After much collaboration with local stakeholders and a monthlong public comment period, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has reached its final decision on the forest management treatment plan for the area commonly known as Chippewa Hills in Ossineke Township (Alpena County).

"Thank you to everyone who participated in this process, those who submitted written comments, and those who came together to find solutions and provide recommendations to help us develop a revised proposal," said Cody Stevens, DNR unit manager for the area. "Every comment, recommendation and suggestion was carefully considered before we reached this final decision."

The final plan includes:

Reducing the harvest acreage by about 50 percent.
Harvesting on only one side of the trail in multiple locations.
Reducing the number of locations where equipment will be crossing the trails.
Working with the Ruffed Grouse Society to plant shrubs and other fruit-bearing plants that will benefit wildlife.
The DNR made its decision after an 18-month process that included attending meetings to listen to concerned residents and trail users, the creation of a stakeholder group representing various interests – including industry, hunters, mountain bikers, trail users and local government – who helped develop a revised plan for the area, and a public comment period to get input on the suggested revisions.

"Based on all of the input we received throughout this inclusive process, we decided that we couldn't improve upon what had been done collaboratively with the stakeholder group," said Steve Milford, eastern Lower Peninsula district supervisor for the DNR Forest Resources Division. "We're pleased we were able to collaborate and build relationships that will help with future work in the area.

We will continue to work with local stakeholder groups throughout the next steps of the process to ensure involvement continues."

The DNR said trail users should expect to see paint being put on the trees in preparation for upcoming timber sales. Planting work already has been completed in the area.

Maps and information regarding the treatments can be found by visiting www.michigan.gov/forestry, selecting "Find a Forest" and clicking on the "Atlanta" button. Final revisions to the treatments in Compartment 82 are posted under the Compartment Maps section. Records of decisions, recorded timber harvests and other treatments for past years also are available on this page.

For more information about forest planning in Michigan, visit www.michigan.gov/forestry.

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.


Contact:
Cody Stevens, 989-785-4251, ext. 5240 (DNR Forest Resources Division),
Steve Milford, 989-732-3541, ext. 5040 (DNR Forest Resources Division) or
Rich Hill, 989-732-3541, ext. 5020 (DNR Parks and Recreation Division)