[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6274355,"mediaKeyId","2991224-db60df653efb017f610cc34737aa76fe","parentId",2991224,"title","Conservation staff report nonmetallic-mining inspections and Billy Boy flowage water-level process; DNR involvement and legal review pending","audioSeconds",106,"startMs",1109000,"endMs",1215000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2991224-db60df653efb017f610cc34737aa76fe&start=1109&end=1215","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2991224-db60df653efb017f610cc34737aa76fe/thumbnail_1109000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6274355/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Conservation-staff-report-nonmetallic-mining-inspections-and-Billy-Boy-flowage-water-level-process-DNR-involvement-and-legal-review-pending","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274355-fcea3f342d72ec25631c2a5b2aac4e8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192933&Signature=XJ0s1m8lRG6zu8SbBRulivUfbVvspKEjuzuFfWCOGULfgeiew~SevBE4iXvK06tRvdPVUTZu8utAY-vNBkOTALCoZ39usk8CqZrfPAnUAWpSBqRhVmygRmfXcibKdcG4wJ4cSL-Rh0T5BoS4WVj5K6m4CPj66Mn5sQkjoQi~Xivh8SNMNsIwIVZfVjhewTZuGvUcCcpSz2ha9bgqWvtTJl6VoWHDcVuQmjFPN-scIbEHqaGlPhCOsP2aanA16L53~j0Mp7tctyG-OdvGlQc4Kre3hW37qZhCvFRdVEwx35L9SJ5bkH~Rhtn59vEcJhnOP7hmEFZoqf4xe897pK0mlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sawyer County, WI","date","2025-04-15T12:22:37.757Z","article","Conservation staff briefed the committee on multiple programs and inspections underway as melting-snow conditions begin.

Nonmetallic-mining inspections and reporting

Staff said annual nonmetallic-mining inspections will begin as conditions permit. Inspections evaluate permitted materials on sites, the area of disturbed land and compliance with permit terms; results are used for state reporting and fee calculations. Staff asked whether the committee would prefer to receive inspection reports or to continue routing those updates through the zoning committee; the committee concluded zoning is the appropriate venue for permit renewals and routine inspection reports.

Billy Boy flowage water-level increase and DNR process

Staff described a multi-year effort to secure an official water-level increase for the Billy Boy flowage. They said legal counsel is reviewing whether the county has prescriptive flood and flowage easement rights required by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources before the DNR will hold a public hearing on the proposed increase. If legal counsel confirms prescriptive rights, staff will submit documentation to DNR and the agency would schedule a public hearing.

Education and conferences

Staff reported Wisconsin Land and Water is partnering with SCOPE to offer scholarships for youth education and summer camps at no cost to the county. County conservation staff also attended the Wisconsin Land and Water Conference and the Lakes and Rivers Convention; two staff members were singled out for attendance at those events.

Next steps

Staff will proceed with nonmetallic-mining inspections, coordinate with zoning on reporting, continue the legal review related to Billy Boy flowage easement rights and return to the committee when the DNR public-hearing process is set to move forward.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Land, Water and Forest Resources 2025 04 09","oneSentenceSummary","Conservation staff told the Sawyer County Land, Water, Forest Resources Committee they will begin nonmetallic-mining inspections and that a proposed Billy Boy flowage water-level increase is pending legal review of prescriptive flood and flowage easement rights required by the Wisconsin DNR.","taxTitle","Sawyer County, Wisconsin","taxId",73055,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274365,"Committee approves Hungry Bear Gravel Race and Recreational Trails Aid resolution; forestry staff report timber sales and rising fire danger",178,587000,765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2991224-db60df653efb017f610cc34737aa76fe&start=587&end=765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2991224-db60df653efb017f610cc34737aa76fe/thumbnail_587000.jpg","/articles/6274365/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Committee-approves-Hungry-Bear-Gravel-Race-and-Recreational-Trails-Aid-resolution-forestry-staff-report-timber-sales-and-rising-fire-danger","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274365-458f08cd9884539d09c677d699a3c475/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192933&Signature=e9QSq7oj1RM8XU2dkeGLJCx3VsAYV6qiWBejIJERzkRkSUK-YCN8JtXgd7dzfTK9PFJnYhnNb4g5iuu7bvPCwy-S~GeeVboZJTNfc2cLNh3un8ETdRF-9KFNIyRjr7VzUcMgNZS6Bj8B1XPOAKCkgOd7bBegBJbYPdsN4AZ0OkHrdlZ6XmJnjP-IE1yGM8to6tjVgRwFMMWx5SWkSzZap0nP3t51OlOcTZEi5e9dR6E6G4ydVhMOEPfXaGScmezEwGl75RbGybEBFLIJcfxdxLUn-dQTn2oLkq~HJgUglyJAz~xt1AVPRPaI4GFNHa0bqBJpp3bGQPE6RaGWho8isw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Land, Water, Forest Resources Committee approved an event application for the annual Hungry Bear Gravel Race and passed the county’s annual Recreational Trails Aid resolution required to apply for snowmobile and ATV grant funds.

Event approval and trail use restrictions

The committee reviewed the Hungry Bear Gravel Race application; staff confirmed the organizer supplied insurance and a course map and that only a small portion of Sawyer County trails on the north end of the county would be used. Staff also noted the event application explicitly restricts use of ATV/UTV and snowmobile trails where appropriate; the committee approved the event. Motion to approve the event was made and seconded and recorded as carried.

Recreational Trails Aid resolution and grants

Committee members voted to approve the 2025 Recreational Trails Aid resolution that authorizes staff to apply for snowmobile and ATV grant funding; the committee noted this is an annual action that will also go to the County Board for final approval.

Forestry operations and timber sales

Forestry staff reported a busy spring: 12 active sales remain listed, sale value (sold and uncut) is just under $4,000,000, and March revenue was about $237,000 with a year-to-date total just over $650,000. Staff said 22 tracts totaling roughly 1,600 acres are being offered in the spring timber-sale prospectus with a bid opening scheduled for April 29 and formal approvals expected at the committee’s following meeting.

Seeley Trails proposal and trail maintenance

Staff reported continuing discussions with user groups about a Seeley Trails proposal and said a revised proposal will likely come to the May meeting. Jim Davidson, Sawyer County Snowmobile Alliance coordinator, reported grading and brushing work on trails and said he is working with the U.S. Forest Service on gate relocations to protect snow-only trails from unauthorized summer use.

DNR fire-season warning

A Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources representative told the committee that the region has been largely snow-free and is seeing declining humidities and higher temperatures, which are increasing fire risk. “The fire danger is rising as we get more drier humidities and higher temperatures,” the DNR representative said, and staff asked landowners and users to remain vigilant as the state moves into fire season.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve Hungry Bear Gravel Race event application: motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as \"Aye\" — motion carried.
- Motion to approve 2025 Recreational Trails Aid resolution to apply for snowmobile/ATV grants: motion made and seconded; voice vote recorded as \"Aye\" — resolution carries.

","The Sawyer County Land, Water, Forest Resources Committee approved the annual Hungry Bear Gravel Race event application and passed the county’s 2025 Recreational Trails Aid resolution to pursue snowmobile and ATV grant funds.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274375,"Sawyer County committee approves ordinance amendment and new fees to update tax-deed process under Acts 206/207",863,1375000,2238000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2991224-db60df653efb017f610cc34737aa76fe&start=1375&end=2238","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2991224-db60df653efb017f610cc34737aa76fe/thumbnail_1375000.jpg","/articles/6274375/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Sawyer-County-committee-approves-ordinance-amendment-and-new-fees-to-update-tax-deed-process-under-Acts-206207","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274375-552e0355c55c5ddc9551bc6fc7d5f692/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192933&Signature=VTD~A16MHOQSv3TbWzHOnWkXA9N-RXNAhLm5AbN4TznkTJ9ecrxAuDHFkwHmfFR0kTiXTMnuL5B3WKSdI3lspWK6zAiN5AHQ2mFVK2TXdxiZjhJAKKBjI7HqVIN9EbUIn7~VXWCwh3OasclGmECQoweUmZXQCHIpn9cJJfhGjWAycQ3Pi1H4pQS6HzlRqAD6p2clA930Nm7s8p5DWmEl88xUXOMntySk1FAucUO1GI-F0CRBKtQoLZlNDQmXQQ8EQ0S4cF0ot98KOxjP2JMJ0bApYiOhdkwqEvR8aNxY3n2OlJprSCnncGEHz41Dl9CblUPP5ezJH0KaeMOkry7ccQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sawyer County Land, Water, Forest Resources Committee voted to approve an amendment to the county’s taxation ordinance (Chapter 24) and an associated resolution that implements changes required by Wisconsin Acts 206 and 207.

The amendment requires the County Treasurer and the Land, Water, Forest Resources Committee to act “as expeditiously as allowed under Wisconsin law” to acquire tax title, and sets a maximum three-year timeline from issuance of a tax certificate for the county to proceed to acquire tax title unless a longer period is required by law. Committee members voted to send the ordinance amendment and resolution to the County Board for final approval.

The nut of the change is to align local practice with recent state law. Committee members and staff discussed how the county previously waited up to five years before taking tax title for many properties and said shortening the timeline should reduce backlog and preserve potential resale value.

County Treasurer presentation and parcel list

The Treasurer presented a list of 37 tax-delinquent parcels proposed for sale and asked the committee to confirm the minimum bid amounts. The treasurer said he used assessed fair-market values from the county’s Novus software as the initial minimum amounts and warned that some parcels are unlikely to sell because of condition or access. “Our goal is to at least get what we have cost involved in these,” the Treasurer said. The committee asked staff to circulate the parcel list by email before the May meeting so members could review specific parcels and recommend adjustments.

New administrative fees and proceeds distribution

Under the approved language included in the resolution, the committee approved new administrative fees tied to the tax-certificate and sale processes: a $300 administrative fee assessed when the county takes a property (tax-certificate process) and an $1,800 administrative fee assessed when a property is put up for sale. The ordinance text also requires that recorded sale proceeds first cover back taxes, interest, penalties and the county’s allowed administrative costs; any proceeds above those amounts must be returned to the prior owner in accordance with Act 207.

Committee members noted that Act 207 changes the distribution of sale proceeds compared with prior practice. One committee member summarized the practical effect: counties will retain money to cover taxes and documented costs, but net proceeds above that must be returned to prior owners.

Legal exposure and background

Staff told the committee Sawyer County is among counties reviewing these changes in response to a legal trend stemming from the Tyler v. Hennepin case; they said the state statute changes reflect that litigation and noted that counties in Wisconsin have been named in class-action litigation concerning prior tax-deed practices. The committee heard that insurers have been engaged to provide defense in related claims.

Next steps

The treasurer will refine minimum-bid recommendations and circulate the parcel list to committee members ahead of the May meeting. The ordinance amendment and the accompanying resolution will go to the County Board for final action.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve amendment to Sawyer County Ordinance Chapter 24 and associated resolution: Motion made and seconded; recorded voice vote: “Aye” — motion carried. (Committee vote count not specified in transcript.)

","The Sawyer County Land, Water, Forest Resources Committee voted to approve an amendment to the county taxation ordinance (Chapter 24) and a companion resolution to bring county tax-deed practice into compliance with Wisconsin Acts 206 and 207.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":42,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274370,"Committee hears carbon-credit update for Sawyer County Forest; credits expected after third-party verification",788000,894000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2991224-db60df653efb017f610cc34737aa76fe&start=788&end=894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2991224-db60df653efb017f610cc34737aa76fe/thumbnail_788000.jpg","/articles/6274370/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Committee-hears-carbon-credit-update-for-Sawyer-County-Forest-credits-expected-after-third-party-verification","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274370-bfd0c8c75c19316c18cd971d76e0e073/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192933&Signature=lgnrWjkxBHTQyuoXe0oMtnrcxfajznoc1yaPUNLHuVe9RhYEU1OakU3BQSX-lZcI1FJ-cW3t5we-vkyJEIUtxIN3mkmDddv-ZI39Am9L2FbT7YPAsk-d7Nf39eCE0lTjshxUtfJOcdhPbcsacBBEdTN9i6dElbahlZUtLEkjmsJRLqnZZ37b~5t-DZkfg7ZEmsbW9kfvJlfqwI6mzx2cgbRBU0h2pjbyBP4KrAbFDVIJz5YZ0dKFtg0huc3hXcKBfCCn9IRJcbILX2dxB-a~fKdcIgPalwYjcKNjyTG4eGVFLQKoQH~a6RGT2F~GjrKuLV80J4oHpiCNcPTSAoyC1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff updated the Land, Water, Forest Resources Committee on the Sawyer County forest carbon-credit project, reporting that project developers have completed modeling, documentation and due-diligence and have submitted the package to a third-party verifier.

A representative summarized the status: “We’re at step 9 of 12. All the due diligence and modeling and documentation of our growth rates and how many credits the county forest will generate has been done. They’ve submitted that to the third party verifier; that’s where it sits right now.” The presenter said the third-party verifier expects to complete its review in May, after which the project will be submitted to the American Carbon Registry (ACR) for issuance of credits.

Timing and budget implications

Staff said credits are not issued until ACR approves them; consultants expect credits to be issued in the third quarter and projected county receipts could arrive optimistically in the first or second quarter of the following year. Committee members were advised not to budget projected carbon revenue until a check is in hand. “We’ve advised from the start that don’t, don’t budget it until you have the check-in hand,” a staff presenter said.

Project monitoring and contract term

Committee discussion clarified monitoring and contract terms: the carbon project requires monitoring for 40 years under registry rules, but the county’s contract with the developer (Anew) covers 10 years, after which the county can renew, change contractors, or manage monitoring internally. Staff noted other counties in the program have begun receiving small revenues as credits are sold, providing a cautious precedent.

Next steps

Staff said they will wait for the verifier’s sign-off and ACR issuance; the county will address budgeting for potential revenue in future budget cycles only after receipts are realized.

","Consultants reported the Sawyer County forest carbon project has completed modeling and due diligence and is at step 9 of a 12-step process; third-party verification is under review and the American Carbon Registry (ACR) submission and credit issuance are expected before sales ramp up.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6274360,"Register of Deeds reports Act 235 readiness and land-records work; county submitted GIS data required for grant",130,164000,294000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2991224-db60df653efb017f610cc34737aa76fe&start=164&end=294","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2991224-db60df653efb017f610cc34737aa76fe/thumbnail_164000.jpg","/articles/6274360/Sawyer-County/Wisconsin/Register-of-Deeds-reports-Act-235-readiness-and-land-records-work-county-submitted-GIS-data-required-for-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274360-2d0ec9ccb950181c011dd0ce72191c73/orig.mp4?Expires=1771192933&Signature=iPNA8HwNbCqn1FNNPOV9DQmBnvfTUz1kifxY1bFeepZTCtl43uby5X0dnBVQnnS-2z3Vq03ANYf5T3hV~mzoKwA9d8X0UNQ7IRP5WQMaI3GnwjcYj6NORSSjdOppNCQRBopKi2~K7PS6oOXRu3GS0nPE6MI6LkWO16XzYMjiQtjJOcDxEfGLsfeaPMUnjyOjwXr2WHQ7oLJ6s6OMPPZf7LeT9Eotvp8FX2WX-4TkeeSTU-szYpOipE0aN8d68gizIuhJlFcNTkCbsZ2-QqNQYhlQck~GE4J9Z9o6wyb1W76XLJa8Lqca0-2YCTFWoxY8xMi96mSgDAYt6cAckRw4lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Register of Deeds updated the committee on office activity and implementation of recent state requirements.

Revenue and reporting

The Register said a corrected January revenue report was resubmitted after discovering recording-document revenue had been understated; transfer fees were lower in February and roughly the same in January and March. “We made more money than I had anticipated or thought in January,” the Register said.

Act 235 and shielding requests

Staff described work to implement Wisconsin Act 235 (shielding of certain documents at judicial request). The Register said the office has spent time and money evaluating programs and meeting with land records, surveying, zoning and the county clerk to establish a process, and that they have not yet received shielding requests from judges in Sawyer County. “We have spent quite a bit of money in the register of deeds for a certain program that would shield the documents… we have not had any requests yet here in Sawyer County,” the Register said.

GIS data submission and grants

County land records staff confirmed they successfully submitted GIS data to the state in the required schema; that submission is a prerequisite for a grant the county uses to modernize land records. Staff said the filing was completed on time and keeps the county on track for the related grant.

Next steps and meetings

The Register said staff have attended seminars and scheduled programming assistance as part of implementation; the committee did not take action but asked staff to continue coordinating with related departments as the shielding process is finalized.

","The Register of Deeds told the committee staff have resubmitted corrected revenue reports, are implementing shielding procedures under new Act 235 for judges’ document requests, and that the county successfully submitted GIS data to the state to meet a grant requirement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Conservation staff report nonmetallic-mining inspections and Billy Boy flowage water-level process; DNR involvement and legal review pending

Committee approves Hungry Bear Gravel Race and Recreational Trails Aid resolution; forestry staff report timber sales and rising fire danger

Sawyer County committee approves ordinance amendment and new fees to update tax-deed process under Acts 206/207

Committee hears carbon-credit update for Sawyer County Forest; credits expected after third-party verification

Register of Deeds reports Act 235 readiness and land-records work; county submitted GIS data required for grant