Forestry warns Ashland County boat landing unsafe; dredging will require multiple permits and funding plan

Chris Hoffman, a forestry official, told the Ashland County Zoning and Land Committee on April 22 that staff found the county’s boat landing “most definitely unsafe to use at this point.” Hoffman said county staff conducted soundings and discovered shallow depths that likely prevent boats from leaving the landing once launched.

Hoffman said addressing the problem will require multiple permits and other steps. “We’re gonna need a permit from the state, a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers, a permit from Ashland County from zoning,” he said, and added that a shoreland permit may be required. Hoffman said the county will meet a contractor on-site the day after the meeting and prepare a two-page preliminary application to the state so regulators can determine what engineering or additional permitting will be required.

The county’s grant writer, identified at the meeting as Erica, asked whether staff could produce a cost estimate or whether she should seek funding for a pre-engineering report. “Are your people going to be able to kinda draw up that needed kind of set of costs, or should I be trying to look for money to pay for a pre engineering report before actual dredging even happens?” she asked.

Hoffman said the state’s dredging program has been inundated with applications because of regionwide low water, and that the state’s review will clarify whether engineering is needed before dredging can occur. He also reported that initial research suggests maintenance dredging of a county boat landing is not eligible for state grant funding, meaning the county will likely need to identify local funds, contractor donations, volunteer labor or other sources.

Hoffman said staff will probably post signage this week warning the public that the landing may not be safe for use. He also noted that even if the landing itself is dredged, the bay outside the landing is also shallow and would be a separate permitting and funding question.

Committee members raised several local considerations: volunteers and local businesses have offered help, but Hoffman advised against informal volunteer dredging without permits. Matt Erickson of the highway department was contacted as a possible source of help, and a county staffer suggested the sand pit near Highbridge as a potential disposal site if dredge material must be removed from the water.

Hoffman said the contractor the county will meet with is called ProBeach; another contractor mentioned earlier in the packet, Nelson Construction, had shown little interest. Hoffman summarized: the next steps are an on-site contractor meeting, submission of the state preliminary application, and then follow-up depending on whether engineering or additional permits are required.

The committee did not take a formal vote on the dredging at the April 22 meeting. Hoffman described the status as “very preliminary” and said the county would return with estimates and permitting guidance once the contractor and state provide direction.

The committee scheduled its next regular meeting for June 10 and noted the dredging timeline could change depending on permit timing and lake water levels.