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A old century ended and a new one began with considerable promise for the Gogebic County Forest. After 57 years of managing a resource that nobody wanted, the County Forest lands are now in a significant position to assist the economy of the area as well as the internal support needed to enhance and improve county services. Stumpage values have increased dramatically in recent years and in 2000, Sugar Maple sawtimber value rose to $725/MBF. Expenditures to improve roads, wildlife, soil and water protection, natural resource educational programs, as well as forest recreation have seen significant increases in recent years, and will continue to do so.

Also, during the year under the leadership of the Forestry Commission in cooperation with the Gogebic County EDC, Michigan State University Cooperative Extension, Ottawa National Forest, Lake States Forestry Alliance and the Keweenaw Land Association, a two year process of gathering information and public input into the development of a definition of "Sustainable Forestry for Gogebic County"was concluded. The definition of sustainable forestry was developed using clearly identifiable criteria and indicators that can be used to evaluate future progress of sustainable forestry activities. This historic endeavor was supported by resolution by every unit of government in Gogebic County, including the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

In addition to its management role of the County Forest lands, the Forestry Commission was asked by the County Board of Commissioners to assume the management of the two county parks. The parks located at Lake Gogebic and Little Girl’s Point had been under management of the County Road Commission for many years, but due to budget constraints, they requested that the County Board place operational control with the Forestry Commission.

Although the Forestry Commission did not take over total management of the parks until January 1, 2001, co-management of the parks between the Road Commission and the Forestry Commission took place in 2000 that provided a program of transition, with the Road Commission overseeing day-to-day activities and the Forestry Commission providing financial support to accomplish much needed infrastructure improvements.

In assuming total management responsibilities in 2001, the Forestry Commission will take on a new responsibility as well as a new name. It will now be known as the Gogebic County Forestry and Parks Commission. The Commission looks forward to this role and will continue to provide Gogebic County citizens with the greatest amount of goods and services from its forests; and now the best possible park system while insuring that future generations receive similar benefits.

The following is a synopsis of the 2000 Forestry Commission activities.

The 2000 timber sale program provided over three (3) million feet of various forest products to the wood using industries of the region and when viewed in terms of the economic impact, the wood cut contributed directly over two (2) million dollars into the area's economy.

The following is a description of the forest products harvested:

TOTAL VOLUME CUT IN 2000

SAWLOGS - M.B.F. (THOUSAND BOARD FEET)

Mixed Hardwood 432

ROUGH PULPWOOD - CORDS

Aspen 2,235

Mixed Hardwood 3,117

Softwood 500

TOTAL 5,852

In 2000 the Forestry Commission prepared and sold 4,752,000 board feet of various forest products. Combined with the previous year's surplus, approximately 8 million board feet were under contract and available for harvest. At year's end, approximately 4.7 million board feet were still under contract to be harvested. The stumpage value of this wood exceeds $550,000. The 2000, harvest came from 17 individual timber sale contracts.

FIVE-YEAR SUMMARY - ACRES PREPARED

MARKED

1996 980 5 --

1997 953 -- 10

1998 924 85 34

1999 740 65 40

2000 935 122 100

4532 277 184

GRAND TOTAL - 4993 Acres

MARKED

YEAR HDWDS ASPEN CONIFER

1996 545 59 --

1997 820 -- --

1998 1627 85 44

1999 435 55 40

2000 747 55 73

4174 254 157

GRAND TOTAL – 4,585 Acres

TIMBER SALE OPERATORS

JANUARY 1, 2000 - DECEMBER 31, 2000

Cappo Sales & Service Wakefield, MI Mike Westeen Bessemer, MI

Northern Michigan Veneers Escanaba, MI Steve Zeckovich Wakefield, MI

Richard Leinon Hurley, WI Keweenaw Land Assn Ironwood, MI

WUPFID Hancock, MI Melvin Flannery Crandon, WI

Emil Movrich Wakefield, MI Mike Henning Hurley, WI

Ron Raith Summit Lake, WI Brad Barto Ironwood, MI

During the year, over 24 individuals found employment on county forest timber sales.

Sawtimber Range $ Volume (MBF) Average Price

Sugar Maple 400 – 725 694 $636.70

Yellow Birch 325 – 346 64 341.08

Ash 251 135 251.00

Red Maple 275 – 278 75 277.72

Basswood 250-301 12 292.50

Other Hardwoods 276 – 304.29 17 292.64

Pulpwood Range $ Volume (cds) Average Price

Mixed Hardwood 15 – 16.25 2372 $ 16.02

Aspen – Woodsrun 20 333 20.00

Note 1: The above volumes harvested under Bid Sale contracts accounts for 80% of all wood harvested from county timber sales during this period.

Note 2: In addition, during the period approximately 1200 acres were treated for wind damage as a result of the October 1997 and July 1998 windstorms. This resulted in approximately 7,000 cords of various forest products being harvested using the negotiated sale method.

GOGEBIC COUNTY FOREST REVENUES

(LAST FIVE YEARS)

1996 Timber Sale Receipts 131,162

1997 Timber Sale Receipts 297,190

1998 Timber Sale Receipts 353,738

1999 Timber Sale Receipts 236,734

2000 Timber Sale Receipts 283,500

$1,302,324

The five-year average is $260,464

In 2000, 137 acres were treated following a timber sale to insure the propagation of the Aspen resource on the County forest. This was accomplished with a $2,000 grant funded by the Ruffed Grouse Society – Lake Superior Chapter.

CORNER REMONUMENTATION PROGRAM

Since 1998, the Forestry Commission has been a partner in the State of Michigan Corner Remonumentation Program in Gogebic County. It has contributed a local match to the program, which has resulted in accelerating the retracement and remonumentation of section and quarter-corners of the original survey work done in Gogebic County from 1848 – 1852. The following is a summary of work accomplished from 1998 – 2000 by registered land surveyors.

Corners retraced – 69

Corners remonumented – 53

Retracement – refers to corners researched and field investigated for original evidence.

Remonumentation – refers to these corners that were retraced and had sufficient evidence to remonument. These corners are then officially registered at the County Office of Register of Deeds.

Funds provided by Forestry Commission - $15,860

Funds provided thru Remonumentation Program - $15,235

$31,095

Note: The total represents dollar value associated with corner retracement and remonumentation work done on County Forest lands. Funds provided through the State Remonumentation Program are based on the County match or 96¢ for each dollar the County Forestry Commission puts into the program.

FUEL WOOD PERMITS

In 2000, 25 free use permits were issued to county residents to harvest firewood from old county forest timber sales.

In 2000, 6,033 cubic yards of sand and gravel was removed from forestry pits and used for administrative purposes by the Gogebic County Road Commission. The Forestry Commission does not assess a royalty charge for this sand and gravel because of a road maintenance agreement it has with the Road Commission. The Forestry Commission also sold 1,970 cubic yards of sand and gravel to other parties during the year.

Special use fees were paid for 55 hunting camp leases during 2000. In most cases, the individual leaseholder(s) also paid personal property taxes on buildings, etc., to the political township in which their respective camps lie.

A total of 20 permits were issued free of charge to county residents for obtaining their own Christmas trees from County Forest lands in 2000. Staff also assisted the Headstart Program in obtaining a school Christmas tree from the County Forest.

Over the last several years, the Gogebic County Forestry Commission has greatly expanded its effort to provide the citizens of Gogebic County and the region with an increased awareness of the importance of forest resources. 2000 was another year of rewarding efforts. The following is a brief synopsis of those efforts.

The Forestry Commission continued its commitment to provide staff to support Camp Superior. This partnership with the Community Schools program provides staff that supports the outdoor learning experience by providing a "walk in the forest" for all students. This tour is conducted on County Forest land and is designed to enlighten young minds on the importance of trees and what they provide in their every day lives. Over 300 young people participate in this tour annually.

The Annual Loggers Jamboree held in Wakefield each year during "break-up" is a partnership between the MSU Cooperative Extension Service, U.S. Forest Service, forest industry companies, and the Forestry Commission. This effort is designed to provide some continuing education for the loggers of the region as well as provide a social atmosphere and a banquet to express appreciation for what the logging community provides to the economic well being of the region.

1. LEAP Program – Instruction – 60 Loggers/Foresters
2. Norrie School/Park – May - 4^th graders – Papermaking, tree disease/leaves – 60 Students/Teachers
3. Bessemer Schools – November - 2^nd graders – Papermaking – 40 Students/Teachers
4. Bessemer Schools – 9 – 12 grade – March – Forestry &Paper Project – 160 Students/Teachers
5. Gogebic County Fair – August – 4 days – Booth & Information
6. 97 Parallel Gardeners Club – Tour of Powers Road Management Area – 8 people
7. Newport School – March – Kindergarten – Paper Making/Trees – 20 Students/Teachers
8. Wakefield Schools – May - 6^th graders – Tree Planting – 20 Students/Teacher
9. Gogebic Community College Class – April – 2 hrs – Social Problems, Use of Natural Resources -

20 Students

 

The Forestry Commission has always believed that the best way to build a better tomorrow is by building and maintaining solid partnerships today.

The Commission has had excellent working relationships over the years with the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources, Western U.P. Forest Improvement District, Gogebic Soil and Water Conservation District, Ruffed Grouse Society, Gogebic County E.D.C., Gogebic Range Trail Authority, and forest industry. All of these partners have played a special role in that each adds to services and benefits the Forestry Commission is able to provide to the citizens of Gogebic County.

Also, in 2000, the Forestry Commission continued a leadership role in supporting the Gogebic County Soil Survey. This is a partnership between several state and federal agencies, Michigan Technological and Michigan State Universities, the Gogebic Soil and Water conservation District and the Gogebic County Board of Commissioners. The Forestry Commission, on behalf of the County Board, provides the local match financial support for the project as well as some technical support. In addition, Bessemer Township is assisting Gogebic County in providing office space for the Soil Survey staff.

The Forestry Commission annually appropriates funds to improve and maintain the County Forest road system. In 2000, approximately $7,500 was spent maintaining and upgrading the County Forest road system.

The Forestry Commission under a co-management agreement with the Board of Park Trustees (Road Commission) began a program of infrastructure improvements during the year. The following is a listing of projects accomplished.

1. New bathroom facilities at both parks
2. A new boat launch at Lake Gogebic
3. Expansion of a day use parking lot at Lake Superior
4. Improvements to the caretakers house at Lake Superior
5. Construction of a wooden fence along the bank line at Lake Superior for safety of the public

As of December 31, 2000, a total of 50,290.39 acres were under the jurisdiction of the Gogebic County Forestry Commission. The County has timber rights on an additional 374 acres, bringing the total of 50,664.39 acres.