DNR and county conservation staff report on timber-sales work, road improvements, dams and aquatic invasive species

David Totis, filling in for Brody on behalf of the Department of Natural Resources, told the committee DNR and county forestry staff are working on assigned timber sales and are coordinating equipment and crews to perform improvements on Parks Farm Road as drier weather allows.

Totis said the Draper Road sustainable forestry grant application has been submitted with supporting documents and is now in the hands of the grant reviewers. He also reported that DNR staff and county forestry staff hold bimonthly coordination meetings.

Conservation department staff reported continuing work on seven county-owned dams, noting seasonal gate adjustments as rain and flows change. Staff said aquatic invasive species (AIS) monitoring and Eurasian watermilfoil mapping are ongoing, including meetings and training with lake associations and the Clean Boats, Clean Waters behavior survey work. Conservation staff also said they completed a shoreland erosion and buffer restoration project on Lake Cheatuck and that the county’s tree sale is active online for orders for next spring.

Committee members asked about the Thornapple grade bridge condition and how a posted restriction might affect winter logging and contracts; DNR and forestry staff replied that the posting could be a significant impediment for some contractors once frozen-ground hauling begins and that rerouting around posted structures may be required.