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Bayfield County approves 2026 spring timber sales as stumpage revenue lags
Summary
The Forestry and Parks Committee approved a 2026 spring timber sale offering of 32 parcels covering 1,748 acres while staff warned March stumpage returns and first-quarter receipts trail historical averages, prompting caution about using carbon funds for projects.
The Bayfield County Forestry and Parks Committee on April 13 approved a 2026 spring timber sale offering composed of 32 individual sales covering 1,748 acres with a combined minimum bid value of roughly $1.14 million. Committee members moved and carried the motion after staff presented the offering and financial context.
Department staff reported that March stumpage revenue was well below the three-year average, with the total return for March just over $271,000 and a first-quarter total of about $676,000 versus a Q1 average near $1.2 million. The department's 2026 revenue budget is $3.67 million, which requires roughly $920,000 per quarter to meet it; staff said the program is currently running about 25% under the expected pace and warned that 2026 could be a year of significant underperformance.
Staff also noted that recent carbon-project proceeds—received last month—were "just under $2.3 million," and recommended being conservative when planning projects that rely on carbon funds, including reserving a portion in case stumpage revenues continue to underperform. The committee did not adopt a final policy change at the meeting but discussed splitting reserves between FCOR and CCOR as one option for risk mitigation.
Committee members present on April 13 included Fred Strand, Steve Sandstrom, Charly Ray, Larry Fickbohm and Jeff Olsen. The approval of the spring timber offering was recorded as unanimous.
