WOOD THE NEW GOLD?
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 -- 9:57 AM
With the economy crashing around us, the Clark County Forest continues to be as profitable as ever.In fact, Forestry and Parks Director Mark Heil tells Central Wisconsin Broadcasting News, 2008 was the most profitable timber sales year ever.
The Forestry and Parks committee recently opened bids for 22 tracts of forest; the lots range from 9 acres to 65 acres. Some include hardwoods such as aspen, white and red oak and maple; others tracks include pine.
For the first time ever, the committee received at least 2 bids for every tract offered. 158 total bids for only 22 tracts.
The result is $864,239 in revenue for the county, bringing the total for the May and November bid openings to $1.9-million.
About $400,000 more than the previous record of $1.5-million attained back in 2000.
It's difficult to say why the market has been so good, though oak has been in demand as more people turn to wood as fuel, Heil notes.
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