The Department of Natural Resources will host open houses on Tuesday, Sept. 11, in Naubinway and Wednesday, Sept. 12, in Kincheloe to provide information and receive public comment on proposed forest management treatments for 2014 in the Sault Ste. Marie management unit, which includes Chippewa and Mackinac counties. The open houses are set for the following times and locations:
- Sept. 11, 3 to 6 p.m.
DNR Naubinway Field Office, 11569 U.S. Hwy. 2, Naubinway
(will cover proposed forest treatments in Chippewa and Mackinac counties) - Sept. 12, 3 to 6 p.m.
Kinross Township Hall, 310 Curtis St., Kincheloe
(will cover proposed forest treatments in Chippewa and Mackinac 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, chief of the DNR’s Forest Resources Division, said these open houses are a good way for interested residents and stakeholders to learn about the DNR’s proposed treatment plans – well in advance – 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 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 Bruce, Drummond Island, Kinross, Pickford, Rudyard and Trout Lake townships (Chippewa County); and Garfield, Hendricks, Hudson, Marquette, Moran, Newton and Portage townships (Mackinac County).
On Thursday, Oct. 4, 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 time and location:
- Oct. 4, 9 a.m.
Quality Inn, 561 Boulevard Dr., St. Ignace
Persons with disabilities who need accommodations for any of these meetings should contact Karen Rodock at 906-477-6048 ext. 2040 a minimum of five business days before each meeting.
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