Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By RICHARD JENKINS
Hurley — Iron County’s forestry and parks committee approved the winning bids for the county’s 2019 spring timber sale last week, a key source of revenue for the county.
A total of 55 bids were received on 17 of the 18 sales up up for bid, with one sale failing to receive a bid. The winning bids the committee approved June 11 are expected to generate approximately $1,228,743 for the county’s coffers. However, the exact amount won’t be known until the parcels are logged.
Iron County Forester Eric Peterson said the expected sale revenue is around $300,000 more than either of the county’s two sales in 2018.
“The numbers are up from last year, but kind of right in line from where we hope they’d be,” Peterson said. “It was good competitive bids on the 17 that we sold.”
The sale covered 1,786 acres of county forest, which contains 25,889 cords of wood and 741,000 board feet.
In other action, the committee:
—Approved reduced rates of $50 per week or $1 per foot, per day for the Saxon Harbor marina for the remainder of the boating season once it opens later this summer. Peterson explained the county wants to give people the opportunity to use the harbor as much as they can during this shortened season, and recognizes a full rate isn’t fair given how late in the summer the marina will be opening. The marina’s standard rates will vary by dock size.
—Tabled a Saxon Harbor Boating Club proposal regarding operating their boat lift until the county decides whether to purchase its own for the harbor.
—Renewed trail maintenance agreements with the local ATV and snowmobiling clubs.
—Approved the position descriptions for future Saxon Harbor marina and campground employees and authorized Peterson to advertise for the positions.
—Approved extending seven timber sales that haven’t been completely logged yet.
