Timber Sales

The Chippewa County Forest is a working forest that serves multiple purposes. The Chippewa County Forest is managed in accordance with the State of Wisconsin County Forest Law (Chapter 28: Public Forests, Wisconsin Statutes), Chapter 16 of the Chippewa County Code of Ordinances, 2021-2035 County Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan, and Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) U.S. Forest Management Standards.

The County Forest is managed for optimum production of forest products together with recreational opportunities, wildlife, watershed protection and stabilization of stream flow, giving full recognition to the concept of multiple use to assure maximum public benefits.

According to a 2005 University of Wisconsin Extension publication titled "Wisconsin Land Use Megatrends: Forests", Wisconsin forest products are a $20 billion industry which provides 1 out of every 6 manufacturing jobs in the state. Wisconsin's forests are also a foundational element of the tourism industry.

All Chippewa County forest products and timber sales are certified as sustainable. This third-party certification provides assurance that the forest is being managed under the principles of sustainable forestry. Sustainable forestry certification is a voluntary, market-based tool that supports responsible forest management worldwide. Certified forest products are verified from the forest of origin through the supply chain. Certification ensures that the forest products used are from responsibly harvested and verified sources.

Chippewa County manages the forest in close cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry. As part of the County's forest management strategy, a maximum allowable harvest of approximately 800 acres per year has been established. At present, the Chippewa County Land Conservation and Forest Management Committee sells 10-15 timber sales (i.e. individual harvest units) totaling approximately 800 acres per year. Sales are offered twice annually (May and November) through a public-notice, sealed bid process.

Gross timber sale revenues range from $ 400,000 to $ 600,000 per year. Twelve percent of this revenue is paid directly to local townships. The remainder of the revenue is returned to the general fund, a portion of which funds the operations of the Forest and Trails Division of the Dept. of Land Conservation and Forest Management.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources have published a Chippewa County Forest Economy Fact Sheet (PDF) which provides specific data relating to employment and economic output relating to the forest products industry in Chippewa County.

The table below is a complete listing of all timber sales currently under contract. Timber sales that are currently in operation are highlighted in red. Please click on the Timber Sale Contract No. to see a map and a general description of the timber sale. These georeferenced maps can be used with smartphone GPS and a free app named "Avenza Maps" to allow you to navigate to and within each timber sale.