Eastern Upper Peninsula Citizen Advisory Council DNR Division Reports Date of Production: December 2020 This documentation is provided by Michigan DNR staff as supplemental information to the Eastern UPCAC members.

DNR Public Meetings For virtual or conference call meeting information, please go to the DNR website at: www.michigan.gov/DNRMeetings and click on the appropriate meeting and/or agenda for instructions. December 3 Snowmobile Advisory Workgroup, 10am (virtual) (contact TBD) December 10 Natural Resources Commission Meeting (virtual) (call 517-284-6237 to attend) December 16 Eastern UP Citizens’ Advisory Council Meeting (virtual) (call 906-226-1331 to attend) January 7 Western UP Citizens’ Advisory Council Meeting (virtual) (call 906-226-1331 to attend) January 14 Natural Resources Commission Meeting (virtual) (call 517-284-6237 to attend) January 21 2021 Aquatic Resources Meeting, 10am (Location TBD) (call 906-353-6651 to attend) February 11 Natural Resources Commission Meeting (virtual) (call 517-284-6237 to attend)

Recent DNR Press Releases For full details, go to: http://www.michigan.gov/dnrpressroom ▪ Showcasing the DNR: Coming Home (12/3/20) ▪ December hunting and trapping opportunities (12/3/20) ▪ Natural Resources Trust Fund Board recommends $37.8 million to boost outdoor recreation (12/3/20) ▪ New Clean Boats, Clean Waters grant available for outreach activities (12/2/20) ▪ State park volunteer opportunities, Happy Little Virtual 5K (12/2/20) ▪ Time to check trees for hemlock woolly adelgid (12/1/20) ▪ Winter Zoom scenes, ruffed grouse and woodcock seasons and #ADA30 (11/30/20) ▪ Showcasing the DNR: Thanksgiving turkey recipes, tips from the DNR (11/25/20) ▪ DNR approves nearly $2 million in Recreation Passport grants 11/24/20) ▪ DNR recommends $5.4 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants (11/24/20) ▪ December public meetings, plus commission/council vacancies (11/24/20) ▪ Turkey on the table, #OptOutside, forest-inspired crafts (11/23/20) ▪ Showcasing the DNR: The art and magic of being there (11/19/20) ▪ Days River Pathway in Delta County to remain closed temporarily during logging operations (11/17/20) ▪ DNR reports licensing system is online; hunters must carry licenses when afield (11/16/20) ▪ Bovine TB samples, new heritage trail, oak wilt pruning info (11/16/20) ▪ MDARD urges continued vigilance after dead spotted lanternfly cases identified in Michigan (11/16/20)

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Grant Contacts For 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]

December UP Field Deputy Update – Stacy Haughey

Dec. 3, 2020 Contact: Jon Mayes, 517-284-5954 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund board recommends $37.8 million to boost outdoor recreation The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board recommended Wednesday to the Michigan Legislature that 76 recreation development projects and land acquisitions totaling $37,789,600 be funded in 2021. The board this year considered a total of 136 applications seeking over $60 million in funding. In a competitive process, all eligible applications were evaluated based on scoring criteria approved by the Trust Fund board. “Easy access to the beauty of Michigan’s natural places and open spaces during a challenging, uncertain year has been a source of comfort and connection for residents across our state, and the Trust Fund is a major part of making those opportunities available,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Whether you’re enjoying a trail or park close to home or exploring the deep forest, outdoor recreation resources like these are big contributors to each community’s quality of life and unique appeal.” The Trust Fund board recommends funding to both state and local agencies for development projects and land acquisitions that will further access to public outdoor recreation. This year, the board recommended $27,289,600 for acquisition grants and $10,500,000 for development grants. There were 26 acquisition grants awarded to local units of government for a total of $20,805,400, while four acquisition grants went to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for projects totaling $6,484,200. The Trust Fund board also recommended a total of $9,300,000 in 42 development grants be awarded to local units of government while four DNR projects garnered a total of $1,200,000. “This year’s grant recommendations represent a broad range of land acquisition and outdoor development projects that will make a real difference,” said DNR Director Dan Eichinger. “With the results of Proposal 1 this fall, it’s clear that Michigan’s residents support this program and its continued investment in projects that speak to the recreational needs of communities across our state.” The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund is a restricted fund that was established in 1976 to provide funding for public acquisition of lands for resource protection and outdoor recreation, as well as for public outdoor recreation development projects. It is funded through interest and earnings on funds derived from the revenues of state-owned oil, gas and minerals. Over the past 44 years, the Trust Fund has granted more than $1.2 billion to state and local units of government to develop and improve recreation opportunities in Michigan. “Under the challenges of gathering with friends and family this year, outdoor spaces and public recreation played a major component in people’s lives,” said Trust Fund board chair Bill Rustem. “This program’s ability to continue to acquire and develop parks and green spaces is more important now than ever to ensure that every Michigander has access to the state’s natural resources.” The Trust Fund board's recommendations will go to the Michigan Legislature for review as part of the appropriations process. Upon approval, the Legislature forwards a bill to the governor for her signature. A list of the final recommendations made by the Trust Fund board is available at Michigan.gov/MNRTF. A list of the recommendations for UP communities, see below.

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2020 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Recommendations (Anticipated approval in early 2021)

2020 Development Project Upper Peninsula Recommendations Project County Applicant Project Title Grant Award

Houghton DNR - Wildlife Sturgeon River Sloughs Bridge Development Initiative $300,000 Division

Gogebic City of Ironwood Norrie Park Renovation and Montreal River Water Trail $111,300

Mackinac Portage Township Portage Creek Fishing Access $50,000

Mackinac Portage Township Shoepac Creek Fishing Access $50,000

Marquette City of Negaunee Jackson Mine Park Playground Development $125,700

Marquette City of Marquette Mattson Lower Harbor Park - Inclusive Playground $300,000

Marquette DNR - Parks and Little Presque Isle Trail Development and Renovation $300,000 Recreation Division

2020 Acquisition Project Upper Peninsula Recommendations Project County Applicant Project Title Grant Award

Chippewa Whitefish Township Expansion of Saturn Memorial Township Park $185,000

Delta DNR - Forest Lake Michigan Dune & Swale Complex $2,600,000 Resources Division

Dickinson Waucedah Township Sturgeon River Scenic Park Acquisition Project $2,129,000

Gogebic Gogebic County Gogebic County Forest Expansion $3,182,200

Ontonagon Ontonagon Township Ontonagon Township Lake Superior Sandy Beach $100,000 Acquisition

Dec. 9, 2020 Contact: Mariah Leuschen-Lonergan (Forest Service), (406) 548-1174 or Paul Gaberdiel (DNR), (906) 293-5131, Ext. 4045 New $1 million Doty Bridge project on Coalwood Grade completed in Alger County, connecting communities and miles of multi-use trails The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Hiawatha National Forest and Michigan Department of Natural Resources, with help from the Michigan Department of Transportation, officially reopened the Coalwood Grade (Trail No. 8) Friday, Dec. 4, 2020 with the new Doty Bridge in place. The new 130-foot bridge over the North Branch of Stutts Creek replaces a temporary bridge in place since 2000 over a former railroad trestle. The grade is known as a major destination point, experiencing up to 2,000 visitors on a typical winter weekend. The completion of the bridge marks the largest project that the Hiawatha National Forest and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have worked on together.

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“It is extremely satisfying to see the new Doty Bridge installed. It could not have been done without funding from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources,” said Greg Gardner, Hiawatha National Forest engineer. “They were champions for this project. I’m proud that the Forest Service was involved in such a rewarding effort, that will benefit so many users.” Michigan Department of Natural Resources staffers started seeking funding in 2015 when Paul Gaberdiel, DNR eastern Upper Peninsula trails specialist, came on board. The $1 million in Recreation Trail Project funding required for the project was derived from federal gas-tax revenue. “The bridge serves as a major link for snowmobile and off-road vehicle trails between many communities, providing a huge economic impact. This trail and bridge not only benefit the area communities, but the trail users needing access to amenities; including food, gas, lodging and repair facilities,” Gaberdiel said. The federal-state-private party collaboration made sense. “This project is a great example of how multiple agencies and private companies can collaborate successfully on a project. The focus was on public service and everyone involved came together for a common outcome. We are optimistic about the future of this interagency collaboration,” said Cid Morgan, Hiawatha National Forest Supervisor. The Snowmobile and ORV Association of Alger County (SORVA) maintains ORV Trail C and Snowmobile Trail No. 8 year-round and during winter using two grooming machines on the trail 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. “The association fully supports the new bridge and we are thrilled it’s installed and ready for the 2020-2021 snow season,” according to Board President Keith Churill. Users can learn more about Alger SORVA and see trail reports online at: www.algersorva.com/. For information on the Hiawatha National Forest visit www.fs.usda.gov/hiawatha. Information on Michigan DNR is located at: www.Michigan.gov/DNR. The trail accommodates snowmobile, OHV, hiking and biking multiple uses.

Western UPCAC Update

The WUPCAC Meeting was held on November 10th virtually via Zoom with 37 attendees, including Council members, staff and the public. The following agenda items were discussed: • Division Updates by DNR Staff • Follow-Up from Last Meeting (Horse Trailer Parking at Van Riper State Park, Muskie Status in the Paint River, Number of Deer Tested in UP CWD Core Area in 2019, Current Status of UP Moose Population) by various DNR staff • Wolf Delisting by John Pepin • Status of White Nose Syndrome in the UP by John DePue (this was deferred to the next meeting due to time constraints) • Bear Season Recap / Deer Season Forecast by John DePue • 2021 Deer Regulations Review & Timeline by Stacy Haughey and John DePue • Subcommittee Reports: Forestry and Trails/Rec/Law, Wildlife: The Council heard an update to its May resolution regarding snowmobile noise and funding from Ron Yesney. An official written response from the DNR is forthcoming. • The Council decided to move their January 2021 meeting from mid-January to January 7, 2021 (virtual via Zoom) prior to the NRC meeting to allow time for the submission/approval of a resolution by the Council regarding the 2021 deer regulations.

December NRC Meeting Summary – Ed Golder, Public Information Officer

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission met December 10, 2020 in an online conference format.

Committee of the Whole DNR Director Dan Eichinger announced new DNR Wildlife Division Chief Jared Duquette from Illinois. Duquette is a native Michigander from St. Charles, MI and attained his B.S. from Central Michigan Page 4 of 26

University. He has worked in several states across the U.S. and internationally, including research on deer disease prevention (TB) in northeast Michigan and Ph.D. work on the predator-prey study in the Upper Peninsula. In his most recent position with the Illinois DNR, he managed hunter R3 and public outreach initiatives and served many other duties, such as CWD management. He is very collaborative and has worked on starting new initiatives in Illinois, while getting buy-in from both internal and external stakeholders. He is also involved in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives within his agency, which further highlights his collaborative nature. His start date was Nov. 29. Since he will be on mandatory telework like everyone else except the field, he will be working from his home in Illinois while he looks for a residence to transition to Michigan over the next few months.

Director Eichinger also discussed DNR licensing system difficulties on Nov. 14, the Saturday before the opening day of the firearm deer hunting season. System performance was reported as slow that day. The amount of computing power on the system was starting to spike, causing lags and drags. The trigger for the problem was identified and a work around was put in place. The DNR worked to accommodate hunters on opening day, with hunters asked to follow-up with the department. The DNR law enforcement division reported good compliance. Subsequently, it was determined that the problem with the system was not volume based but was due to a backup of the vendor’s licensing system at the same time the license buying surge occurred in Michigan. The problem was not isolated to Michigan. The vendor also reported similar problems in other states. The DNR communicated to the vendor that this was an unacceptable situation to be avoided in the future.

Director’s action Director Eichinger said he would be approving six land transactions, which involve several Michigan counties, including Charlevoix, Kalkaska, Ontonagon, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton and Iron counties.

Commission action The NRC did not vote today on proposed Phase II deer regulations. The item will be available for action on the January 2021 meeting agenda, though commissioners said they anticipated not having a decision made until the February 2021 meeting. Amendments discussed at today’s meeting were also not voted on but will be considered in future discussions. The regulations, if approved, would be in effect for 2021.

Part of the discussion included four amendments proposed prior to today’s meeting. Here are the amendments:

Commissioner Creagh: Immediately terminate the antler point restriction study in deer management units 034, 054, and 059, if the CWD prevalence rate in the APR townships is higher than the prevalence rate in the non-APR townships.

After further discussion today, Commissioner Creagh withdrew his amendment. He then proposed a new amendment that the APR regulation would be rescinded in those same deer management units at the end of 2021 deer hunting season. The amendment will be brought forward to future NRC discussions.

Commissioner Nyberg: Retain Section 3.101a (Deer hunting in zone 1 season limit and, antler restriction) also known as “Hunter’s Choice,” and all associated references throughout the order.

Commissioner Richardson: Remove the proposed changes that would allow the use of crossbows during the late archery season in the UP.

Commissioner Richardson: During bow and arrow season in Zone 1, antlerless deer may only be taken in DMUs that allow antlerless licenses. Specifically, antlerless deer shall not be taken in DMUs 127, 066, 131, 042, 031, 007, and 048. This does not apply to any DMU within a designated core CWD surveillance area.

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In July 2020, the Natural Resources Commission approved deer regulations for the 2020 deer hunting season as part of the first package of deer regulations for the 2020-2022 deer regulations cycle. The first package of regulations (Phase I) focused on providing additional opportunities and cost savings for hunters and offered flexibility in how hunters pursue deer.

In preparation for the second package of regulations for the 2021- 2022 deer hunting seasons (Phase II), the department reviewed various regulations, including antlerless quotas and licenses, and antler point restrictions. These regulations were reviewed and developed by internal staff and discussed with partners and the public through surveys and public meetings. The department's recommendations, as explained in a DNR memorandum, are intended to simplify, and reduce confusing regulations, and remove barriers to participation in deer hunting. In addition, deer management tools and regulation recommendations that must be implemented into the retail sales system must be acted on to allow time for development and implementation by the March 2021 license year.

The proposed regulations memorandum and background on the proposed amendments are attached (forwarded to you in a separate email by Kristi).

A December legislative report is below.

The appointment terms of Commissioners Louise Klarr and Chris Tracy are ending at the end of this month. Gov. Whitmer will act on reappointments or appointing replacements.

The next meeting of the NRC is scheduled for Jan. 14, 2021. The format for this meeting will also be a virtual session.

December 2020 Legislative Updates – Craig Brunet, Legislative & Legal Affairs Office

HBs 6307 and 6308 – Prohibit Anchor Strikes in the Straits of Mackinac – Reps. Hood and Allor This legislative package provides for a requirement for maritime pilot and prohibition of anchors in Straits of Mackinac. • The bills were referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation. • The Administration has not yet taken a position on this legislation.

HB 6316 – Prohibit Antler Point Restrictions in Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Zones - Rep. Albert The bill would prohibit the DNR from having antler point restrictions (APR) in CWD zones. In addition, the DNR would be required to deposit fifty cents from each deer license and antlerless deer license in a newly created CWD testing and research subaccount with funds used to conduct research and surveillance, to create educational materials, and to enforce orders related to CWD. The DNR would also be required to sell a CWD testing tag for $5 to any individual who wishes to have their deer tested and the fee would be deposited into new account. In addition, the DNR would be required to make at least one CWD check station or drop station available during any deer hunting season in any county in a CWD area. • The bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation and one hearing has been held. • The Administration is opposed to this legislation.

HB 6321 – Exempt Certain Game Location Data from FOIA – Rep. Cherry This bill amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to allow for a disclosure exemption of public records revealing the specific location or GPS coordinates of game animals. • The bill was passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. • The Administration is in support of this legislation.

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HBs 6327 and 6328 – Provide Free Snowmobile Weekend on Snowmobile Trails – Rep. S. Johnson House Bill 6327 would require that before the start of each snow mobile season, the DNR would be required to designate one weekend in the snowmobile season during which a registration would not be required to operate a snowmobile on snowmobile trails. House Bill 6328 would require that before the start of each snow mobile season, the DNR would be required to designate one weekend in the snowmobile season during which a trail permit would not be required to operate a snowmobile on snowmobile trails. • The bills were referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation. • The Administration has not yet taken a position on this legislation.

HB 6466 – Provide for Lake Level Assessment Fee Reimbursement Under Certain Circumstances – Rep. VanSingel This bill would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA), 1994 PA 451, to specify that PILT paid by the Department of Treasury to each county for DNR-managed swamp and tax reverted lands is to be in lieu of all special assessments levied against these state lands under existing law, in addition to all other taxes. • The bill was passed by the House Committee on Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation and referred to the House Committee Ways and Means. • The Administration is in support of this legislation.

If you would like to learn more about these and other bills, you can access the Michigan Legislature website at www.legislature.mi.gov.

Division Updates

Finance & Operations: Michelle Zellar, Eastern UP We are continuing to operate under an updated DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PLAN approved by the Office of the State Employer, which continues to be primarily teleworking with a tentative date of March 1st. Another evaluation will be done in late January 2021.

Customer Service staff continue to do an excellent job ensuring constituents are getting their internal and external needs met as we are seeing an increased number of calls.

Hunter & Trapper Assistance Hours November 30th-December 4th: 10-2pm December 7th-11th (closed on the 10th): 11am to 2pm December 14-18th (closed on the 15): 11am to 2pm December 21st: 11am-2pm

December 2020 Season Dates https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/hunting_and_trapping_digest_461177_7.pdf or www.michigan.gov/DNRDigests 12/1 – Late Archery Deer season opens (12/1 through 1/1) – no crossbows in the northern UP DMUs without a disability permit 12/1 – Ruffed Grouse season re-opens (12/1 through 1/1) 12/1 – Late pheasant hunt opens (12/1 through 1/1, see digest for open areas) 12/1 – Bobcat trapping open in Upper Peninsula 12/1 – Pike & Muskie Spearing season opens (see p. 16-17) 12/4 – Muzzleloader Deer season opens in Zone 1 & 2 (through 12/13) 12/4 - Muzzleloader Deer season opens in Zone 3 (through 12/13) 12/4 - Fisher and Marten trapping open (see Fur Digest for areas)

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12/10 – Bobcat Trapping open for Units C & D (closes 12/20) 12/12 – Elk Season #2 opens (through 12/20) 12/13 – Fisher & Marten Trapping close 12/14 – Late Antlerless Firearm Deer season opens (through Jan. 1)

12/31 – Bass closes (possession); Muskie (possession) closes in St. Clair/Detroit/Boundary waters 12/31 – Last day to apply for 2021 Pure Michigan Hunt

January 2021 Season Dates https://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/hunting_and_trapping_digest_461177_7.pdf or www.michigan.gov/DNRDigests 1/1 – Can apply for Spring Turkey license 1/1 – Bobcat hunting opens 1/1 – Lake Trout & Splake open for N. Lake Huron and N. Lake Michigan – see p. 21 for limits 1/1 – Late Season Pheasant closes (Zone 3), and Ruffed Grouse season closes 1/1 – Deer Archery season closes (exception – Wayne/Oakland/Macomb close Jan. 31) 1/3 – Last day for deer checks 1/3 – 2021 Pure Michigan Hunt drawing results posted 1/31 – Raccoon hunting season closes; also see Fur Harvester Digest

Eastern UP Fisheries Division – Cory Kovacs, Lake Superior Management Unit Unit Update ▪ Cory has completed a Structured Decision Making and Adaptive Management course with Dr. Mike Jones of Michigan State University-Quantitative Fisheries Center. Course lays out procedures in decision making processes for high profile issues and topics. ▪ Cory has completed management prescriptions for the Eastern Lake Superior Management Unit. Management prescriptions detail and justify management actions such as stocking, regulation changes, and habitat projects. Management prescriptions are up for renewal on a six or ten-year rotation. Fisheries managers use survey data and angler reports when completing these prescriptions. ▪ Lake Superior Management Unit staff is finishing up the 2021 work plan and survey schedule. This is coordinated with Sault Tribe, Forest Service, National Park Service, and Bay Mills Indian Community. ▪ Members of the Lake Superior Basin Team (Managers and Research) are in the beginning stages of developing the Lake Superior Management Plan. At this time only content and public response survey has been discussed. ▪ Fisheries technicians are updating certifications like pesticide applicator and commercial driver’s licenses. They have also been staying sharp with current science by participating in many educational webinars. ▪ Retired broodstock lake trout and brook trout were stocked in inland lakes across the Upper Peninsula. Once the broodstock have surpassed their optimum production capacity or are beyond the number needed by the hatchery for this purpose, they are considered "surplus". They are then used for stocking inland waters where anglers can target them. ▪ Fisheries Division has been working with National Park Service on securing site for a boat washing station in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. A possible location is Kingston Lake. Funding the project has not yet been secured, but planning is underway by the Park Service. ▪ State Land Review. Fisheries managers completed their reviews and comments on parcels across the state. Fisheries Managers attended the online training for the State Land Review. FRD is the lead on this review and has been reconciling nonconcurrences. ▪ Field staff completed treatments at two walleye ponds in preparation for operation in 2021. These treatments eradicate any remaining species so they are empty come spring. The Newberry Field staff is responsible for work at the Moss Lake and Beer ponds which are both in line for rearing walleye in 2021. There are other Western UP walleye ponds which are operated by the Crystal Falls field staff. ▪ Field staff is currently working on data entry, aging spines and scales, and beginning equipment maintenance. Still working remotely from home with a visit to the fish shop about once a week. Page 8 of 26

▪ Staff have completed information gathering for Trout Trails. The unit has decided to include all stocked sites in Trout Trails in hopes to provide a tool for angler recruitment and retention. This will also not single out any one site in the unit for fishing pressure.

UP Hatchery Unit Updates by Jan VanAmberg at Marquette & Thompson State Fish Hatcheries Thompson State Fish Hatchery ▪ Fish Culture − Received Chinook eggs from Platte Hatchery in November. Eggs had to be eyed at Platte to allow time to install new emergency generator and electrical panels at the coldwater hatchery. − Staff is working on several procurement issues related to coolwater project- new fish pump, wet gear for staff, treatment pump for incubation, mower etc. − Compiling pond fertilization protocols for extensive walleye fingerling production in new ponds. Anticipating production in the spring of 2021. − All staff assisted in restoring hatchery driveway entrance sign. − Moving/creating workspaces to enhance social distancing in the hatchery building. ▪ Maintenance − The capital outlay project is rapidly progressing. Recent work completed includes completion of pond predator netting, roadways and pavement, perimeter fencing. Production wells have had pumps and VFD’s installed and test pumping to fill the ponds has been completed. − Renovation of doors and siding for seven stall storage building has started. Work being done in-house. − Communication fiber optic line connecting cold and cool water facility has been terminated and tested. All good. Marquette State Fish Hatchery ▪ Fish Culture − All char egg takes were completed with excellent egg quality in all lots. − Arctic Grayling future broodstock doing well in the hatchery building tanks. − Bacterial kidney disease screening completed on all brook trout pairings with very low incidence of BKD found. − Completed all assigned fall fingerling brook trout plants totaling 31,000 fish. ▪ Maintenance − Staff have been fabricating interchangeable screens for outside raceways. − Maintenance staff assisting with egg takes this fall with staff shortages in culture.

Parks & Recreation Division-Eastern UP Trails: Paul Gaberdiel-Eastern UP Trail Specialist ▪ Rail-Trail Projects − Coalwood grade, Doty Bridge has been replaced, plan to be open December 5, 2020. − Canadian National Railroad is looking to sell the Munising to Trout Lake line to a short line buyer. The department will be keeping an eye on this activity. ▪ Snowmobile Trail Updates − Grant sponsors are out working on signing and brushing the majority is done. − Trail 49, a bridge is underwater and in unusable shape, north of Kinross, likely to be closed for this season. Still working on a solution for the winter. There is no bypass for this location. − A temporary bridge will be installed by Walmart in the Sault to keep that segment of trail open for the winter. The bridge collapsed this spring and will be replaced with a box culvert next summer. − Reroute in the Raco area to create better trail connections has been approved by USFS and is open. − Shelldrake River bridge remains closed this season, the section of trail in Chippewa County, near Paradise, from the Widewaters road to the Vermillion Road. − Millecoquins River Bridge project working on a kick-off meeting to begin engineering.

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− Miners River Bridge, Current plan is not allowable because of the Conservation Agreement on Great Lakes Forest (Hancock Forest) land. An alternative paralleling H-58 has been looked at, looks like it may be a better route. The Department will begin working with Great Lakes Forest soon. − Water levels seem to be higher in key trail areas, we are hoping the weather cooperates with freezing temperatures, then snow to keep from closing some sections of trail. − New safety campaign publications, Ride Right and Ride Here. ▪ ORV Trail Updates − Extremely heavy use this year all over the UP. Many calls as to where we can ride. Lots of first-time users. − Some grant sponsors have installed the new alpha identification signs on trails and routes this year. − ORV seasonal restriction proposal has gained some interest is being reviewed at higher levels. There is an effort in the legislature to introduce a bill similar to the Land Use Order of the Director. − Segment of closed trail on Drummond Island was opened the last week of October. ▪ Equestrian Trail Projects: No updates ▪ Pathway Projects − Tahquamenon Country Pathway Association, Paradise, has reclaimed a 3.5-mile loop of hiking/X Country skiing that was abandoned years ago. − Blind Sucker Pathway boardwalk replacement was submitted to the PRD UP wide construction crew for next summer construction. ▪ Event/Use Permits: Drummond Island Jeep Jamboree 5-year permit is in process. ▪ General − Recreation use was still high this fall up till the end of October. − Teleworking at least till March. Still doing field work as needed.

Law Enforcement Division (LED): Lt. Skip Hagy, Eastern District 2 Law Supervisor Deer season was a bit different across the district this year due to COVID-19. There was a reduction in what we normally see for large tent and mobile camps, but we still saw a large amount of hunters. Below are some of the cases officers have been involved in this past fall.

DISTRICT 2 BI-WEEKLY REPORT 10-19-20 ▪ COs Robert Freeborn and Cole VanOosten were on routine patrol checking for road hunters. While traveling a county road, the COs observed a pickup truck traveling at a high rate of speed coming at them. As the pickup truck went by the COs, they observed the truck did not have a license plate on the vehicle. The COs turned around and after several miles trying to catch up to the vehicle, the COs were able to stop it. During the stop it was found that the operator had just purchased the vehicle and was heading home with it. It was also found that the driver had two uncased firearms in the truck, one of which was still loaded. A citation was issued for loaded firearm in a motor vehicle. ▪ CO Robert Freeborn was patrolling a remote two track road where one side of the road was public, and the other side was private. CO Robert Freeborn observed a pickup truck parked along the two-track on the public land side that appeared to be set up to haul pine boughs. CO Freeborn located the subject on private land cutting balsam fir boughs that are sold to make Christmas wreaths. Since CO Freeborn knew the landowner, he was immediately suspicious of the subject and asked if he had permission to be cutting here. The subject stated that he did not and did not realize he was on private property. CO Freeborn walked the subject back to his vehicle and showed him the no trespassing sign directly across from his pickup truck that he walked by. The subject admitted to seeing the sign and stated that all the balsam he was cutting was too good to be true. CO Freeborn contacted the landowner via phone and confirmed that the subject did not have permission to be there. The 11 bundles of balsam boughs were loaded into CO Freeborn’s truck and the subject was issued a citation for recreational trespass. The 11 bundles weighed 320# and was valued at $96 and were given back to the landowner. ▪ COs Andrea Dani and Mark Zitnik checked two woodcock hunters enjoying a day out with their bird dogs. The COs checked the legality of the hunters and found one of the hunters did not have a plug in his shotgun. The COs educated the hunter on how to fashion a plug and issued him a citation. ▪ CO Michael Evink was conducting an ORV patrol in the Haywire Grade area. CO Evink stopped two ORV’s that were occupied by two riders. Additionally, the two riders on one of the ORV’s were not wearing helmets. Warnings were issued for ridding double and one ticket written for no helmet on an ORV. ▪ CO Michael Evink responded along with MSP troopers from Newberry and Manistique for an overdue hunter. The hunter was supposed to return to camp for dinner but did not. The hunter told his friends that he was going to hunt the southern Page 10 of 26

edge of the Seney Wildlife Refuge. When the hunter did not return his friends called 911 and reported him missing and gave what clothing and vehicle description they could. His cell phone was pinged, and a large amount of time was spent in the area where it pinged. Unfortunately, it pinged where he last had cell service and was nowhere near him or his truck. One of the troopers on scene was able to contact the hunter’s wife and get authorization to access the vehicles navigation system. Once the navigation system was accessed the vehicles location updated and allowed an accurate location of the truck. After locating the truck an MSP K-9 unit was able to track the cold hunter and return him to safety. The hunter was supposed to return around 6:30pm for dinner. The police were called around 8 and the hunter was located just before 4:00am the following day. The search was complicated by rain and cool temperatures. ▪ CO Steve Butzin served a misdemeanor warrant to an individual in Masonville Township for shooting and killing a Blue Heron, a protected species. Later that day, CO Butzin was following up on a complaint he received earlier that week on an individual possessing a live deer at a local farm. CO Butzin went to the location and observed a three-point whitetail buck being held captive in a pen. The individual responsible was issued a citation for possessing a live game animal. The deer was successfully relocated to a remote area in the county. ▪ CO Steve Butzin received a safety zone complaint on the Escanaba River in Wells township. CO Butzin went to the location and contacted several hunters whose shot was raining down on a local park where several individuals were camping, and children were playing. One of the hunters did not have a state waterfowl license and was in possession of several ducks. The hunters also were found to have been littering into the river. Several citations were issued to the hunters. ▪ CO Steve Butzin was on patrol when a call of a missing 5-year-old special needs child was reported in the Bark River area. CO Butzin went to the location and assisted units on scene with the search. After a short while the child was located and safely returned to his family. As CO Butzin was clearing the search, a call of an individual trespassing was put out from Delta County Central Dispatch. CO Butzin went to assist the Delta County Sheriff’s Department as there was only one available officer. Further investigation found that the individual trespassing was on bond for breaking into the camp located on the property where he was trespassing just a few weeks earlier. The owner of the property, afraid of what the suspect might do this time, held the suspect at gunpoint on his property until law enforcement was able to arrive. The suspect was found to be in possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, possession of a schedule four felony narcotic, driving on a suspended license, and several other bond violations. The suspect was arrested and lodged in the Delta County Jail by the Michigan State Police. ▪ CO Chris Lynch received a complaint of a deer that was possibly illegally taken and a trespass that had occurred. CO Lynch responded to the area and documented the scene where the deer was killed and where the trespass had occurred. It was evident the deer was shot with a rifle on the property line and then the suspect drove through farm property they did not have permission to be on to recover the deer. After obtaining a search warrant to search items recovered from the scene, information was discovered leading to two subjects with knowledge of the incident from Lower Michigan. CO Michael Hass interviewed one of the subjects and CO Lynch interviewed the other. Both had corroborating statements of the incident developed a suspect from Wisconsin that was hunting under a tribal deer license. CO Lynch coordinated with two Wisconsin Conservation Wardens and Sgt. Tom Money from the Sault Tribe Law Enforcement to interview the suspect and document further evidence. A Wisconsin Conservation Warden interviewed the suspect who confessed to shooting the deer and trespassing. The truck used to trespass, the rifle used to shoot the deer and the deer meat was documented. A report will be submitted to the Delta County prosecutor for review on recreational trespass and a report will be submitted to the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe prosecutor for taking the illegal deer. The deer was illegal in this incident by a tribal member deer hunting under a valid tribal license in the 1836 treaty area on someone else’s private property, which they had permission to be on, but not following the states hunting season when they are required to in these circumstances. Michigan firearm deer season does not open until November 15. ▪ While on patrol on CFR property in Alger County, CO Andrea Dani encountered a side-by-side with two occupants wearing hunter orange. Upon observing the patrol truck, the driver stopped the side-by-side and quickly began to fidget with something between him and the passenger. CO Dani approached the side-by-side to observe an uncased shotgun. CO Dani inspected the gun and discovered it was loaded. The licensed hunter was a 15-year old and the driver was his father. The father was issued a citation for a loaded/uncased gun in an ORV, and a warning for no ORV license. ▪ CO Andrea Dani received a complaint of a pistol found on an ORV trail. CO Dani received the pistol that was secured by the finders. CO Dani ran the pistol through Alger County Dispatch and was able to locate the owner, who was carrying while on ORV on the ORV trail recently. ▪ CO Andrea Dani received a complaint of a possibly poached hawk in Grand Marais. The complainant found the bird the day before near her house with what was believed to be a small caliber rifle hole in the neck and buried it. CO Dani dug up the bird which was determined to be a ruffed grouse. CO Dani explained that the season was open for the bird and asked the owner and neighbors if they heard any shots. No one had heard any, and do not believe any safety zones were violated before the bird flew into the house.

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▪ CO Mike Olesen was patrolling Chippewa County when his patrol truck was overtaken by another vehicle. The vehicle continued to accelerate and was traveling well over the posted speed limit. CO Olesen paced the vehicle to near 100 mph in a 65-mph zone. A traffic stop was made on the individual and the driver was cited for excessive speed. ▪ CO Mike Olesen was patrolling Chippewa County when he observed an illegal ORV trail on a parcel of state land. The trail lead to an active bear bait. CO Olesen is in the process of identifying the owner of the bear bait and addressing the violation of off trail operation. ▪ CO Todd Sumbera was patrolling Drummond Island for small game hunters when he encountered a group of jeeps and side by sides, one Jeep was without a license plate. CO Sumbera conducted a traffic stop, further investigation revealed that the jeep was uninsured. CO Sumbera issued a citation for no proof of insurance. ▪ CO Justin Vinson was on his way to assist Tahquamenon State Park staff with the popular harvest festival when he observed two ORVs traveling at a high rate of speed on M-123. A traffic stop was conducted, and citations were issued for operating on a state highway. That same night Officer Vinson responded to an ORV that had caught fire on a remote trail. Having knowledge of the area CO Vinson was able to guide the local fire department into the scene to extinguish the fire. Luckily, no one was hurt, and a report was taken. ▪ CO Cole VanOosten was on wildlife patrol when he observed an ORV ahead of him driving very slowly. As CO VanOosten closed the distance, he could see that the individuals were riding double and neither of them wearing helmets. The passenger on the ORV was holding what appeared to be an uncased shotgun. A stop was conducted, and it was determined that the passenger was in possession of a loaded and uncased 410 shotgun. CO VanOosten discussed firearm safety with the individuals and the laws governing transporting firearms. A ticket was issued for transporting a loaded and uncased firearm on an ORV and warnings were given for operating an ORV without helmets and for transporting a passenger on an ORV that is not designed for such use. ▪ CO Cole VanOosten followed up on an anonymous tip of potential over limits of otters being taken out of Alger County. An investigation was conducted, and it was determined that the suspect trapper had used tags from another individual to trap additional otter for the past four years. It was determined that over the last four years the trapper had trapped eight otter over his limit and another individual had loaned him his otter tags. A report was generated and submitted to the Alger County Prosecutor for taking an over limit of otter and for borrowing the tag of another. ▪ COs Rob Freeborn and Cole VanOosten were on patrol of Mackinac county when they observed a vehicle without a license plate. A traffic stop was conducted, and it was determined that there were two uncased weapons in the vehicle. One of the weapons, a .22 mag rifle was loaded in the back seat with the safety off. A ticket was issued for transporting a loaded and uncased firearm in a motor vehicle.

DISTRICT 2 BI-WEEKLY REPORT 11-2-2020 ▪ COs Justin Vinson and Cole VanOosten interviewed a suspect involved in several hunter harassment complaints during bear season. During the interview, the suspect admitted to several illegal bait barrels, ground blinds, and tampering with a camera used in the investigation. A report has been submitted to the Luce County prosecutor’s office. ▪ CO Todd Sumbera was investigating a waterfowl hunting complaint on Munuscong Bay when he observed a camo duck boat push multiple flocks of ducks off the water. The birds flew to and between a couple of hunters set up in layout boats, shots were fired. Shortly after, the hunters began picking up the associated party in the layout boats. CO Sumbera made contact, finding a loaded shotgun in the motorboat along with an admission of rallying birds. Citations were issued for rallying waterfowl and for possessing a loaded shotgun in a motorboat while under power. ▪ COs Todd Sumbera, Mike Evink, Mike Olesen and Sgt Calvin Smith assisted the Michigan State Police with a search for a missing person in central Mackinac County. The search was very extensive covering both land and water. ▪ CO Todd Sumbera was patrolling when he came across three ORV riders all of which failed to license their ORV’s and did not have their Michigan Driver’s license in their possession. A citation was issued for fail to license ORV. ▪ CO Cole VanOosten was on patrol when a call of a personal injury (PI) accident came out nearby. CO VanOosten was first on scene and provided first aid to three adults and two children until EMS arrived. ▪ CO Mike Olesen patrolled Chippewa County in preparation for the upcoming rifle deer season. CO Olesen located multiple hunting locations and checked on locations of known violations from the previous season. Noting violations for follow up come the rifle deer season. ▪ CO Chris Lynch received multiple complaints of ORVs operating in a closed area and an illegal bear bait. COs Steve Butzin and Lynch worked the area for several days. The COs contacted one ORV operating in a closed area and a citation was issued. The COs then contacted the owner of the illegal bear bait in the same area and a citation was issued for the illegal bear bait. While interviewing the owner of the bear bait the COs discovered, his son shot a deer. The COs followed up and checked the tag on the deer. Only problem was it was dads tag on the deer and not his son’s. After further interviewing the dad and son, the dad loaned his son a tag because his son wanted to be able to keep hunting. Another citation was issued to dad for loaning a deer license and the son received a citation for using a deer license of another.

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▪ CO Andrea Dani received a complaint of hunter harassment in which a hunter’s blind and all his equipment was stolen from public land. After taking initial information from the complainant, the victim heard a vehicle stop at his driveway late at night. The next morning, the stolen equipment was returned to the owner, not the public land from which it was taken. The investigation is ongoing. ▪ While on patrol along M-28 between Christmas and Munising, COs Andrea Dani and Mark Zitnik observed a side-by-side operating along the highway. The operator was issued a citation for operating an ORV on a public highway. ▪ COs Robert Freeborn and Michael Evink spoke at the local Rotary Club during one of their regular meetings. The COs described their job details and then opened it up to a question and answer session. The club has the COs speak every year and enjoy hearing any law updates for the hunting seasons. ▪ CO Robert Freeborn and Forest Service Officer Dave Tembruell received a complaint of an illegal ORV trail several miles long that extends into a remote section of federal forest. The road was closed with posts stating no ORV traffic allowed and cameras were set up. Investigation is still on going. ▪ COs Robert Freeborn and Mikael Evink responded to a complaint of a trespass where a subject put out a ladder stand on private property. The COs documented the stand and followed the illegal ORV trail leading from the stand through the swamp to a public road. Investigation is still ongoing. ▪ COs Robert Freeborn and Mikael Evink located an individual cutting pine boughs on Commercial Forest Land. After talking with the subject, he stated he thought he had permission. The COs advised that the timber company that owns the land more than likely do not want anyone cutting. The COs documented the scene and placed a phone call to a forester from the timber company. Investigation is ongoing. ▪ COs Robert Freeborn and Todd Sumbera were on routine patrol when they observed two ORV’s traveling towards them. As the ORV’s approached the COs observed the operators were not wearing helmets. Upon stopping the ORV’s it was determined the operators also failed to attach an ORV sticker to each of the ORVs. A citation was issued for no helmet. ▪ COs Robert Freeborn and Todd Sumbera were on patrol when they observed a pickup truck stopped in the middle of a two- track. As the COs pulled alongside the truck, CO Freeborn observed the passenger take a drink of a beer. The COs got out and talked to both subjects. When the passenger was confronted about the beer, he denied having any. The passenger eventually produced the open beer he hid under his seat. A citation was issued for open intoxicants. ▪ COs Robert Freeborn and Steve Butzin were responded to a one car rollover on a remote forest service road. The COs arrived on scene along with the fire department. The driver was pinned under the steering wheel of the truck. Using the COs axe, the front windshield was cut out giving the driver more room to stretch his legs until EMS arrived. It was determined that the driver was stuck in his truck for several hours after rolling over before he was found by a motorist passing by. MSP handled the UD-10 accident report. ▪ CO Robert Freeborn was off duty at his residence when a neighbor knocked on his door advising a tree had fallen on a power line knocking the line down and starting a fire. CO Freeborn advised dispatch of the situation and blocked off the intersection where the line was down until the fire department and power company arrived on scene. ▪ CO Michael Evink assisted MSP troopers and K-9 locate a missing hunter in Schoolcraft county. ▪ CO Michael Evink assisted MSP troopers with an OWI arrest in a remote portion of state land. A complaint occurred that detailed a group of loud passengers being pulled by a side by side. The complaint was due to the loud music and voices on the trail during prime hunting hours. A trooper was able to locate the group and began dealing with the driver who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Once on scene CO Evink was able to assist by dealing with the other seven members of the group and aiding the primary trooper. One individual was arrested for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. ▪ CO Mark Zitnik received several complaints of numerous deer hanging from a tree at a residence in Melstrand. The CO responded to the complaints early the next morning and spoke with the alleged hunters about the deer. The hunters informed the CO the neighbors shot these deer and they were cutting them up for them. The CO then interviewed the neighbors. During the interview, the woman repeatedly swore on the bible that she was the one who shot the deer using a crossbow. CO Zitnik suspected the woman was not telling the truth and he reinterviewed the men at the residence with the hanging deer outside. The men immediately confessed to shooting the two does and using the neighbor’s tribal tags. The evidence was seized, and a report is being sent to the Alger County prosecutor’s office and the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe.

DISTRICT 2 BI-WEEKLY REPORT 11-16-2020 ▪ COs Robert Freeborn and Michael Evink conducted an opening day of deer season patrol. The weather was horrible, and few hunters were in the woods. Working and walking through the hardship of the day, the two dedicated COs were still issued one ticket for no hunter orange and ticket a second individual for operate an ORV without an ORV sticker. Additional warnings were given for (a little) too much bait, and no name on a blind. ▪ CO Robert Freeborn was on patrol and overheard local dispatch advise of a two-car personal injury (PI) accident on Highway US-2. CO Freeborn was the closest officer and advised dispatch that he would head that way. Due to the

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whiteout conditions, CO Freeborn observed several near wrecks while in route to the scene. CO Freeborn was first on scene and assessed each vehicle involved. It was quickly determined that one of the vehicle occupants needed immediate medical attention. CO Freeborn relieved a good Samaritan who was holding c-spine on a passenger in a pickup truck involved. CO Freeborn held c-spine for several minutes until EMS arrived and took over. MSP arrived on scene shortly Commented [ZM(1]: after EMS and handled the accident report. Commented [ZM(2R1]: ▪ CO Robert Freeborn received a report of a theft of a spin feeder on public land. The hunter had a possible suspect who lived in the area. CO Freeborn knew who the suspect was and attempted to locate him. After several attempts of failing to locate the possible suspect, the hunter called CO Freeborn and said, “the strangest thing just happened, the suspect I had told you about just returned my feeder.” The hunter was happy to have his feeder back in good working condition. ▪ CO Robert Freeborn responded to a complaint of an easement issue regarding a road that went through private property to Commercial Forest Act (CFA) land. The complainant stated that someone had blocked off the road with rocks and he was unable to access the CFA land farther down. After looking at the road, CO Freeborn was able to determine the rocks were not on the complainants portion of the road, therefore it was up to the landowner to have the rocks removed and would more than likely be a civil issue in determining the easement language for the road. ▪ COs Robert Freeborn and Mike Evink assisted wildlife division in locating a wolf in a trap. Once the COs found the wolf, they waited on scene until wildlife arrived to collar and release it. ▪ CO Robert Freeborn received a complaint of a possible safety zone violation with duck hunters. After locating the hunters, it was determined that they were well outside the zone and due to the calm morning, their voices carried across the water making them sound closer as well. ▪ CO Andrea Dani was at a gas station when she was handed a note from a nearby farmer given to the cashier the day before. CO Dani received a complaint of a dead eagle in a field. The complainant stated the eagle was acting odd the day prior to finding it dead. COs Dani and Stephen Butzin observed the animal. No external damages were found, and foul play is not suspected. The eagle was turned over to Wildlife Division for further testing and proper processing. ▪ At the beginning of her shift in Alger County, CO Andrea Dani observed a large, scattered pile of trash along a road through the Hiawatha National Forest. CO Dani found receipts indicating the name of the owner of a specific vehicle. CO Dani arrived at the suspect’s residence, where she learned the adult son of the owner of the vehicle was the driver. CO Dani contacted the driver, who stated he needed to clean out his car and did not think about it. The driver was issued a civil infraction citation for littering and given two days to clean up the mess. ▪ CO Steve Butzin was on patrol when a call of a missing 5-year-old special needs child was reported in the Bark River area. While searching with a Michigan State Police Trooper K-9 unit to locate the child, the K-9 alerted to a deceased deer on private property. CO Butzin observed that the deer was an 8-point buck and had been dead for several days. CO Butzin observed that the deer had also been shot with a large broadhead and that the shot more than likely hit both lungs. After a short while the missing child was located and returned to his family safely. CO Butzin followed up with the property owner where the 8-point buck was located to see if a hunter may need a hand locating their deer. Further investigation revealed that an out of state hunter was in the area hunting without a license and did shoot at a deer there. The individual did not attempt to track the deer as he did not locate any blood in the immediate area. The 8-point buck was located approximately 130 yards from the blind where the individual hunting with a crossbow claimed to have shot at a whitetail buck. Charges have been requested and are pending through the Delta County prosecutor’s office. ▪ CO Steve Butzin was off duty and heading out to do some bow hunting. As CO Butzin was about to his stand, he observed an individual operating an ORV cross country near his stand and without a helmet. Contact with the individual was made, the individual admitted that he knew he should not be driving where he was. The individual made the remark, “maybe I shouldn’t be saying this, I don’t know if you are the DNR”. CO Butzin issued a citation to the individual the following day for operating an ORV in a closed area. The individual had one prior for operating an ORV in a closed area. ▪ CO Justin Vinson assisted Wildlife Division with an incidental wolf catch in Chippewa County. The trapper explained the sets were intended for fox or coyote, but he was just happy to catch something. The wolf managed to free itself while Officer Vinson and Biologist Kristie Sitar tried to release it. The Wolf was unharmed. ▪ CO Todd Sumbera contacted two individuals on ORV’s out baiting deer stands. CO Sumbera conducted a stop on the two individuals for failing to wear helmets. Further investigation revealed that both operators had failed to purchase and attach an ORV license to their machines. A citation was issued for fail to license ORV and warnings were given for operating an ORV without a helmet. ▪ COs Cole VanOosten and Sgt. Calvin Smith assisted the Michigan State Police (MSP) with locating and extraction of a deceased missing person in Mackinac County. Due to the remote location and difficult terrain, the COs were able to use their specialized equipment to transport people and equipment to the scene for the investigation and recovery. ▪ CO Cole VanOosten was on patrol when he observed a side by side ORV operator who was not wearing a seatbelt. A traffic stop was conducted. While in conversation, the operator stated that he had observed evidence of pine boughs being cut on nearby state land. As soon as he mentioned this, CO VanOosten observed a truck drive by on the adjacent

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road loaded with pine boughs. CO VanOosten gave the ORV driver a warning for failure to wear a seatbelt and began to follow the truck. CO VanOosten was able to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle and obtain a confession that the pine boughs were cut on state land. A citation was issued to the individuals for damaging trees/shrubs on state land. ▪ CO Cole VanOosten was on patrol in Mackinac County when he observed a vehicle parked in the road with both doors opened. As he approached, the passenger entered the vehicle and began to reach for something out of sight near his left leg. Two other individuals came out of the woods, one of which was in possession of a semi-automatic pneumatic rifle. The subject stated that they were hunting a rabbit that they had spotted from the truck. Neither of the hunters were properly wearing hunter’s orange. Further investigation revealed an uncased .25 caliber pneumatic rifle next to the passenger seat. The passenger stated that he reentered the vehicle and unloaded the weapon when he observed the CO approaching. There were no cases for either weapon in the vehicle. A report was generated and submitted to the Sault Ste Marie Tribe for follow-up for possessing a loaded and uncased firearm in a motor vehicle as all suspects were Tribal members. ▪ CO Cole VanOosten was on patrol when he observed an ORV driving in front of him on a county road. The operator was riding double with his 5-year old son and neither of them were wearing helmets. Additionally, the ORV did not have an ORV license. A citation was issued to the driver for operating without a helmet on an ORV and a warning was given for the license violation.

DISTRICT 2 BI-WEEKLY REPORT 11-29-2020 ▪ CO Todd Sumbera followed up with an elevated deer blind left out on public land all year without a name and address attached. Upon making contact CO Sumbera observed that the hunter was not wearing hunter’s orange. The hunter quickly stated that he would get out of the blind to stretch his legs. The individual stated multiple times that it was not his day and he should have just gone to work. A report has been submitted to the Sault Ste Marie Tribal court for failing to remove blind, no name on blind and for failing to wear hunter’s orange while hunting. ▪ CO Todd Sumbera was conducting routine patrol in Chippewa County when he contacted a deer camp set up on state land. The camp had a 4-point buck and an antlerless deer hanging on their buck pole. The father stated that his 16-year-old son had shot the doe with a rifle on opening day while hunting alone. CO Sumbera informed the camp that no antlerless deer are to be harvested in Chippewa county during rifle season under a state hunting license. CO Sumbera also explained the requirements for individuals 16 years of age and under hunting on public lands. A report is being submitted to Chippewa County Prosecutor’s office for allowing a youth to hunt unsupervised and the antlerless deer was seized and donated to a local family. ▪ CO Todd Sumbera was on routine patrol when he located an area of ORV use in a closed area. CO Sumbera contacted a hunter who admitted to the operation of an ORV in a closed area, operation in wetlands, cutting of trees, litter, over limit of bait and no name/address on his tree stand. The hunter stated that there were two other hunters in the group. Upon contacting the second hunter CO Sumbera observed over ten pine trees that were cut down amongst others that had all the limbs cut off. The hunter stated that he thought it was legal to cut down what was necessary to make a shooting lane. The hunter also stated that his tree stand did not have his name/address attached. CO Sumbera asked how much bait the individual had out, after a pause the hunter said he wasn’t quite sure but stated that he knew the limit was two gallons. CO Sumbera observed the bait pile which was grossly over limit. CO Sumbera contacted the third hunter observing more pine trees that had been cut down, another gross over limit of bait and no name/address located on the deer blind. Citation were issued for no name or address on blind and for hunting over bait that exceeded two gallons. ▪ COs Cole VanOosten and Sgt. Calvin Smith were on patrol of Luce County when they contacted a group of hunters hunting out of a permanent blind on state land. Over several years there had been multiple instances of hunters leaving equipment in the area as well as cutting trails. Upon contact it was determined that the occupants were hunting over more than two gallons of bait and neither of the hunters had their deer licenses in their possession. The hunters admitted to cutting the trees and storing equipment on state land all year. A citation was issued for the overlimit of bait and for failing to have name and address on a ground blind. ▪ CO Cole VanOosten was on patrol of Schoolcraft County when he observed a truck slowly driving towards him. Contact was made and it was determined that the driver was transporting an uncased shotgun and that the driver had already harvested a deer the day before and did not have an unused deer tag. When questioned about the gun, the hunter stated that it was not his deer gun and that it was for partridge. CO VanOosten informed the individual that it was not Ruffed grouse season and that the gun must be enclosed in a case to transport. A citation was issued for transporting an uncased gun. ▪ CO Cole VanOosten was on patrol of Schoolcraft County when he encountered an individual returning to his hunting camp. Upon contact it was determined that the driver had an open beer in the center council as well as a loaded and uncased .22 mag rifle. The driver was from out of state and did not have a deer license. A citation was issued for transporting a loaded and uncased firearm in a motor vehicle.

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▪ CO Cole VanOosten and Sgt. Calvin Smith were following up on a complaint in Northern Luce County when they observed a passenger car driving down a remote part of the snowmobile trail. The COs followed the vehicle to a nearby campsite on state land and contacted the individual. Upon contact Sgt. Smith observed an uncased rifle in the rear of the vehicle and upon further investigation the rifle was found to be loaded. A citation was issued for transporting a loaded and uncased firearm in a motor vehicle. ▪ CO Cole VanOosten was patrolling Mackinac County when he observed a traffic violation. A traffic stop was conducted, and it was determined that there were three deer in the back of the truck. Two of the deer were improperly tagged with a combination license and one of the deer, a 4-point, did not meet the requirements for either of the combo tags held by the hunter. The deer was seized, and a report was generated for review by the Mackinac County Prosecutor. ▪ CO Cole VanOosten was patrolling Mackinac County when he observed a traffic violation. A traffic stop was conducted and upon contact it was determined that the driver was transporting a recently killed deer that was a spike horn. The driver admitted to killing the deer and it was determined that the deer was tagged with a combination license meant for deer with at least 3-points on one side. The deer was seized, and a ticket was issued for possessing a deer without a valid license. ▪ CO Cole VanOosten responded to a complaint of several shots being fired after shooting light over the course of a week. CO VanOosten waited for the hunter one evening and observed him walk out of his blind approximately 15-minutes after shooting light. Contact was made with the hunter approximately 18 minutes after shooting light and the hunter was still in possession of a loaded rifle while using an artificial light. The hunter admitted to shooting after shooting hours two days prior and stated that he was unaware of the law governing shooting hours. CO VanOosten showed the hunter in the guide where the information can be found, and a citation was issued to the hunter for possessing a loaded firearm after shooting hours. ▪ COs Justin Vinson and Cole VanOosten responded to a complaint of an overlimit of bait in Northern Luce County. Upon contact it was determined that there was a large amount of bait at the site as well as an artificial light placed above the bait. The COs observed drag marks exiting the woods as well as some blood on a nearby ATV. The COs located an untagged doe hanging in a tree in the backyard that the individuals stated they had shot the night before with a rifle. It was determined that the deer had been shot over an hour after shooting hours and the hunters had used the light at the bait pile to aid in shooting the deer with a rifle. Another deer carcass was located in a nearby garbage pile. The individual stated that he had shot the deer during bow season with a rifle and that he did not have a license to take the deer. The subject had not had a hunting license for over six years. Interviews were conducted and it was determined that there had been four deer illegally taken from the site in the last year. Property was seized and a report was submitted to the Luce County Prosecutors office for review. ▪ CO Justin Vinson checked several hunters on opening morning of the firearm deer season. Common violations observed were over limit of bait, no name on ground blind, failure to remove ground blind, no hunter’s orange, and operate a vehicle on state land. Citations were issued. ▪ CO Justin Vinson received a complaint of a large bait. CO Vinson and Corporal Jon Busken contacted the hunter at his blind who was found to be hunting over several large piles of sugar beets that well exceeded the legal two-gallon limit. The hunter also was not wearing any type of hunter’s orange. A citation was issued for hunting over a bait that exceeded two gallons and a warning was issued for no hunter’s orange. ▪ CO Michael Olesen patrolled Chippewa County during the firearm deer season. CO Olesen had located permanent hunting blinds on public land that were placed prior to September 1st. CO Olesen contacted three different hunters regarding their illegal blinds. The hunters were cited for hunting out of an illegal blind, placed prior to September 1st. ▪ Sgt. Calvin Smith was patrolling Chippewa County when he observed a side by side being operated during the quiet hours on a forest road in the Hiawatha National Forest. A stop was made on the ORV and upon further investigation the operator was found to have an uncased firearm sitting on the seat next to him. The operator’s driver’s license was suspended, and he did not have his deer license in his possession. A citation was issued for an uncased firearm in an ORV and for operating an ORV during the quiet hours. The operator’s firearm was seized and the passenger who had a valid operator’s license drove the side by side back to camp. ▪ While working a raining deer opener, COs Robert Freeborn and Mike Evink managed to check a couple hunters braving the rain. While most hunters were abiding by the rules, the COs did find a subject hunting without hunter’s orange while another hunter was operating an ORV without a valid registration. A citation was issued to both subjects. ▪ CO Robert Freeborn was checking hunters down a remote two-track when the road became too muddy to continue. CO Freeborn stopped his patrol truck in the road and continued foot following ORV tracks. After following the tracks down the road for a while, CO Freeborn observed that they turned into the woods and traveled cross country. The tracks eventually lead to a blind and bait. As CO Freeborn was walking back to the truck on the illegal trail, CO Freeborn heard an ORV that seemed to be close. CO Freeborn stopped in the trail and observed an ORV coming at him on the illegal trail. As the ORV approached CO Freeborn, he observed that the operator did not have a helmet on. CO Freeborn contacted the operator

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and explained to him the trail he made was illegal. CO Freeborn also advised that he needed a valid ORV license to operate on state land as well. The operator received a citation for no ORV license. When CO Freeborn got back to his patrol truck, he noticed the ORV drove around his marked patrol truck before proceeding down his illegal trail. ▪ CO Robert Freeborn received a call from Sgt. Calvin Smith regarding a hunter who mistakenly shot a doe in the wrong DMU in Schoolcraft county. The hunter flagged down Sgt. Smith on the road to report the incident. CO Freeborn met the hunter near his camp to grab the deer. The hunter did receive a citation for a tagging violation since the doe was improperly tagged. The deer was donated. ▪ COs Robert Freeborn and Mike Evink were traveling on US2 when they observed a pickup truck heaped with pine boughs. The COs noticed that truck did not have a license plate and the driver’s side door kept flapping open causing the driver to have to reach over and hold it shut. An enforcement stop was made on the vehicle for the plate. It was determined the owner had just purchased the truck and was waiting on the plate. When asked where the pine boughs were cut, both subjects stated federal land. When CO Freeborn asked for their bough cutting permit, the subjects stated they did not have it with them. CO Freeborn recognized the subjects as the two getting warnings in the past for no permit. A citation was issued for taking pine boughs without a permit. ▪ CO Andrea Dani was on patrol in Alger County when she observed a pickup truck parked at the entrance to a path that CO Dani found leads to an illegal permanent blind with no identifying information on Commercial Forest Property. CO Dani had been to the blind previously, where she noted dozens of trees cut approximately one foot off the ground to create shooting lanes. CO Dani then recognized the pickup as belonging to a subject she met earlier that year when CO Mark Zitnik cited him for baiting deer too early at two different locations nearby. CO Dani contacted the hunter in the blind, who was not wearing proper hunter orange. CO Dani asked to check the hunter’s license. The hunter stated he had just texted his son to tell him he forgot his wallet at camp. CO Dani asked to see the text. The hunter then stated he had never texted his son. CO Dani issued the hunter a citation for hunting without a deer license in his possession and hunter orange violation, and a warning for the cut trees and illegal blind. ▪ CO Andrea Dani was on patrol on a gravel road in Alger County when she observed a pickup truck being operated excessively slow. She followed the vehicle for a few miles, noting the brakes of the truck were tapped about every other second. After a few miles of traveling together at a very slow pace, the driver of the truck pulled over at a parking spot near a river crossing. CO Dani followed and approached the truck on foot. CO Dani immediately observed a fully uncased rifle between the driver and passenger of the vehicle. The driver stated they were just going up to town. CO Dani issued the driver a citation for an uncased rifle in a motor vehicle. ▪ CO Andrea Dani received a complaint of hunter harassment on public land in Alger County. The complainant advised he had scouted and set up prior to bow season. On opening day of rifle season, the complainant was left a note on his vehicle saying he was cutting off the writer who had been in the same spot for eight years. After the evening hunt on opening day, the complainant observed a vehicle blocking the road out of the area facing his vehicle. The complainant waited out the other vehicle and gave the note to CO Dani. CO Dani texted the number on the note, as requested. The suspect stated he had a tree stand about 100 yards to the south (opposite side of the road) of the complainant’s blind which had been there for eight years straight. The suspect noted he could not make the complainant move but wanted to let him know there were others in the area that had been there for years. CO Dani then called the suspect and identified herself as a Conservation Officer. CO Dani gave the suspect a warning for leaving his tree stand out year-round, and then advised him that although he had scouted the area eight years ago, does not make him the rightful hunter to that area. CO Dani explained that hunters have to share public land, as it is public, and that if he doesn’t want anyone near him, he should scout every year as would be required had he removed his tree stand as required. CO Dani then suggested that he might prefer to move to a less concentrated area. The suspect stated he would not attempt to contact the complainant anymore. ▪ CO Mark Zitnik approached a hunter on opening day of the 2020 firearm deer season. The hunter had failed to have a helmet while operating an ORV. He was issued a citation for no ORV helmet. ▪ CO Mark Zitnik received a RAP complaint regarding a buck that was stolen from a camp’s buck pole. CO Zitnik responded and found that a large 11-point buck was stolen from the camp’s front yard during the middle of the night. After interviewing camps nearby, CO Zitnik believed he had a suspect. CO Zitnik interviewed the main suspect and parties involved and strongly encouraged them to return the buck. That night the buck was indeed returned to the camp, alluding that the buck was in fact stolen by the suspected party. The investigation is ongoing, and a report is being submitted to the Alger County Prosecutors Office. ▪ COs Andrea Dani and Mark Zitnik received a complaint from a homeowner in Trenary regarding an 8-point buck shot in their front yard. The hunters, shooting out of their black pick-up truck, shot their gun directly towards the residents’ house, instantly killing the buck. The 86-year-old woman who had called in the complaint reported she started chasing and yelling at the shooter but was unable to make contact. The black truck fled the scene, never to return. The COs are investigating the incident further.

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▪ COs Andrea Dani and Mark Zitnik responded to a complaint on Sand River Road regarding a subject who had pulled up in front of a residence, firing a gun from the window of their truck and then fleeing. The COs responded, interviewed the complainant, and searched the area for evidence. The investigation is ongoing. ▪ COs Robert Freeborn and Michael Evink are working a case involving hunter harassment on state land. Due to the fact there is a nice buck in the area, one hunter is trying to intimidate other hunters in the area. There are cameras set up on the complainant’s blind in hopes the suspect will return. ▪ CO Michael Evink was patrolling the River Road when he observed an individual walking towards him, carrying a gun and not wearing any orange. CO Evink made contact and asked if maybe he had orange in his blind. He stated he did. The two walked to the blind. Once at the blind CO Evink observed that the road was very close to the blind and the bait was in direct line with the road. Additionally, there was only yellow rain slicks in the blind. CO Evink issued a ticket for no hunter’s orange and educated about the safety of the bait location. ▪ COs Chris Lynch and Steve Butzin worked the opening day of the firearm deer season. The COs followed up with several hunters who had illegal activities that were located prior to season. The COs wrote citations and gave warnings for illegal blinds, illegal ORV trails, illegal baits, uncased firearms in motor vehicle, hunt deer without kill tags, and no hunter’s orange. ▪ CO Chris Lynch followed up on a complaint of someone blocking access to state land. CO Lynch contacted the responsible hunters after waiting for them to arrive back at camp. CO Lynch addressed the following violations blocking access to state land, hunting deer without kill tag, and allowing minor to hunt unsupervised.

Forest Resources Division: Tom Seablom, Acting Eastern UP Supervisor ▪ Timber Sales − 17 sales were offered for sale in October and November. 13 sales were sold; 4 had no bids. 5 sales are being offered in December. − Markets for pine and softwood have been good, followed by hardwood logs and aspen. Hardwood pulpwood markets continue to be poor. − Timber sale activity is moderate. − Continued wet weather is limiting harvesting except for high ground. Roads are also being impacted by the wet weather. ▪ Forest Inventory − Compartment Reviews for the 2022 YOE are completed for all EUP Units. − Pre-inventory meetings for the 2023 YOE have been completed for Sault and Newberry Units. Shingleton Unit is scheduled for December 9. ▪ Cultivation − 2020 trenching work has been completed. Starting on 2021 trenching sites while weather has been mild. − 2021 Plan of Work and equipment schedule is being finalized this month. − 2022 seedling order is being finalized this month. − Hand felling of trees greater than 10’ tall was completed on two sites to aid in spraying. ▪ Fire − Staff continued to assist with out-of-state fire dispatches in October and November on engine assignments or as single resources. Several task books were completed and submitted for review. − Fire equipment has been winterized and put away. ▪ Snowmobile: Snowmobile trails have been inspected for the upcoming season. ▪ Road and Bridge − Emergency road repairs (unplugging culverts and placing gravel) were completed in the Shingleton and Sault Units, including work on Garden Grade, Crawfin Lake Road and Park Road. Emergency decking repair was completed on a bridge on Carp River Truck Trail. − Newberry Unit: a portion of Chris Brown Lake Road was temporarily closed between County Road 414 and Shamrock Road due to high water levels and public safety concerns. The road is still closed and will likely remain that way until water levels recede and the road can be worked on. − Beavers and high water are still causing issues on area roads. ▪ Facilities: Governor Whitmer recently signed the FY21 Budget which includes 5 million dollars for a new Mass Timber office building to be constructed in Newberry at the location of the currently Newberry Field Page 18 of 26

Office. This building will house staff from the Newberry Field Office and the Customer Service Center and have garage space as well as a community room to be used by the public. There was a recent DNR Press Release about this subject. https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-86469-541603--,00.html ▪ Land Use: Shingleton Unit’s Trust Fund application for a large tract in the Garden Peninsula was approved and funded. ▪ Forest Health − Heterobasidion root disease (HRD) surveys continued in east U.P. previously thinned red pine plantations. No additional detections have been made; there is a positive location on private land near Newberry and on the Hiawatha National Forest near the town of Moran. − Training for winter hemlock woolly adelgid surveys began. The surveys will occur across the U.P. within 5 miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline. ▪ Commercial Forest: No report ▪ Research: No report ▪ Training − Timber cruising staff have been completing self-paced training for the new cruise protocol that is being implemented this year. Staff and contractors have been completing the field test site in Marquette (or Gaylord). − Staff completed Implicit Bias training. − Staff are working on COVID-19 training. ▪ Vacancies: At least 4 positions are on hold in the EUP due to the Governor’s hiring freeze. ▪ Other − Forest Certification audits were conducted at the end of October. The Newberry Unit was one of four Units in the state to be audited under both the FSC and SFI certification standards. The audit findings were minimal, and the Department received high marks. − Land parcel review in Chippewa County for the land strategy is through the regional phase. − Offices are still closed, and staff are still in telework status.

EUP Wildlife Division: Kristie Sitar, Wildlife Biologist-Newberry ▪ Bear Season Update − The 2020 bear season ended at the end of October and resulted in the registration of 288 bears in the Newberry Bear Management Unit. This is a 5% increase from the previous 3-year average and a 20% increase from last year. Hunter satisfaction was generally good, most hunters saw several bears during their hunt and while harvested bear size was variable, it was typical in that most were smaller bears. ▪ Grouse Season Update − Grouse population numbers appeared to be high this year, near the top of the cycle in the east UP and it’s a good thing because grouse hunters were plentiful! The GEM’s had exceptionally high usage in the east and many hunters took maps with additional hunting sites from offices as well. − No West Nile Virus kits were distributed to hunters this year due to Coronavirus but the recent summary information on West Nile Virus in grouse indicates that sampled birds appearing to be exposed to the virus ranged from 14% to 26% in 2018 and 2019 in Michigan. Minnesota had similar rates of exposure while Wisconsin was a bit higher with likely exposure ranging from ~40% to 60% during the same period. ▪ Deer − The Deer Camp Survey is a cooperative effort between the DNR and numerous UP hunters for the 16-day regular firearm season. Survey materials were sent out to approximately 565 camp contacts before the firearm season. In 2019, just over 1800 hunters participated from 443 camps and we are hopeful for similar reporting this year. Data will be analyzed in January once the forms are returned and results will be reported to participating camps in mid-winter. Results include sighting rates, hunter success rates and hunter opinions among other things. This information helps us better understand the population trends, composition of the deer herd, and the issues that are important to hunters concerning deer management. Several UP sportsmen’s groups have generously offered prizes for a drawing to support the survey.

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− The 2020 firearm deer season has concluded, and preliminary information indicates that deer numbers checked at DNR check stations open through all of deer season (Escanaba and Norway only) are down around 18% from last year. Other main DNR check stations were only open for the first 4 days of firearm season. The number of deer checked were down at these stations as well, about 25% overall. There were multiple factors unrelated to deer herd numbers that affected how many deer came in to check stations this season including the global pandemic, the Governor’s 3 week “stay at home order”, reduced check station hours, reduced disease surveillance area, and the poor weather conditions for hunting early in the season.

− Once winter settles in and deer migration has occurred, staff will begin the annual opportunistic winter deer track survey concentrating in and around Deer Wintering Complexes to indicate deer presence or absence in areas of the UP in an effort to continually monitor use of wintering areas. ▪ CWD − The DNR has tested almost 1800 deer statewide this year for CWD. Nearly 300 of those have been from the UP CWD Core Surveillance Area with the majority of those coming from Dickinson county. No additional positive deer have been detected to date in the UP samples and 17 positive animals have been detected in the lower peninsula this year with 198 total positives since testing began in 2015.

Parks & Recreation Division: Eric Cowing, Eastern UP Supervisor Brimley State Park/Detour Harbor/Lime Island ▪ Detour Village BAS break wall project construction started at the end of September & is completed. ▪ Lime Island Harbor upgrade project: On hold to look at other alternatives. ▪ Brimley Toilet/Shower building replacement: Funding has been allocated for construction, hopefully beginning September 2021. ▪ Lime Island AST Cleaning & Hazardous Material Assessment re-start meeting for design held December 2nd. ▪ Brimley seasonal ranger hired and started work on September 22nd ▪ All summer staff were done working by October 17th. ▪ Seasonal Ranger staff on lay-off status on November 14th. ▪ Campgrounds were very busy over the summer months and into the fall. ▪ Many issues with Brimley State Park wet well pumps clogging this summer with wet-one type wipes that our users are flushing in our restrooms. Staff had to pull the pumps 3-4 different times to “de-clog” them.

Fayette Historic State Park ▪ Townsite: Retaining wall project had kick-off meeting December 4, 2020. Work is continuing of the Machine Shop floor replacement. ▪ Park: Restroom is winterized, but campground to stay open this winter. Seasonal staff scheduled for layoff this month. ▪ All events cancelled. ▪ Campground has been almost, if not full every night since opening on June 22.

Indian Lake State Park & Palms Book State Park ▪ Indian Lake State Park toilet shower building replacement project refined schedule with hazard materials testing on existing building to take place the first week in December. ▪ Palms Book State Park parking lot project has refined schedule with soil boring taking place this winter. ▪ Palms Book concession tile floor project has been completed. ▪ Observation raft replacement of bottom pan and canopy completion date has been extended until May 21st of 2021. ▪ Laughing Whitefish Falls bridge replacement to have final draft and specifications to be released in the next couple of weeks. ▪ Staff replaced T-11 siding on the front of mini cabin B at Indian Lake State Park. ▪ Special thanks to Dennis and Judy McGuire for a donation to Palms Book State park that helped with the completion of tile floor project. Page 20 of 26

▪ The fasteners used to attach the pods to the bottom of raft are failing due to the PH of the water. ▪ New plans are in place to add poly to the pods and stainless-steel fasteners.

Muskallonge Lake State Park ▪ Erosion continues to take a toll on the park shoreline and steps to the beach access. ▪ Annual Sled Dog event tentatively scheduled for January 9, 2021. ▪ Facilities are now winterized and seasonal staff on layoff.

Straits State Park/Mackinac Island/Father Marquette ▪ Capital projects for both Mackinac Island State Harbor and Straits State Park have been approved to re-start. These include a new restroom/shower buildings at both locations. ▪ Father Marquette capital project has been given the approval to move forward. ▪ Summer and seasonal staff are now on layoff.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park & Newberry Field Office ▪ Lower Falls Concession Store Remodel/Replacement project: An on-site meeting/site visit was held at the Lower Falls unit on November 4th to discuss the project and the design concepts completed prior to the COVID19 shutdown. Consultant set stakes to mark building corner locations to help the team better visualize the design. Some adjustments were decided upon ▪ Lower Falls Boat Concession/Island redevelopment project: Has been approved to restart. ▪ Whitefish Point Harbor Redevelopment study: Nearing completion. ▪ The Newberry Field Office Supervisor position remains vacant, pending Civil Service clarification. (delayed due to hiring freeze) ▪ The Newberry Field Office full-time Ranger E position remains vacant, but interviews will likely be hosted December 15 and 16. ▪ Seasonal Rangers were placed on layoff November 28th. ▪ Campgrounds within the park were busier than normal with a total of 170 camp nights. State Forest Campgrounds were busy earlier in the month with the mild temperatures but have since slowed down. ▪ Modern Bathroom/Shower facilities have been shut down & winterized for the season. ▪ New cutters were ordered for one of the sewage pumps at the Upper Falls. They were likely dulled from the large number of masks and sanitary wipes this summer. This is the third set we have ordered this year.

Public Information: John Pepin, Deputy Public Information Officer ▪ This month, we finished out Ask the DNR broadcasts for 2020. The broadcasts will resume April 1 and May 6, 2021. Past broadcasts are available online for viewing at https://wnmuvideo.nmu.edu/show/ask-dnr/. The most recent broadcast from this month is there along with many previous shows. We are in the process of developing a schedule of Showcasing the DNR stories for the first quarter of 2021. Please send any story ideas to me at [email protected] DNR protocols for media interviews have been changed to allow for in-person interviews with news media. However, strict coronavirus protocols must be followed. For a list of these measures, directly intended for media interviews, please ask and I will send them to you. Thanks very much. Happy holidays and merry Christmas!

Marketing & Outreach Division: Jon Spieles, Statewide Interpretive Manager ▪ Virtual Programming − Nature at School programs that started September 22 now has 9,000 page views and has created the opportunity for DNR Educators to present more than 170 programs for grade 3-12 classes around Michigan. These 30-minute “live” lessons are intended to bridge the COVID gap by bringing content to classrooms and students working from home. All programs have pre- and post-lessons, evaluations for both the students and teachers, lessons that have been linked to Next Generation Science Standards These virtual programs have had a great return on evaluations from teachers. DNR staff is averaging 4.8 out of 5 stars on the evaluations. https://youtu.be/F3msDJSwGbQ (marketing video) and Michigan.gov/NatureAtSchool Page 21 of 26

− Nature at School Webinar Series are offered twice weekly and are available as recorded sessions at any time. This effort is focused on non-traditional schools and other youth groups like home school participants, scout groups, etc. − Nature at Home visits continue to increase daily and have now attracted more than 35,000 views. The content and materials are refreshed regularly. Education staff and Interpreters developed this site during the initial COVID lockdown and are continuously providing new content linking families and children to nature, conservation, and our parks. Check it out at: Michigan.gov/NatureAtHome. − State Park and State Fish Hatchery Visitor Centers around the state were open between June 25 and remained open through the end of October with reduced schedules through the fall and winter. Centers have closed through November and December responding to DHHS orders and are now scheduled to reopen after January 1.

▪ Salmon in the Classroom − Due to COVID 19, teachers were given a choice to sit out the year, continue as usual, Go virtual, or Go virtual until January and then pick up batch of hatched eggs (in case schools return to normal). − Work has started migrating all State of Michigan websites to a new operating platform. Along with this migration, all agency websites will align with the “One Michigan” unified branding effort, adopting the state of Michigan brand, page templates and color palette. The DNR is in the process of user testing of the new site with actual building and launching of the new site will occur in spring 2021.

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