April 10, 2023 at 11:46 a.m.
OC forestry department presents annual report
The report included highlights from all of the areas in which the department worked last year including elements of forestry, forest access, land purchases, wildlife habitat management, the parks program, motorized sports trails and silent sports trails over which the county has responsibility.
Forestry
Despite a weak market for timber in the state, the department was still able to meet the projected sales revenue for 2022, which was estimated to be $1,500,000, Fiene reported. The closure of the Wisconsin Rapids Verso Mill, which accounted for approximately 25% of the state's pulp wood consumption was a concern, but the county was able to realize its expected revenue from forest products.
Looking to the future, the department said they expect to maintain the diverse plant community found in county forests and on county land. However, due to the recent discovery of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), there is a feeling that both white and black ash may see a hefty decline in numbers or possibly disappear altogether. Those species, the report said, would be naturally replaced, or may be planted or seeded with other suitable species.
Pine plantations in the county are being regenerated, as many of them are reaching an age and size class in which their value will start to decline.
EAB was highlighted in the report as one of the main issues for the county's forests. With the quarantine originally placed on the county now expanded to the entire state, however, the county is still allowed to ship hardwood from timber sales to mills anywhere in the state..
Garlic mustard is another invasive species that is an issue for Oneida County. Patches were monitored and sprayed or hand-pulled in an attempt to stay ahead of these invaders. The report noted that dumping of yard waste "significantly increases the risk of invasive species spreading throughout the county forest."
Forest access
The report also highlighted county forest roads. There are currently 38.85 miles of such roads located throughout the county.
"The funds needed for maintaining the County Forest Road system are primarily obtained through the WDOT," the report said. "Annually, the WDOT pays County Forest Programs $351 for each mile of County Forest Road maintained. As a result, the Oneida County Forestry Department road aid payment for 2022 was (38.85 miles x $351) = $13,636.
Troute revenue of $4,935 was also received by the county. "Troute" is defined by the DNR as a hybrid between a trail and a route. Troutes are used by both motor vehicles and motorized recreational vehicles.
Funds from the County Forest Roads Account, where these funds are saved, is a non-lapsing account. This means funds deposited into that account remain there until they are spent.
Land
The report also highlighted the land purchase program. This is another non-lapsing account, according to the report.
At the beginning of 2022, the account had a balance of $13,826. A parcel of land in the Town of Enterprise was sold to an adjacent land owner for $35,301. This meant the account stood at $49,055 at the end of the year.
Wildlife
The DNR provides the county forest program with funds to be used specifically for wildlife habitat projects. In 2022, the department expensed $1,512 to the DNR for the mowing of wildlife openings in the Town of Enterprise. After an additional $650 for seeding of wildlife openings, the account balance at the end of the year was $4,329.
Parks program
The report also included updates on various parks projects.
The department is responsible for upkeep on two day-use parks, Almon Park and Perch Lake Park.
At Almon Park, the department, with input from the Oneida County Economic Development Corporation, was able to apply for an $85,200 grant to replace two picnic shelters by the beach area as well as create an ADA compliant access path to those shelters. The grant was approved and bid on in late fall of 2022.
There are two shelter at Perch Lake that can be rented by visitors to the park.
In 2022, the Rudolph Shelter brought in $1,050 in rental revenue. The Judy Swank Shelter was rented eight times, resulting in $600 of revenue.
Motorized trails
The department is responsible for the administration of 46.8 miles of ATV/UTV trails, according to the report.
In 2022, the department was awarded an ATV grant to rehabilitate 1.5 miles of trails in the Town of Enterprise. The grant totaled $22,325. This project will be completed in 2023.
Other trail projects included 5.6 miles of trails in the Town of Little Rice, which was completed by Rynders, Inc. and the repair of a washed out section of trail in the Town of Lynne.
Musson Brothers, Inc. partially constructed the Monico Connector trail in 2022 as well. That project will also be completed in 2023.
As for snowmobile clubs, the reported stated the department distributed $384,390 to nine snowmobile clubs responsible for trails in the county. That money allowed the clubs to conduct maintenance of the state-funded snowmobile trails in the county.
The snowmobile season in 2022 was open for 80 days, beginning on December 28, 2021. This was almost double the number of open days from the prior year.
Silent sports trails
In 2022, the county forest ski trail network evolved to three systems, totaling approximately 30 miles.
The Rhinelander Area Silent Trails Association (RASTA) is responsible for all of the maintenance of these three trail systems. This outsourcing allowed the department to reduce its silent sports trail budget from $50,000 to $30,000.
RASTA also worked with the county to maintain 13 miles of mountain bike trails in the county forest.
These trails lie on the ski trails at Washburn, Nose Lake and Cassian. The report also highlighted the many accomplishments of RASTA over 2022 as well.
The county also has approximately eight fat tire bike trails. These trails are located within the Enterprise block of the county forest.
In 2022 a short portion of the Washburn trail was opened and groomed for fat tire biking. This was a trial for that section of trail.
The forestry department annual report will now be forwarded on to the entire Oneida County board for their information.
Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].
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