Michigan's Department of Natural Resources opened its revised State Forest Management Plan for public review following a March 2025 ice storm that snapped trees and downed limbs across the northern Lower Peninsula.
The 10-year management plan guides how Michigan manages publicly owned state forests. The plan was nearly complete when the ice storm struck, causing widespread damage that required forest planners to reassess timber resources, replanting needs and other management priorities.
"This was a once-in-a-century storm, and it has had a significant impact on the northern Lower Peninsula," said Dan Heckman, DNR forest planning and modeling specialist. "It also had a significant impact on parts of our plan."
The plan emphasizes balancing forestry practices to provide wildlife habitat, support forest products and address climate change impacts while ensuring long-term sustainability of natural resources. The plan was first released for public review in late 2024 and received input from tribal governments, organizations and residents. The current revision incorporates feedback from that initial review along with changes needed to address the ice storm's aftermath.
Members of the public can submit comments on the revised plan through October 12 via an online survey.