Land, Water & Forest Resources Committee — Minutes

Minutes of the June 10, 2026 Meeting of the Sawyer County Land, Water & Forest Resources Committee of the Sawyer County Board of Supervisors Board Room, Sawyer County Voting Committee Members (X) Present: Others Present: Steve Kariainen Mike Markgren Mike Martin Randy Neumann Liz Klein Tim Davison Kay Wilson Jay Kozlowski Craig Morris Marshal Savitski Greg Peterson Kimberly Peterson- Virtual Steve Longtine- Absent Brian DeVries TJ Barnes Allison Jonjak Daryl McNutt Call to Order – Chair Kariainen called the meeting to order at 8:30 am. Certification of Compliance with the open meeting law was met. Roll Call was taken; a quorum was met; the agenda was set. Public Comments – Linda Zillmer Minutes from the previous meeting dated: May 13, 2026 Motion to approve made by: Mr. Neumann Second by: Mr. Savitski Motion carried without negative vote. Events— An application for the Stubborn Mule Adventure Race was approved on a motion by: Mr. Neumann Second by: Mr. Savitski Motion carried without negative vote. Register of Deeds Update-- A written report for May was provided. The department hired a new Deputy ROD who started June 8. Land Records and County Surveyor Department Report – Land Records—A written RPL report was provided. Surveyor—A written surveyor report was provided. Forestry – County Forestry Report— Mr. Peterson reported that four sales were active in May. There is approximately $5M in sold-uncut timber on file at the time of the report. The County is currently in oak wilt restriction through July 15. Three ATV/UTV trail rehab projects are out for bid with a deadline of June 25th. A Sustainable Forestry Grant project in the Draper area is out on bid. Decked hardwood around the county is starting to move to mills, the pine pulp market is not currently moving. CAMBA Trail Reroute Development Proposal– Mr. TJ Barnes from the CAMBA organization presented a proposal for adding an additional portion of trail near the Seeley fire tower to relieve two-way traffic. The proposed trail would split traffic into one-way uphill and downhill trails in that location. The CAMBA Trail Reroute was approved on a motion by: Mr. Neumann Second by: Ms. Wilson Motion carried without negative vote. DNR Report—Mr. Morris reported on May DNR activity, including a correction to his report on county timber work, which was at 108% of goal hours. Fire danger on the forest has decreased in June with the rain. USFS Report—Mr. Martin reported on staffing changes and indirect impact of the federal USFS reorganization. Local field operations are in full swing and timber sales are active. The USFS will start a state-funded brushing project on Dead Horse Trail. The West Zone Aspen and Fir Regeneration Project is advancing, covering a large part of the forest between Bayfield and Medford. Four large aquatic animal crossing culverts are being replaced including one on FR 164 (which will be closed most of the summer). The Venison Creek bridge is going out on bid and will impact traffic from the end of 2026 into 2027. The Castle Creek gravel pit in Clam Lake and the Little Cranberry pit off Hwy B will be expanding to supply the next five years of forestry harvest roads. Zoning/Conservation Department – Mr. Kozlowski reported that the Price Dam fence was repaired by Town of Winter. The department is checking water levels at dams, continuing non-metallic mining inspections, and working on the Deer Lake IOMP. LCO Conservation is borrowing the county’s tree planter. The AIS Coordinator has met with lake associations on controlling purple loosestrife and shoreline restoration projects, and LCC training is scheduled today, June 10 at 10am. Board Appointed Committee Updates – None Correspondence, Reports from Conferences and Meetings – None Future Agenda Items – None Adjournment – 8:54am Next Meeting: July 8, 2026 Time: 8:30am Location: Board Room Minutes recorded by Liz Klein, County Clerk