The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will host open houses on Thursday, Aug. 16, in Crystal Falls and Thursday, Aug. 23, in Stephenson to provide information and receive public comment on proposed forest management treatments for 2014 in the Crystal Falls management unit, which includes Dickinson and Iron counties; and the Escanaba management unit, which includes Delta and Menominee counties. The open houses are set for the following times and locations:
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Aug. 16, 3 to 7 p.m. (CDT)
DNR Crystal Falls Office, 1420 W. US-2, Crystal Falls
(will cover proposed forest treatments in Dickinson and Iron counties) -
Aug. 23, 3 to 6 p.m. (CDT)
Menominee County Annex Building, 5718 US-41, Stephenson
(will cover proposed forest treatments in Delta and Menominee counties)
Each year, DNR personnel inventory and evaluate one-tenth of the state forest. The inventory provides key information about the health, quality and quantity of all vegetation; wildlife and fisheries habitat and needs; archaeological sites; minerals; recreational use; wildfire potential and social factors, including proximity to roads and neighborhoods; and use on adjacent public and private lands.
Proposed treatments, which may include timber harvesting, replanting, and other management activities, are designed to ensure the sustainability of the resources and ecosystems.
Bill O’Neill, acting chief of the DNR’s Forest Resources Division, said these open houses are a good way for interested residents and stakeholders to learn – well in advance – about the DNR’s proposed treatment plans and to share input toward final decisions on those treatments.
“When it comes to the health and sustainability of our state forests, we’re always thinking several years ahead,” said O’Neill, who also serves as acting state forester. “We like to do the open houses around the state because the public gets an opportunity to talk with foresters and biologists about issues that matter most to them. It turns out to be a valuable exchange of information and ideas.”
Maps and information regarding the proposed treatments will be available at the open houses, but can also be found at www.michigan.gov/forestplan under the Forests, Land & Water section.
To more easily and efficiently oversee the forest resources, the DNR divides each management unit into smaller units or “compartments.” This year, the compartments under review are in Baldwin, Bark River, Ford River and Maple Ridge townships (Delta County); Breen, Felch, Norway, Sagola, Waucedah and West Branch townships (Dickinson County); Hematite, Mansfield and Mastodon townships (Iron County); and Cedarville, Daggett, Faithorn, Gourley, Harris, Holmes, Spalding and Stephenson (Menominee County).
On Thursday, Aug. 30, and Thursday, Sept. 6, the DNR will complete its formal compartment reviews to decide on final treatment plans for these areas. Those reviews will take place at the following times and locations:
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Crystal Falls management unit
Aug. 30, 8 a.m. (CDT)
Crystal Falls Township Hall, 1384 West US-2, Crystal Falls -
Escanaba management unit
Sept. 6, 9:30 a.m. (EDT)
DNR Pocket Park, U.P. State Fairgrounds, 2401 12th Ave. North, Escanaba
Persons with disabilities who need accommodations for any of these meetings should contact Eric Thompson at 906-786-2354 a minimum of five business days before each meeting.
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