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May 30, 2018
Contact: Kristin Wildman, 517-284-4739
Public meetings on ORV rules for southern Lower Peninsula state forest roads set for June 4-8
DNR encourages broad public input during 45-day review period
Starting Friday, June 1, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites the public to share their opinions on a forest road inventory of the southern Lower Peninsula and the classifying of these roads as open or closed to off-road vehicles. Multiple avenues for public information and input will be available.
The DNR will host a series of meetings June 4-8 in Allegan, Bay City, DeWitt Township, Mears and Novi. Each public meeting will include an overview of Public Act 288 and the inventory and classification process, a question-answer period, and opportunities for people to review DNR staff recommendations, speak directly with staff and provide input.
“These public meetings are the perfect opportunity for area residents to have a voice in decisions that could affect the use of state forest roads,” said Bill O’Neill, DNR natural resources deputy director. “Public input is crucial to this process, so we’re hoping to hear from people both in person and online.”
The public is welcome to attend any of the following meetings:
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Monday, June 4 – Mears
6-8 p.m., Golden Township Hall, 5527 W. Fox Road
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Tuesday, June 5 – Allegan
6-8 p.m., Hartman Conference Center, 690 N. Eastern Ave.
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Wednesday, June 6 – DeWitt Township
6-8 p.m., DeWitt Township Community Center, 16101 Brook Road
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Thursday, June 7 – Novi
6-8 p.m., Novi Civic Center, 45175 Ten Mile Road
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Friday, June 8 – Bay City
6-8 p.m., Bay County Community Center, 800 John F. Kennedy Drive
The DNR has devoted the past several months to thoroughly mapping state forest roads in southern Michigan’s state wildlife areas, game areas, recreation areas and parks. These roads, managed by the DNR’s Wildlife and Parks and Recreation divisions, provide access for activities such as wildlife habitat management and facilities maintenance, as well as public access for hunting, fishing, hiking and other outdoor recreation uses.
Forest roads in the southern Lower Peninsula currently are closed to use by off-road vehicles and will remain closed during the classification period. Any changes to the status of ORV use on forest roads in southern Michigan will take effect in January 2019, as required by Public Act 288 of 2016.
See proposed forest road classifications and get more information about the state forest road inventory and recommendation process at michigan.gov/forestroads. Comments on specific road segments also can be made directly on this web map (which will be available by June 1). Instructions are available on the website.
Comments also will be accepted via email to DNR-southernmiroadinventory@michigan.gov or by mail to ATTN: DNR Roads Inventory Project, 4166 Legacy Parkway, Lansing, MI 48911. The initial comment period will close July 15, 2018.
For more information about trails in Michigan and to sign up for trail email updates, visit michigan.gov/dnrtrails.
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