Town Halls to Provide Storm Damage Information & Resources for Landowners

Editor’s note: Two more town halls have been scheduled in Barron and Polk Counties, in addition to Oconto and Langlade Counties.

Four town hall meetings have been scheduled in Oconto and Langlade counties to assist landowners following the storms that passed through the area in mid-July. The storms produced shear winds and tornadic activity that left widespread damage in the beloved North Woods.

Salvage Harvest Operation

While damage to built structures is devastating, so too is the damage and loss of trees and plant life. They hold emotional and economical value just the same but are oftentimes more difficult to replace.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has arranged for four town hall meetings to assist landowners as they assess their property damage and evaluate next steps. Click here for our 1-2-3 for assessing the damage and determining if a salvage timber harvest is the best option for you. It is recommended to bring along information such as a property map, legal description, pictures of damage on your property, and types of trees affected. Private consulting foresters and logging contractors will be invited to attend to help landowners make connections with companies that can help them salvage the economic value of their storm-damaged timber.

Public meetings will be held at:

Saturday, August 10th at 9:00 am
Bill Lazansky Community Center, Town of Mountain Town Hall
13412 Hwy 32
Mountain, WI 54154

Thursday, August 15 at 6:30 pm
Bill Lazansky Community Center, Town of Mountain Town Hall
13412 Hwy 32
Mountain, WI 54154

Saturday, Aug 17th at 1:00 pm
Elcho High School – Theater
N11268 Antigo St
Elcho, WI 54428

Saturday, Aug 24th at 1:00 pm
White Lake School Commons Area
405 Bissell Street
White Lake, WI 54491

NEW Additions:

Tuesday, Aug 27th at 7:00 pm
Barron Area Community Center
800 Memoria Drive
Barron, WI 54812

Thursday, Aug 29th at 7:00 pm
Unity High School
1908 150th Street
Balsam Lake, WI 54810

Your DNR County Forester is also available to provide you with the following:

  • Property visits for landowners with storm damage. DNR County Foresters are available to meet with you, evaluate your property, and determine if salvage operations would be appropriate. Find your DNR County Forester here. They are not able to assist with the sale of timber. (Click here for a list of consulting/cooperating foresters.) With a large number of landowners affected there may be a delay.
  • Information on cost-sharing opportunities. While most forests may regrow on their own, some woodlands such as pine plantations will likely need to be replanted. There may be funding available to help cover a portion of the costs associated with planting.
  • Remember, if your property is enrolled under the Managed Forest Law (MFL), an approved cutting notice must be filed with DNR Managed Forest Law Specialist for your County before any trees can be harvested on your property.

For more information on managing storm damage to forests visit the Wisconsin DNR website here.