Hubbard County reports timber-auction revenue, and Deep Lake Park environmental review opens for comment

Hubbard County staff reported on timber-sales results and gave a status update on Deep Lake Park on Tuesday.

Forestry staff said the April 13 timber auction sold 10 of 11 tracts and reported a gross total in the low $327,000s (the transcript recorded the figure as "327,44643," which staff confirmed was a malformed printout). Staff said pine prices were steady and that aspen prices have fallen about 15% compared with recent years; one small spruce tract failed to sell and will be reoffered in July.

Parks staff updated the board on Deep Lake Park construction and facilities. Docks have been installed, and the road and parking work is progressing; a setback on the visitor-center parking will reduce six of 52 spaces, staff said. The county surveyor and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources reviewed the layout and raised no major concerns, staff reported.

Planning staff said the Environmental Assessment Worksheet for Deep Lake Park has been submitted to the state Environmental Quality Board and published; the 30-day public-comment period runs through May 28. Staff will prepare responses to substantive comments and return the issue to the board, probably in June, with a recommendation on whether an Environmental Impact Statement is needed.

What’s next: staff will accept and respond to public comments through May 28 and return to the board with any substantive responses and a recommendation on the scope of environmental review.