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County and federal forestry reports show steady timber sales, market variability and major roadwork planned
Summary
County forestry staff reported about $5 million in sold/uncut timber on file, $172,000 in monthly revenue and year-to-date revenue just under $1 million; the U.S. Forest Service announced an 11-mile Road 164 reconstruction and said 22 prescribed fires covered about 2,900 acres in the zone.
County forestry staff told the Sawyer County Land, Water and Forest Resources Committee that timber sale activity and revenues are on track for the season, but market conditions are mixed.
Staff reported four active sales and four closed sales in May, with sold and uncut timber on file valued at "just over $5 million" and monthly revenue of $172,000; year-to-date revenue was reported as "just short of a million." Staff said sale inspections and volumes are on target, the county received its reimbursement from last year’s Good Neighbor Authority contract, and an oak restriction will remain in effect until July 15. A grant-funded sustainable forestry project in the Draper block is out for bid and carbon-credit market activity is currently limited; staff said harvest verification for reporting periods two and three was completed and submitted.
A Wisconsin DNR representative told the committee the agency's time commitment to the county is at 108% through the beginning of the month and said recent rainfall has reduced fire danger. A U.S. Forest Service district manager reported that recreation sites are receiving heavy use, a brushing contract covers roughly 11 miles of ATV trail, multiple timber sales are active, and the agency conducted 22 prescribed fires across the zone totaling about 2,900 acres. The Forest Service said Road 164 will be under total reconstruction (about 11 miles) and closed for much of the summer to address needed upgrades; the district is also evaluating gravel-pit expansions to supply the next decade of activity.
The meeting packet also included a Register of Deeds report (Miss Peterson was not present) showing higher activity and approximately $30,000 more revenue for the comparable three-month period versus last year. Committee members asked about timber markets; staff said contractors are moving hardwoods and pine markets vary week to week, with pine pulp in particularly low demand.
