Chequamegon-Nicolet Leads National Forests in Timber Harvest Due To
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
INDEX INSIDE OPINION ................... 12B Section recognizes SPORTS ..................... 9A emergency workers OUTDOORS ............. 10B n Area firefighters, EMTs, police LIFESTYLE ................. 1B officers and rescue personnel CLASSIFIEDS ............ 4B are saluted in a special section. VILAS COUNTY Section A NEWS-REVIEW $1.75 VOL. 135, NO. 31 EAGLE RIVER, WI 54521 • (715) 479-4421 • vcnewsreview.com WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7, 2020 Chequamegon-Nicolet leads national forests in timber harvest due to 2019 storm damage ___________ bling last year’s total and making staff, our partners and stakehold- BY GARY RIDDERBUSCH it the top timber-producing na- ers have done in managing the NEWS-REVIEW EDITOR ___________ tional forest in the nation. Chequamegon-Nicolet National A large portion of the timber Forest this year and in response to RHINELANDER — The Che- volume sold was storm-damaged the storm damage a little over a qua megon-Nicolet National For- timber on the Lakewood-Laona year ago,” said Owens. “It was est (CNNF) was the top timber- Ranger District following a wind- great to hear from timber industry producing national forest in the storm July 19-20, 2019. This representatives, as without agency this fiscal year, according storm damaged an estimated The Forest Service, along with to Forest Service officials. 286,000 acres across northern the Wisconsin Department of Jim Hubbard, U.S. Depart- Wisconsin, and 100,000-plus Natural Resources (DNR), under ment of Agriculture (USDA) un- acres on the national forest. the Good Neighbor Authority dersecretary for Natural Hubbard and Owens discussed (GNA) agreement, has awarded Resources and Environment, and with timber industry representa- timber sales and adjusted exist- USDA Forest Service Region 9 tives the progress made on sal- ing sales to harvest timber from Regional Forester Gina Owens vaging downed timber on the approximately 17,260 acres total- made the announcement during CNNF and future plans for treat- ing 171 MMBF since the storm. a recent visit to the CNNF. ment of the area affected by a This fiscal year, the CNNF will July 2019 blowdown. Under the federal GNA, the USDA Forest Service is autho- sell nearly 230 million board feet “We are very proud of all of the An employee of the Lakewood-Laona Ranger District of the Chequamegon- (MMBF) of timber, almost dou- hard work that Forest Service To TIMBER, Pg. 2A Nicolet National Forest marks a deck of salvaged logs. —Contributed Photo Vilas and Oneida see record surge in COVID cases ___________ BY GARY RIDDERBUSCH NEWS-REVIEW EDITOR ___________ Vilas and Oneida counties responding to new cases and are continuing to experience close contacts as soon as we a surge in new cases of coro- are able to,” said Tammi navirus disease (COVID-19), Boers, assistant director/ according to officials at pub- deputy health officer for the lic health departments in Vilas County Health Depart- both counties. ment. “Because our depart- Oneida County’s number ment is operating at full of positive COVID-19 cases capacity, our response time for Oct. 1 was 34, which is the may be delayed. In order to highest single-day number of increase our capacity to no- cases since the beginning of tify and contract-trace in a the pandemic. Previously, the timely manner, we are work- highest number of cases in a ing with our partners and single day was 31 on Sept. the Wisconsin Department of 29. Health Services.” Meanwhile, the Vilas Linda Conlon, director of County Public Health De- the Oneida County Public partment reported a record Health Department, also had 47 new positive cases beween concerns about the re- FALL SPLENDOR — Brian Cook of Lake Geneva walks a logging yellow leaves of fall explode around him. Color remains excellent Oct. 2 and Monday, Oct. 5. road on his way to grouse cover as the brilliant red, orange and though the peak has passed. —Staff Photo By KURT KRUEGER “The health department is To COVID, Pg. 4A Youth deer hunt set Popular fest was canceled this Saturday, Sunday State cranberry harvest to lead nation ___________ BY NEWS-REVIEW STAFF ___________ as demand for tiny berry grows in ’20 The 2020 Wisconsin youth deer hunt, youth hunters ___________ gun deer hunt will be this who possess an archery or been more than an annual BY GARY RIDDERBUSCH Saturday and Sunday, Oct. crossbow license may also favorite in our commu- NEWS-REVIEW EDITOR 10-11, meaning blaze orange continue to hunt deer with a ___________ nity; it’s been tradition clothing is recommended for bow/crossbow. since 1980,” said Kim those using the outdoors. Both resident and non- There wasn’t a Cran- Emerson, executive direc- This special hunt is in- resident youth hunters are berry Fest in Eagle River tor of the Eagle River tended to give youth eligible to participate. this fall, but that won’t chamber. “The decision to hunters an opportunity to stop the cranberry harvest. cancel this year’s event hunt deer and gain valuable The bag limit is one buck Wisconsin’s role as the was incredibly difficult. In hunting experience under with a gun buck deer har- nation’s cranberry produc- lieu of an official event, the watchful eye of experi- vest authorization, plus ad- ing powerhouse will con- we encourage visitors who enced hunters. ditional antlerless deer per tinue in 2020. were interested in attend- Hunters 15 years of age antlerless deer harvest au- According to projections ing to still take part in and under, with or without thorizations valid for the released recently by the cranberry-related activi- hunter education certifica- zone, DMU and land type U.S. Cranberry Marketing ties this fall that help tion, are eligible to partici- (public access or private) on Committee (CMC), Wiscon- support local businesses.” which the youth is hunting. pate in the youth gun deer sin growers, including North Woods cranberry farmers are in the marshes in early Amid the COVID-19 hunt with a mentor. Additional antlerless deer those in Vilas and Oneida may be taken per antlerless October harvesting cranberries. —STAFF PHOTO pandemic, the U.S. cran- Youth hunters ages 15 counties, will harvest an berry industry has seen and under may hunt deer deer harvest authorization, estimated 5.56 million bar- months. pandemic but is expected which is valid statewide on demand increases in 2020 with a gun, bow or crossbow rels of fruit this fall. Cranberry Fest, a na- to return in 2021. — particularly for in-home in all deer management the land type specified on The forecast marks the tionally-publicized cele- The Eagle River Area the harvest authorization. purchases — with domes- units (DMUs), except 26th consecutive year bration of the fall harvest Chamber of Commerce tic sales up about 8% from Menominee County or in that Wisconsin has led season held the first board of directors an- this time last year. state parks. A gun deer Blaze requirements the nation in cranberry weekend in October at the nounced back in July that That increase in de- hunting license is required. All hunters, with the ex- production and comes on fairgrounds in Eagle Cranberry Fest would not mand, paired with supply Since the archery and ception of waterfowl the heels of domestic de- River, was not held this be held this year. crossbow seasons run con- hunters, are required to mand surges in recent fall due to the COVID-19 “Cranberry Fest has To HARVEST, Pg. 3A current with the youth gun To HUNT, Pg. 2A 2A WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7, 2020 VILAS COUNTY NEWS-REVIEW/THE THREE LAKES NEWS WEATHER NEWS CORNER Note: Precipitation amounts are recorded at 8 a.m. for the previous 24 hours. LAST SEVEN DAYS ONE YEAR AGO Hi Lo Prec. Hi Lo Prec. Tues., Sept. 29 ........53 42 0.08R Sun., Sept. 29 ...........55 45 None Wed., Sept. 30.........53 36 0.02R Mon., Sept. 30...........72 52 0.85R Thurs., Oct. 1...........45 29 0.09R Tues., Oct. 1..............71 47 0.24R Fri., Oct. 2................44 34 0.02R Wed., Oct. 2 ..............50 41 0.03R Sat., Oct. 3...............42 28 0.02R Thurs., Oct. 3 ............53 39 0.63R Sun., Oct. 4..............47 29 0.01R Fri., Oct. 4 .................45 38 0.06R Mon., Oct. 5.............58 44 None Sat., Oct. 5............. ...51 42 0.01R The average daily high at this time last year for the next LAST YEAR seven days was 58, while the average overnight low was 36. There was rain on four days measuring 1.27 inches. Days precipitation recorded since July 1, 2020, 51 days; COMPARISON 2019, 46 days. Average high of past 30 days, 2020, 60; 2019, 65. Average low of past 30 days, 2020, 40; 2019, 47. FOREST There is still time to take a Colorama ride by car or boat as the fall color change is taking place across the North Woods. More than 34,000 acres of timber has been harvested from the Aug. 24, reducing fuel loads and allowing the next phase of restora- CONDITIONS There also are scenic ATV/UTV and bike trails in Vilas, blowdown area in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest as of tion to be planned. —Contributed Photo Oneida and Forest counties that offer plenty of color. STREAMS Anglers report the fall turnover is about complete on many North Woods lakes, which should improve walleye and AND LAKES muskie fishing. Water levels remain high due to more than more salvage planned in 2021 6 inches of rain in September. Timber: FIVE-DAY OUTLOOK FROM PAGE 1A be offered through the com- activities and timber sales. to support Wisconsin’s im- petitive bid process by the It also allowed us to expand portant timber industry.” Wednesday: Partly cloudy.