[Amended by Ord. No. 53-2008; 5-18-2021 by Res. No. 57-2021, effective 6-4-2021]
(1) Appointment. The County Board hereby assigns administration of the
County Forestry Department to the Forestry, Land, and Recreation Committee
of the County Board.
(2) Definitions.
BOARD
The Oneida County Board of Supervisors.
CAMPING
The use of any shelter such as a tent, trailer, or motor
vehicle for temporary residence or sleeping purposes.
CLOSED ROAD OR TRAIL
A road or trail will be considered closed when designated
as such by the presence of gates, signs, rocks, or earthen berms.
COMMITTEE
The Oneida County Forestry, Land, and Outdoor Recreation
Committee of the Oneida County Board of Supervisors.
COUNTY FOREST
Those lands owned by Oneida County and entered under the
County Forest Law § 28:11, Wis. Stats., either as Forest
Lands or as Special Use Designation Lands.
COUNTY FOREST ROAD SYSTEM
That system on which Oneida County receives State of Wisconsin,
Department of Transportation road aids and are indicated as County
Forest roads in the County Forest Fifteen-Year Plan.
DIRECTOR
The Oneida County Forest Director.
D.N.R.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
MOTORIZED VEHICLE
An engine powered device designed for transporting people
or materials, including but not limited to, automobiles, snowmobiles,
trucks, motorcycles, all terrain vehicles, mini-bikes, go-carts, dune
buggies, air-boats, air-cushioned craft, golf carts, and heavy equipment
both wheeled and tracked.
(3) Powers and Duties. Subject to budget limitations, the Committee is
responsible for the activities and functions required of it in the
administration of the County forest and County recreation areas as
provided in this General Code and in accordance with the County Forest
Fifteen-Year Plan.
(a)
An annual work plan will be prepared along with the Department's
annual budget for approval through the County Board's budget process.
The work plan and budget shall serve as a directive to the Committee
and shall establish the limits as well as the purpose for which expenditures
may be made. It shall also be in conformity with the long range goals
set forth in the County Forest Fifteen-Year Plan.
(b)
The Committee shall direct and supervise the Department. It shall employ a Director as its agent in the management and regulation of the County Forest and the County recreational facilities as set forth in County Code §
1.02 (2)(d). It shall employ such additional competent personnel as the Board may authorize to direct, perform and enforce the administrative and management functions of this chapter.
(c)
The Committee shall establish and maintain a forest headquarters
for office space and the housing of machinery, tools, equipment and
supplies needed in conducting forestry operations.
(d)
In conformity with such procedures established by the Committee
or County Board rules, the Committee may purchase, acquire, sell,
trade or dispose of instruments, tools and equipment required for
the operation of the Department.
(e)
The Committee may negotiate for the acquisition of lands for
the purpose of inclusion into the County Forest or for recreation
purposes. This may be done by purchase, gift, exchange, or bequest
and such acquisitions shall be presented to the County Board for its
ratification before it may be consummated.
(f)
With Board approval and after obtaining Department of Natural
Resources approval, the Committee may grant permits to prospect for
ore or minerals upon County lands under the jurisdiction of this Committee.
The Committee may issue permits to remove sand, gravel, or other nonmetallic
materials from County lands only to units of government or to contractors
if those contractors are using the materials for public works. The
County Board retains the power to grant permits for metallic mining
operations on County lands.
(g)
The Committee shall prepare and present an annual report of
the Department's activities to the County Board. The report shall
include statistics showing work accomplished and at what cost. Such
reports shall be in sufficient detail so that performance of the Department
may be measured.
(4) Administration of the Forest.
(a)
The Committee shall do all things possible for the protection
of the forests, whether from fire, insects, disease, trespass, damage
by animals or other causes, in cooperation with the D.N.R.
(b)
The Committee shall be responsible for the location of survey
lines and the appropriate monumentation of corners of County forest
lands.
(c)
The Committee shall construct, improve and maintain a system
of forest roads, trails and firebreaks and purchase and secure easements
for access ways required to cross privately owned lands.
(d)
The Committee shall conduct forest improvement work, including
thinning, pruning, reforestation, and tree release by either mechanical
or chemical means.
(e)
The Committee shall cooperate with the D.N.R. in the determination
of the allowable annual cut by establishment of cutting compartments
and other necessary items for such plan.
(f)
The Committee shall manage the County forest resource and sell
timber stumpage in accordance with a County Forest Fifteen-Year Plan
and in cooperation with the D.N.R.
(5) Administration of Outdoor Recreation.
(a)
The Committee shall have the management and regulatory control
of all County recreation areas and, in the exercise of its authority
over such matters, it shall have the powers and duties enumerated
in this subsection.
(b)
Subject to budget limitations and in accordance with the Outdoor
Recreation Plan approved by the Board and provisions of this chapter,
the Committee shall establish, construct and maintain, wherever the
County deems desirable within the forest and on County Forest Special
Use Lands, recreation areas, including but not limited to, picnic
grounds, designated campgrounds, waysides, public access roads and
boat landings, scenic areas, and trail networks, and shall designate,
mark and preserve places of natural or historic interest and significance.
Management and regulatory control of all County recreation areas is
specifically designated to this Committee.
(c)
In cooperation with the D.N.R., the Committee shall do all things
necessary for the protection of the County recreation areas, boat
landings and special use areas, whether from fire, insects, disease,
trespass, vandalism, damage by animals or other causes.
(d)
The Committee shall cooperate with the D.N.R. on matters relating
to game and fish management within the County forests.
(e)
The Committee is authorized to enter into agreements with the
D.N.R. for projects under Fish and Game Aids (§ 23.09(12)),
Wildlife Habitat Aids (§ 23.07(17)), Snowmobile Trail funding
programs and ATV/UTV Trail Programs and Recreational Trail Program
Grants (Ch. 350), and any other applicable Wisconsin Statutes.