COUNTY FOREST COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 100
100
MISSION STATEMENT ................................................................................................................ 2
105
GOAL OF THE COUNTY FOREST COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN ............................... 2
110
CHAPTER 100 OBJECTIVE ......................................................................................................... 3
115
STATUTORY AUTHORITY .......................................................................................................... 3
120
COUNTY AUTHORITY ................................................................................................................. 3
120.1
125
ORDINANCES......................................................................................................................... 3
HISTORY ...................................................................................................................................... 3
125.1
STATEWIDE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT ..................................................................... 3
125.2
MARATHON COUNTY FOREST PROGRAM HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT .................. 3
125.3
WISCONSIN COUNTY FORESTS ASSOCIATION................................................................ 4
130
DESCRIPTION OF MARATHON COUNTY AND FOREST ......................................................... 5
130.1
COUNTY FOREST OWNERSHIP .......................................................................................... 5
130.2
NATURAL FEATURES ........................................................................................................... 5
130.2.1
Topography ...................................................................................................................... 5
130.2.2
Geology and Soils ............................................................................................................ 6
130.2.3
Geography ....................................................................................................................... 6
130.2.4
Biological Communities ................................................................................................... 6
130.2.5
Vegetative Cover Types .................................................................................................. 8
130.2.6
Wildlife ............................................................................................................................. 9
130.2.7
Rare and Endangered Resources ................................................................................... 9
130.2.8
Water ............................................................................................................................. 10
130.2.9
Climate ........................................................................................................................... 10
130.2.10
Exotic Species ............................................................................................................... 10
130.2.11
Vegetation ...................................................................................................................... 10
130.3
CULTURAL FACTORS ......................................................................................................... 11
130.3.1
Recreation...................................................................................................................... 11
130.3.2
Economy ........................................................................................................................ 11
130.3.3
Roads & Access............................................................................................................. 13
130.3.4
Education and Research ............................................................................................... 13
130.3.5
Trends ............................................................................................................................ 13
TABLE OF FIGURES .............................................................................................................................. 14
ENDNOTES ............................................................................................................................................. 15
100-1
100
MISSION STATEMENT
Natural resources, such as those provided by the County Forest, are the base for addressing
the ecological and socioeconomic needs of society. The mission of the Marathon County
Forest is to manage and protect these natural resources on a sustainable basis for
ecological, economic, educational, recreational, and research needs of present and future
generations.
County Forest resources should be protected from natural catastrophes such as fire, insect,
and disease outbreaks, and from human threats such as encroachment, over-utilization,
environmental degradation, and excessive development. While managed for environmental
needs including watershed protection, protection of rare plant and animal communities, and
maintenance of plant and animal diversity, these same resources must also be managed and
provide for sociological needs, including provisions for recreational opportunities and the
production of raw materials for wood-using industries.
Management must balance local needs with broader state, national, and global concerns
through integration of sound forestry, wildlife, fisheries, endangered resources, water quality,
soil, and recreational practices. Management will provide this variety of products and
amenities for the future through the use of sustainable forest management practices.
105
GOAL OF THE COUNTY FOREST COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN
(Hereafter referred to as the “Plan”)
To administer the Marathon County Forest program consistent with the mission statement
and the purpose and direction of the County Forest Law considering recommendations of
interested citizens and groups. The purpose of the County Forest Law being:
“ ... to provide the basis for a permanent program of county forests and to enable
and encourage the planned development and management of the county forests
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; to
protect the public rights, interests and investments in such lands; and to
compensate the counties for the public uses, benefits and privileges these lands
provide; all in a manner which will provide a reasonable revenue to the towns in
which such lands lie.” (Sec. 28.11, Wis. Stats.)
Each state agency, whenever it administers a law under which a local governmental unit
prepares a plan, is encouraged to design its planning requirements in a manner that makes it
practical for local governmental units to incorporate these plans into local comprehensive
plans prepared under Sec. 66.1001, Wis. Stats., (i.e. “Smart Growth” planning) Sec. 1.13(3),
Wis. Stats. This County Forest plan will complement, and should be a part of local
comprehensive planning efforts (e.g. Smart Growth). There are similarities in the
considerations of both plans although the County Forest plan is of smaller scale and focused
by Sec. 28.11, Wis. Stats. In an effort to ensure the values of the Marathon County Forest
are fully recognized, protected, and infused into local planning, the Forest Administrator will:
• Continue being a member of the Technical Advisory Committee which advises the
Environmental Resources Committee on natural resource issues including the Smart
Growth planning efforts.
• Contact, inform, and survey the 15 townships having County Forests to gain input and
coordinate integration of the Fifteen Year Plan with local municipal planning.
• Provide input for consideration in the development of 53 individual municipal
comprehensive plans and the County Development Plan. The County plan is intended
to address factors that cross municipal boundaries and affect the County as a whole.
100-2
110
CHAPTER 100 OBJECTIVE
•
•
115
To recognize the authority of the County and State in the administration and
development of operating policies on the Marathon County Forest.
To provide the reader of the plan with background information regarding the County
Forest.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The County Forest Law (s. 28.10 and 28.11, Wis. Stats.) provides the authority to establish,
develop, and manage a permanent County Forest Program. For the full text of the County
Forest Law refer to Chapter 900 (905.1).
120
COUNTY AUTHORITY
The County Forest Comprehensive Land Use Plan is the official County Forest authority.
The Forestry/Recreation Committee of the County Board (hereinafter referred to as the
“Committee”) enforces the regulations governing the use of the County Forest.
120.1 ORDINANCES
The County ordinances that apply to the administration and management of the
Marathon County Forest can be found in Chapter 900 (905.2.1).
125
HISTORY
125.1 STATEWIDE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
In 1927, the State Legislature passed the Forest Crop Law, authorizing counties to
create County Forests. An opinion of the Attorney General with reference to the
Forest Crop Law stated that the counties would be exempt from the owner's share of
annual tax. The Legislature of 1929 specifically provided that counties were exempt
from paying the "acreage share" required of private owners. The legislature of 1931
amended the County Forest Reserve Law of 1929. It provided for the payment of
acreage aids to Towns for County Forest Land and an additional annual State
payment of $.10 /acre to the counties for all land within County Forests entered under
the Forest Crop Law. Counties were required to spend this aid money solely for the
development of the County Forest. In return for this aid, the State originally collected a
75% severance tax on the products cut on County Forests. This was reduced to 50%
in 1937 and then to 20% of gross sales in 1963.
In 1963, several major revisions were made to the County Forest Law. The most
notable change was the creation of a permanent program of forests that would be
managed in accordance with a 10-Year Comprehensive Land Use Plan developed by
the County, with the assistance of the Department of Natural Resources. “Note: The
statutory planning period was changed from ten, to fifteen years in 2005.” The
severance tax on harvested forest products still remains at 20% of the stumpage
value, although no severance tax is collected if counties do not have a loan balance.
A number of grants, loans, and shared revenue payments are currently available to
counties to help offset any losses in taxes due to public ownership. The acreage
share payment to Towns is currently $.30/acre. In addition, Towns with County Forest
Land receive a minimum of 10% of the stumpage revenue from their respective
County Forest each year. Stumpage revenues exceed $18,000,000 annually.
Twenty-nine counties in Wisconsin now own approximately two and one-third million
acres entered under the County Forest Law.
125.2 MARATHON COUNTY FOREST PROGRAM HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
At one time, Marathon County was covered with magnificent stands of pine, hemlock,
and hardwoods on the highlands, and cedar, spruce, and balsam on its lowlands.
100-3
These forests provided raw material for a thriving lumbering industry from 1860 to
about 1910. As a result of the clamor to conquer the wilderness, supply lumber for
housing and factories, and without proper forest management, the forests were nearly
completely destroyed. The logging slash was ideal for wildfires which essentially
culminated with the Peshtigo fire in 1871, but fires continued into the 1930’s.
Immigrants rushed to these newly cleared lands hungry for a place to farm and build
their lives. But in just a few years, the soils gave out and these people left to seek
their fortunes elsewhere, leaving the land increasingly barren and tax delinquent. The
Marathon County Forest originated with the taking of these tax delinquent lands.
Marathon County hired a Forest Ranger, Ralph Gunzel, to begin a management
program with 160 acres of County Forest Land and nearly 20,000 acres of tax
delinquent lands in 1946. Ranger Gunzel established a tree nursery, planted trees on
County lands, gave conservation programs in the schools and communities
countywide, organized fire crews and fought wild fires, expanded the amount of
County Forest Lands, appraised and sold tax delinquent land, developed food patches
for game animals, developed forest trails, encouraged responsible public use,
checked hunting and fishing licenses, established commercial timber sales, and
advocated sound management on County Forest Lands for sustainable production of
forest crops including recreation, game, and timber.
By 1956, there were 24,477 acres of County Forests under management. During the
first 10 years, 800,000 trees were planted on County lands, and 17 miles of fire lanes
were built to protect these plantings from fire.
In 1956 alone, 280 acres were added to the County’s forest program. Also in 1956,
2,100 acres of tax delinquent land were sold leaving 6,329 acres of delinquent lands
on the tax rolls. By 1961, the last spruce and pine from the County nursery were
planted on County Forest Land.
The Marathon County Board approved entry of County Forest Lands under the Forest
Crop Law in 1967 and made an initial entry of 21,840 acres. As of June 30, 2004,
there were 28,662 acres in the County Forest. Marathon County’s Forest was the
twenty-eighth County Forest to be entered under the County Forest Crop Law. Today
there are 29 County Forests. Previous to entry, County Forest Lands had no
comprehensive forest plan.
125.3 WISCONSIN COUNTY FORESTS ASSOCIATION
Marathon County is a member of the Wisconsin County Forests Association, Inc.
(WCFA). This association was incorporated on May 15, 1968, under Chapter 181 of
the Wisconsin Statutes, without stock and not for profit. The WCFA Board of
Directors is composed of fifteen delegates elected from the County Forestry
Committees who are members of the association.
This corporation provides a forum for consideration of issues and policy that are
common to all of the County committees responsible for their respective County
Forest programs, including those programs encompassed under Sec. 28.11 and
Chapter 77, Wis. Stats. WCFA also provides leadership and counsel to County
Forest administrators and forestry committees through regular meetings and active
committees on legislative and recreational issues.
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130
DESCRIPTION OF MARATHON COUNTY AND FOREST
Figure 1 - Marathon County, Wisconsin
130.1 COUNTY FOREST OWNERSHIP
The County Forest consists of nine forest units with the largest being Harrison-Hewitt
(9195 acres). Other forest units listed according to size are: Leather Camp (5,248
acres); Kronenwetter (5176 acres); Nine Mile Forest (4,897 acres); Ringle Marsh
(3108 acres); Burma Road (1,480 acres); Wisconsin River Forest (283 acres); Elderon
(280 acres); and a special use unit the Bern Wetland (269 acres). Within the County
Forest acquisition boundaries, approximately 64% is County owned land with 36% in
private or industrial ownerships. A map of these units can be found in Chapter 900
(900.9).
Figure 2 - Marathon County Forest Units
130.2 NATURAL FEATURES
1
130.2.1 Topography
Within Marathon County there are four major areas with distinct physiographic
characteristics resulting primarily from glaciation and the influence of underlying
bedrock. Marathon County is within the forest transition ecological landscape. The
far northern and western parts of the county are broad, nearly level to sloping ground
moraines. Harrison-Hewitt, Wisconsin River, and Bern Forest Units have these
characteristics. The central part, except for the Wisconsin River Valley, is a mixed
area of ground moraines and uplands underlain by bedrock at a depth of two to
100-5
twenty feet. This area is nearly level to steep. The steeper areas generally are next
to major drainage ways. Burma Road and Nine Mile Forest Units fall within this
category. The Wisconsin River Valley is composed of nearly level to very steep
outwash terraces and nearly level and gently sloping floodplains. The southeastern
part of the county consists mainly of nearly level to steep outwash plains and stream
terraces and undulating to very hilly moraines and drumlins. Leather Camp,
Kronenwetter, and Elderon Forest Units have these characteristics.
The topography of Marathon County is largely controlled by the glacial features and
the bedrock. The highest elevation in the county, on top of Rib Mountain, is 1,941
feet. The lowest elevation, at the point where the Wisconsin River flows out of the
county, is about 1,100 feet. Most of the elevations in the county range from 1,200 to
1,450 feet. Local elevation differences are generally less than 100 feet. The greatest
local elevation difference, about 750 feet, is between the top of Rib Mountain and a
nearby terrace in the Wisconsin River Valley.
Most of Marathon County is within the Wisconsin River drainage basin. The western
part of the county is drained mainly by the Little Rib, Big Rib, Black, Big Eau Pleine,
and Little Eau Pleine Rivers and their tributaries.
The Trappe, Big Sandy, Eau Claire, Bull Junior, Little Eau Claire, and Plover Rivers
and their tributaries drain the eastern part of Marathon County. The southeastern part
of the county is within the Wolf River drainage basin.
130.2.2 Geology and Soils
The bedrock geology of the county is quite uniform and consists of granite and
undifferentiated igneous and metamorphic rocks with scattered quartzite, slate, and
iron formations. “Rotten granite” is quite prevalent in the western half of the county. It
is used for road topping, base course, and shoulder material for highways.
Southward from Wausau lies a 20- to 30-mile wide band along the Wisconsin River
which is unglaciated. Its sandy soils were formed by material washed away from the
glaciers’ edge. West of this so-called driftless area lays a region covered by earlier
ice advances where the glacial ridges and hills have been worn down to gentle
slopes. Heavy silt loams cover nearly all of this western part of the county. Lakes
and swamps have disappeared. Adjoining the outwash plain on the east is the
Wisconsin Terminal Moraine. Silt loam and sandy loam soils predominate in this
youthful, hilly sector. Peat and water-filled, kettle-like depressions are scattered
between hills. Drainage patterns are poorly defined. A generalized soil map is found
in Chapter 900 (900.1). Detailed soil information is found in the soil survey for
1
Marathon County.
130.2.3 Geography
Marathon County, the largest county in the state, is located in the north-central portion
of Wisconsin and almost entirely in the watershed of the Wisconsin River. There are
2
1,008,921 acres in the county of which 32,055 acres is made up of water.
Approximately 37 percent of the land is classified as forest land. The County Forest,
nd
which contains approximately 29,937, acres is the 22 largest County Forest in the
state. A note of interest is that the geographic center of the western half of the
th
th
northern hemisphere (i.e. the intersection of the 90 longitude and the 45 latitude)
lies in the northwest portion of the county. At this point, the county is halfway
between the equator and the North Pole and halfway between the prime meridian
th
(Greenwich, England) and the 180 meridian, which makes up most of the
International Date Line.
130.2.4 Biological Communities
Wisconsin’s County Forests are part of a larger landscape and are managed not as
sole entities but part of a larger ecoregion. The National Hierarchical Framework of
Ecological Units (NHFEU) categorizes Wisconsin into two provinces, the Laurentian
Mixed Forest (212) forming the northern half of the State and the Eastern Broadleaf
Forest (222). Within each province are sections, subsections, and landtype
100-6
associations that further group land into areas with similar geology, soil types, surface
water features, wetlands and historic and potential plant communities.
The Marathon County Forest is encompassed within the Southern Superior Uplands
province, including subsections 212Qc Lincoln Formation Till Plain, Hemlock
Hardwoods, 212 Qd Rib Mountain Rolling Ridges, and the Green Bay Lobe
Stagnation Moraine.
Landtype Associations (LTA’s) within the subsections include: 212 Qc 01 Abbotsford
Moraines, 212 Qd 01 Ackley Plains, 212 Qd 02 Marathon Uplands, 212 Qd 04 Rib
Mountain, 212 Qd 05 Dubay Plains, 212 Qd 07 Peplin Uplands, 212 TA03 Hatley
Moraines, and 212 TA 04 Upper Plover River Moraines. LTA’s having common
ecological characteristics allow land managers to better plan for future vegetative
communities, wildlife species to feature, and compatible recreation uses.
A biological community is an assemblage of different plant and animal species, living
together in a particular area, at a particular time in specific habitats. Communities are
named for their dominant plant species. The following biological communities are
found on the Marathon County Forest:
Northern Forest Communities: This community is primarily a geographic designation
and does not in itself imply any specific species composition. This community is
common across all the LTA’s throughout the County Forest. In broad terms, it may
be characterized as a region of mixed deciduous and coniferous forests that
represent one of the two distinct climatic zones in Wisconsin. These two zones are
separated by a loosely defined S-shaped transition belt known as the “tension zone”
that runs from Polk and Barron counties in northwestern Wisconsin, through Wood,
Portage, and Waupaca counties in the central part of the state, and then swings
sharply southeast through Ozaukee and Milwaukee counties. Temperature and
evapotranspiration generally decrease north and east of the tension zone and
increase to the south and west of it. The region north of this zone is generally called
the northern forest.
Forest communities, present and historic, display considerable diversity in
composition of dominant species. About 30 tree species occur in the northern forest
as a whole, although fewer than 10 are usually found in any given community, with
dominance generally being shared by only two or three. Throughout the region,
mature stands on soil medium to rich in nutrients (loam and silt loam soil) are
dominated by various mixtures of five or six principal species: sugar maple,
basswood, hemlock, yellow birch, white ash, and American beech. Red oak and red
maple are the most common minor associates. In presettlement times, white pine
was also a common associate in these northern hardwood forests. The poorer soils
(sands and loamy sands) are generally dominated by mixtures of pines (jack, red, and
white), aspen, white birch, red maple, and red oak. Extensive lowland forests are
also common to this region. These can be divided into two basic types: lowland
conifers (balsam fir, black spruce, white spruce, tamarack, and white cedar) and
lowland hardwoods (black ash, red maple, and elm).
3
Wetland Communities: “An area where water is at, near, or above the land surface
long enough to be capable of supporting aquatic or hydrophytic vegetation and which
has soils indicative of wet conditions.” (Sec. 23.32(1), Wis. Stats.) This community is
common across all the LTA’s throughout the County Forest.
There are many different types of wetlands. Wetlands are often referred to by
common names such as wet meadow, marsh, swamp, and bog; other types include
fen, sedge, meadow, shrub-carr, conifer swamp, and some lowland hardwood and
coniferous forests. Wisconsin’s wetlands vary in their diversity and abundance of
plants and animals. Northern bogs, for example, are generally acidic and support
less plant and animal life than the alkaline marshes of southeast Wisconsin.
100-7
Wetlands are part of the water cycle of all ecosystems, and their location in the
landscapes of Wisconsin allows them to function as a buffer between upland areas
and surface waters. Wetlands perform a number of natural functions that benefit
natural ecosystems and society. Water quality is often dependent upon wetlands
because they serve to trap sediment, remove nutrients, project shorelines, and slow
the effects of flood water. They also serve as both discharge and recharge areas for
groundwater and provide habitats for many species of plants and animals.
4
Aquatic Communities: A general physical classification would include: drainage
lakes - impounded or natural lakes whose main water source is from stream drainage,
and has at least one inlet and one outlet; seepage lakes - landlocked natural lakes
whose main water source is the groundwater table (springs), but always has an outlet
of substantial flow; streams - smaller, low-order flowing waters which form the
headwaters of river systems and which usually have a high-moderate gradient; and
rivers - larger flowing waters formed by the confluence of several streams that usually
have a low gradient. The communities within the physical water types often vary
dramatically based on limnological characteristics. Common to all LTA’s and
consisting of the Skulen Pond Creek, Trappe River, Johnson Creek, Sampson Creek,
Little Eau Claire River, and Four Mile Creek.
130.2.5 Vegetative Cover Types
Approximately 77% of the Marathon County Forest Land base is forested. Forested
uplands are comprised of primarily aspen, northern hardwoods, red pine, oak, white
birch, balsam fir, spruce, and jack pine, while bottomland hardwoods, tamarack, black
spruce, and cedar occupy the forested lowlands. The remainder is classified as nonforested; including types such as wetlands, lowland shrubs, upland shrubs, bogs,
minor lakes, streams, grassy openings, trails, roads, rock outcroppings, utility rightsof-way, and developed recreation facilities. The County Forest is composed of nearly
29,937 acres, with 22,743 acres classified as commercial forest. The aspen type
alone composes approximately 65 percent of the total commercial forest acreage.
The different cover types present on the Marathon County Forest are detailed under
“Forested Communities” in Chapter 800 (820.1).
The great majority of the forest (77%) is located in the eastern one-half of the county.
The remaining blocks, Nine Mile, Burma Road, and Bern Forest Units (23%) are
located in the western half of the county. Chapter 900 (900.2) contains maps
showing the location of the County Forest.
TABLE 1 COVER TYPES - FOREST AND NON-FOREST
COVER TYPE
ACREAGE
COVER TYPE
ACREAGE
Forest Cover Types
Commercial
Non-Commercial
Aspen
14,855
Alder
5,372
(1)
Northern Hardwood
3573
Willows
68
Red Pine
929
Minor lakes, streams & flowages
386
Oak
2567
Lowland grass
347
White Birch
38
Upland grass
331
Fir - Spruce
229
Upland brush
66
(2)
Swamp Hardwoods
224
Rock outcrop
1
Jack Pine
16
Farm land
57
White Pine
150
Marsh or muskeg
54
(3)
Swamp Conifer
162
Right of Ways
115
TOTAL COMMERCIAL
22,743
Parking Areas
32
Nature or Hiking Trails
69
Developed Use
38
Motorized Vehicle Trails
131
TOTAL NON-COMMERCIAL
(1)
Includes 8 acres hemlock/hardwoods
spruce, and tamarack
(2)
Includes bottomland hardwoods
100-8
(3)
7,067
Includes cedar, black
130.2.6 Wildlife
The Marathon County Forest is habitat for wildlife common to Wisconsin. No formal
survey has been conducted to identify or inventory the fauna occurring on the Forest.
Numerous species of songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, shorebirds, reptiles, amphibians,
fish, and mammals frequent the County Forest. Each species, or interacting group of
species, do best under different conditions, ranging from recently disturbed ground to
old growth. A diversity of plant communities is key to providing a niche for a variety of
wildlife species. Deer, bear, rabbits, waterfowl, ruffed grouse, turkey, beaver, and
woodcock are common in the County Forest. The aspen forest type is recognized as
key habitat for these species and is important in maintaining biological diversity
across North America. Longer rotation forest communities, such as unevenaged
northern hardwood, oak, white pine, and red maple, similarly provide important
habitat for other, less known species, such as pileated woodpeckers or northern
goshawk among others.
Permanently sodded, grassy openings within the forest, many originating from old log
landings, camps, old burns, or frost pockets also provide forest wildlife habitat. An
effort is being made to maintain and improve the quality and, in some cases, the
quantity of openings.
TABLE 2 MARATHON COUNTY WILDLIFE SPECIES*
BIRDS
MAMMALS
American woodcock
Badger
Bald eagle**
Beaver
Barred owls
Black bear
Blue and green wing teal Bobcat
Bluejay
Chipmunk
Broad wing hawk
Cottontail rabbit
Canada geese
Coyote
Cardinal
Fisher
Chick-a-dee
Fox
Coot
Fox squirrel
Finches
Gray squirrel
Great blue heron
Mink
Great horned owl
Northern flying squirrel
Green heron
Otter
Hermit thrush
Porcupine
Hooded merganser
Raccoon
Kestrel
Red squirrel
Mallards
Skunk
Northern goshawk
Snowshoe hare
Osprey
White-tailed deer
Ovenbird
Wolf
Red tailed hawk
Red-wing blackbird
Ring neck duck
Robin
Rose-breasted grosbeak
Ruffed grouse
Sandhill crane
Turkey
Warblers
White-breasted nuthatch
Wood ducks
* Not an inclusive list
**These species are not typical on County Forest.
REPTILES &
AMPHIBIANS
Northern red-bellied snake
Painted turtle
Red-backed salamander
Snapping turtle
Wood frog
FISH
Bluegill**
Brook trout
Common shiner
Creek chub
Large mouth bass**
Muskellunge**
Northern pike
Sculpin
White sucker **
130.2.7 Rare and Endangered Resources
5
A review of the Natural Heritage Inventory (NHI) indicates the presence of a number
of rare species, natural communities, and unique natural features on the Marathon
100-9
6
County Forest. Limited surveys were also conducted in 1993-1994. The inventories
are not complete, but have concentrated on confirming historical locations for species
and communities.
One forest unit, Nine Mile Swamp, is a large wetland and shrub-carr complex
containing a reach of fast, soft, cold water stream and large areas of northern sedge
meadow and shrub-carr. A butterfly species, Tawny Crescentspot, is a species of
special concern. A good population was observed in Nine Mile Forest in 1984. See
Chapter 900 (900.5.1) for a listing of threatened and endangered species in Marathon
County.
130.2.8 Water
Marathon County has 32,055 acres of water, involving 18 lakes, 6 major flowages,
and 643 miles of streams. Within the boundaries of the Forest, there are few fishery
resources. There are 18 small wildlife flowages within the County Forest boundaries
which are managed for waterfowl. In addition, the County owns frontage on the
Wisconsin River, and Four Mile Creek and Black Creek, which are named trout
streams, and several unnamed feeder streams. A complete inventory of the surface
water resources in Marathon County can be found in Chapter 900 (900.10).
130.2.9 Climate
In winter, the average temperature is 15°F and the average daily minimum
temperature is 6°F. The lowest temperature on record, -40°F, occurred at Wausau
on January 30, 1951. In summer, the average temperature is 67°F and the average
daily maximum temperature is 78°F. The highest recorded temperature, 102°F,
occurred at Wausau on July 13, 1995.
The total annual precipitation is about 32 inches. Of this, about 23 inches, or about
70%, usually falls in April through September. In two years out of ten, the rainfall in
April through September is less than 18 inches. Thunderstorms occur on about 38
days each year.
The average seasonal snowfall is about 51 inches. The greatest snow depth at any
one time during the period of record was 34 inches. On the average, 38 days of the
year have at least one inch of snow on the ground. The number of days with snow
cover varies greatly each year.
The average relative humidity in mid-afternoon is about 60%. Humidity is higher at
night and the average at dawn is about 80%. The sun shines 65% of the time
possible in summer and 45% of the time possible in winter. The prevailing wind is
7
from the northwest. Average wind speed is highest, 12 miles per hour, in the spring.
130.2.10 Exotic Species
Species introduced by people will continue to affect forested ecosystems in Marathon
County. Plant diseases such as Dutch elm disease have nearly eliminated mature
American elm from Marathon County and the County Forest. Butternut canker is
currently killing most of the butternut trees on County Forest. Oak wilt and gypsy
moth are present in the County and is impacting County Forest. Purple loosestrife is
established in the Wisconsin River system, and it is only a matter of time before
loosestrife invades other County Forest wetlands, potentially displacing native
species.
8
130.2.11 Vegetation
Presettlement vegetation in Marathon County was characterized by hemlockhardwood forests in a band along the western and northern part of the County. The
central and southern part of the County was characterized by pine and oak forests.
Northern hardwood forests dominated the eastern part of the County.
100-10
Agriculture now dominates the western half of the County. Wood lots with mixtures of
aspen and hardwood are scattered throughout this agricultural landscape. The
central part of the County is mostly wooded with second and third growth stands of
aspen, pine, mixed oak, and hardwoods. The eastern part of the County is
characterized by second growth northern hardwoods. Approximately 37% of the land
in the County is wooded.
130.3 CULTURAL FACTORS
130.3.1 Recreation
Forest based recreation has expanded rapidly in recent years in Marathon County.
Developed recreational opportunities on the Marathon County Forest include:
ATV’ing, cross-country skiing, mountain biking, hunter walking, cross-country running,
horseback riding, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Recreational facilities have been
developed to support these uses. Facilities include the Nine Mile chalet, parking lots,
trail systems, support facilities, and Shooting Range Park. The County Forest also
provides tremendous opportunities for informal recreational pursuits not requiring
developments. These include hunting, fishing, berry and mushroom picking,
birdwatching, hiking, photography, and sight-seeing.
130.3.2 Economy
Production of forest products and spin-off industries derived from the recreational
opportunities on the County Forest are vitally important to Marathon County’s
economic well being. The quality of life in many counties is heavily dependent on the
traditional resources the County Forest provides.
Forest products industry is the leading manufacturing category in both number of jobs
and employee compensation in Marathon County. The following graphs are based
on 2000 IMPLAN data (Impact Analysis for Planning - Minnesota IMPLAN Group,
Inc., Stillwater, Minnesota) contained in the Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources - Summary of Economic Sectors for Marathon County.
Figure 3 - Marathon County Private Employment - Year 2000
25,000
Number of Jobs
20,000
15,000
20,881
10,000
16,708
14,747
5,000
4,240
0
Agriculture
123
Mining
5,386
Construction
3,736
Manufacturing
Transporation,
Communication
& Public
Utilities
Wholesale
Industry Category
100-11
7,205
5,524
Retail
Financial,
Insurance &
Real Estate
Services
Figure 4 - Marathon County Manufacturing Employment - Year 2000
9,000
8,000
Number of Jobs
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
8,342
3,000
4,953
2,000
3,861
534
1,000
0
Forest Products
Industry*
Equipment
Metal
1,220
1,069
Food
Stone, Etc.
303
Printing
Petroleum/Rubber
179
234
Chemicals
Miscellaneous
Industry Category
*Forest Products Industry includes: paper and allied, lumber and furniture.
The manufacturing sector leads in the number of jobs and in employee
compensation within Marathon County.
Figure 5 - Marathon County Private Employee Compensation - Year 2000
900
800
Million Dollars
700
600
500
400
805
300
424
200
100
0
27
4
Agriculture
Mining
172
Construction
204
206
Wholesale
Retail
250
110
Manufacturing
Transporation,
Communication
& Public Utilities
Industry Category
100-12
Financial,
Insurance & Real
Estate
Services
Figure 6 - Marathon County Manufacturing Employee Compensation - Year 2000
350
300
Million Dollars
250
200
150
319.7
205.5
100
150.4
50
0
Forest Products
Industry*
Equipment
Metal
43.6
43.4
Food
Stone, Etc.
18.5
Printing
8.7
8.6
Petroleum/Rubber
Chemicals
5.3
Miscellaneous
Industry Category
*Forest Products Industry includes: paper and allied, lumber and furniture.
130.3.3 Roads & Access
All Marathon County Forest Lands are open for public use and for foot travel. In
addition to the Town and County roads that access the County Forest, the County
also maintains 6.48 miles of County Forest roads. A number of gated or bermed
special use trails and roads are also available. Access management remains a
controversial issue on the County Forest. Both motorized and non-motorized
recreation are provided for within the County Forest. See Chapter 700 for detailed
discussion on County Forest access.
130.3.4 Education and Research
Education and research continue to be critical components in making decisions that
affect our natural resources. As public needs and demands of our County Forest and
its products increase, we must be prepared to assure that sound decisions result. To
this end, Marathon County encourages and supports research efforts that relate to
the County Forest and educational opportunities that will promote a better
understanding of County Forest communities and management.
130.3.5 Trends
The values and uses of the Marathon County Forest contribute significantly to fulfilling
many of society's needs now and in the future. The County will use principles of
sustainable forestry and multiple-use management to maintain forest values,
including aesthetics, aquatic and terrestrial wildlife, biological diversity, outdoor
recreation, production of raw materials for wood using industries, and water quality
and soil protection.
County Forest resources should be protected from catastrophes, such as fire and
insect and disease outbreaks, and from trespass, theft, over utilization, environmental
deterioration, and excessive development.
Some of the trends that may impact the values and uses of the forest in coming years
are:
• Greater demands are being placed on the County Forest by people using it to
fulfill their recreational pursuits. The popularity of trails for various uses has lead
to competition for available resources. In particular, dramatic increases in the
number of all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s) will lead Marathon County to evaluate the
need for additional ATV/motorized trails. Furthermore, decisions limiting
100-13
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
motorized recreation on federal and state forests has pressured County Forests
into providing trails for their use. The challenge will be to provide motorized
recreation so that conflicts with other traditional uses is minimized.
Demands for timber products are predicted to increase. At the same time, more
private forest land is being lost to residential development, and forest landowners
are decreasingly interested in managing land primarily for timber values.
Wisconsin’s forests are naturally changing due to forest succession. Most of the
County Forest acreage statewide is a result of regeneration or planting from the
early to mid-1900’s. Mid- to late successional northern hardwood forests are
replacing the early successional aspen-birch, oak and jack pine forests of the
1940’s through the 1970’s. The aspen cover type is key habitat for many of the
State’s premier game species, including deer, bear, ruffed grouse, snowshoe
hare, and woodcock. The aspen type is also very important to numerous song
birds and neo-tropical migrants. A declining harvest and a movement away from
even-aged species on Wisconsin’s National and State Forests may place the
responsibility of maintaining aspen, birch, and jack pine types on the County
Forests. The County Forest system currently has 15% of the State’s public land
base and 24% of the aspen resource.
Conflict over timber management practices will likely continue to increase as more
individuals and groups demand greater involvement in forestry decisions.
Practices such as clearcutting and even-aged management will continue to be
controversial. Efforts to educate the public on the merits of these sound forest
management techniques will continue.
Marathon County is experiencing funding problems as municipalities are being
required to provide more services with less money. Potential losses of revenue
from decreased shared revenues and resistance to tax increases may make
County timber revenues and user fees increasingly important to the finances of
County governments. This is complicated by increasing public pressure to reduce
timber harvests on County Forests.
Increasing knowledge about a wider variety of species and their habitat needs is
leading to a growing list of threatened and endangered species. This could lead
to improvements in managing the County Forest and mitigating impacts to these
species. Mitigating measures have the potential to impede recreational and forest
management activities. Refer to Chapter 800 (840) for specifics on this subject.
Invasive exotic species pose an ever-increasing threat to the County Forest.
Gypsy moth, Asian long-horned beetle, garlic mustard, buckthorn, and
honeysuckle have all gained a foothold in Wisconsin’s forests. Refer to Chapter
800 (830.4) for specifics on this subject.
The County Forest is considered to be an outdoor classroom serving all age
groups. It consists of diverse communities with a large variety of plant and animal
life giving ample opportunity for study and observation.
Lands open to public use continue to decline in Marathon County. Industrial
Forest Crop Law Lands once open to public hunting are slowly being sold and
subdivided, most often no longer available to the public. When considering the
Managed Forest Law, most private landowners elect to enter their lands as
“closed to the public” which does not provide for public recreational use.
Global and local demand for certified forest products is growing. Marathon
County Forest has received certification under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative
(SFI) in March 2005.
TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1 - Marathon County, Wisconsin .......................................................................................... 5
Figure 2 - Marathon County Forest Units ........................................................................................ 5
Figure 3 - Marathon County Private Employment - Year 2000 ..................................................... 11
Figure 4 - Marathon County Manufacturing Employment - Year 2000.......................................... 12
Figure 5 - Marathon County Private Employee Compensation - Year 2000 ................................. 12
Figure 6 - Marathon County Manufacturing Employee Compensation - Year 2000 ..................... 13
100-14
ENDNOTES
1
Fiala, William, D., et al, Soil Survey of Marathon County, United States Department of
Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, September 1989.
2
Base map of Marathon County, Marathon County Geographic Information Systems, 1990.
3
Miller, Steven W., “Wetland Communities”, Wisconsin Biodiversity as a Management Issue: A
Report to Department of Natural Resources Managers, May 1995, pg.(s) 130-132.
4
Gebken, Du Wayne and Staggs, Michael, “Aquatic Communities”, Wisconsin’s Biodiversity as a
Management Issue: A Report to Department of Natural Resources Managers, May 1995, pg.(s)
150-162.
5
Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, PUBL-ER237, 1994.
6
Hoffman, Randy, “Endangered Resources Inventory Report to the County”, Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources Bureau of Endangered Resources, correspondence, October
1994.
7
Kotar, John and Eckstein, Ronald, “Northern Forest Community”, Wisconsin Biodiversity as a
Management Issue: A Report to Department of Natural Resources Managers, May 1995, pg.(s)
102-108.
8
Bailey, Robert G., et al, Ecoregions and Subregions of the United States, United States
Department of Agriculture Forest Service, map prepared in cooperation with the ECOMAP Team
of the Forest Service and U.S. Geological Survey, 1994.
100-15