Rusk County timber report: weight limits, hauling and spring marking season underway

Rusk County forestry staff reported on timber-sale activity, hauling before road breakup, and preparations for spring marking and future sales.

Dan Grievousen told the committee that weight limits were implemented on March 3, which triggered a rush to get cut wood scaled and hauled before roads became impassable. He thanked department crews and contractors for getting a significant amount of wood off sales before breakup. Northwest Hardwoods completed large-scale hauling on a big sale north of Net Road. The committee noted there are still cords remaining on some sales and that a few sales will be prepared for advertisement this fall.

Dan said the crew shifted into marking season as snow conditions allowed and that staff have established sales to mark for fall advertisement. Administrative staff reported that timber-sale paperwork for the spring sales has been prepared and will be brought forward next month for committee approval to bid out. County staff also discussed potential budget implications related to confiscated bonds tied to roadwork and suggested a possible dedicated budget line or continuing appropriation to handle infrequent bond-forfeiture road repairs.

Committee members asked questions about where remaining wood piles are located and whether large buyers would take stored wood; staff identified a storage location and noted outreach efforts to find buyers. No formal vote was taken on timber policy at this meeting; staff will present spring-sale paperwork and advertisement materials at a future meeting for committee approval.