County forest logging activity remains high

The Taylor County forest once again is at the top when it comes to productivity and dollars per acre of revenue generated.

County forest administrator Jake Walcisak told members of the county forestry committee on Friday that while Taylor County is one of the smaller counties in total acreage in the county forest, the dollars earned per acre is among the highest.

“We are looking good,” Walcisak said of the state of the timber sales on the forest. He said the first quarter numbers for the forest are among the best in revenue.

“This is our third highest first quarter ever, second to last year and two years ago,” he said.

While logging is going strong now in the county forest, Walcisak cautioned that the county will eventually hit a trough. He said while Taylor County has seen a lot of activity this year, that is not the case elsewhere around the state.

“We always have to be thinking of the trough coming up,” Walcisak said.

When asked by committee members what is it that loggers like about Taylor County, Walcisak replied that loggers appreciate the investment in road infrastructure the county has made in the forest making it easier to get equipment in and out and to haul logs out.

He said loggers have also been appreciative of the flexibility in contracts and the committee’s willingness to accommodate challenges that arise.

In related action, committee members approved closing out timber sales No. 665 and No. 691 pending final payment.

Sale No. 665 to Steve Dassow generated revenue of $11,590. According to Lutz, this was a 4% volume overrun and a 7% value overrun. This was the oldest active sale in the county forest.

Sale No. 691to Wilson Forestry LLC. generated revenue of $32,490. Lutz said this was a 3% volume and 11% value overrun. This job was located on an aspen grove just north of Camp 8.

In other business, committee members:

_ Accepted the bid from Brunner for 2,400 cubic yards of 2 inch crushed gravel and 450 cubic yards of 3 inch select stone for use on the county forest roads at a cost of $41,335.50. This was the low bid out of four bidders. In addition to a standard bid Haas Sons submitted an alternate bid with a smaller crushed gravel which came in at $40,750.50. For the small price difference, committee members went with the specifications in the original bid.

_ Approved an updated resolution authorizing participation in the DNR municipal dam grant program. The county has had this on file with the state for a number of years, but the update is needed due to some changes in state rules regarding dams valued between $1 million and $3 million. The grant program will pay up to 50% of the cost of dam replacement up to $1 million and up to 25% of the next $2 million in expenses. Walcisak noted this is far above the estimated costs of the Chelsea and Camp 8 dams. The county is expected to find out about their dam grant request in early June.

_ Received an update on the county deer advisory meeting and what impact this has on the county forest deer numbers. Walcisak continues to advocate for increased harvest numbers on public lands, specifically the county forest due to the impact deer browsing has on regeneration of logged areas. Jeff Sorenson, the county’s DNR liaison agreed noting that in areas it is like the new growth has been weed-whacked. “It is an ongoing issue,” he said.