Loggers pay record amount for aspen stumpage

WALKER -- Cass County Land Commissioner Norm Moody reported to the county board Tuesday loggers paid a record $45.94 per cord for aspen stumpage at the July 29 county timber auction.

Balsam poplar brought $37.44 per cord and jackpine, $36.75. Prices for other tree species ranged lower, with loggers paying the least for bur oak, $12.50 per cord. They paid $194.27 per thousand board feet for red pine saw timber.

Following a public hearing no one attended, the board designated interest earned on the state leased lot sales proceeds will be used to develop destination trails and provide access to previously inaccessible county managed land.

The fund also may be used for conservation easements on projects where those supporting the easement provide at least a 50 percent match. These easement projects must seek county board approval on a case-by-case basis.

The board authorized selling a tax-forfeited lot in Remer to that city.