DNR seeks comment on forest management in Crystal Falls

CRYSTAL FALLS — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources field office in Crystal Falls is seeking comment on forest management through Sept. 16. 

The DNR manages 3.9 million acres of state forest land using techniques such as timber harvests, planting and prescribed burns to keep forests thriving and healthy.

To make the work more efficient and easier to oversee, the DNR divides those millions of acres into 15 forest management units, which are further divided into compartments. 

Compartment review in Crystal Falls is scheduled for Oct. 28. Those interested in submitting comment to the Crystal Falls field office can contact Dan McNamee at 875-6622.

Management activity in each forest management unit is finalized two years in advance. This summer and fall, recommendations for 2023 are being presented.

Open houses for 2021 are virtual, and those interested can give input by email, phone or mail during the designated time frame. This is an opportunity to offer input to foresters, wildlife biologists and other DNR professionals regarding forest plans.

After the end of each comment period, a public compartment review meeting will take place, where foresters present the DNR’s final decisions on management activities. The DNR reviews 10% of the state forest annually. That equates to about 400,000 acres or roughly 220 compartments.