Timber sale levels on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest  reached 128.7 million board feet in fiscal year 2018, a level of sales not seen since the early 1990’s reports Green Bay Gazette.

The 2018 fiscal year was also the sixth year in a row timber sales have increased in the forest. In 2017, the forest sold 120.5 million board feet of timber for an estimated value of $7.72 million. Contractors also harvested 93.1 million board feet of timber valued at $7.48 million.

“I am very proud of the great staff and partners we have in making this achievement possible,” said Paul Strong, forest supervisor of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

In addition to the forest’s regular timber sale program, which sold 98 million board feet this year, 30.7 million board feet were sold through the Good Neighbor Authority agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

“The 2014 Farm Bill permanently authorized Good Neighbor Authority as well as Stewardship Contracting, and the forest continues to leverage them to increase timber sales and sustainable forest management activities on the National Forest,” Strong said.

The continual increase in timber sales in the Chequamegon-Nicolet provides more wood to Wisconsin’s important forest products industry while creating and maintaining healthy forest conditions prescribed in the forest’s 2004 Land and Resource Management Plan.