FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 8, 2015

Contact: Ben Wiese, 906-875-6622

Opportunity to share ideas on state forest planning
for Dickinson and Iron counties

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will host an open house Oct. 6 in Crystal Falls to talk about proposed forest management activities for 2017 in the Crystal Falls Forest Management Unit, which includes Dickinson and Iron counties. The open house, which provides a great opportunity for interested residents to ask questions, is set for:

• Tuesday, Oct. 6, 3-7 p.m. (CDT) 
  Michigan Department of Transportation conference room, 120 Tobin-Alpha Road, Crystal Falls

What is forest inventory?

Each year, DNR personnel evaluate one-tenth of the state forest. The inventory provides decision-making information for foresters and wildlife, fisheries and other resource managers. Staff also assess the age, health, quality and quantity of trees and other vegetation, carefully considering timber management, wildlife and fisheries habitat, minerals, archaeological sites, recreational use, wildfire potential, social concerns and other topics.

Because each forest inventory is completed approximately two years in advance (to properly prepare for treatments), a "year of entry" is assigned to indicate when treatments will begin. Information currently under review has a 2017 year of entry. This means that treatment activities on lands being reviewed this year will actually begin in the new fiscal year - October 2016.

“Proposed treatments, which may include timber harvesting, replanting and other management activities, are designed to ensure the sustainability of all forest resources,” said Bill O’Neill, chief of the DNR Forest Resources Division. “We hold these open houses in advance to give folks an opportunity to comment on the science-based decisions we have made for the well-being of our forest resources now and in the future.”

How are all 4 million acres inventoried?

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 Felch, Norway, Sagola, Waucedah and West Branch townships (Dickinson County) and Crystal Falls, Hematite, Mansfield and Mastodon townships (Iron County).

Maps and information regarding proposed treatments will be available at the open house and also can be found at www.michigan.gov/forestry. Compartment Review Packets for the 2017 year of entry can be found by selecting the “Find a Forest” button and clicking the “Crystal Falls” button on the map. Records of decisions, recorded timber harvests and other treatments for past years are available on this page.

On Oct. 20, the DNR will complete its formal compartment review to decide on final treatment plans for these areas. That review will take place:

• Tuesday, Oct. 20, 8 a.m. (CDT)  
  Crystal Falls Township Hall, 1384 West U.S. 2, Crystal Falls

Those with disabilities who need accommodations for either meeting should contact Ben Wiese, 906-875-6622, at least five business days before each meeting.

Can’t attend in person?

Those unable to attend either meeting are encouraged to submit comments via email to Ben Wiese using the subject line “Crystal Falls Forest Management Unit open house comment.” All comments must be received at least three business days before each meeting.

“Michigan’s state forests truly belong to the people of Michigan,” O’Neill added. “As caretakers of those forests, we genuinely are interested in hearing – either in person or through email – the public’s ideas about the future use and enjoyment of these vital natural resources.”

For more information about the state forest planning process, visit www.michigan.gov/forestplan.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.