Forestry committee supports ash removal in Campus Woods

On June 6, members of the county forestry and recreation committee voted to send to the full county board a resolution to authorize timber sales in the Campus Woods located in Medford.

The reason for the sale stems from an infestation of emerald ash borer. Forest administrator Lucas Williams stated that the DNR expects 100% of ash trees affected by the emerald ash borer to die. Williams reported that he was in the Campus Woods recently and said that the black ash trees appear to be standing dead while a large portion of white ash trees also appear to be affected.

The committee agreed that it was more productive to harvest the ash trees while they could still be sold rather than leave them standing which could present a safety hazard in later years. Williams also stated that the aspen trees at the south end of the Campus Woods are 45 years old, the typical age for harvest. Williams recommended that the aspen trees be harvested at the same time as the ash trees, giving younger aspen trees the opportunity to grow without being overshadowed by buckthorn. Timber sales have not been conducted in this area for 25 years.

Reportedly, there hasn’t been much discussion over what to do with the proceeds from the sale but the committee thought it was likely that money would be returned to the general fund with a portion possibly allocated for improvements to the Campus Woods which may need some trail maintenance. The county estimates roughly $22,622.50 will come from the timber sale.

“I think you guys made the right decision,” said committee member Scott Mildbrand to Williams.

In other business, the committee: -Heard an update on timber sales with Czarnezki Forest Products about halfway finished with 38 acres of selection harvest. Twin Forest Products also recently started on 39 acres of harvest.

-Voted to closeout timber sales #710 which was concluded by Smola Brothers and #712 done by Czarnezki.

-Extended without penalty contract #695 tract 2-21 as Wilson Forestry has another 30 acres of 70 to complete. “He is very committed to getting it done,” said Williams.

-Awarded the Black River snowmobile bridge contract to Custom Manufacturing out of Chilton.

-Awarded spring timber sales contracts. Wiitala-Vozka Logging had the winning bid for 57 acres in tract 1-25 at $56,167.50, Smola Brothers bid $15,798 for 33 acres on tract 2-25, and Czarnezki Forest Products bid $57,354 for 97 acres in tract 3-25 and $66,391.75 for 93 acres in tract 4-25.

-Decided to hire Rock Thums for atv trail maintenance with grant funds that must be spent before the end of June. There is roughly $20,000 of the grant money left and Williams reported he’d like to see those trails, located parallel to Wilderness Ave. in Rib Lake, improve before the next audit. “It’s one of the worst sections of atv trails we have right now,” he said. Williams expects it will cost $12,000-$15,000 to bring the trails up to compliance. He reported that it would take more than that to get the trails in perfect condition, but he plans to use the remainder of those funds for gravel elsewhere.

-Heard that Camp 8 will have 500 each of panfish, crappie, and bluegill stocked thanks to funding by the Taylor County Sportsman’s Club and Rib Lake Fish and Game.

-Signed a resolution to approve applying for an atv/rtp grant to develop a new atv trail from Wilderness Ave. to Loop Rd. in Rib Lake.