Public Input Requested Regarding Future Management of Public Lands
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is requesting public input regarding the development of their public land management strategy. Originally created in 2013, the public land strategy is used by the DNR to outline management plans for Michigan’s public lands and natural resources to ensure that Michiganders and visitors alike are able to recreate and enjoy public lands in their favorite ways. Michigan has nearly 4.6 million acres of public land that includes state parks, state game areas, forests and hiking and biking trails, among other components. This plan also assists the DNR is developing conservation strategies and measurable objectives that balance human use of public lands with the management required to keep our natural resources healthy.
Seven years into the original public land strategy, the DNR is taking the time to review progress made since the original strategy was created and begin planning for the future of public land management in Michigan. The DNR is requesting public input as they begin to draft the new land strategy and has developed a number of different opportunities for individuals to share their ideas and opinions.
Whether you enjoy public lands to hunt, fish, hike, mountain bike or bird watch, the DNR wants to hear from you about the value of Michigan’s public lands. Your input will not only give you the opportunity to share your opinion, but it will also be a key component of consideration by the DNR as they update the land strategy. Providing your perspective about future land management is a great way to ensure the ecological health of public lands is prioritized alongside the diverse ways Michiganders and visitors enjoy our iconic natural resources.
According to a DNR press release sent out on June 29, individuals interested in providing input to help create the future land management strategy can visit Michigan.gov/PublicLands and use the interactive map to drop a pin on the public lands that are most important to them. Following the pin placement, individuals will be prompted to complete a 3-question survey that allows them to explain why the area is important to them. The data and responses collected will be considered as the new land strategy is developed.
Email input regarding the new land strategy is also being accepted by the DNR at this time. Please email DNR-LandStrategy@Michigan.gov with your input as it pertains to the updated land management strategy. Additionally, please visit Michigan.gov/PublicLands to learn more about the land strategy and what it means for the future management of Michigan’s natural resources and public lands.
Need more state land in Monroe County.
Most of my public hunting land in the Huron National Forest has been clearcut. Why not select cut? Beautiful woods reduced to bare ground for miles.
Also would like to see APR’s in Iosco County again. Saw more mature bucks during the last couple years of 3 on one side minimum in that area. Why was it ended? Almost everyone I talked to saw better bucks and now we’re back to allowing spikes again, why?
Make a statewide one buck rule to allow bucks to get older. We are losing a lot of hunters who are now going out of state to pursue mature bucks which are not here, lots of $ lost. Allow deer baiting again. Again, we are losing hunters who are now going out of state for better hunting.
Would be nice to see this state be on top buck hunting states like Ohio or Iowa we have the potential to be great but I believe it’s mid management is the reason in N mi you see 6-12 doe for every buck . One buck rule or APR and more doe tags in certain areas would be great!
One buck would help for sure with becoming a top buck state, but may not help the CWD situation
I would hope that future biking/hiking trails take better consideration into road crossing. We live close to the DTE trail that crosses Waterloo road in Lyndon Township and there are real issues with bikers crossing without regard to road traffic and cars stopping to load bikers in the middle or just barely off the road. We take caution and slow down around this crossing, but it is not required and I know of others that don’t change their habits when nearing the crossing. Also, it is not a multiple use trail. The trail has steep banks, huge boulders and is a nightmare when wet. I tried to hike it one weekday with my leashed dogs and it was horrible, slick, uneven slanted trail and constant bikers who came upon us very quickly. They were nice enough but still made it very stressful. I will not hike it again and I think to classify it as multiple use is inaccurate
Does only every other year that should take care of the butt problem and the CWD problem
Does only every other year that should take care of the buck problem and the CWD problem !!
open more 4X4 truck trial pls….
n stop closing hill climbs down m other trails
Be nice to have more OHV (over 50″) routes and or forest roads opened up. Full size rigs are starving for useage areas where everything is geared towards 50″ and under.
We need more dedicated trails for full sized vehicle use. The ORV Route system in place on Drummond Island should be extended through the rest of the Upper and Lower peninsula. There are plenty of 2 tracks through national and state owned land that albeit not challenging trails, would be nice to just go out and trail ride and enjoy nature. Sometimes just a drive through the northern Michigan woods combined with the smell of pine is all the relaxation one needs.
Firewood gathering should be expanded in Newaygo county on state land. Federal land is being harvested to the limit.
Snowmobiling is a billion dollar industry in this state. Trail development, maintenance, and support for the volunteer groups driving this industry is paramount.