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Sawyer County residents press committee to fund conservation projects and aquatic invasive species prevention
Summary
Two public commenters urged Sawyer County to address a backlog of conservation projects and to collaborate on aquatic invasive‑species (AIS) prevention, including exploring shore‑side and mobile decontamination stations; county staff said the land and water resource plan has moved to the State Conservation Board and will be forwarded to the County Board.
Two residents urged the Sawyer County Land, Water and Forest Resources Committee on Tuesday to prioritize local conservation projects and step up prevention of aquatic invasive species. Linda Zilmer, an Edgewater property owner and lakeshore steward, told the committee she learned at a recent DATCP Land and Water Conservation Board meeting that the county has 64 active gravel pits and a backlog of conservation work caused by insufficient funding; she asked the committee to consider using the $100,000 set aside for a zoning rewrite to help catch up on projects.
Joan Burley, a board member of the Round Lake Property Owners Association, urged county collaboration on AIS prevention. Burley said Round Lake has treated Eurasian water milfoil since 1994 and the association is exploring decontamination options, including shore‑side systems and mobile decontamination trailers. She noted some systems require high‑pressure hot water to address quagga mussel larvae and invited county representatives to participate in planning and grant‑seeking efforts.
Conservation staff reported the county’s land and water resource management plan was presented to the State Conservation Board on Feb. 3 and is slated to move to the County Board, with staff aiming for County Board consideration as soon as next Thursday. Staff also said the DNR issued an official order changing the water level on a local waterbody and that the county intends to maintain the water level toward the high side of the DNR‑approved maximum. Conservation staff confirmed they are in early discussions with the Round Lake Property Owners Association about potential decontamination stations and are evaluating funding options, including state grants, county funding, and association contributions.
The committee did not take formal action on funding reallocations during the meeting; staff repeatedly said financing is the central constraint and that additional planning and grant applications would be necessary before committing county funds.
