The Suring School Board on Nov. 12 postponed the hire of a forestry consultant, in the hopes that the service can be provided at no cost by the Department of Natural Resources.
Earlier this fall, school officials requested bids to update the school forest management plan, mark trees to be select-cut, manage the logging process and perform other related duties.
According to Greg Jaeger, Suring School director of building and grounds, the school forest management had previously been developed free of charge by the DNR, but budget and manpower cuts have reduced the DNR’s availability for the service.
The School Board decided to wait a year to see if the DNR workload issues would be resolved and the forestry work could be scheduled. Jaeger said he wasn’t optimistic the DNR will be available, but if so, the district will save the cost of hiring a consultant.
“I think it was a good board decision,” he said.
The School Board reviewed bids from three consultants, ranging from a percentage of stumpage plus costs, to a bid of $6,733.
DNR officials developed Suring’s current plan, which called for a select-cut in 2013 — now overdue. Jaeger said the forest management plan is only a guideline, and tree growth will be minimally impaired even if the district waits until 2016 for its next select-cut.
The district has had two select-cuts since 2003, earning $13,700 in 2003 for the logging of 61 acres and $12,000 in 2008 for 33 acres. Jaeger predicted a bigger profit on the forest’s next select-cut because timber prices are high and the red pine in the forest is extremely valuable to the pulp industry in the Midwest.
The 160-acre school forest is located on Peshtigo Brook Road about 4 miles north of Suring. It contains marked walking trails with exercise stations along the trails and a shelter and picnic area. The public is welcome to visit the forest, but hunting is not permitted.
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