New advisory body works to broaden outdoor …Properties with opportunities for pheasant hunting in the pilot Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative counties and sharp-tailed grouse

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will foster a culture of collaboration by public engagement andrelationship building with counties and stakeholders. Cultivating broad-based partnerships that focus regionally and act collaboratively will reinforce conservation goals, increase quality recreational opportunities and build a stronger regional base of sustainable natural

resource economies in Michigan for current residents and future generations.

Region 1 Fall 2018

Your DNR connectionsStacy Welling-HaugheyUpper Peninsula Regional CoordinatorPhone: 906-226-1330Email: [email protected] Merrie CarlockRecreation Grant CoordinatorPhone: 517-284-5931Email: [email protected]/dnr-grants

Click on the red envelope to sign up for DNR emails or visit www.michigan.gov/dnr and click on the red envelope to subscribe.

County AmountAlger $ 4,759,740Baraga $ 1,881,600Chippewa $ 6,004,800Delta $ 3,357,450Dickinson $ 4,083,500Gogebic $ 5,507,550Houghton $ 3,783,500Iron $ 3,848,890Keweenaw $ 22,825,477Luce $ 4,639,393Mackinac $ 11,565,850 Marquette $ 15,380,921Menominee $ 8,662,500Ontonagon $ 1,987,200Schoolcraft $ 3,461,000TOTAL $ 103,526,071 Grant totals 1976-2018.

* Includes grants to the DNR for acquisition/development in those counties.

Natural Resources Trust Funddollars go to local communities

New advisory body works to broaden outdoor recreation opportunities, partnerships

Outdoor recreation, continued on page 2

The formation of a new outdoor recreation advisory board in May by the Michigan Department of Natu-ral Resources and Natural Resources Commission spotlights the importance of the outdoor recreation economy to the state. The Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council was formed to facilitate new, collab-orative opportunities and further broaden a base of support for outdoor recreation and natural resources stewardship within the state.

The council is composed of leaders in Michigan’s outdoor recreation business community, reflecting the manufacturing, retail and service sectors, as well as employers in health, community finance and other leading industries. DNR Director Keith Creagh and NRC Chair Vicki Pontz jointly appointed members to the council.

Outdoor recreation is important to Michigan’s economy. This includes enjoying Tahquamenon Falls State Park near Paradise.

https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDNR/subscriber/new

Page 2 Collaborations

Prosperity region map

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use andenjoyment of the state’s natural resources for current and future generations.

Outdoor recreation,continued from page 1“This effort will create partnerships that can grow the outdoor recreation economy, as well as increase recreational opportunities and access for everyone – residents and visitors alike,” said NRC Commissioner Chris Tracy, who chairs the Outdoor Recreation Advi-sory Council. “It’s a win-win situation.”

The council’s creation recognizes the tremendous economic contributions of the state’s outdoor recre-ation opportunities and businesses and accessible natural resources, as well as the positive effect those collective assets have on Michigan’s quality of life.

Millions of people participate in some form of outdoor recreation every year, and a recent DNR study found Michiganders spent 2.6 billion days a year engaged in these activities. A national Outdoor Industry As-sociation study states that outdoor recreation gener-ates $26.6 billion in consumer spending each year in Michigan and supports 232,000 jobs.

“There are many potential connections to improve the relevancy of natural resources and outdoor rec-reation for Michigan,” said Pontz. “Recommendations that support and improve talent and business recruit-ment and retention in our state, connect outdoor recreation to healthy living, and anticipate emerging trends in recreation, are immensely valuable.”

The Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council is modeled on similar efforts in eight other states. The Michigan council will be the first in the Midwest.

“Other states’ efforts have shown that two important ingredients for advancing the outdoor recreation industry are an appointed advisory council and a point person on the effort,” said Marc Miller, outdoor recreation industry and regional initiatives deputy for the DNR. “Together, we will build better relationships and potential collaborations between the state and business sector to expand business and recreation opportunities, while supporting our stewardship re-sponsibilities.”

For more information on the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council, to sign up for newsletters or learn about how to participate in or host listening sessions, contact Marc Miller, at 517-284-6432 [email protected].

Keeping the UP CWD freeChronic wasting disease has not been detected in the Upper Peninsula deer herd. However, an infected deer was found at a captive cervid facility in Wiscon-sin just under 20 miles from the Michigan border.

In partnership with sporting groups and the public, the DNR has continued educational efforts to “Keep the U.P. CWD free.” Some of these efforts have included radio spots, billboards, information handouts and television interviews.

Testing of hunter-killed deer, along with deer killed by vehicles, also continues to help monitor deer along the Michigan-Wisconsin border. Meanwhile, a DNR deer migration study is now underway, aimed at learning more about U.P. deer herd movements. The results of this research would be helpful in determin-ing how CWD might spread, if located in the region.

New deer-hunting regulations were recently ap-proved affecting the U.P., including a statewide ban on natural urine-based lures or attractants unless certified by the Archery Trade Association.

Antlerless deer harvest quotas have been increased for five Deer Management Units in the U.P.as follows:

CWD free, continued on page 3See page 7 for a list of advisory council members.


The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoy-ment of the state’s natural resources for current and future generations.

CWD free, continued from page 2

There are several things hunters can do to help fight the spread of CWD, including:• Keep hunting.• Get your deer checked and tested (find locations

at michigan.gov/deercheck).• Avoid long-distance movements with your deer

carcass.• Handle and dispose of your deer carcass in a

responsible manner. (Dispose of in a dumpster or landfill, not on the landscape.)

• If you hunt out-of-state or in a county in Michigan where CWD positive deer have been found, only bring back animal parts allowed by law.

• Stay up-to-date on the latest hunting regulations.• Learn more about chronic wasting disease at

www.michigan.gov/cwd.

Exploring Michigan’s UP state forests just got easierThe first phase of a forest road inventory on Michi-gan’s forests, parks, recreation areas, game, and wildlife areas – part of Public Act 288 of 2016 - is complete. The Department of Natural Resources is now mapping all state forest roads.

PA 288 allows for off-road vehicle use on state forest roads unless they are closed by a land use order. The law opens more state forest roads to the public. Anyone looking to explore the state forest - by ORV, bike or foot - can find information about which roads are proposed opened or closed by using the draft interactive or draft printable maps atwww.michigan.gov/forestroads. The Upper Peninsula maps are proposed to be finalized by Jan. 1, 2019.

These roads, managed by the DNR, provide access for activities such as habitat improvement, timber management and fire control. They offer public ac-cess for hunting, fishing, hiking and other outdoor recreation. Roads may be closed for environmental and resource protection, conflicts with adjacent prop-erty ownership, user safety, to reduce user conflict, or in Grouse Enhanced Management Areas.

More than 5,000 miles of state forest roads in the UP are currently open to ORV use. Most of those roads are expected to remain open.

The public is welcome to provide input on the project. The next public input period is Oct. 1 to Nov. 15. During this time, comments will be accepted via the interac-tive map at www.michigan.gov/forestroads, via email to [email protected], or by mail: ATTN: DNR Roads Inventory Project, 1990 U.S. 41 South, Marquette, MI 49855.

The revised recommendations will be discussed at Natural Resources Commission meetings. Visitwww.michigan.gov/nrc for meeting dates and locations.



Iron Belle Trail nears 70 percent completeMichigan’s Iron Belle Trail, endearing to hikers and bicycle enthusiasts alike, continues to grow as con-nectors are added in communities throughout the state. Approaching 70 percent completion, the 2,000-mile trail system links hundreds of parks and com-munities from Iron Mountain to Belle Isle in Detroit. When completed, it will pass through 48 counties, 170 parks, forests and public spaces, and dozens of municipalities.

Comprised of two separate routes – hiking and biking – the Iron Belle Trail is the longest state-designated trail in the nation, allowing users to explore pristine forests and cool rivers while connecting big cities to smaller and diverse towns.

“Quality outdoor recreation resources and opportu-nities mean a lot to the people who use and value them, and to the communities they serve,” said DNR Director Keith Creagh. “The Iron Belle Trail offers so many beautiful places where people make memories, improve their health, and recharge their energy. The state and our many partners are on an ambitious timeline to get the remainder of these connected miles in place.”

Every year for the past four years, the DNR has of-fered communities across the state grant money to move the trail forward. Communities have applied for and received money for projects like planning and constructing trail segments, trail heads and signs.

In July, construction began in Baraga County on 7.8 miles of new trail that is being built east of US-41 to Herman Nestoria Road between Craig Lake State Park and Canyon Falls. The project is a re-route of

the North County National Scenic Trail/Iron Belle Trail, which will take the trail off of US-41.

In addition, over the next year many signs will be installed along the Iron Belle Trail across Michigan thanks to IBT mini-grants, including on Mackinac Island in Mackinac County.

Learn more about the trail and donation opportunities on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/ironbelle.

The Iron Belle Trail system, made up of two trails, a hiking (blue trail, western LP and northern UP) and a biking (red trail, eastern LP and southern UP), will span 2,000 miles when completed.

Hunting Access Program focuses on addressing goalsMichigan’s Hunting Access Program (HAP) is a vol-untary land leasing program. The DNR leases lands from private landowners to provide additional hunting areas for hunters where public land is limited.

Beginning in 2018, HAP will focus on addressing DNR goals, including emerging disease concerns and small game hunting. HAP properties are now be-ing prioritized to include expanded deer hunting op-

portunities in the core Chronic Wasting Disease area in the southwest Lower Peninsula and the bovine tuberculosis area in the northeast Lower Peninsula. Properties with opportunities for pheasant hunting in the pilot Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative counties and sharp-tailed grouse hunting in the east-ern Upper Peninsula are also a priority. In the U.P., Chippewa County has HAP lands available

To learn more, visit www.mi.gov/hap.


for work in five focus areas: Hazard management, habitat, water quality, community development, and public access.

This year’s grant opportunity became available Oct. 1 and closes on Dec. 14, 2018.

Past partnerships have yielded beneficial work for communities including installation of boardwalks and kayak launches, habitat restoration, resilient master plan development, water quality programs and beach safety initiatives. Projects are selected according to criteria that measure the project’s value to healthy coastal communities, waters and ecosystems.

Organizations interested in learning more about and applying for the grant opportunity should visitwww.michigan.gov/coastalmanagement under “grants.”


Coastal communities benefit from grant fundingLiving in a coastal town year-round next to beaches, harbors, and boardwalks is a way of life for many Michiganders. Coastal life on the shores of the Great Lakes is special, but there are also challenges as-sociated with living near such large and powerful water systems. These include hazards from storms, flooding and fluctuating water levels, making the task of incorporating water into community planning es-sential.

For 40 years, Michigan’s Coastal Management Program, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has assisted the state’s coastal communities with technical assistance and grant funding to protect, restore and enhance its coasts. Each year, it releases a grant funding oppor-tunity in fall for coastal zone communities to submit project proposals. The program accepts applications

The Bete Grise Preserve at Pt. Isabelle in Keweenaw County, home of a habitat protection project, offers a number of outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking. The 2013 acquisition of Pt. Isabelle by the Houghton Keweenaw Con-servation District was funded in part by a grant from the Michigan Coastal Zone Management Program, Office of the Great Lakes, Department of Environmental Quality (now housed within the Department of Natural Resources).



DNR awards grants for U.P recreation,waterways, invasives and wildlife habitat

Recreation Passport Grants (2017)• Delta County, Nahma Township, Nahma Trailhead: $52,500• Dickinson County, City of Iron Mountain, East Side Recreation Complex tennis courts: $58,000• Houghton County, City of Houghton, Dee Stadium restroom/shower renovation: $75,000• Menominee County, City of Menominee, River Park Campground electrical system upgrade: $46,500

Waterways Fund Grants (2017)• Houghton County, Marina dock repairs and replacements: $292,500• Chippewa County, Sault Ste. Marie, George Kemp Marina service pier and finger pier repair project: $32,500• Marquette County, City of Marquette, Presque Isle Marina rehabilitation project: $541,867Wildlife Habitat Grants (2018)• Alger/Iron Counties, Greenleaf Timber Holding: $79,300• Baraga/Mackinac/Ontonagon Counties, Safari Club International Foundation: $71,800• Delta County, UP Whitetails Association: $53,500

Michigan’s Invasive Species Grants (2017)• Alger, Marquette, Schoolcraft, Delta Counties, CUPCWMA Core Functions Campaign: $59,300• Chippewa County and others, Statewide risk assessment and adaptive management of European frogbit:

$386,100• Statewide, Identifying high-risk hybrid Eurasian watermilfoil genotypes to improve control: $371,300• Statewide, Firewood safety education and outreach in Michigan: $188,300• Statewide, Invasive species paddling detection, reporting and public awareness program: $200,000• Statewide, Bridging the gap and closing the loop on invasive species data in Michigan: $211,500

U.P. Deer Habitat Improvement Grants (2018)• Alger Conservation District: $4,669• Dickinson Conservation District Cheese Factory Co-Operative: $11,990• Gogebic Conservation District: $9,835• Greenleaf Timber Holding, Inc.: $9,160• Hancock Forest Management: $5,750• Iron-Baraga Conservation District: $14,500• Marquette County Conservation District: $14,449• Ontonagon County Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited: $8,632• Schoolcraft Conservation District: $5,570• The Forestland Group: $10,000• Wildlife Unlimited of Iron County: $5,445

Aquatic Habitat Grants (2018)• DNR Fisheries Division, Manistique Dam center flume wall removal: $362,650

Land and Water Conservation Fund (2017)• Houghton County/DNR Parks and Recreation Division/F.J. McLain State Park campground relocation,

phase 3: $300,000• Mackinac County/City of Mackinac Island, Lighting of Great Turtle Park ball fields: $81,700• Schoolcraft County/City of Manistique, Blanchard’s Paul Bunyan Park Development: $150,000



Natural resources: A natural boost to the state’s economy

• The Michigan DNR manages the largest dedi-cated state forest system in the nation. The forest industry annually contributes $20 billion to Michi-gan’s economy and directly supports 96,000 jobs.

• The ten DNR visitors centers see neraly 400,000 visitors each year, providing 350 programs per week during the summer.

• In total, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund has awarded grants in excess of $1.04 billion to local communities, supporting regional economies, public access to outdoor recreation, and a better quality of life for citizens in every county throughout Michigan.

• With 26 million visitors annually, state parks and recreation areas are vital to Michigan’s tourism in-dustry. Michigan state parks, trails and museums are part of a $22 billion tourism industry.

• With 190,000 snowmobilers, Michigan ranks in the top three in the nation for registered snowmobiles.

• Anglers are big business in Michigan. We rank 5th in fishing participation, bringing $4.4 billion annually to our economy. More than 1.2 million fishing licenses were sold to residents and out-of-state anglers who fished Michigan waters.

• Michigan ranks third in the nation in hunter participation (650,000). Hunters contribute $2.3 billion annually to the state’s economy.

DNR website links onwww.michigan.gov/dnrBoating Info System: www.michigan.gov/mrbis Calendar of Events: www.michigan.gov/dnrcalendarCampground Reservations:www.midnrreservations.comContact DNR: www.michigan.gov/contactDNRFishing guide: www.michigan.gov/fishingguideHunting and trapping: www.michigan.gov/huntingJobs: www.michigan.gov/DNRjobsOff-Road Vehicles: www.michigan.gov/orvinfoState Parks: www.michigan.gov/stateparksTrails: www.michigan.gov/dnrtrails

• Chris Tracy, council chairperson, NRC commis-sioner

• Suzanne Miller Allen, director of Community Re-sponsibility, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

• Bo Brines, owner of Little Forks Outfitters, a Midland sporting goods store.

• Troland V. Clay, president and CEO, Mno-Bmadsen, an investment enterprise of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi.

• Chris Lampen-Crowell, co-owner of Gazelle Sports, a running gear retailer with five Michigan locations.

• Linda Hubbard, president and COO of Carhartt, Inc., a work and outdoor apparel manufacturer.

• Jonathan Jarosz, executive director, Heart of the Lakes, a conservation organization representing the state’s land conservancies and affiliate organizations.

• Andy Lindsay, VP of Sales Americas, Groupe Bene-teau Cadillac Operations.

• Chris MacInnes, president and co-owner of Crystal Mountain, a ski and golf resort in Benzie County.

• Tracy Mayer, owner of Backcountry North, a sporting goods retailer with three Michigan locations.

• Steve Nadolski, vice president of commercial• accounts, AMROCK, a real estate title company, and

part of the Rock Venture family of companies. • Jeff Poet, president and co-owner of Jay’s Sporting

Goods.• Matt Ruiter, general manager of Velocity USA, a

manufacturer of bicycle wheels.• Chuck Smith, CEO of Hemisphere Design Works,

manufacturer of kayaks, fishing boats, canoes, pedal boats and hunting/fishing accessories.

• Patti Smith, VP and co-founder of Silver Spray Sports.

• William Smith, CFO of Detroit RiverFront Conser-vancy.

• Lindsay Struve, store manager, Recreational Equip-ment, Inc. (REI) in Ann Arbor.

• Paul Vitrano, vice president of global government relations, Polaris Industries, manufacturer of ORVs and snowmobiles.

• Dennis West, president of Northern Initiatives in the U.P., a community development financial institution.

The council also will benefit from two ex-officio members representing state agencies:• Claire Stevens, for Director Kirk Steudle, Michigan

Department of Transportation.• Brenda Stewart, for Director Jeff Mason, Michigan

Economic Development Corporation

Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council members

Documents

New advisory body works to broaden outdoor …Properties with opportunities for pheasant hunting in the pilot Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative counties and sharp-tailed grouse