Sawyer County forestry report: $4.5M in sales on file, oak-wilt tree treated, trail rehab projects underway

A Sawyer County forestry official reported steady timber-sale activity and forest-health work during the committee meeting.

"Our sale value on file right now is just over 4,500,000," the forestry presenter said, and added month revenue was just under $180,000 with year-to-date revenue just over $1.7 million. The presenter said markets remain tight but staff expect to hit the projected revenue budget barring unexpected events.

Staff reported one newly identified oak-wilt infected tree in the Seeley Hills area (Janet Road area) that forestry staff treated with a frill girdle and herbicide per DNR Forest Health Specialist recommendations. The presenter noted chestnut borer damage from last year remains visible and can resemble oak wilt at first glance.

The department summarized recent trail-rehab work: a 3.9-mile rehab (Select Excavating) in the Birchwood area, a 7.4-mile rehab completed by Thompson and Sons, and a new 3.1-mile rehab underway (Veil 11) by Select Excavating. The department said it is waiting for a contractor to return and finish a Veil 5 rehab near Fishtrap Lake, with an overall contractor completion deadline of Dec. 31 for outstanding work.

Committee members raised concerns about logistics and infrastructure, including whether a posted condition on the Thornapple grade bridge could affect winter logging and contractor access. Forestry staff said that posting may become a significant issue for contractors once frozen ground requires winter hauling and that some contractors may have to reroute.

The report included no formal policy changes; it was delivered as an operational update to the committee.