One of our ALPOA members noticed logging on Mud Lake across Lake Ann Road and called the DNR. A DNR forestry officer called back. The officer mentioned that more cutting is planned near the camp ground, next to the other clear cutting off of Reynolds Road. Around 90 % of the trees are Aspen (or Poplars) and are about 50 years old so the DNR plans to ”clear cut with retention”. This means that they will keep clumps of trees including oak and maple. Retention will be 3-10% of the trees. While there has not been an official position taken by ALPOA, since the DNR project would effect the ecosystem in the area, it was relevant to collect and make this information available for public dissemination.
An “open house announcement” was sent from the DNR by mail on July 2, 2015 to the Almira Township office. It was not addressed to a particular person.
- No one at the Township acknowledges receipt of this notice.
- None of the adjacent land owners received this notice.
Plans like this one are written for each “forest compartment” (typically a 1000 to 3000 acre block of state forest land) once every 10 years. This compartment’s plan was presented at a public open house on July 28, 2015 and approved at the DNR compartment review meeting on August 24, 2015.
- Here is a link to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources plan for Traverse City which also includes Almira Township.
- On the webpage that comes up, scroll down and click on the link for “Compartment 011 Narrative, Maps, and Reports”.
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9 and 10 News did a story on the open house relating to VASA
- The time for public comment is now closed.
Compartment 011 covers Almira township. In the report section titled “Report 4 – Treatments”, look for the treatment for Stand 15. This was the stand that raised the concerns of ALPOA since it is located near the shoreline. But as you look at the map, you will see areas around Mud Bay, the hiking trails in the State Park, as well as near Ransom Lake.
- DNR Compartment 11 map with treatments.
- Compartment 11 map modified for easier viewing.
- An aerial view of where Stand 15 is located.
- Summary of trees to be harvested in Compartment 11.
- The DNR owns 2,552 acres in Almira Township.
- Close to a square mile (the size of Ann Lake) is slated for deforestation in Almira Township during 2016-17
- Clear cut: 254 ac. (42% is planned for clear cutting ! )
- Overstory removal: 65 ac.
- Shelterwood removal: 32 ac.
- Thin: 121 ac.
- Selective cut: 135 ac.
For comparison, look at Stand 135 which was “treated” several years ago. We have several pictures (on location and from Reynolds) taken during the time of treatment as well as a picture taken this winter. One of the concerns raised is the amount of damage caused by high winds. Compare a picture in Stand 135 that was clear cut in 2008 to what the canopy of the Stand 15 next to it which is included in the proposal for 2017.
Clearcut – Cutting all trees in an area to a minimum diameter, such as 4 inches. All merchantable trees are cut and removed.
Overstory removal – Any silvicultural treatment with the desired end result being the removal of the overstory component from the growing stock of a multistoried stand. Examples are outright harvest, girdling, and simply felling the overstory.
Selection thinning – Removal of dominants that have exceeded the diameter limit prescribed, in favor of smaller trees with good growth form and condition. This will promote conversion to a selection forest.
Shelterwood cutting – Refers to a progression of forest cuttings leading to the establishment of a new generation of seedlings of a particular species or group of species without planting. A patch of seedlings is located or established by cutting, and the mature trees surrounding this patch are cut, with the exception of several high-quality reserves. The forest is regenerated in concentric circles that eventually meet, providing a diverse structure and steady income from repeated cuttings.
Timber Management – Michigan’s state forests provide a consistent supply of wood to help support and maintain a diverse forest products industry that annually contributes an estimated $14 billion to Michigan’s economy. In 2013, the industry included 274 mills, 1,207 manufacturers and 590 logging contractors. The state forest provides about 20 percent of the raw material for these operations.
Timber Harvesting – Timber harvesting provides wood fiber for the forest products industry and presents an opportunity to manage land for specific wildlife habitat. The DNR works with many contractors, consultants and other stakeholders to manage a stable forest land base.
A small meeting has been scheduled between the Village of Lake Ann, Almira Township, the DNR, and several “adjacent land owners” to discuss this project. One of the goals of this meeting would be to reopen the project as it effects Almira Township.