On the agenda: Hayward Forestry Committee Regular Meeting — Surveillance camera (Aug 4)

Minutes
Sawyer County Forestry Committee
August 4, 2004
Committee Members Present:

Shirley Riedmann
Jim Bassett

Frank Romnes
Bill Voight

Shirley Suhsen

County Personnel Present:

Peter Sievert
Carol Larson

Jeffrey Steidl

Kris Mayberry

DNR Personnel Present:

Pete Wisdom
Laine Stowell

Kim Lemke

Gary Vander Wyst

Others Present:

Terrell Boettcher
Bill Pierce

Don Mrotek
Marvin Mullet

Gary Penman
J. Houle

The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Chairperson Riedmann.
Motion by Suhsen, second by Romnes to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Motion by Voight, second by Bassett to approve the minutes of the July 1, 2004 meeting. Motion carried.
In regards to the portion of the minutes from the June 3, 2004 meeting dealing with the Nathan Hecker timber
sale tabled last month will be tabled until next month due to the fact that a meeting between Pete Wisdom, Mike
Kruger and Delores Dobilas was not held.
Discussion of private hunting camp permits in County Forest (Corporation Counsel)
Riedmann passed out correspondences dated May 2001 related to cabin permits in surrounding counties that
had been requested of Pete Wisdom by Jim Bassett.
T.J. Duffy, County Corporation Counsel, stated the county has one of two options: 1) Do away with the camps
by 2011; 2) Take a political stand by involving representatives from Sawyer and Rusk Counties to enact
legislation to change the wording. No other county has done this. The lease agreement made need to be
modified (i.e. require cabins to be left open to the public, etc.) to meet DNR regulations. In his opinion, cabins
are not as invasive on the county forest as other uses specifically allowed. The state statute does not
specifically allow cabins so they are specifically excluded.
Romnes encouraged Riedmann to read the camp letters that have been received. Dee Dobilas will provide
Riedmann with the file to review.
Bassett questioned whether the permit holders could move or burn the cabin.
There has been documented use of cabins in emergency situations (i.e. people getting lost).
Motion by Bassett, second by Romnes to have Kris Mayberry/Shirley Riedmann write letter to state
representatives and invite them to a meeting to discuss this issue. Motion carried. It was also suggested that
the Wisconsin County Forests Association, representatives from Sawyer and Rusk County and Governor Doyle
be invited to attend.
Event Dates
Gary Penman, Seeley Lions Club, appeared to request use of the Birkie Trail on August 28, 2004 for the Seeley
Lions Pre-Fat Race. Motion by Suhsen, second by Romnes to approve request. Motion carried.
Timber Sale Billing Practices - Marvin Mullet
Marvin Mullet appeared and presented to the committee information on his Timber Contract #2240-00. The
area is and has been extremely wet and he has not been able to get the timber out. He stated that the map did
not accurately show the access and topographical problems. Pete Sievert confirmed the information that Marvin
reported. He stated that the sale was set up as a leftover sale. Marvin requested release from his contract.
Motion by Suhsen, second by Bassett to release Marvin Mullet from his contract on Timber Sale #2240-00.
Motion carried.
-Continued-

Page 2 - SAWYER COUNTY FORESTRY COMMITTEE MINUTES - August 4, 2004
Marvin also requested clarification regarding the billing practices for this contract. He has been billed at the ash
log price for other species that were not listed on the map. Mike Kruger will be contacted regarding this matter.
August 2004 Timber Sale Bids review and approval
The bids were opened on August 2, 2004 in the presence of the following persons: Pete Wisdom, DNR, Peter
Sievert and Jeff Steidl, County Forestry and three people from Johnson Timber Corporation along with Delores
Dobilas, County Forestry.
Five bids were received at 1:30 pm (timber sale notice stated they had to be in by 12:00 noon). These bids
were not opened and held for committee meeting for decision on whether to accept them or not. Committee
consensus was not to accept any of the five late bids as they did meet the public notice deadline.
The bids were compiled and a list was passed out to the committee. Motion by Bassett, second by Suhsen to
approve high bids on list. Motion carried. Total of high bids for this sale was $852,248.74.
It was suggested to list the town for each bidder on subsequent sales.
Update on corrective action plan
Kris Mayberry:
#3 - Timber Sale approvals and modifications
Response was received back from Jeff Barkley regarding letter sent on July 7th that disputed paying double
stumpage to the state. The DNR will stand by their decision to charge approximately $1600.00 in double
stumpage assessment. Since Mike Kruger is absent, Shirley will talk to him on any action on how to handle the
charge and the matter will be tabled until next month.
#4 - All sale modifications are documented in the timber sale file and written Department approval is secured
prior to implementing any modifications.
Kim Lemke reported that the e-mail reporting between Mike Kruger (Delores) and himself is working well.
Motion by Bassett, second by Voight to approve report. Motion carried.
Relocation of Forestry Department (exchange places with Human Resources Department)
Riedmann stated that the intent of the relocation is to bring the Forestry Department together in one place to be
more efficient and improve communication. We need to make it happen soon. Carol Larson reported that a
meeting was held between the County Forestry and UW-Extension Departments and a number of items were
brought up including coverage for the UW-Extension Department when the secretary is gone. Coverage of both
the Extension and Forestry Departments needs to be worked out. Carol Larsen was asked by Riedmann to
work with the Extension/Forestry Departments and Dennis Erickson to come up with a floor plan for the first floor
area in addition to the HR area. Any action was tabled until next month.
Forestry Job Descriptions
Tabled until next month due to Mike Kruger's absence.
Sustainable Forestry Grant Application
Pete Wisdom passed out information on the grant. Pete is to get in touch with Mike Kruger and get the grant
written up. Riedmann will review grant application. Motion by Suhsen, second by Romnes to apply for the grant
(deadline is August 15, 2004). Motion carried.
Discussion on 10-Year-Plan
Committee has received copies of the first five chapters of the plan. Riedmann stated that the first joint meeting
between DNR and County Forestry is scheduled for August 18th. This and other items will be discussed at
these monthly meetings.

-Continued-

Page 3 - SAWYER COUNTY FORESTRY COMMITTEE MINUTES - August 4, 2004
Bill Pierce stated that different user groups need to be involved in the planning for access on the county forest.
A lot of the trails and roads are being destroyed because there is no management or enforcement.
Draft Sawyer County Forest Program Review
Riedmann reported that she had met with Pete Wisdom, Kris Mayberry and Mike Kruger regarding the draft
review. Some changes were made in working with Gary Vander Wyst, DNR. Copies of updated draft review
will be placed in committee member boxes. Motion by Suhsen, second by Voight to approve revised copy.
Motion carried.
Sawyer Forestry Report
Peter Sievert: 1) Trip was taken on the county forest with Shane Weber, DNR entomologist, Sawyer and
Bayfield County Foresters, Bill Pierce, Birkie Trail representative and Riedmann, Forestry Committee Chair to
explain and learn about chestnut borer and damages caused. Good information was received.
Jeff Steidl: 1) Surveillance camera is broken and cannot be fixed. The Forestry Department is to look into cost,
types (deer cam, etc.) for replacement equipment. Steidl will present a recommendation at the next Forestry
meeting.
DNR Forestry Report
Pete Wisdom: 1) Passed out information on certification audits. 2) Passed out sheets showing sale
establishment totals for year in comparison with 2002 and 2003. Addition of Jeff Steidl has made a positive
impact on the timber marking as evidenced by the increase in timber sale contracts. County should consider
possible addition of another forestry staff member. May have an impact on administrative work. 3) Stated that
public hearings will need to be held on the 10-Year-Plan.
Kim Lemke: 1) He is stopping in on Fridays' to check with Mike on sale administration. 2) E-mail
correspondence is working well.
Motion by Suhsen, second by Romnes to approve Sawyer County and DNR Forestry reports. Motion carried.
Any other conservation business for discussion only
Logger financial report will be placed in committee member boxes. No one who bid on current timber sale is in
arrears.
Don Mrotek: 1) In writing 10-Year-Plan, user groups need to be brought together. 2) Problem with dirt bike use.
3) Attended WCFA ATV Coordinator meeting. 4) ATV problem - pictures were shown by Bill Pierce of the
damage area near Telemark Road and Janet Road.
Dee will coordinate a day for Riedmann to spend a day on the road with Mike when he is doing sale
administration.
Motion by Voight, second by Romnes to approve report. Motion carried.
Approve vouchers
Motion by Suhsen, second by Voight to approve the vouchers. Motion carried.
Closed Session
It was decided that the Closed Session to discuss possible arbitration issues was not needed. A Closed
Session will be scheduled for the September meeting.
Adjourn
Motion by Suhsen, second by Voight to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.

Delores Dobilas
Recorder