Western Upper Peninsula Citizen Advisory Council DNR Division Reports Date of Production: September 2017

This documentation is provided by DNR staff as a supplement to verbal reports that will be distributed to the Western UPCAC at the September 20, 2017 meeting in Ontonagon, MI.

Upper Peninsula Regional Coordinator Update – Stacy Haughey, UP Regional Coordinator

DNR Public Meetings Sept. 20 Western UP Citizen’s Advisory Council Meeting, Porkies Ski Chalet, 5:30pm Eastern Sept. 20 Forestry Open House, Crystal Falls Unit, Crystal Falls Field Office, 3:00pm Central Sept. 28 Forestry Open House, Shingleton Unit, Shingleton Field Office, 4:00pm Eastern October 3 Forestry Compartment Review, Soo Unit, Top of the Lakes Snowmobile Museum, 9:00am October 4 Forestry Compartment Review, Crystal Falls Unit, Crystal Falls MDOT Office, 8:00am Central October 10 Forestry Open House, Newberry Unit, Newberry Field Office, 3:00pm Eastern October 10 ORV Advisory Workgroup, Marquette TBD, 3:00pm October 11 Michigan Trails Advisory Council Meeting, Marquette TBD, 10:00am October 12 Forestry Compartment Review, Shingleton Unit, Shingleton Field Office, 9:00am October 12 Natural Resources Commission Meeting, Alpena October 17 Forestry Compartment Review, Gwinn Unit, NMU University Center-Marquette, 9:00am October 17 Sportsperson Coalition Meeting, Chippewa County Shooting Assc., Sault Ste. Marie, 1:30pm October 17 Michigan Iron Industry Museum Board Meeting, Negaunee, 3:00pm October 19 Eastern UP Citizen’s Advisory Council Meeting, LSSU-Sault Ste. Marie, 6:30pm October 24 Forestry Compartment Review, Newberry Unit, Newberry Field Office, 9:00am November 1 Sportsperson Coalition Meeting, DNR Shingleton Office, 6:00pm

U.P. & State Sponsored Activities Sept. 22-24 Van River State Park-Harvest Festival Sept. 22-23 Wells State Park-Spooktacular Halloween and Harvest Celebration Sept. 23 -Lake of the Clouds Stained Glass Creation Sept 24-30 Michigan Trails Week (www.michigan.gov/trailsweek) Sept. 28-30 Michigan Iron Industry Museum-Iron Ore and the Civil War Sept. 29-30 -Trek the Mighty Mac Sept. 30 -Harvest Festival Sept. 30 Tahquamenon Falls State Park-Hike Between Da Falls October 7 Brimley State Park-Harvest Festival October 7 Fayette Historic State Park-12th Annual Fayette Fall Fest October 14 Tahquamenon Falls State Park-Harvest Festival October 14 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park-Adventure: Navigation in the Wilderness Oct. 15-17 Beyond BOW Backpacking Workshop, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Oct. 24-26 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park-Creating a Cutting Board Oct. 27-29 Craig Lake State Park Backpacking Workshop 1 of 12 Oct. 27-29 Beyond BOW Steelhead Fishing Workshop, Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Recent DNR Press Releases For full details, go to: www.michigan.gov/dnrpressroom

 Free junior deer hunting licenses available at Meijer Sept. 8-9 (9/7/17)  Reminder: Forest planning open houses next week in Naubinway, Kincheloe (9/5/17)  Draft Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan out for review (8/31/17)  Share your ideas on state forest planning for Alger, Delta, Schoolcraft counties (8/29/17)  DNR Law Enforcement Division 2017 report available online (8/29/17)  DNR to offer Beyond BOW backpacking and steelhead fishing workshops (8/28/17)  Grouse and woodcock in the spotlight at DNR ‘Wildlife Through Forestry’ forum (8/25/17)  Hunting outside of Michigan this fall? NEW importation regulations (8/25/17)  Showcasing the DNR: Upper Peninsula trail partners, volunteers are essential (8/25/17)  Coalition formed to fight oak wilt disease in Michigan (8/23/17)  Meeting in Chippewa County to spotlight sharp-tailed grouse (8/22/17)  Detroit teens get hands-on outdoor work experience in Upper Peninsula (8/22/17)  NRC Youth Conservation Council selects new members (8/21/17)  Share your ideas on state forest planning for Alger, Marquette counties (8/21/17)  Drawdown of Chippewa County waterbody set for next month (8/21/17)

Grant Contacts For other grant information, to go: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-58225---,00.html

Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant Merrie Carlock, 517-284-5931, [email protected] Recreation Passport Grant Merrie Carlock, 517-284-5931, [email protected] Aquatic Habitat Grant Kelly Parker, 517-284-5957, [email protected] Michigan Invasive Species Grant Kammy Frayre, 517-284-5970, [email protected] Wildlife Habitat Grant Kelly Parker, 517-284-5957, [email protected] U.P. Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Grant Bill Scullon, 906-563-9247, [email protected]

Eastern UPCAC Update

The EUPCAC met on August 24th in Newberry. Agenda items included reports on the UP Wildlife Habitat Workgroup and Chronic Wasting Disease, along with updates on deer regulations and Federal Court action. A resolution was presented to the Council on supporting the initiative to restrict transportation of firewood in state parks. A Graymont land exchange update as well as aquatic habitat grant information and trail definitions were provided. The next meeting of the EUPCAC will be on October 19th at LSSU in Sault Ste. Marie.

September 2017 NRC Meeting Summary – Ed Golder, Public Information Officer

The Natural Resources Commission met in Lansing on September 14th. Major actions:

• Following a recommendation from the Law Enforcement Division, the commission voted to retain current hunter orange garment requirements and opted not to authorize additional colors as a legal substitute for hunter orange. Nothing prevents individuals from wearing additional colors for safety provided the hunter orange requirement is met.

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• The commission approved special fishing regulations for Big Island Lake Complex in Schoolcraft County. • The commission approved amended regulations on the take of reptiles and amphibians to conform to current statute. • The commission approved updated ice shanty regulations. • The commission tabled a decision on a change to the Wildlife Conservation Order to expand hunting at Bay City State Recreation Area in order to allow additional time for public comment and examination of the plan. • Director Keith Creagh approved the Oct. 25 Oil and Gas Lease Auction, which will offer 30,300 acres for lease in eight counties. • Director Creagh delayed until next month a decision on an order to re-designate Bay City State Recreation Area as to allow for additional public input. • Director Creagh approved six of seven land transactions. He delayed for 30 days a decision on release of a reverter on public land in Kalkaska County to allow for more consultation with the community. Details of the land transactions can be found in the NRC agenda.

The day began with a meeting of the Policy Committee on Wildlife and Fisheries. Fisheries Chief Jim Dexter talked about the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ recently released Tentatively Selected Plan for Brandon Road Lock and Dam. Brandon Road is a key pinch point for stopping invasive carp – also called Asian carp – from entering Lake Michigan. The TSP lays out structural and non-structural measures that can be taken at Brandon Road to better keep invasive carp from entering the Great Lakes. The Corps is holding a series of public meetings on the TSP, one today in Muskegon.

Jim reported on grass carp control efforts in Lake Erie. Grass carp are one species of invasive carp. Though not as destructive as silver or bighead carp – the species threatening Lake Michigan – grass carp still pose a threat. We know there is a small population of grass carp in Lake Erie. Michigan is collaborating with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to control and eradicate the population.

The fall salmon run is going extremely well, Jim said. In lakes Huron and Michigan, we are seeing robust and healthy salmon, thanks to a good forage base of alewives.

Nick Popoff of Fisheries gave the committee information on a number of Fisheries orders that will be before the commission for action next month. They are:

• Special hook size regulations intended to stop snagging. • Spawning closure modifications on the Ontonagan River and in the Les Chenaux area of Northern Lake Huron. • Modifications to Michigan-Wisconsin Boundary Water regulations.

• Special regulations for warmwater species on select waters. • Modifications to designated trout streams that affect two stream designations in Iron and VanBuren counties. • Statewide warmwater regulations, making several changes to muskellunge regulations and removing musky harvest tag information. • Sturgeon regulations, which change the catch and immediate release season on Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River and the Detroit River, and close catch and immediate release rules on all other waters to protect limited populations. The change also removes the sturgeon harvest tag requirement.

Wildlife Chief Russ Mason informed the commission that the DNR will hire an adopt-a-game program coordinator who will be jointly funded by the department and Pheasants Forever. The new position will work to develop habitat objects and raise funds to pay for projects, among other responsibilities. The seasons first elk hunt, which lasted four days and wrapped up Sept. 1, saw 32 elk harvested by state hunters and three elk harvested by tribal hunters. Michigan is celebrating 100 years of elk restoration this year. Wildlife sponsored a poster contest and just announced the winner, Gary Cole of Dearborn. Friday is the opening of grouse and other small game season in Michigan.

Russ reported on department spending on disease management. The DNR will spend $1.8 million and $1.7 million managing chronic wasting disease in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 respectively. Some $1.7 million will be spent each year in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 to manage bovine tuberculosis.

3 of 12 The department proposes creating designated campsites along water trails on the Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area. The plan would develop campsites at frequent intervals to allow for multi-day explorations. The opportunity will help promote water trails in Michigan.

During the director’s report in the Committee of the Whole, Val Brader, executive director of the Michigan Agency for Energy, gave an update on the Pipeline Safety Advisory Board and Enbridge Energy Company’s Line 5, which runs beneath the Straits of Mackinac. Director Brader advocated for more transparency by providing the general public more precise mapping information about the pipeline. Providing detailed information is forbidden by the federal government because of security reasons. The director said the PSAB will consider petitioning the federal government for an exemption to these rules. Director Brader expressed concern about recent findings of damage to the pipeline coating. The damage – in at least one case caused by human error during installation of anchors meant to better secure the pipeline to the lake bottom – was initially characterized as smaller than it turned out to be, said Director Brader. Director Creagh said the DNR is concerned with the stewardship of the line. The DNR will seek to more precisely determine where Line 5 crosses public lands and sensitive areas along its span, in addition to continuing the ongoing discussion of Line 5 in the Straits.

Director Creagh announced that Deb Begalle has been named new chief of the DNR Forest Resources Division. A note regarding Deb’s appointment went out earlier today from the director.

Resource Deputy Bill O’Neill told the commission about the most recent version of a proposal to rename Bay City State Recreation Area as Bay City State Park. State recreation areas are open to hunting unless designated closed. State parks are closed to hunting unless designated open. The proposed renaming was accompanied by an examination of hunting in the recreation area. The department recommended that hunting be expanded, while taking into account the need for safety. The proposal elicited a lot of comment, much of it focused on concern for public safety. The proposal has been altered to address many of these concerns, with additional modifications coming as early as this week. Because of the recent modifications, the commission opted to table for one month proposed changes to the Wildlife Conservation Order to expand hunting at the recreation area. The added time will give the public and commission opportunity to further examine the proposal.

Parks and Recreation Chief Ron Olson talked about a proposal to be implemented next year that would change firewood rules in state parks to control the spread of invasive species. The proposal would continue to allow the movement of wood that has not been kiln-dried, Ron said. Parks is exploring other strategies to contain the transfer of invasive species via firewood.

Over Labor Day weekend, state park campgrounds were 92 percent occupied. Recreation Passport sales are up 3 percent year-to-date over 2016. ORV license sales are up 5.9 percent and ORV trail permits are up 8.8 percent. Rockport State Park hosted the XTERRA Rockport Rugged race that included a triathlon and other events. The race drew 150 people and attention from the international XTERRA News.

The department is in the process of renegotiating a contract with the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, which holds an annual Indy Car race on the island. A public listening session regarding the race contract will be held Wednesday on Belle Isle.

The Michigan Involvement Committee of Safari Club International -- a partnership between all 10 Michigan chapters of SCI – presented prizes to hunters who had filled out the DNR’s deer harvest survey. The winners’ names were randomly drawn from the hunters who completed the survey. Dwight Replogle from Delton received a long gun from Michigan Involvement Committee Prsident Bob Taylor. Larry Donajkowski from Alpena received a crossbow from Rich DeLisle of the Southeast Bowhunters Chapter of SCI.

Deb Begalle and Scott Whitcomb of Forestry talked about the implementation of Public Act 288, which requires the department to create a comprehensive inventory of forest roads across all state-managed public lands. The department has undertaken a significant public process to meet the requirements of the law, mapping over 7,600 miles of forest roads in the northern Lower Peninsula – the first area mapped, to be followed by a thorough mapping of Upper Peninsula forest roads next year. The department held public meetings and received more than 1,000 comments from the public. A proposal will be before the NRC for information in October. A decision is expected by the director in December.

4 of 12 Director Creagh reminded the commission that public comment is currently open regarding the Army Corps’ Tentatively Selected Plan for Brandon Road Lock and Dam. He urged all those who have an interest in the Great Lakes to advocate for the right measures at Brandon Road to protect the Great Lakes.

September Legislative Update – Anna Mooney, Legislative & Legal Affairs Office

HB 4781-4783 – Electric Bicycles – Rep. Hughes These bills seek to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, the Michigan Vehicle Code and the Insurance Code by defining an electric bicycle (e-bike) and provide regulations on where it can be used. The use of e- bikes on certain trails would be allowed unless the local unit or governing authority adopted a resolution or order to prohibit the use. • These bills were reported from the House Committee on Tourism and Outdoor Recreation and are awaiting a vote on the House floor. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 4884 – Prohibits Net Pens within the Great Lakes– Rep. Howell This bill seeks to amend the Michigan Aquaculture Development Act to ban commercial aquaculture facilities in the Great Lakes waters, connecting waters of the Great Lakes and all waters hydrologically connected to the Great Lakes. • This bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

SB 551—MNRTF Recommendations—Sen. Hildenbrand This bill seeks to amend Part 19 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to clarify how the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Board will determine the amount of money to be made available each year for funding of projects. The group that would make this recommendation to the Board would be comprised of the Governor, State Treasurer, Senate Majority Leader, Speaker of the House of Representatives or their designees and a member of the Board. • This bill was reported from the Senate Committee on Appropriations. • The Administration supports this legislation.

SB 552—ORV Permit Sunset Extension—Sen. Hansen This bill seeks to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to extend the sunset on the off-road vehicle (ORV) license and trail permit fee to the year 2024. Current trail permit fee of $10 and license fee of $26.25 were enacted in 2013 and are set to expire on April 1, 2019. • This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

SB 553-565—Historical Marker Program—Sen. Schmidt, Hansen and Green These bills seek to amend various acts to make several technical changes to address the name change to the Michigan History Center and allow for funds to be properly expended on the Historical Markers Program. • The bills were referred to the Senate Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

Division Updates

Law Enforcement Division (LED): Lt. Pete Wright, District 1 Law Supervisor A frequent question LED gets is, “Can I attach an aftermarket product to my quad which would allow me to transport a passenger?” The short answer is no. State law states in 324.81133(s) the following: An individual shall not operate an ORV while transporting any passenger in or upon an ORV unless the manufacturing standards for the vehicle make provisions for transporting passengers.

5 of 12 The following is a sampling of a few of the incidents officers have been a part of recently: . CO Ethen Mapes (Ontonagon County) and CO Nathan Sink (Gogebic County) assisted park rangers in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in a search for an 18 year old female who had gotten separated from her group while hiking. The COs hiked into the Big Carp River in an attempt to locate the lost subject. The subject was found by Park staff in the early hours of the morning in good health and she was reunited with her group. . CO Brian Lasanen (Ontonagon County) was called to assist with a search and rescue of a missing family in the Porcupine Mountains State Park. The group was made up of 4 adults and 7 kids ranging in ages from 3 to 16 years old. The family got separated and the kids went one way and the parents went the other way at an intersection in the trails. CO Lasanen along with Park Rangers, Sheriff’s Deputies and the Michigan State Police started to search at 1 a.m. The missing kids were located at about 4 a.m. The kids realized they were lost and wisely stopped and waited until someone came along. All the kids were ok - just cold, hungry, and little scared. . CO David Miller (Baraga County) received a complaint from the Baraga office that a disabled individual was in need of assistance with a stinky situation. The individual had a skunk that had gotten in a garbage can in his garage and was stuck. CO Miller went to the house, dragged the can outside and around the corner, tipped over the can, and the skunk ran right back into the garage. Next, CO Miller grabbed the skunk with the catch pole, took him outside were the skunk managed to slip the noose and again ran right back into the garage. CO Miller then went home, picked up live trap, set the trap and caught the skunk the next morning. . CO Shannon Kritz (Iron County) was on marine patrol when she observed a subject fishing from a dock. Contact was made with the angler who stated he had not caught any fish. When asked for a fishing license, the subject stated he did not have one as the store he tried to purchase one from stated he needed a Michigan ID. CO Kritz asked how long ago he moved to Michigan. The subject stated he has been living in Michigan for a year. Enforcement action was taken. . COs Jared Ferguson (Dickinson County) and Brian Bacon (Dickinson County) taught Hunters Safety at Kingsford Area Schools. The kids were highly involved and had very good questions and participation. . CO Brian Lasanen (Ontonagon County) was working a general ORV patrol and observed an ORV rider not wearing a helmet on his ORV. CO Lasanen conducted a stop of the ORV and began to advise the subject of the reason for the stop. The operator interrupted and stated, “Just take me to jail for DUI.” The subject refused to do any field sobriety tests and to take a preliminary breath test. CO Lasanen asked the subject if he would operate a car in his current condition and he stated, “No way, I am too drunk.” The subject was arrested for operating an ORV while intoxicated and for operating on a suspended license. The subject was lodged in the Houghton County Jail where he agreed to a breath test and was found to be 3 times over the legal limit. . COs Mark Leadman (Marquette County) and Brett DeLonge (Marquette County) received information about a subject that had been fishing in Craig Lake State Park. The subject had been observed possessing live bait on Craig Lake where all bait is prohibited. The subject also had managed to get an aluminum boat in to the lake with a gas motor attached. All motors are strictly prohibited at the walk in lake. Information was obtained that the subject had been camping at and had just left the campsite. Knowing the subject lived in Lower Michigan, COs Leadman and DeLonge set up surveillance on US-41 in Marquette watching for the suspect’s vehicle to pass. After only 10 minutes, the boat was spotted. A traffic stop was made on the vehicle and a full confession was obtained by the subject. Enforcement action was taken.

Fisheries Division: George Madison, Western Lake Superior Management Unit The following are the western Upper Peninsula fisheries division highlights for the period of July 20-September 19, 2017:

Escanaba Field Office (Darren Kramer) . Worked with developing new Upper Peninsula brook trout 10-fish possession limit proposal. . Various meetings; lake associations, citizen proposals, sport groups, DNR, USGS. . Assisted with UP Fair Pocket Park staffing and bluegill pond maintenance. . Participated with DEQ’s Lower Menominee River Area of Concern removal of two beneficial use impairments (dredging and benthos). . Completed the fall fish community assessment on the bays de Noc and central Green Bay with Marquette Fisheries Research Station staff. . Completed stream electrofishing surveys and lake limnology sampling. . Attended MSU Extension’s Natural Shoreline Training in Watersmeet, MI.

6 of 12 . Participated in an internal forest certification audit of Forest Resources Division in Iron and Dickinson counties. . Partnered with Trout Unlimited and USFS to install brush bundles in Cooks Run, Iron County. Should be a multiyear effort. . Worked on finalizing the Fish Passage Operations Manual for the Menominee Dam sturgeon lift facility . Gave tours of the Menominee Dam sturgeon lift facility to multiple dignitaries and representatives from various local, state and regional agencies. . Gave a presentation to the Eastern Dickinson County Sportsmen’s Club in Felch about Fish Division Management efforts for Dickinson County from 2015-2017. . Conducted site evaluation on Pine Creek (Dickinson County) for a potential habitat project in which Fish Division would partner with TU and local schools. . PIT tagged juvenile lake sturgeon in the Cedar River and Whitefish River streamside rearing facilities. . Attended the Lake Michigan Basin Team meeting at Thompson State Fish Hatchery

Baraga Customer Service Center (George Madison) . Worked with developing new Upper Peninsula brook trout 10-fish possession limit proposal. . Various meetings; lake associations, citizen proposals, sport groups, DNR, USGS. . Finalized details for purchasing Rocking Chair Falls in Marquette County. . Held two freshwater mussel training workshops; one in the UP and one in the LP. . Assisted with UP Fair Pocket Park staffing. . Worked with GLIFWC and LVD tribe to finalize the Lac Vieux Desert flowage cooperative walleye rehabilitation plan. . Attended mining review training with DEQ.

Parks & Recreation Division: Doug Rich, WUP District Supervisor State Park/Recreation Area/Scenic Site/Forest Rec Units . : Consistent rain has kept campsites wet and camping numbers are on par with 2016 numbers as are mini cabin nights. Tepee rentals are up about 8% over 2016. Day use numbers are up slightly. Many events, from kayaking to 4th of July and Christmas in July, Friday Night Guest Speakers and campground host/explorer guide programs have helped keep attendance numbers from dipping down during rainy times. Forest recreation facilities have had average use compared to prior years. ORV use has been high this season at both Baraga Plains ORV trailhead and at Baraga State Park’s ORV staging area and campground. The crew finished painting all park buildings. . : Campground attendance was up or about equal to 2016 attendance every week in July and August. A lot has been happening in with infrastructure projects. A purchase order came through for 1000 yards of road gravel. A contractor has been selected to tear off and reroof the headquarters building. The purchase order is being amended to include the booth roof and the beach house ridge cap roof projects. On August 22nd, we had a partner event with Aspirus Iron River Hospital in our picnic shelter building. The “Total Woman in the Outdoors” event brought over 225 women to the park. Aspirus event staff was very pleased with the facilities. . Scenic Site: A couple use permit weddings were held and revenue/use has been strong despite the rainy weather. . Craig Lake State Park: Backcountry camping nights has seen a decrease of 27 nights YTD; rustic cabin nights are down by 2 nights YTD; yurt nights currently have a decrease of 11 nights YTD, compared to this time in FY 2016. Beaufort State Forest Campground has an increase of 88 camp nights. The Lake Superior Watershed Partnership group completed approximately 200' boardwalk on the NCT that traverses through Craig Lake State Park. . Escanaba Field Office: State forest campground camping was slow in the early months, but camping in the month of August has begun making up the difference. FY 16 saw 1052 camping nights in July and August, while 1107 camping nights have been paid for in July and August of FY17. . Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: The campground has been very busy this year. To date we have had 11,795 camps this year vs 11,213 camps at this date last year for an increase of 5%. Our temperatures have been cool and a few leaves are changing color. The summer youth crew did a lot of trail work, grass cutting and scraped and painted on long side of the east barracks. This work would not have been done by the park staff. . : This campground has been saturated all season with 40 campsites being closed due to wet conditions for the month of July. Despite this fact, the camping numbers are up substantially compared to last season. 4 citations have been written for possession of ash firewood.

7 of 12 . McLain State Park: July- camp nights 2245, shelters 20, mini cabin nights 172, rustic cabin nights 25, camping turnaways due to being full 22. Day use numbers-25,207. Rainy weather, had to repair a water line break, campground had to shut down bathroom building a couple times to repair. August- camp nights 2,339, shelters 15, mini cabin nights 172, rustic cabin nights 27, camping turnaways due to being full 33. Rainy weather, cooler than normal. Day use visitors-18,467. . Menominee State Recreation Area: Piers Gorge-attendance has been strong all season. The parking lot is often full, resulting in people parking elsewhere. . Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: Approximately 46,000 visitors went through the visitors’ center during this time period. 2 nuisance bears (250lbs. and 80lbs.) were trapped and removed from the Union Bay Campground area. Trail clearing/ice storm damage cleanup is still ongoing. 10 search and rescues/medical extractions have taken place through these two months. The 13th annual music festival was well attended despite the wet weather (1200 attendees). . Twin Lakes State Park: Camping has been good over the last 2 months, up by over 100 camps for the month of July. Day-use has been busy considering the weather we have had over the last 2 months. The 4th of July picnic was again a great success with a boat parade, bike parade and prizes for the kids. This year's campground hosts have actively been engaging the families by putting on programs and games during the weekends. They have been here for the months of July and August. We have received many compliments since their arrival, and they have been a wonderful addition to the park. . Van Riper State Park: Camping is down by 95 camp nights compared to this time of year in FY16. Overnight lodging nights have increased by 14 nights YTD compared to FY16. Little Presque Isle/Harlow Lake cabins located in Marquette have had an increase of 84 nights YTD compared to FYTD16 and day use is up around 25%. Our ranger reports that of all parking lots have been full including the overflow lot and still numerous cars parking along Co Rd 550. . Wells State Park: Camping is down for July-Aug from last year by 9% lodge is down 7%. We are up 9% on cabin rentals and up 7% on shelter reservations. The number of campsites due to closures was a contributing factor to the decrease in camping. We had a total of 653 sites closed for the two months from excessive rain and flooding.

Boating Reports (BAS = Boating Access Sites) . Baraga Field Office: Worked on McLain’s waterline. The Union Spring Dam removal project at Porcupine Mountains was completed. Staff assisted with the Indian Lake ramp project, graded the Hancock-Calumet trail and dredged over 500 yards of material at the Big Iron Boating Access Site. Some skid pier refurbishment was done and refurbished piers were installed at Lake Gogebic SP, Schweitzer Creek and Ruth Lake BAS, along with two being sent to Escanaba field office. . Bewabic State Park: Escanaba field office replaced a cracked vault at Norway Reservoir BAS. They also did some road work at our Faithorn cemetery BAS. Materials have been purchased to reroof two vault toilets. . Cedar River State Harbor: BAS site at Menominee Railroad dock partnership with the city of Menominee implemented improvements to the site. A bike/pedestrian walkway was added from the parking lot to the sidewalk downtown. . Copper Harbor State Harbor: MSU held a boat wash/invasive species demonstration at four of our boating sites and harbors this July. . Craig Lake State Park: The Baraga Construction Crew placed a new skid pier at Ruth Lake BAS. . Escanaba Field Office: Unit staff, with the assistance of Baraga field office replaced the failing ramp at Indian Lake in Iron County. FRD Graded Ford River BAS in Mid-August, eliminating complaints. Staff removed and replaced the vault toilet at Norway Reservoir and is prepared for the replacement of Stanley Lake. . Van Riper State Park: The skid pier was replaced at the Schweitzer Basin BAS.

Other Issues, Challenges or Items of Note . Baraga State Park: Having a difficult time hiring employees. We have tried multiple methods of recruitment and no applications are being received. We currently have 5 vacant state worker positions between the park, Bond Falls and Baraga field office. . Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: We had a young bear in the park and the Baraga wildlife tech trapped him and took him to a less populated area. The park store has been doing real well. There are many requests for the Lighthouse Tours, but no vendor has been found.

8 of 12 . Twin Lakes State Park: Difficult to find enough employees to fill our positions; we are too far away from any population centers and most employees must drive at least 25 miles per day. . Van Riper State Park: Staff have had a very difficult time securing effective state workers. Healthy Kidz, Inc. spearheaded by Mr. Bruce Ross spent a week in Marquette County building boardwalks at Little Presque Isle and planting trees at Van Riper State Park. This was a first trip to the UP for these Detroit natives, as well as a first for swimming in Lake Superior and kayaking on Lake Michigamme. This proved to be an amazing partnership by providing these young men an opportunity to see what working at a Michigan State Park is all about. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIDNR/bulletins/1b1b2f7. MRS crews concluded in early August. What an amazing group of workers, they cleaned in the campground, did miles and miles of trail clearing, stacked over 40 cord of firewood, and worked on Tyoga pathway doing bridge replacement.

Multi-Use Trails . South Branch Ontonagon Bridge is nearly complete and final walkthrough is scheduled in early September. The project has gone ahead of schedule and is a vast improvement to old structure. . Ontonagon to Rockland trail has been pulverized and graded. MI-TRALE is currently working with North Country Snowmobile club to sign the 13 miles. In addition MI-TRALE is working on the replacement of a deep culvert that has failed near Rockland. Design and project administration is being conducted by OHM advisors. Official opening will take place after culvert concerns have been addressed. . Baraga-Arnheim culvert replacement will begin soon. DNR is also working with OHM engineering to develop emergency stabilization to the large trestle on this grade over the Little Carp River. High water flows this spring into summer accelerated the north bank erosion. . Menominee River Bridge has been an acquired from the snowmobile club and is now in state ownership. Funding for repairs and deck replacement is hopeful for 2018 and will be joint funded by WI and MI. . Several culverts, ditching and trail sign installation has and is occurring on the Chassell-Houghton trail. This non- motorized summer trail is open to snowmobile traffic in winter. . Remediation from a culvert washout of a tributary of Hammel Creek in Lake Linden has been completed. . Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: In July, a triathlon was held sponsored by Aspirus hospital with 230 participants. We had a smaller bike event in July and on the Labor Day weekend will be the Bell's Brewery challenge with 600 mountain bikes expected. They will use some of our trails and some will camp in the group area. . Twin Lakes State Park: ORV traffic has been on a steady increase over the last year or two, and with this increase we are seeing more pot holes and rutting of the trails. This year’s trail work on the Bill Nicholls #3 was greatly needed and will need to continue with the amount of traffic we are getting. These types of projects greatly effect trail riders, and give our riding customers a firsthand account of where there trail permit money is being used. . Van Riper State Park: Tyoga Pathway bridge replacement and trail clearing. LPI bridge replacements. . Wells State Park: A trail assessment was done on the Cedar River North SFCG trail with UP trail specialist. ORV Trails . MI-TRALE has completed all signing updates on the Land-O-Lakes Trail and the trail now connects the Sidnaw to Bergland trail to the State of Wisconsin. This additional connections provide signed access for users to reach Bond Falls from both the IM and SB trails. . Many culverts have been replaced and both sponsors and clubs are continuing to permit and replace others. Beaver remain a problem that is magnified with continual rains. . Nearly 60 miles of trail have been graded by combined sponsor contract, DNR Park, and DNR Forestry staff. . Baraga State Park: ORV use has been high this season at Baraga Plains ORV trailhead and on local trails. . Bewabic State Park: A new ORV trail head located on the south end of Norway Truck Trail has been added to Bewabic Units sites to maintain. New signage has been placed and trash removed from the trailhead. . Twin Lakes State Park: Customers are becoming more and more ORV-based, with a large number of these riders using our park for a base camp and riding throughout the surrounding area, the MI-TRALE ORV Club is a major reason for this increase and should be commended for their work. . Wells State Park: ORV forest island trail assessment with trail specialist and DEQ and FRD done for improvements and boardwalk. . Copper Harbor State Harbor: Copper Harbor trails are quite busy despite all of the rain and mud. . Escanaba Field Office: Staff assisted trails worker with the placement of signage at the Days River ORV Route.

9 of 12 . Lake Gogebic State Park: A Land Use Order of the Director (LUOD) for access and egress to and from the park has been submitted, and will be incorporated into the bigger trail LUOD reorganization for fall/winter NRC consideration. Staff is also working with MI-TRALE to find the best access routes from lands unto park property.

Snowmobile Trails . Several club bridge and culvert projects are ongoing. . Some clubs have begun the brushing and signing in preparation of the upcoming season. . Twin Lakes State Park: We stay in contact with the local snowmobile club (Superior Snowmobile Club) throughout the summer, updating them on new developments, or trail work done by the ORV club.

Equestrian Trails . Workshop is scheduled for October 7th in Marquette. . Twin Lakes State Park: The MI-TRALE Equestrian group was able to get a little riding done at the Pike Lake area, but logging in the area (to clean up damaged tree's from last year’s wind event) cut their usage of the area short. Hopefully progress can be made this fall and they can discover the riding opportunities of that area. . Van Riper State Park: Supervisor Barry and other DNR personnel met with concerned citizens regarding the approved Thunder Valley Equestrian trail proposal.

Pathways . Van Riper State Park: Logging is being performed at Blueberry Ridge Pathway. . Escanaba Field Office: Staff worked with trails staff on mapping the Days River Pathway, and planning for improvements to the Days River Pathway. Office staff worked with Lansing staff as well as trails staff to prepare to get some volunteers out to the Days River to work on some trail improvement projects, many volunteers from the public have come forward.

Trespass and Acquisition Report . Van Riper State Park: Received 40 acres in Northern Marquette County that encompasses Rocking Chair Falls, a remote waterfall near Silver Lake Basin, and will now allow public access. This was purchased using Dead River Mitigation Funds. . Twin Lakes State Park: No new action has taken place on the acquisition for property on the south side of the park; it may be on the 2018 review list.

Planning Report . Bewabic State Park: ADA shower project for B building (toilet/shower building) attracted one contractor to bid. The bid came in at double the cost the Department was willing to allocate for the project. Contractor is scheduled to roof three buildings in middle of September. Delivery of 1000 yards of gravel is also scheduled for middle of September. Materials list and scope of work is being completed for a shower stall removal and replacement project for a shower stall that is cracked and no longer usable in B Building. B building has only two of four showers stalls operational. . Craig Lake State Park: Over 1,000 ton of 22A road gravel was delivered for the road and the culvert replacement project that has been scheduled for October 2, 2017. . Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: History division finished the Fort Hospital Ward room and it is a nice upgrade for the Fort Wilkins displays. We have been using the District Mini excavator and have installed 75 replacement stockade poles. Work is started on replacing the rotten logs at the married housing cabin. Also new siding at the East Mess Hall . Van Riper State Park: At 50% review of drawings and specifications for the Van Riper Water Treatment and Supply Upgrades Project. An anticipated spring 2018 project may shut water down at Van Riper State Park through Memorial Day Weekend.

10 of 12 Forest Resources Division: Don Mankee, WUP District Supervisor . The 2019 Year of Entry (YOE) inventory is underway,. Open house and compartment review schedules will be posted online, along with other state forest inventory information at: www.michigan.gov/forestry. Upcoming Open houses include Gwinn on September 19th and Crystal Falls on September 20th.

. Aerial survey of the western UP was completed mid- July. Spruce budworm populations continue to build and collapse locally across the UP. General impressions are that the population maintained levels very similar to last year. This will be an extended outbreak that will continue to fluctuate annually with a general tendency to increase over the coming years. Older spruce and fir are at highest risk of top kill and mortality and should be considered for harvest in advance of this building population wherever practically accessible. For more information on this and other forest pests go to www.michigan.gov/foresthealth.

. There were no changes to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) quarantine in the western UP this year. The current quarantine map is attached. More information on the EAB Quarantine can be found at www.michigan.gov/eab.

. The division is continuing to work with the USFS on the Good Neighbor Authority GNA. This year the GNA program in the Western U.P. is growing as DNR foresters are currently preparing about 800 acres. As it did last year, GNA sale prep efforts on the Ottawa National Forest focus primarily on managing red pine in 2017. For 2018, we expect to prepare just over 1,000 acres of timber for sale under GNA. This will again be largely managing red pine, with some additional aspen stands in the mix.

. As of August 26th, 357 timber sale contracts are open WUP Wide. This represents 670,297 cords of timber on 40,134 acres, valued at approximately $36.3 million.

. WUP units report 30 active timber sales in the west UP totaling about 2699 acres. Units report wet conditions have hampered timber sale operation through the summer.

. Fall forest cultivation work is gearing up in the west UP. Approximately 500 acres will be trenched for planting in 2018.

. Over the summer WUP units completed several Road and bridge projects that have been pending for many years. - Camp 4 Road Improvements - Goodman Creek Box Culvert Project - Pemene Creek Bridge replacement project

. The Crystal Falls unit has prepared over 1,100 acres of salvage over the summer due to severe storm.

. The Baraga, Gwinn, and Crystal Falls management units will be the subject of our annual Forest Certification audits the week of October 23.

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Wildlife Division: Terry Minzey, Wildlife Supervisor . Bats: MI DNR secured grant funding to replace and installed gates to a mine on state land. The mine is important for bat survival in MI as it has shown higher bat survival over other white-nose syndrome infected sites in MI.

. Deer Habitat: MI DNR and Weyerhaeuser hosted a field visit/ workshop on forest scarification to promote hemlock regeneration on September 31st. Representatives from industrial timber companies, U.S. forest Service, BIA, USDA, consulting foresters, and MI DNR attended the workshop. The group had great discussion, ideas, and learned a lot to improve deer wintering habitat in the UP.

. Furbearers: The 2017 Furbearer Forum was held September 13th in St. Ignace. The meeting was attended by Furbearer Forum members, constituents from some of the represented groups, non-affiliated individuals, DNR representatives, as well as, members of the public. Preliminary DNR recommendations for the 2018 seasons were discussed.

. Hunting Seasons: Early goose season and teal season started September 1st. Black bear season started September 10th. Grouse season started September 15th. Rabbit/ hare/ squirrel season September 15th.

If you haven’t already, get out and enjoy the fall!!

Public Information Office: John Pepin, Deputy Public Information Officer The new season of “Ask the DNR,” with DNR staffers answering viewer questions live on the air, began this month (Sept. 14) on WNMU-TV13, with additional broadcasts scheduled for November, December, April and May.

We are currently developing two “Media Meet” panel discussion programs to air on WNMU-TV13 and Public Radio 90 this fall. The first panel is a biologists’ roundtable with information on moose, cougars, wolves, bats, grouse and deer. The program, which will include DNR biologists from Marquette, Baraga and Crystal Falls is scheduled to air at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 30 and at 2:30 p.m. Oct. 1 on WNMU-TV13 and 7:30 a.m. Oct. 1 and 3:30 p.m. Oct. 2 on Public Radio 90.

The second panel is an update of a program done two years ago when the “Keep the U.P. CWD Free” campaign was launched. This CWD panel will talk about the latest developments, the work of the U.P. CWD Task Force, the Lansing CWD symposium and the upcoming hunting seasons. Panelists will include DNR staff from the wildlife, executive and law enforcement divisions and the Michigan Natural Resources Commission. This program is scheduled to be broadcast on WNMU-TV13 at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28 and 2:30 p.m. Oct. 29 and on Public Radio 90 at 7:30 a.m. Oct. 29 and 3:30 p.m. Oct. 30.

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