Ashland County committees to add comprehensive-plan item to meet 2026 deadline; forestry, trails and timber bids reviewed

ASHLAND — Ashland County committee members voted to ask their advisory committees to place a standing agenda item this year to gather public input for the county—s comprehensive plan, emphasizing the state—s 10-year statutory requirement and a county submission target in 2026.

"So I'm here to talk about preparing the comprehensive plan for the county and acquiring, you know, input from all the different committees and from the public," said George Posey, a member of the county planning effort, explaining the committee proposal and how minutes would be used to capture public input.

The committee's motion to request that each standing committee include a discussion-and-public-comment item about the comprehensive plan on its agendas for the remainder of the year carried by voice vote.

Why it matters: County officials said the comprehensive plan provides a long-term vision that must be reflected in future ordinances and grant applications. Posey noted the plan—s required elements include intergovernmental relations, economic development and land use, agriculture and forestry, community facilities, transportation and utilities, and housing. He reminded members that grants and municipal applications frequently require a current comprehensive plan.

Forestry report and liaison hire

Ryan Beasley, DNR team leader for Ashland and Iron counties, summarized recent forestry work and staffing: the DNR had completed roughly 87—6% of the county-hour commitment mentioned at the previous meeting and reported a relatively average spring fire season. Beasley said staffing levels were decreasing as fire danger lessened and announced the department had rehired a county forest liaison.

"My name is Roy Zubrod. I was born and raised in February. I worked for the DNR previously, with the Steer County liaison capacity, but, I was recently rehired lehi, and then I rejoined the DNR here," said Roy Zubrod after Beasley introduced him.

Committee members approved the forestry report by voice vote.

Snowmobile, ATV and trail maintenance concerns

Committee members heard a lengthier report on snowmobile- and ATV-related trails from John Westfall (identified in the meeting as a representative of local trail interests). Westfall outlined multiple bridge and right-of-way problems, including a condemned bridge on a route west of Baring and a landowner who declined to renew a 20-year permissive access agreement for a bridge on Dragon Creek. He warned that failure to resolve access or replace bridges could force long detours of 5—9 miles on some routes and would increase annual grooming costs.

Westfall listed several specific needs and estimated local repair costs: about $9,000 to rework a steep trail approach where state DOT involvement is needed; roughly $2,700 to fill a low area near County Trunk 351; and unspecified costs for culverts and drainage work in Ponderosa and Millen areas. He said many historic landowner usage agreements are out of date and that the alliance—s available funds would be insufficient without county help.

"If we can get the permission from Mackenzie to relocate this bridge, we're gonna have to remove this bridal," Westfall said about one reroute option. "If not, we're just gonna have to follow Gordon Lake Road all the way down ... which means we're gonna lose probably about 5 to 8 miles of trail." The committee voted to accept the report.

Timber-sale bidding and contracts

County staff reported five county timber sales were opened for bids at the most recent opening; one sale that the state packaged for the Mellen School District received no bids, and one county sale (identified in the meeting as Sale 4-25, a 75-acre tract) received no bids. The committee approved awarding four of the county sales to the successful high bidders and agreed to rebid the no-bid sale in the fall.

Staff described why the 75-acre sale drew no bids: it contains a large volume of balsam pulp, which buyers said they could not move at current prices. Staff also noted the county had extended contract lengths from two years to four years for the timber-sale contracts.

Motion and vote: A motion to accept the high bids for the four successful sales was made and seconded; the committee took a roll-call vote and approved awarding the contracts. During the roll call several members verbally recorded "yes," including Gary Anderson and William Messinger; the meeting record shows the motion carried.

Dredging, boat landing and parking

Members discussed dredging and dewatering questions for a heavily used county boat landing. Staff said regulators will determine whether bed samples are required and noted the landing—s ownership history limits the county—s ability to charge a launch fee. According to staff, when the landing property was conveyed decades ago the county agreed not to charge residents of the town of Sanborn; an attorney general opinion cited in the meeting was described as preventing selective charging of users, which effectively blocks a general launch fee at that site.

Follow-up and next steps

Committee members said staff and volunteers will continue work lists for trails, grooming, bridge repairs, and timber-sale preparation. The committee set a tentative next meeting for Aug. 6 at 9:30 a.m., subject to cancellation if no agenda items are required.

Quotes in context: All quotes in this article are taken from the meeting transcript and are attributed to the speaker who spoke those words during the committee meeting.

Ending: The committee—s immediate actions were procedural (asking standing committees for input opportunities), informational (accepting DNR and trail reports), and administrative (approving timber-sale awards and planning a rebid of the unsold parcel). Further decisions on trail relocations, bridge replacements and dredging require follow-up with landowners, DOT and DNR staff.