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DOUGLAS COUNTY FOREST COMPREHENSIVE LAND-USE PLAN 2006-2020 CHAPTER 2000 Annual Planning Section Page 2000 Objective and 2000.1 2000.2 Policy 2100 Annual Work Plan and Budget 2105 Douglas County Forestry Department Annual Work plan 2105.1 Forest 2105.1.1 Timber 2105.1.2 2105.1.3 Timber Stand Improvement 2105.1.4 Comprehensive Land-Use Plan 2006 - 2020 2105.1.5 County Forest 2105.1.6 Timber Access 2105.1.7 Land 2105.1.8 Forest 2105.1.9 Wildlife Projects 2105.1.10 County-Owned Land Not Classified as County Forest 2105.2 Recreation 2105.2.1 Recreational 2105.2.2 Parks, Campgrounds, and Boat 2105.2.3 Boat 2105.2.4 Impoundment 2105.3 Buildings and Grounds 2105.3.1 Forestry Department Facilities and Infrastructure........ 2105.3.2 2110 Douglas County Forestry Department Annual Work plan 2110.1 General 2110.1.1 Comprehensive Land-Use Plan 2006 - 2020 2110.1.2 Douglas County Access Management 2110.1.3 Outdoor Recreation Plan 2008 - 2012 2110.2 Forest-Management 2110.2.1 Timber Harvest 2110.2.2 Forest 2110.2.3 2110.2.4 Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) 2110.3 Recreation Program 2110.3.1 Parks and Campgrounds 2110.3.2 Recreational 2000 - 1 2000 - 1 2000 - 1 2000 - 1 2000 - 2 2000 - 2 2000 - 2 2000 - 3 2000 - 4 2000 - 4 2000 - 4 2000 - 4 2000 - 4 2000 - 5 2000 - 5 2000 - 5 2000 - 5 2000 - 5 2000 - 6 2000 - 6 2000 - 6 2000 - 6 2000 - 6 2000 - 6 2000 - 7 2000 - 7 2000 - 7 2000 - 7 2000 - 7 2000 - 7 2000 - 8 2000 - 9 2000 - 10 2000 - 10 2000 - 11 2000 - 11 2000 - 11 ---PAGE BREAK--- COMPREHENSIVE LAND-USE PLAN 2006-2020 ii 2110.3.3 Boat 2110.3.4 Impoundment 2110.4 Access Management 2110.4.1 County Forest 2110.4.2 Timber Access 2110.5 Wildlife Management 2110.6 Forest Protection Program 2110.7 Land Acquisition 2110.8 Information Technology 2110.9 Buildings and 2110.9.1 Facilities and Infrastructure 2110.9.2 2000 - 11 2000 - 12 2000 - 12 2000 - 12 2000 - 12 2000 - 13 2000 - 13 2000 - 14 2000 - 14 2000 - 14 2000 - 14 2000 - 15 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 2000 ANNUAL PLANNING 2000 OBJECTIVE AND POLICY 2000.1 Objective To develop an annual work plan that will achieve the objectives set forth in this Plan to the greatest extent possible, consistent with program priorities established in the Mission Statement and within the budget direction established by the County Administrator and Douglas County Board of Supervisors. 2000.2 Policy The Douglas County Forest will be managed sustainably at a level of operation that considers the health of the Forest and the products and amenities desired by the public in accordance with the goals identified in Chapter 100. 2100 ANNUAL WORK PLAN AND BUDGET Each year, an annual work plan shall be prepared by the Director of Forestry and Natural Resources with assistance from the WDNR Liaison Forester. The work plan shall set the yearly direction for implementing this Plan. Annual work plans are submitted through the FPRC to be approved by the Douglas County Board of Supervisors and forwarded to the WDNR as required by s. 28.11 and s. 28.11 (5m)(b) Wis. Stats. Following approval by the County Board, a copy is provided to official copyholders of the Plan (see Section 305.2) for inclusion as an amendment to this chapter. The DCFD’s budget is prepared annually in coordination with the County Administrator and presented to the County Board for approval as part of the overall County budget process. The annual work plan will include proposed activities such as acres of harvest areas to prepare for sale by species, reforestation targets, wildlife and fisheries projects, road and trail plans, forest inventory goals, and other appropriate planned activities. Annual work plans will be included in this chapter after they have been approved by the Douglas County Board of Supervisors. ---PAGE BREAK--- COMPREHENSIVE LAND-USE PLAN 2006-2020 2105 DOUGLAS COUNTY FORESTRY DEPARTMENT ANNUAL WORK PLAN (2006) Our mission is, on behalf of Douglas County residents, to provide stewardship to forest resources, develop and maintain recreational opportunities, and serve as an information resource to the public. This 2006 work plan defines and supplements the Douglas County Forest Comprehensive Land- Use Plan 2006-2020 and emphasizes and adjusts for the current annual needs of the County Forest and Recreational System. 2105.1 Forest Management Professional management of forest and recreational resources is essential to protect the balance between the environmental needs of the forest and the forest products and, of equal importance, for the intangible social values necessary to enhance quality of life. State of the art management of all values is essential to maintain the overall health of forest resources and maximize the economic and biological benefits the forest produces. The challenge is to manage the forest for high quality products on a sustainable basis and to provide recreational opportunities to the public. The sale of stumpage and associated revenue is an important economic aspect of the 269,642 acre Douglas County Forest. These revenues offset and pay for many of the noncommercial programs and a portion is also spent in the enhancement of the biological values of the forest such as wildlife habitat improvement. Managing the balance between the demand for forest products and enhancement of forest resource biodiversity will continue to be an objective through implementation of this plan. 2105.1.1 Timber Harvests Timber harvests are important for the health, vigor, and diversity of the forest environment as well as for the economic well being of Douglas County. Timber harvesting enables the forest resource managers to maintain the environmental health of the forest including forest biodiversity, stand structure, wildlife habitat improvement, watershed protection, air quality, recreation, aesthetics, and many other noncommercial and intrinsic values. An updated forest inventory, a Geographic Information System (GIS), and computer growth models will be used for forest resource management planning. The Douglas County Forestry Department plans to offer for sale approximately 5,040 acres of timber in the following forest cover types in 2006: 2000 - 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 2000: ANNUAL PLANNING Forest Cover Type Offered for Sale Total Acreage on County Forest 2006 Establishment Acres Aspen 81,459 1,100 Northern Hardwoods 25,019 1300 Paper Birch 13,965 500 Red Pine 12,387 440 Jack Pine 12,243 950 Oak 5,375 500 Other Species (Swamp Hardwood, Red Maple, Fir-Spruce, etc.) 46,182 250 Total Commercial Acres 196,630 5,040 Total Douglas County Forest Land 269,642 Also, a new GIS Specialist will be hired in early 2006 to work in conjunction with our new Inventory Forester who was hired mid-year 2005. These 2 professionals will work closely together in an effort to reinventory our outdated 27 year old inventory data on our 269,642 acre County Forest. Our reinventory goal is to essentially start the project in early 2006 and finish it by 2010, completing on average 50,000+ acres of reinventory work a year including year 2006. Four Forestry Seasonal Employees will be utilized each summer starting in 2006, to help with this Forest reinventory work until it is completed. Information about forest-management activities may be obtained by contacting the Douglas County Forestry Office, P.O. Box 211, Solon Springs, WI 54873, phone: [PHONE REDACTED]. 2105.1.2 Reforestation Preharvest Scarification - Approximately 300 acres will be scarified by mechanical treatment to expose mineral soil in order to create a seed bed for intolerant species unable to regenerate without this disturbance. This is up from an average of 100 acres per most years due to jack pine budworm salvage cuts planned over the next 3 years. Site Preparation - Approximately 320 acres of treatment by mechanical site preparation to establish either seeded or planted red pine, jack pine, white pine, and white birch is planned. Natural Regeneration - Approximately 2,000 to 2,500 acres of intolerant hardwoods including aspen, white birch, oak, and red maple will be harvested in 2005 to regenerate vegetatively through root suckers, stump sprouts, or by seeding. Plantings - Contract tree planters will plant approximately 300,000 trees in 2006. The tree species planted will be jack pine, red pine, white pine, and white spruce. 2000 - 3 ---PAGE BREAK--- COMPREHENSIVE LAND-USE PLAN 2006-2020 2105.1.3 Timber Stand Improvement Release - Approximately 200 acres of established plantations will be released from competing vegetation by mechanical and hand release methods. 2105.1.4 Comprehensive Land-Use Plan 2006 - 2020 The Douglas County Forestry Department will complete the review of all chapters within the Comprehensive Land-Use Plan 2006-2020 with the Forest, Parks and Recreation Committee by the summer of 2006. Following Committee review and approval of the Plan, meetings will be held for public review and input. As a specific focus of the Comprehensive Land-Use Plan 2006-2020, the Forestry Department will develop a Countywide Access Management Plan in conjunction with Committee and public input. 2105.1.5 County Forest Roads County forest department personnel will maintain the 100 miles of the County Forest Road system. These State-funded roads are important for forest resource management activities and for the recreational use of the county forest. Needed improvements to this road system will be prioritized and completed as scheduled. The Access Plan Overview which contains a detailed outline of key elements for the County’s Access Management Plan was developed during 2005 and public meetings where held to gather public input. Public input will be built into the Access Management Plan during 2006 and the plan will then be implemented. Funds were secured for a flail head mower for 2005, but scheduling issues will require that an aggressive ditch mowing program will be implemented in 2006 and not 2005. 2105.1.6 Timber Access Trails Timber access trails are secondary roads utilized to access blocks of timber for the transport of forest products. Many such roads are abandoned or access is restricted after their use is no longer needed. Some of these roads remain and are maintained for other purposes such as research, recreational trails, or future access. The Access Management Plan is addressing timber access trails. 2105.1.7 Land Acquisition Land acquisition will continue to be an integral management factor within the permanent boundaries of the Douglas County Forest. Specifically, Wausau Paper Corporation is looking to sell potentially 4,000 acres of land holdings in Douglas County during 2006. The Director of Forestry and the County Board’s Forestry, Parks and Recreation Committee have discussed the 2000 - 4 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 2000: ANNUAL PLANNING potential with Wausau Paper of an acquisition process whereby the county can obtain at least in part some of the lands that the company will be selling. Any lands purchased from the company will be for the purpose of better blocking in county boundaries or recreational needs. The funding will be obtained through the Forestry Department’s annual budget and, if necessary, project loan funds provided by the State. 2105.1.8 Forest Protection Fire and insect damage are the two most visible potential problems to be faced in 2006. There was a major jack pine budworm outbreak on County forest land in 2005 that resulted in salvage logging of 450 acres acre in 2005 and another 450 acres of salvage logging will occur in 2006. In the event of further fire and insect damage issues, forest resource protection responses will be implemented if the need arises during the year. 2105.1.9 Wildlife Projects Douglas County receives 10 cents per acre of County forest land to be used on wildlife related projects. The monies received will be used for jack pine site preparation areas, wildlife opening maintenance, access management (gates/berms on new or sensitive roads), oak burns, beaver control, and wildlife surveys. The monies will also be used for intolerant species regeneration and planting. Other monies may come from the Ruffed Grouse Society. 2105.1.10 County-Owned Land Not Classified as County Forest Lands The Douglas County Forestry Department will continue to prepare, offer for auction, and administer timber sales on county owned land that is not classified as County Forest. 2105.2 Recreation Areas 2105.2.1 Recreational Trails The Forestry Department will coordinate with local ATV, snowmobile, and other user-groups to provide quality recreational opportunities. The continued development of the Wild Rivers Trail all- purpose trail and the connector to the Gandy Dancer Trail and the Tri-County Corridor is a major work item for 2006. Anticipated work activities include route selection, securing all required wetland permits, bridge construction, trail grubbing, and signing. The 10.3 miles of cross-country ski trails will be maintained using County Forest personnel and equipment. Members of the Northwest Trails Association will maintain the current State-funded snowmobile and ATV trail network. Also, additional monies will be applied for from the State of Wisconsin for further development and enhancement of the Douglas County trail network. The replacement of the Cut- A-Way Dam Bridge is scheduled for 2006. 2000 - 5 ---PAGE BREAK--- COMPREHENSIVE LAND-USE PLAN 2006-2020 2105.2.2 Parks, Campgrounds, and Boat Launches The Douglas County Parks system will continue to be maintained by County Forest personnel and equipment. An emphasis will be applied to the promotion and advertisement of the existing facilities and amenities of Douglas County. The 2003-2007 Outdoor Recreation Plan recommends long-term goals, developments, and Americans with Disabilities Act concerns to be implemented in 2005, contingent upon funds being budgeted by the Board of Supervisors. If Douglas County funds are secured, State Grants will be written to attempt to double the available funds. Anna-Gene Park was awarded an ADLP (Acquisition and Development of Local Parks) Grant in 2005 that will be completed in 2006. A replacement bathroom, new picnic tables, benches, and grills are included in the project. 2105.2.3 Boat Landings Douglas County personnel will maintain all boat landings. Improvements and enhancements will be completed within the existing budget. 2105.2.4 Impoundment Structures Douglas County Forestry Department personnel maintain and operate impoundment structures at the following sites: Gordon Dam, Mooney Dam, Olsen Meadows, Cranberry Creek Flowage, Park Creek Pond, Jackson Box Flowage, and State Line Flowage. Where necessary, there will be work on these flowages to reduce erosion, repair water control structures, and to prevent future problems by installing beaver guards. An engineering study with a detailed action plan will be completed for the impoundment structures in 2005, and repairs will be prioritized and begun in 2006. Park Creek Pond is scheduled for repairs in 2006. 2105.3 Buildings and Grounds 2105.3.1 Forestry Department Facilities and Infrastructure In order to provide quality customer service and fulfill our department’s mission, the office building and maintenance facility will be updated and outfitted with equipment necessary to maintain efficient operations. Continuing maintenance of the office buildings will be ongoing as needs arise. 2105.3.2 Equipment Cooperative maintenance, heavy equipment and vehicle sharing with the Douglas County Highway Department are continuing. 2000 - 6 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 2000: ANNUAL PLANNING 2110 DOUGLAS COUNTY FORESTRY DEPARTMENT ANNUAL WORK PLAN (2007) Our mission is, on behalf of Douglas County residents, to provide stewardship to forest resources, develop and maintain recreational opportunities, and serve as an information resource to the public. This 2007 work plan defines and supplements the Fifteen-Year Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan 2006-2020 and emphasizes and adjusts for the current annual needs of the Douglas County Forest and Recreational System. 2110.1 General Administration 2110.1.1 Comprehensive Land-Use Plan 2006 - 2020 The Douglas County Forestry Department plans to complete the review of all chapters within the Comprehensive Land-Use Plan 2006-2020 with the Douglas County Forest, Parks, and Recreation Committee by the fall of 2007. This timeline may or may not be realized sooner or later, depending on Department needs/priorities and time allocation constraints by staff. Following the Committee review and approval of the 15-Year Plan, meetings will be scheduled for public review and comment. Certain sections of the 15-Year Plan may require further work performed by the Department and may not be included in the final draft. These sections will be clearly identified in the Plan and will have target completion dates. 2110.1.2 Douglas County Access Management Plan As a specific focus of the 15-Year Plan and a “plan within the 15-Year Plan”, the Department will continue development of the Douglas County Access Management Plan. This Plan has already been specifically proposed to and reviewed by the public. Once completed, it will become Chapter 700 of the 15-Year Plan and open to public review and comment once again along with the 15-Year Plan. 2110.1.3 Outdoor Recreation Plan 2008 - 2012 The Douglas County Forestry Department will start planning towards the development an updated Douglas County Outdoor Recreation Plan to be completed in 2008. A thorough inventory of all County-owned recreational facilities, projections on future development needs, and related cost estimates will be needed for the plan. There will be several opportunities for public input and Committee review during the plan development process. 2110.2 Forest-Management Program Professional management of forest and recreational resources is essential to protect the balance between the environmental needs of the forest and the forest products and, of equal importance, for 2000 - 7 ---PAGE BREAK--- COMPREHENSIVE LAND-USE PLAN 2006-2020 the intangible social values necessary to enhance quality of life. State of the art management of all values is essential to maintain the overall health of forest resources and maximize the economic and biological benefits the forest produces. The challenge is to manage the forest for high-quality products on a sustainable basis and to provide recreational opportunities to the public. The sale of stumpage and associated revenue is an important economic aspect of the 269,642 acre Douglas County Forest. These revenues offset and pay for many of the noncommercial programs and a portion is also spent in the enhancement of the biological values of the forest such as wildlife habitat improvement. Managing the balance between the demand for forest products and enhancement of forest resource biodiversity will continue to be an objective through implementation of this Plan. 2110.2.1 Timber Harvest Timber harvests are important for the health, vigor, and diversity of the forest environment as well as for the economic well being of Douglas County. Timber harvesting enables the forest resource managers to maintain the environmental health of the forest including forest biodiversity, stand structure, wildlife habitat improvement, watershed protection, air quality, recreation, aesthetics, and many other non-commercial and intrinsic values. An updated forest inventory database, a Geographic Information System (GIS), and computer growth models will be used for forest resource management planning. The Douglas County Forestry Department plans to offer for sale approximately 4,575 acres of timber in the following forest cover types in 2007: Forest Cover Type Offered for Sale Total Acreage on County Forest 2007 Establishment Acres Aspen 83,782 1,100 Northern Hardwoods 23,723 700 Paper Birch 13,129 470 Red Pine 12,325 725 Jack Pine 11,947 825 Oak 5,197 355 Other Species 54,265 200 Total Commercial Acres 204,368 4,375 Total Douglas County Forest Land 272,795 2000 - 8 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 2000: ANNUAL PLANNING In addition to the above figures, 200 acres of Special Use Land that is located within the Douglas County Wildlife Area will be established for sale. This harvest will help maintain the pine-barrens habitat of the area by removing much of the older forest cover and promote the grass/brush savannah condition. Adding these 200 acres will bring the total 2007 establishment goal to 4,575 acres. Although not included in the above figures, the Douglas County Forestry Department will continue to prepare, offer for auction, and administer timber sales as requested on County-owned land that is not enrolled under the County Forest Law program. Further information about planned forest-management activities may be obtained by contacting the Douglas County Forestry Department, P.O. Box 211, Solon Springs, WI 54873, phone: 715-378- 2219. 2110.2.2 Forest Inventory To meet the needs of Departmental staff and answer important questions on the sustainable management of the forest, Douglas County has developed an advanced forest inventory program to collect inventory data from its lands. The overall goal of the forest inventory program is to deliver current, consistent, and credible information about the status and condition of the Douglas County Forest on a 10-year continuous cycle. The Department plans to continue utilizing the latest technologies to acquire data through remote sensing and field activities. Methods and techniques of the program will continue to be reevaluated and revised as necessary to better meet program objectives. The Douglas County Forestry Department plans to reinventory approximately 40,000 acres of commercial timber stands in 2007. Weather permitting, the Department plans to acquire high spatial resolution digital orthophotography for the Forest in the spring of 2007. This imagery project is a continuation of the original spring 2005 plan that has been postponed in both 2005 and 2006 due to poor weather conditions. Adjustments have been made to the contract with the vendor to increase the chances of a successful collection in 2007. Contingent upon acquiring the required imagery, the Department plans to contract out further analysis of the imagery data in 2007. This analysis will include vegetative/land cover typing and stand delineation. The current inventory data will then have to be transitioned as seamlessly as possible with the new delineation to develop the Department’s inventory data foundation. Four Forestry Seasonal Employees will again be utilized during the summer of 2007 to help with the field collection of inventory data. Further information about the forest inventory program may be obtained by contacting the Douglas 2000 - 9 ---PAGE BREAK--- COMPREHENSIVE LAND-USE PLAN 2006-2020 County Forestry Department, P.O. Box 211, Solon Springs, WI 54873, phone: [PHONE REDACTED]. 2110.2.3 Reforestation Preharvest Scarification - Approximately 400 acres will be scarified by mechanical treatment to expose mineral soil to create a seed bed for intolerant species unable to regenerate without this disturbance. This is up from an average of 100 acres per most years due to jack pine budworm salvage harvests. Site Preparation - Approximately 1,350 acres will be treated by mechanical site preparation methods to establish either seeded or planted stands of red pine, jack pine, white pine, spruce, and/or white birch. Methods will be as follows: ¾ Roller Chopping – 625 acres ¾ Disk Trenching – 625 acres ¾ Tractor Furrowing – 100 acres Natural Regeneration - Approximately 2,500 to 3,000 acres of commercial timber species including aspen, white birch, northern hardwoods, red maple, northern red oak, scrub oak, balsam fir, black spruce, and jack pine will naturally regenerated in 2007 through root suckers, stump sprouts, and/or by seeding. Regeneration will be closely monitored and on those sites where regeneration results are less than desired, alternate methods will be scheduled. Plantings - Contract tree planters will plant approximately 518 acres of Douglas County lands with 424,000 total seedlings. Total tree seedlings by species will be as follows: ¾ Jack Pine – 273,000 (2-0 seedling stock) ¾ Red Pine – 151,000 (2-0 seedling stock) Direct Seeding - The Department will coordinate with the WDNR to seed 178 acres of Douglas County lands with jack pine seed through the aerial broadcast method. 2110.2.4 Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) Release - Approximately 50 acres of established pine plantations will be released from competing woody vegetation by mechanical and hand release methods to improve stand survival, growth, and quality. Bud Capping - Approximately 100 acres of young planted jack pine stands will be bud capped in an effort to reduce significant mortality caused by overbrowsing by white-tailed deer. 2000 - 10 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 2000: ANNUAL PLANNING 2110.3 Recreation Program 2110.3.1 Parks and Campgrounds The Douglas County Parks system will continue to be maintained by County Forest personnel and equipment. An emphasis will be applied to the promotion and advertisement of the existing facilities and amenities of Douglas County. The 2003-2008 Outdoor Recreation Plan recommends long-term goals, developments, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) concerns to be implemented in 2007, contingent upon funds being budgeted by the Board of Supervisors. If Douglas County funds are secured, State Grants will be written to attempt to double the available funds. Anna-Gene Park was awarded an ADLP (Acquisition and Development of Local Parks) Grant in 2005 that will be completed in 2007. A replacement bathroom, new picnic tables, benches, and grills are included in the project. The Forestry Department will continue coordinating with the Douglas County Land Conservation Department in 2007 regarding the proposed rain garden project located at Lake Minnesuing County Park. This project is planned for implementation in 2008 and includes the design of a showcase rain garden to reduce surface water run off from impervious surfaces. Other project components include, informational kiosks, reconstruction of walkway allowing for more effective handicap access, blocking unauthorized motorized access to the lawn and beach areas, and incorporating a demonstration area of pervious blacktop in the parking area. 2110.3.2 Recreational Trails The Forestry Department will coordinate with local ATV, snowmobile, and other user groups to provide quality recreational opportunities. The continued development of the Wild Rivers Trail all- purpose trail and the connector to the Gandy Dancer Trail and the Tri-County Corridor is a major work item for 2007. Anticipated work activities include route selection, securing all required wetland permits, bridge construction, trail grubbing, and signing. The 10.3 miles of cross-country ski trails will be maintained using County Forest personnel and equipment. Members of the Northwest Trails Association will maintain the current State-funded snowmobile and ATV trail network. Also, additional monies will be applied for from the State of Wisconsin for further development and enhancement of the Douglas County trail network. The replacement of the Cut-A-Way Dam Bridge is scheduled for 2007. The construction of a new bridge on Trail #2 over the Pokegama River is scheduled for the winter of 2007-2008. 2110.3.3 Boat Launches Douglas County personnel will maintain all boat landings. Improvements and enhancements will 2000 - 11 ---PAGE BREAK--- COMPREHENSIVE LAND-USE PLAN 2006-2020 be completed within the existing budget. 2110.3.4 Impoundment Structures Douglas County Forestry Department personnel maintain and operate impoundment structures at the following sites: Gordon Dam, Mooney Dam, Olsen Meadows, Cranberry Creek Flowage, Park Creek Pond, Jackson Box Flowage, and State Line Flowage. Where necessary, there will be work on these flowages to reduce erosion, repair water control structures, and to prevent future problems by installing beaver guards. An engineering study with a detailed action plan was completed for the impoundment structures in 2005, and repairs were prioritized and begun in 2006. Jackson Box Flowage and Cranberry Creek Flowage are scheduled for upgrades in 2007. Additional funding sources/grants will be explored to help in funding these needed repairs. 2110.4 Access Management Program 2110.4.1 County Forest Roads Douglas County Forestry Department personnel will maintain the 100 miles of the County Forest Road system. These State-funded roads are important for forest resource management activities and for the recreational use of the County Forest. The entire system is under continual reevaluation and any new additions or deletions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Needed improvements to this road system will be prioritized and completed as scheduled. Priority in 2007 will be the continuation of shoulder vegetation maintenance. Funds were secured for the purchase of a tractor/boom mower for 2007. Experimenting with a variety of brush clearing/ditch maintenance activities is also scheduled for 2007, examples include contract clearing, establishment of linear timber sales along a road, and the use of the Gordon Correctional Center maintenance crew. 2110.4.2 Timber Access Trails Timber access trails are secondary roads utilized to access blocks of timber for the transport of forest products. Many such roads are abandoned or access is restricted after their use is no longer needed. Some of these roads remain and are maintained for other purposes such as research, recreational trails, or future access. The Douglas County Access Management Plan will provide Department-approved direction for both motorized and non-motorized uses of these timber access trails. Priorities in the ongoing development of the Access Management Plan are to: Ensure public safety. Ensure sustainability of natural resources. 2000 - 12 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 2000: ANNUAL PLANNING Minimize conflicts between users groups. Provide a range of opportunities for summer and winter recreational uses. Pending approval of the 15-Year Plan, the Access Management Plan will be implemented according to the schedule and direction presented in the plan. This will take additional requested funding and considerable staff time and effort. 2110.5 Wildlife Management Program Douglas County receives 10 cents per acre of County Forest land to be used on wildlife related projects. The monies received are scheduled for the following proposed project in 2007: Wildlife opening maintenance Jack pine regeneration White pine regeneration Prescribed oak/jack pine burns Wildlife surveys Help implementing portions of the Access Management Plan to control access Flowage maintenance Road/landing rehabilitation Nuisance beaver control (10) Construction of a snake hibernaculum (11) Olson Meadows/Cranberry Creek training burns (12) Gregerson Fields restoration Other monies may come from the Ruffed Grouse Society for projects associated with their Management Area Projects (MAP) program. This program provides funds to help directly implement forest wildlife habitat development on public lands. RGS-supported research exploring the dynamics of forest growth has been the key to developing effective methods of forest wildlife habitat improvement. 2110.6 Forest Protection Program Fire and insect damage are the two most visible potential problems to be faced in 2007. The major jack pine budworm outbreak on the Forest in 2005 resulted in salvage harvests of approximately 450 acres acre in 2005 and another 450 acres in 2006. Bud worm population numbers are predicted to decline in 2007, however, small localized attacks may still occur. Salvage operations on some of the damaged stands of 2005 will continue as planned in 2007. 2000 - 13 ---PAGE BREAK--- COMPREHENSIVE LAND-USE PLAN 2006-2020 In the event of further fire and/or insect damage issues, forest resource protection responses will be implemented if the need arises during the year. 2110.7 Land Acquisition Program Land acquisition within and adjacent to the Douglas County Forest blocking boundary will continue to be actively pursued in the best interest of the County. Throughout 2006, reports that Wausau Mosinee Paper Corporation is potentially looking to divest itself of 4,000+ acres of their land holdings in Douglas County continued. The Director of Forestry and Natural Resources and the Douglas County Forest, Parks, and Recreation Committee will continue to discuss potential options with Wausau Mosinee Paper of an acquisition process whereby the County can obtain at least in part some of the lands that the company will be selling. The County relinquishing the Hunting and Fishing Rights associated with many of these parcels for a predetermined fee will play a crucial role in determining what blocks are scheduled for sale. Any lands purchased from the company will be for the purpose of better blocking in county boundaries or recreational needs. The funding will be obtained through the Forestry Department’s annual budget and, if necessary, project loan funds provided by the State. 2110.8 Information Technology Program In this age of information technology, disseminating information via the internet has become common. By providing a wealth of quality information and content through a website, the Department can greatly improve its day-to-day operational effectiveness and efficiency. Currently, the County has an existing website that contains information on the Department, however, funds are budgeted in 2007 to enhance and further develop this site. This process will be one of continual improvement and the Department plans to make the most of internet opportunities. To be successful, the following will need to be considered: Procurement of a website designer Website design Requirements analysis Information architecture Graphic design Content Ease of use 2110.9 Buildings and Equipment 2110.9.1 Facilities and Infrastructure In order to provide quality customer service and fulfill our department’s mission, the facilities that 2000 - 14 ---PAGE BREAK--- CHAPTER 2000: ANNUAL PLANNING 2000 - 15 the Department operates will be maintained, updated and outfitted with equipment necessary to maintain efficient operations. Continuing maintenance of the following facilities will be ongoing as needs arise: Main office headquarters in Solon Springs. Garage facility in Solon Springs. Garage facilities and storage buildings located in Gordon. Structural facilities located within the park system such as restrooms, amphitheater, docks, playground, picnic tables, benches, pavilion, fish cleaning station and those located within the Douglas County Wildlife Area, including the clubhouse, dog kennel, and horse stable facilities. Bridges used throughout the County for the recreation trail system Funds are allocated in 2007 to complete a professional structural engineering assessment on the structural integrity of the Garage facility in Solon Springs. This assessment will include evaluating the needed maintenance on this old building and weighing the projected long-term maintenance needs against replacement costs. A poor surface-water drainage issue in the paved parking area adjacent to the main office headquarters will also be evaluated along with a deteriorating retaining wall on the south side of the office building. 2110.9.2 Equipment Cooperative maintenance and heavy equipment and vehicle sharing with the Douglas County Highway Department are continuing. Equipment will be repaired/improved/replaced on an as- needed basis. The Forestry Department will complete the purchase of a new tractor and boom type brush mower to incorporate into the County Forest Road and timber access road maintenance programs. Four new pickup fleet vehicles will be purchased during 2007 (two for the parks and recreation program and two for the forest-management program) and assessment of the aging vehicle fleet and nonfleet equipment will continue.