DNR invites public input on forest plans for Benzie, Grand Traverse and Kalkaska counties
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will host open houses on Monday, June 25, in Traverse City and Tuesday, June 26, in Kalkaska to provide information and receive public comment on proposed forest management treatments for 2014 in the Traverse City management unit, which includes Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Manistee counties.
Both open houses will run from 3 to 7 p.m., at these locations:
June 25 – DNR Traverse City field office, 970 Emerson Road, Traverse City (will cover proposed forest treatments in Benzie and Grand Traverse counties)
June 26 – DNR Kalkaska field office, 2089 N. Birch St., in Kalkaska (will cover proposed treatments in Kalkaska County)
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 the 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.
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 (for the Traverse City open house) are in Platte, Almira, Homestead and Colfax townships in Benzie County; and Union, Paradise and Mayfield townships in Grand Traverse County. The Kalkaska open house will focus on compartments in Rapid River, Bear Lake, Garfield and Cold Springs townships in Kalkaska County.
On Thursday, July 19, the DNR will complete its formal compartment review to decide on final treatment plans for these areas. That review will start at 9 a.m. at the Stone House, 419 S. Coral St., in Kalkaska.
Persons with disabilities who need accommodations for the June 25 and June 26 open houses in Traverse City and Kalkaska or the July 19 compartment review should contact David Lemmien at 231-922-5280, ext. 6840 a minimum of five (5) business days before the meeting.
