since 1998 the Forest Citizens Advisory Subcommittee comprised of all the major user groups continue to meet quarterly to discuss issues and work on multiple use concerns. This Subcommittee has been instrumental in its recommendations to the Forestry Committee on balancing all the competing uses. Fast forward to The popularity of Nine Mile has grown exponentially in the last 15 years. Crosscountry skiing, mountain biking, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, hunting, sustainable forest management, bird watching, horseback riding, high school cross country races, special trail based events plus more have grown. PRF Department has been receiving additional requests for new events and races particularly the last few years and continue to expect even more. User conflicts are beginning again and will continue without more regulation. We are at a point where we need to revisit the regulations to determine what can be done to minimize conflicts before they become a bigger problem. Accordingly, staff has met and developed a new set of regulations that builds upon those that were adopted in These rules are based upon the County Forest Law, objectives of the County Forest and its Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The goal is continue to provide sustainable forest products, protect resources and provide safe and quality recreational experiences for this multiple use area. pkdata/tom/policies/nmhistoryregs

9 NINE MILE COUNTY FOREST EVENT AND USE REGULATIONS APRIL Sustainable timber management (timber harvests) will continue to occur following the approved County Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the County Forest Law(28.11 Wis. Stats). Some trails may be periodically closed to allow harvesting due to the following: It has become increasingly difficult to manage the timber resource with insect and disease restrictions that prohibit harvesting during specific time periods. Cross country skiing has reduced harvesting in the winter within the core ski trail area. In upland areas of Nine Mile harvesting may only occur between August 24 and November 15 in large diameter northern hardwood stands due to threatened and endangered species guidance. There are few areas that harvests may occur in year round. Attempts will be made to minimize conflicts on trail based recreation activities. 2. Dispersed recreation such as hunting, trapping, fishing, bird watching, hiking, backpacking and berry picking will continue to occur on all County Forest Lands according to the County Forest Law and Department of Natural Resources seasons and regulations. 3. Mountain biking and horseback riding season at Nine Mile County Forest begins from May 1 to May 15, depending on trail conditions, to October 15 each year. If trail conditions allow opening during the first three weeks of May, mountain biking and horseback riding will be allowed after 12:00pm daily to accommodate spring turkey hunters. 4. County ordinance prohibits the use of bicycles or riding horses on any designated trail seasonally closed. 5. Snow biking is prohibited on cross country ski or snowshoe trails due to user conflicts and the biking season being closed. 6. Electric mountain bikes (emtb) falls under the definition of a self propelled motor bicycle and is prohibited by ordinance. 7. Cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are allowed on designated trails when there is sufficient snow cover as determined by the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. 8. Cross country skiing and snowshoeing are allowed at any time off the designated trails according to County Forest Law. 9. Up to four high school cross country running races may be allowed at Nine Mile on or before October 15 each year.

10 10. Organizers may apply for a special event by completing a Facility Use Agreement form available at the Park office. Applications will be evaluated using the criteria below listed in order of importance. Resource Protection Potential for User Conflicts Number of Events Already Scheduled (cap on events) Benefits to the Community Revenue Generation Existing events that have been historically held will get first consideration. Any additional events or trail based activities may be considered and if approved be on a trial basis. They may or may not be approved on a yearly basis. A maximum of two weekend trail based events (Friday Sunday) may be allowed between September 1 and October If some events or trail based activities are not approved, Parks, Recreation and Forestry staff will assist to find a different venue appropriate for those to be held. 12. The Forestry/Recreation Committee has jurisdiction over all land use on the County forest. Any future changes or additions to these regulations will need approval by the Forestry/Recreation Committee before being implemented. pkdata/tom/policies/nmregs

11 RESOLUTION #R - 18 APPROVING AN APPLICATION TO ACQUIRE STATE FUNDING THROUGH THE KNOWLES-NELSON STEWARDSHIP GRANT PROGRAM WHEREAS, at the January 23, 2018 adjourned organizational meeting the Marathon County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution #R-1-18 authorizing the purchase of the Erickson Etal. property for County Forest; and; WHEREAS, on February 22, 2018 Marathon County purchased the below described lands consisting of 40 acres in the SWNE Section 19, Township 30 North, Range 10 East, Town of Harrison, Marathon County, Wisconsin; and; WHEREAS, said funding may provide funding up to 50% of the acquisition price; NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Marathon does hereby ordain and resolve that the County request the grant funding available from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources under the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Land Acquisition Grant Program HEREBY AUTHORIZES the proper County officials to act on behalf of Marathon County to submit an application to the State of Wisconsin for land acquisition grant funding; sign documents; and take necessary action to undertake, direct, and complete an approved land acquisition project. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Marathon County will comply with State rules for the program and meet the financial obligations under the grant. Dated this 27th day of February, FORESTRY/RECREATION COMMITTEE ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE Fiscal Impact Estimate: No County tax levy. Marathon County may be eligible for a minimum of a $30,000 State grant.

12 Web Site Traffic 2017: Parks Recreation Forestry # Page Views Unique 1.../Parks/ListofParks.aspx 33,460 24, /RecreationOpportunities/Camping.aspx 30,607 18, /RecreationOpportunities/Snowmobiling.aspx 29,093 23, ParksRecreationForestry.aspx 20,981 15, /RecreationOpportunities/CrossCountrySkiingSnowshoeing.aspx 12,201 9, /RecreationOpportunities/ShootingRange.aspx 10,621 9, /RecreationOpportunities/Snowmobiling/TrailMaps.aspx 10,232 7, /CountyForests/ForestUnits/NineMile.aspx 8,774 7, /RecreationOpportunities/IceSkatingandHockeyIndoor.aspx 7,132 6, /Parks/ReservableSheltersandFacilities.aspx 5,385 3, /RecreationOpportunities/SplashPad.aspx 5,018 4, /RecreationOpportunities/Biking.aspx 4,677 3, /OtherPrograms/UpcomingEvents.aspx 4,347 3, /Parks.aspx 3,115 1, /RecreationOpportunities/ATVUTVRiding.aspx 3,035 2, /EastbaySportsComplex.aspx 3,019 2, /RecreationOpportunities.aspx 2,790 2, /MarathonJunction.aspx 2,770 2, /recreationopportunities/snowmobiling.aspx 2,453 2, /RecreationOpportunities/Hunting.aspx 2,265 1, /RecreationOpportunities/Hiking.aspx 1,507 1, /CountyForests/ForestUnits.aspx 1, /CountyForests.aspx 1, /CountyForests/ForestUnits/BurmaRoad.aspx 1, /CountyForests/TimberSales.aspx 1, /RecreationOpportunities/SnowTubing.aspx 1, /CountyForests/ForestUnits/LeatherCamp.aspx /CountyForests/UndesignatedCampingPermit.aspx /RecreationOpportunities/Boating,CanoeingandKayaking.aspx /OtherPrograms/SeasonalEmployment.aspx /RecreationOpportunities/HorseTrails.aspx /OtherPrograms/SkiForYouth.aspx /OtherPrograms/OffLeashDogExerciseArea.aspx /CountyForests/ForestUnits/Kronenwetter.aspx /recreationopportunities/shootingrange.aspx /EastbaySportsComplex/ScheduleFieldUse.aspx /CountyForests/ForestUnits/WisconsinRiver.aspx /RecreationOpportunities/AttractionTickets.aspx /CountyForests/ForestUnits/RingleMarsh.aspx /OtherPrograms/WinterStorage.aspx /OtherPrograms.aspx /CountyForests/ForestUnits/HewittHarrison.aspx /OtherPrograms/FeeDirective.aspx /RecreationOpportunities/BirdWatching.aspx

13 45.../OtherPrograms/RecreationGuide.aspx /FCASAgendasMinutes.aspx /parks/listofparks.aspx /RecreationOpportunities/DiscGolf.aspx /CountyForests/ForestUnits/Elderon.aspx /CountyForests/ForestUnits/BernWetland.aspx /OtherPrograms/ChildrensFestival.aspx /OtherPrograms/MetalDetecting.aspx /CountyForests/WoodCuttingPermits.aspx /PlanningandDevelopment.aspx /EastbaySportsComplex/FieldNamingRights.aspx /RecreationOpportunities/Pickleball.aspx /OtherPrograms/WausauAreaRecreationContacts.aspx parksrecreationforestry.aspx /OtherPrograms/Geocaching.aspx /EastbaySportsComplex/Location.aspx /PlanningandDevelopment/ForestryDivisionAnnualReportandWorkPlan.aspx /OtherPrograms/SoftballSchedules.aspx /PlanningandDevelopment/MarathonCountyForestComprehensiveLandUsePlan.aspx /PlanningandDevelopment/MarathonCountyOutdoorRecreationPlan aspx /EastbaySportsComplex/TheHistory.aspx /OtherPrograms/PopularLinks.aspx /OtherPrograms/AdoptAPark.aspx /OtherPrograms/ParkandForestOrdinances.aspx /countyforests/forestunits/wisconsinriver.aspx /recreationopportunities/camping.aspx /recreationopportunities.aspx /RecreationOpportunities/Camping.aspx?... askid=1367d7d5 d a a36cbef92bc47df7 0 ab_gsb /RecreationOpportunities/Camping.aspx?fref=gc&dti= /RecreationOpportunities/crosscountryskiingsnowshoeing.aspx parksrecreationforestry.aspx /parks.aspx /RecreationOpportunities/Camping.aspx 1 1 Total Pages Served 225,654

14 Completed Value $ Value of Timber Sales Completed $45,000,000 $40,000,000 $35,000,000 $30,000,000 $25,000,000 $20,000,000 $15,000,000 State Forests Other State Lands State Lands Total County Forests $10,000,000 $5,000,000 $ Calendar Year