Coffeetime with Land Commissioner Cory Kimball

Cory Kimball, Hubbard County Land Commissioner for our Natural Resources Management Department, joined Coffeetime to talk about the county's management of its parks, forestry, and tax-forfeited lands.

Hubbard County manages 140,000 acres of public land. This land is generally open to hunting, fishing, and recreation. Timber management on those acres generates roughly $1–1.5 million annually, and that revenue funds the department operations and is shared with townships, schools, and the general fund. The department also oversees 26 lake access sites, cabin leases (about 50 active, generating ~$25–30K/year), gravel permits, and two land sales per year.

A big highlight was Deep Lake Park. Deep Lake Park is a new 420-acre county park that was acquired through a private donation of funds from the Trust for Public Lands. Formerly operating as the Val Chatel ski resort, the park will eventually include a picnic shelter, a visitor’s center, campgrounds, and multiple trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking. A new road and parking area are currently under construction, and the picnic shelter will be installed later this year.

Cory also touched on trail stewardship. Hubbard County Parks acts as the fiscal agent for several snowmobile, ATV, and cross-country ski trails in the county. 41% of the county's snowmobile trails run on county land.

He also mentioned a couple of frustrations: people power-loading boats at lake access sites (damaging the ramps) and hunters cutting shooting lanes through valuable pine, which can cause $10,000+ in timber damage per stand. He noted that most people are very respectful, but a few people create challenges.

For any questions, contact Cory at cory.kimball@hubbardcounty.gov.