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Forestry report: Sawyer County hits timber-sale revenue target; trail repairs and culvert needs flagged
Summary
Forestry staff reported year-to-date timber revenues exceeding $2 million and timber-sale uncut value near $3.9 million. Trails reports detailed completed rehab projects, a reroute on Highway 77, a failing tribal bridge on Trail 31, and an estimated 94 culverts on the Tuscovia trail with average replacement costs around $5,000 each.
County forestry staff told the Sawyer County Land, Water, and Forest Resources Committee that timber-sale activity is on target: 13 active sales, six closeouts in October, year-to-date established acreage of about 3,187 acres, and year-to-date revenue exceeding $2 million from timber sales. The fall timber-sale prospectus is out and a formal bid opening is scheduled for Nov. 13; sale approvals will be considered at December meetings.
Forestry staff said the department hit its Recon Acres goal for the year (542 acres) and is continuing work under the Good Neighbor Authority contract. Oak-wilt monitoring and bike-trail updates had "nothing new to report." An ATV/bridle rehab project of 2.1 miles was completed at a contracted amount of $65,500 (grant funded), and a second rehab is about a quarter finished.
Tim Davidson, representing the Sawyer County Snowmobile Alliance, reported substantial trail maintenance this year, described a reroute of Trail 3 onto the Highway 77 right-of-way, and flagged a failing bridge on Trail 31 that the tribal owner maintains; trail closure was recommended if the tribe does not repair the structure. Davidson also recounted inspection of the Tuscovia trail (about 50 miles) and estimated 94 culverts requiring replacement, with average replacement cost about $5,000 each — a potentially large expense that will require proactive planning rather than emergency repairs.
The DNR liaison, Pat Zimmer, reported 1,112 hours worked on the county forest (about half the annual goal), noted prescribed-burn preparation and a planned 35-acre burn if weather permits, and announced a public comment period through Dec. 7 for the North Central Forest ecological-landscape master planning process.
