Bayfield County asked to assume primary applicant role for Coastal grant to secure Maxwell property; County to forward resolution to full board

Landmark Conservancy requested that Bayfield County replace Ashland County as the primary applicant on a Wisconsin Coastal Management Program grant tied to Landmark’s purchase of the roughly 120-acre Maxwell property, about 40 acres of which lie in Bayfield County. The committee heard that Landmark has secured roughly 60% of acquisition costs and is seeking the Coastal grant to cover the remainder; staff described timing risks tied to grant award and closing dates.

Administrator Jason Bodine told the committee the closing on the Maxwell property is set for Aug. 1, while Coastal grant funds (approximately $180,000) will likely not be formally awarded until Oct. 1. Committee members were explicitly warned that if the grant funds are not released, Landmark Conservancy would assist with fundraising and property maintenance but Bayfield County would temporarily carry acquisition risk. Bodine recommended using a short-term loan against the non-lapsing Land Acquisition account to bridge any gap so that the 2026 budget reflects no net change.

Committee members voted to forward the resolution transferring primary applicant status to Bayfield County to the full County Board for approval. Motion recorded as (Sandstrom, Olsen) and carried with unanimous support. The resolution would also amend the department’s 2026 Forestry and Parks budget to reflect the county’s temporary applicant status and funding plan. Staff noted there is no firm timeline for when the DNR would accept the land into the White River Fisheries Area if the purchase completes.

The committee’s action was procedural — forwarding a resolution to the full County Board — and not a final acquisition approval. Next steps include County Board consideration, monitoring of the Coastal grant award timing, and coordination with Landmark Conservancy and the Wisconsin DNR on transfer plans.