EXTRA- Pine River Safety Alert

graphic from Manistee National Forest

a news release of Manistee National Forest

The Huron-Manistee National Forests is strongly cautioning anglers and paddlers to consider not navigating the waters of the Pine River this weekend.

A massive logjam between Peterson's Bridge and Low Bridge River Accesses has made navigation dangerous in the swift moving waters. Logjams were also reported at Dobson Bridge upstream from Peterson's Bridge. Logjams also pose additional risks to river recreation users.

• Water passing through logjams traps solid objects, posing higher drowning risks for kayakers and canoers.
• Redirect water flow, often causing intense erosion on stream banks, which can lead to unstable banks.
• Accumulated debris can block bridges and culverts, triggering severe flooding, forcing water onto roads sometimes causing them to fail.
• Portage can become difficult or impossible.
• Flow of water can be at a higher velocity.
• Potential to have watercraft puncture by submersed debris.
• Surfaces with heavy silt or sand can be water saturated and react like quicksand.

See more at Safety Alerts


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Portions of Pere Marquette River Re-Open after Rains

Indian Bridge (photo by jhy)

a news release of The Huron- Manistee National Forest

Heavy rainfall on July 20 generated significant flooding along the Pere Marquette Wild & Scenic River. Log jams have made the river impassable between Baldwin and Indian Bridge. The upper section of the river has been opened, but the USDA Forest Service has stopped issuing watercraft permits for the third section of the Pere Marquette Wild & Scenic River (between Upper Branch and Indian Bridge).

The closure will remain in effect until further notice. Crews are working to clear log jams in the river.

See Huron-Manistee NF
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North Country Trail Section Hikers Over 2600 Miles

Dan and Ruth Dorrough in the Manistee National Forest (photo by jhy)

by Joan H. Young

A retired couple from Canandaigua, New York, has been working on a section hike of the North Country Trail. Dan and Ruth Dorrough had previously hiked small pieces of the 4600-mile trail, which goes from New York to North Dakota, but they've been working continuously on their quest since May. They've only taken one day off in three months. So far, they have walked over 2600 miles, covering everything from the New York-Vermont border to Hodenpyl Dam at the north end of the Manistee National Forest, and the Spirit of the Woods Chapter's section, in Michigan.

I had the pleasure of hiking with them for a day and a half this week. I'd previously known Dan and Ruth from the annual North Country Trail Association conferences, but never in any depth. Dan is a computer programmer, and Ruth retired this year from nursing administration. They agree that the hiking lifestyle is addictive. "It's just become our way of life," Ruth said.

They have backpacked when necessary, but prefer day hikes, usually covering 10-15 miles a day. They get set for each day by spotting a vehicle at their end points. One vehicle is a van, which also serves as a camper for overnights.

After one more hiking day, they'll head back home for some weeks with family before returning to Duluth for the NCTA Trail Fest in August. They plan to hike some additional miles this fall, after the meetings.

Today, we covered 12 miles of trail between Upper River Road and Highbridge. That section roughly follows the Manistee River. Several small thunderstorms kept us on our toes, but they also cooled us and settled the mosquitoes. One temporary detour takes the trail on a Forest Road, with a nice view of the Manistee River.

Manistee River (photo by jhy)

Dan and Ruth have been quietly hiking along, more or less keeping their goal to hike the whole trail a secret. But the cat's out of the bag now! They said some of their biggest challenges have been to simply find the trail in areas which have been poorly maintained. It's a sad truth that it doesn't take long for things to fall into disrepair if trail is not adopted by volunteers, and the results are terribly discouraging to people attempting to hike through.

The couple are also Finger Lakes Trail End-to-Enders, including all of the branch trails. They couldn't remember exactly when they discovered a love for hiking. The Bristol Branch of the FLT is near their home, and they started walking there, then just kept going. They agreed that the Finger Lakes Trail county hike series (group hikes which complete a county a year) helped them on their way.

I promised them more hills and views in northern Michigan than they'd seen in the southern part of the state. "I don't miss the hills at all," Ruth quipped. Somehow, I only half believe her. The FLT is just one hill after another. They'd never have made it this far if they hate hills. And they certainly are on track to finish the NCT next year.

Dan and Ruth Dorrough, Joan Young (photo by jhy)

Over dinner we agreed we were more than pleased to get to know each other better. It doesn't require the energy of youth to hike a long trail, it just takes persistence.

See North Country Trail Association
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Manistee Forest Seeks Student Bio Techs

male and female Karner Blue butterflies (photo from the National Forest Service)

from Heather Keough, District Wildlife Biologist USDA Forest Service

The Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District, located in western lower Michigan, will be hiring four student biological science technicians to assist with various fish, wildlife, and vegetative surveys between mid-May and mid-August 2012.

Technicians will work as a member of a survey team to:
1) inventory endangered, threatened, and sensitive wildlife species;
2) assess habitat suitability for various wildlife species;
3) conduct counts to estimate abundance of Karner blue butterflies, a federally listed endangered species, within designated management areas;
4) conduct vegetative surveys to estimate acreage of suitable Karner blue butterfly habitat within designated management areas;
5) conduct vegetative surveys to assess the effectiveness of different management treatments for restoring openings, savannas/barrens, and Karner blue butterfly habitat;
6) conduct electrofishing surveys to assess the status of various fish populations and assess the effectiveness of aquatic habitat improvements;
7) identify management concerns for use in developing management plans; and
8) layout and implement habitat improvement projects for wildlife and fish.

The data collected will be used by professional staff to develop management plans and conservation measures. Technicians also will assist with fish and wildlife management activities, complete detailed field reports, enter data into various databases, and participate in outreach activities to educate the public about wildlife conservation issues.

To apply for a student biological science technician position, please contact Heather Keough for an application. Application materials must be submitted by February 29, 2012.




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National Forests Create Strong Economic Impact

fishing the Pere Marquette River (photo by jhy)

a news release of the USDA National Forests

Recreational activities on national forests and grasslands continue to make large economic impacts on America's rural communities, contributing $14.5 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

According to the National Visitor Use Monitoring report released tin August 2011 by Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, national forests attracted 170.8 million recreational visitors and sustained approximately 223,000 jobs in rural communities this past year.

"This data shows once again just what a boon our forests are to local economies," said Tidwell. "Because of forest activities, thousands of jobs are supported in hundreds of rural communities. We are proud of helping to put a paycheck into the pockets of so many hardworking Americans."

National forests also provide economic relief for vacationers. Fewer than half of the U.S. Forest Service's 17,000 developed sites charge any fees for visitors. The report reveals that 94 percent of visitors were satisfied with their experience on the national forests.

"Our national forests are some of the most beautiful and adventure-filled places in the world," said Tidwell. "The national forests give Americans a chance to build life-long memories for the price of food and gas. You'd be hard pressed to find any vacation destinations that offer better value."

Western Michigan is the location of the Manistee unit of the Huron-Manistee National Forest.



See National Forest Service
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Volunteers Needed for Karner Blue Monitoring

male and female Karner Blue butterflies (photo from the National Forest Service)

from Heather Keough, District Wildlife Biologist USDA Forest Service

The Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District, located in western lower Michigan, is looking for volunteers to assist with monitoring and management activities for the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly in 2011. Volunteers are needed to help conduct surveys between late June and early August to assess the status of Karner blue butterfly populations, and evaluate the effectiveness of different management strategies for restoring Karner blue butterfly habitat. There are opportunities for individuals of all skill levels to participate. Training will be provided. Interested parties can volunteer during weekdays, for a few days, or a week or more. Limited mileage reimbursement and/or housing may be available upon request.

Volunteer participation has allowed the Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District to dramatically increase its management and monitoring activities for the Karner blue butterfly. The volunteers, partners, and U.S. Forest Service personnel that have made the Karner blue butterfly recovery program a success were recently recognized for their achievements with the receipt of two prestigious national awards: Wings Across the Americas Award for Butterfly Conservation, and Making Tracks with the Forest National Award for outstanding accomplishments in the Habitat Management Program. To those who volunteered during past field seasons, thank you and congratulations! Your participation made these awards possible!

The assistance of volunteers is vital to meet our recovery goals! Please choose to volunteer this year and help conserve a locally endangered species. If you or someone you know is interested in participating in the 2011 field season, please contact me at 231-745-4631 x 3111 or hkeough@fs.fed.us.

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Student Biological Science Technician Positions

male and female Karner Blue butterflies (photo from the National Forest Service)

received from Heather Keough, District Wildlife Biologist, USDA Forest Service

The Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District, located in western lower Michigan, will be hiring four student biological science technicians to assist with various fish, wildlife, and vegetative surveys between mid-May and mid-August 2011. Technicians will work as a member of a survey team to:

1) inventory endangered, threatened, and sensitive wildlife species;
2) assess habitat suitability for various wildlife species;
3) conduct counts to estimate abundance of Karner blue butterflies, a federally listed endangered species, within designated management areas;
4) conduct vegetative surveys to estimate acreage of suitable Karner blue butterfly habitat within designated management areas;
5) conduct vegetative surveys to assess the effectiveness of different management treatments for restoring openings, savannas/barrens, and Karner blue butterfly habitat; BR>6) conduct electrofishing surveys to assess the status of various fish populations and assess the effectiveness of aquatic habitat improvements; and
7) identify management concerns for use in developing management plans. The data collected will be used by professional staff to develop management plans and conservation measures. Technicians also will assist with fish and wildlife management activities, complete detailed field reports, enter data into various databases, and participate in outreach activities to educate the public about wildlife conservation issues.

Application materials must be submitted by March 15, 2011. Please feel free to contact Heather Keough for and application and more information



See Heather Keough
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Nordhouse Views Will Not be Marred by Turbines

map of proposed turbine sites

if you like this article, click the Blip chiclet!
from the Manistee National Forest

The proposal to build 20 - 28 wind turbines in the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness has been withdrawn. White Pines Wind Farm LLC first submitted an application for a special use permit to the Huron-Manistee National Forest in August 2008. Since that time, a great deal of data has been collected, and public comment was received.

The project has had mixed reception. Although many people favor alternative energy, the placement of these turbines was problematic. The Nordhouse Dunes is the Lower Peninsula's (Michigan) only designated wilderness area. This means that not only are motorized tools/vehicles not allowed, but not even wheeled vehicles such as bicycles, canoe carts, etc. The purpose of wilderness to preserve areas with as little evidence of human interference as possible. The sight of the huge turbines above the trees was simply a hard pill to swallow for wilderness lovers.

White Pines Wind Farm, LLC, a subsidiary of BP has informed the Forest Service that they have reviewed recent wind resource data, and have decided to withdraw their proposal for Nordhouse Dunes. The project would have generated 50-70 MW of power.

See Commentary- White Pine Wind Farm
See Public Comment Sought on White Pine Wind Farm
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Volunteer for Karner Blue Butterfly Surveys 2010

male and female Karner Blue butterflies (photo from the National Forest Service)

if you like this article, click the Blip chiclet!
from Heather Keogh District Wildlife Biologist, USDA Forest Service, Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District

The Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District, Manistee National Forest, is looking for volunteers to assist with monitoring and management activities for the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly in 2010. Volunteers are needed to help conduct surveys between July and August to assess the status of Karner blue butterfly populations, and evaluate the effectiveness of different management strategies for restoring Karner blue butterfly habitat. In addition, volunteers are needed to collect native plant seed between July and September, and plant seeds and plugs between September and October. There are opportunities for individuals of all skill levels to participate. Training will be provided. Interested parties can volunteer during weekdays, for a few days, or a week or more. Reimbursement for mileage and housing may be available. Paid internships also are available.

Volunteer participation has allowed the Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District to dramatically increase its management and monitoring activities for the Karner blue butterfly. The volunteers, partners, and U.S. Forest Service personnel that have made the KBB recovery program a success were recently recognized for their achievements with the receipt of the prestigious Wings Across the Americas Award for Butterfly Conservation. To those who volunteered during past field seasons, thank you and congratulations! Your participation made this award possible!

The assistance of volunteers is vital to meeting our recovery goals! Please choose to volunteer this year and help conserve a locally endangered species. If you or someone you know is interested in participating in the 2010 field season, please contact me. Also, please distribute the attached notice to anyone you think might be interested in volunteering. Thank you.

See Karner Blue Butterfly 2010 Survey Info
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National Forests To Begin Enforcing "Closed Unless Posted Open"

a sample of the new official road map in the Manistee National Forest

from the National Forest Service

As of January 2009 the National Forests' Travel Management Directive has become effective. This means:

• The rule requires each national forest or ranger district to designate those roads, trails, and areas open to motor vehicles.
• Designation will include class of vehicle and, if appropriate, time of year for motor vehicle use. A given route, for example, could be designated for use by motorcycles, ATVs, or street-legal vehicles.
• Once designation is complete, the rule will prohibit motor vehicle use off the designated system or inconsistent with the designations.
• Designation decisions will be made locally, with public input and in coordination with state, local, and tribal governments.
• Designations will be shown on a motor vehicle use map. Use inconsistent with the designations will be prohibited.

For non-motorized forest users this is the long anticipated tightening of the "closed unless posted open" rule. Over the years many forests, including the Huron-Manistee in Michigan's lower peninsula, have become threaded with many, many tracks made by vehicles. However, most people are unaware that a great many of those are not legal roadways.

Les Russell, a Ranger on the Baldwin District, said that users should not see this as a closure. Over 99% of the forest is within 1/2 mile of a legal road.

A pdf version of the official road map is available on line, or may be obtained for free at a ranger station.

Although some tickets have been issued, 2009 will mostly be a year of educating the public, and full enforcement will begin in 2010.

See Huron-Manistee NF Maps
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Volunteers Needed for Karner Blue Survey

Karner Blue Butterfly (photo from the US Forest Service)

from the Manistee National Forest

The Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District is getting ready to begin its 2009 Karner blue butterfly survey effort! Every year, the Manistee National Forest monitors the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly to determine how far populations are from meeting recovery goals, and to evaluate the effectiveness of different management strategies for restoring Karner blue butterfly habitat.

Between 2006 and 2008, the number of acres the Manistee National Forest monitored for the Karner blue butterfly increased dramatically (298 acres in 2006, 843 acres in 2007, 812 acres in 2008) due to volunteer participation in the 2007 and 2008 survey effort. Volunteer participation in 2007 and 2008 was incredible! Individuals from numerous private and public partner organizations provided 281 volunteer days (~$37,000 in contributed volunteer time).

To those who supported our 2007 and 2008 survey effort, thank you for being so generous with your time! With your support, the Manistee National Forest not only met, but surpassed its monitoring goals. Those participating in the 2007 and 2008 survey effort made an invaluable contribution to conserving the Karner blue butterfly by helping us dramatically improve our understanding of the Karner blue butterfly’s status within the Manistee National Forest, and how to restore suitable Karner blue butterfly habitat. Without good information, our efforts to recover the Karner blue butterfly will fail!

There is still much to learn if we are to prevent this species from disappearing from our local landscape. Volunteers are needed to help conduct Karner blue butterfly surveys between July 6th and July 31st. There are opportunities for individuals of all skill levels to participate. Interested parties can volunteer during weekdays, for a few days, or a week or more. Reimbursement for mileage and housing may be available.

Volunteer assistance is vital to meeting our recovery goals! Please choose to volunteer this year and help conserve a locally endangered species!

Contact Heather Keough for more information
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Karner Blue Butterfly Survey Opportunity

from Heather Keogh, District Wildlife Biologist, USDA Forest Service, Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District

The Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District, located in western lower Michigan, is looking for volunteers to assist in monitoring the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly within the Manistee National Forest in 2009. The District is conducting various surveys between May and August in order to assess the status of Karner blue butterfly populations, develop a habitat suitability model, identify high priority areas to target management, and evaluate the effectiveness of different treatments at restoring Karner blue butterfly habitat. A more detailed description of our Karner blue butterfly monitoring program can be found in the attached outreach notices.

Last summer, volunteers contributed a total of 158 volunteer days, which allowed us to monitor over 800 acres! We need volunteers again this year to achieve our monitoring goals for 2009. There are opportunities for individuals of all skill levels to participate. Training will be provided. Interested parties can volunteer during weekdays, for a few days or for a week or more. Reimbursement for mileage and housing (on a first-come/first-serve basis) is available. Paid internships also are available. If you are interested in participating in the 2009 field season, please contact me. Also, please distribute the attached notices to anyone you think might be interested in volunteering. Thank you.

See Likely Habitat of Karner Blue to be Mapped, Oct 2005
See USFWS Recovery Plan - Karner Blue Butterfly, Oct 2003
See Endangered Karner Blue Butterfly, Sep 2001
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National Forest Recreation Fees Will Increase

by Joan H. Young

Local recreation in 2009 will be more expensive in the Manistee National Forest. The maintenance backlog at recreation sites in the Huron-Manistee National Forest (HMNF) has reached $1.4 million. Annual costs are approximately $400,000. Federal funding does not support these sites, and income from recreation fees falls far short with slightly more than $200,000 coming in each year.

What this means for all of us who enjoy an afternoon or a week playing in the one million federal acres near home is that we will pay more for that privilege. Daily fees in 2009 will rise to from $3 to $5. A weekly pass will now be $15 instead of $5, and you can cover a whole year and receive a windshield sticker for $35. This currently only costs $20.

Overnight camping at developed sites now ranges from being covered by an annual pass to $10 a night. Changes will eliminate that perk, and most camping will be $10 a night, and as much as $15 at horse camps. Dispersed camping will still be allowed at no charge. Some sites which are considered River Access Sites and not developed campsites, such as Sawdust Hole and Blacksmith Bayou on the Little Manistee will be only $5. Parking at Bowman Lake will become free, as there are no amenities at this location.

Carol Boll, Recreation Program Manager for the forest, noted that recreation enhancements funds do come back to the local forests. Each forest receives 80% of fees collected in a given year. The remaining 20% is held over till the following year to cover potential drops in recreation use.

Perhaps most significant is that some local areas will be closed. Dorner Lake and Udell Rollways campground are being closed this year. Driftwood Valley and the Arboretum Trail will be closed at the end of the 2009 season. Pine Lake Campground, and Hoags Lake are also on the attrition list within five years. Rainbow Bend will be closed to camping.

Boll states that to replace one portable toilet costs $15,000. Maintaining the 112 developed sites within the HMNF just will not be possible in the future. Each of the sites is rated by priority. Locations that receive the highest rating include areas such as Wild and Scenic Rivers, Heritage sites such as the Lumbering Monument, National Scenic Trails, and the unique Loda Lake Wildflower Preserve. The areas which will be closed represent the lowest priorities and use. Closure means that all picnic tables, fire rings, toilets, fences, and signage will be removed. The areas may still be accessed by users, but there will be no amenities.

See Huron-Manistee National Forest
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Check Out Black Lake

Black Lake is a tiny gem tucked into the NE corner of Mason County. The northern third is in the Manistee National Forest. No amenities, and your sedan may not make it down the Forest Roads to find it, but if you do you are sure to enjoy a restful break.

All you have to do to visit there today is assemble the puzzle! Details coming soon to Get Off The Couch

Check back often for puzzles of local interest.

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North Country Trail Re-Opened Near Highbridge

structure in place to support the new bridge photo Ed Chappel

by Joan H. Young

Four dedicated men worked for 14 hours to repair the North Country Trail near Highbridge (south of Brethren, Michigan). Although more help might have been nice, the small crew realized that given the terrain there was no where that additional people could have been used.

The terrain in this section is extremely steep as the banks slope down to the Manistee River. Several springs seep from the hillside but usually flow only in springtime. However this summer was extremely wet, and the springs continued their work, undermining the trail. The unfortunate result was that a 16-foot section of trail slumped off and disappeared down the slope. There was no way to get around this area and the trail had to be temporarily closed.

Working with the Forest Service the Spirit of the Woods Chapter of the North Country Trail Association has built a bridge to span the damaged area.

Trail work coordinator, Ed Chappel, says that the uprights had to be sunk to a depth of 4 feet to reach a solid foundation on which to base the new structure. Stringers of 4x6 were bolted together for a total length of about 40 feet. Wood was let down by ropes from the top of the bank. The decking had to be brought down by hand in bundles, requiring 27 trips.

The crew reports using the chapter's new generator to supply power to the project. This allowed them to continue to work long after battery-powered tools would have given out. The generator was purchased with Challenge Cost Share money from the National Park Service. The cost of the bridge itself was paid for by the Spirit of the Woods Chapter.

Such efforts by volunteers in cooperation with agencies such as the National Park Service, and National Forest Service are the magic that keep hiking trails open for our enjoyment.

See North Country Trail Closed Near Highbridge
See Spirit of the Woods Chapter NCTA
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See North Country Trail
See Get Off The Couch

Forest Service Proposes Recreation Fee Increases

a news release from Huron-Manistee National Forest
Although the official comment deadline has passed, the Forest Service still welcomes input.

The Huron-Manistee National Forests operates and maintains 174 developed recreation sites in the lower peninsula of Michigan. The sites include campgrounds, horse camps, group camps, river access sites, picnic sites, beaches, overlooks, interpretive sites, and trailheads. Under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), the Forest Service may charge recreation use fees at developed sites.

In this proposal, fee increases will be applied to 66 developed recreation sites currently charging fees; new fees will be charged at 11 sites; and 69 sites will continue to have no fees charged. Concession Special Use Permit holders operate and charge fees at 28 additional sites. Proposed fee increases include: daily passes will be $5; weekly passes will be $15; annual passes will be $30; household (2) passes will be $45; standard amenity day-use sites will be $5; expanded amenity campgrounds will be either $10 or $15 depending on development level and number of amenities available; guided tours will be $10 per adult; and developed group site fees for up to 50 people will be $40.

Why is the Forest Service proposing to increase fees? Currently, Huron-Manistee National Forests fees are 40% to 70% less than private businesses. Increases will bring the Forest Service fee in line with other providers of develop recreation. The new or increased fees will be used at the sites to maintain and operate the developed recreation sites and continue services. The consequence of not increasing fees will be reduced operating seasons and services at developed recreation sites.

For additional information, visit our web site, or by request from Forest Service Supervisor’s Office in Cadillac.

Please send your comments by August 25, 2008 to Huron-Manistee National Forest, Recreation Program Manager, 1755 S. Mitchell Street, Cadillac, MI 49601. To comment on line, please email us at r9_hmnf_website@fs.fed.us with a subject line of ATTN Recreation Manager Re Fee Increase. Questions related to this topic may be directed to Carol Boll or Rose Ingram at 231-775-2421,-1-800-821-6263, or TTY 231-775-3183.

See Huron-Manistee National Forest
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Commentary: White Pine Wind Farm

Patty O'Connell explains the locations of the proposed towers, at the Open House on Sept 30

by Joan H. Young

Yesterday I attended one of the open house sessions which provided further information about the proposal to place 15 wind turbines within the Manistee National Forest. I came away slightly better informed, but no more settled on how I feel about this proposed project. Many other people were there as well, and I heard a lot of people also bemoaning the difficulty of wholeheartedly endorsing this idea.

BP Alternative Energy provided a state-of-the-art virtual tour of the area where the turbines will be placed. Superimposed on a video of a drive down Forest Trail, approaching Lake Michigan Recreation Area (LMRA), are animations of the turbines. Thus you are able to visualize how much the towers will be seen. The answer is, from the road, not too much. Well, sort of... If some of the alternative tower sites are chosen, there are several towers which will be close to the road. And of course there are other places one might be, other than the road.

From the north viewing platform at LMRA only the tops of the towers will be visible. The virtual tour shows this. It also indicates that not much will be visible from the beach. However, the virtual tour does not point out at all the fact that the towers will be very visible from anywhere out on the water, looking back at the shoreline. I imagine they will be quite visible from the higher, south viewing platform. The virtual tour makers selected the sites to show us very carefully.

The Forest Service will be taking a lot of heat, I suspect, over this proposal. However, they are just doing their job. When Special Use Permits are requested, they are obligated to consider them. A bevy of rangers was on hand at the open house, politely answering questions and explaining things. I saw several posters, and the virtual display by the energy company, but I did not see any human representing them. Maybe they had just stepped out for a moment when I was there...

The roads which will be constructed and improved will be dirt roads; no new pavement will be laid down. Except for the eastern section between the substation and the main transmission line, all the cables will be underground.

Construction will disrupt the use of LMRA. There will be times when the access road will be closed, rendering that entire campground, beach, trail system, and other facilities inaccessible by vehicle. Of course this will be temporary.

I have come across other wind farms while hiking, particularly in New York State. In one place the North Country Trail passes quite close to the base of a turbine. And in another location there is a flock of turbines just a hill or so away. I have to say that in both of these cases, my reaction is positive. The turbines are big, yes, but impressive big, not ugly big. Somehow they don't cause the same visceral reaction of hatred that a single cell tower on a hilltop creates. They are very quiet.

And of course, they provide clean energy. It's estimated that the White Pine Wind Farm will produce 50-70 megawatts of power.

And now for the NIMBY part (Not In My Back Yard). I would love to endorse this project. But why, oh why, do they have to want to build it right next to the only designated wilderness in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, Nordhouse Dunes? Nordhouse is directly to the south of the project area. The ridge on which a great deal of that wilderness sits is higher than the turbine locations. So I suspect that there will be some spots within the wilderness from which you will be able to see them. And from a boat, I suspect that not many people can easily tell where the wilderness boundary is. They just look shoreward and see a beautiful, uncluttered coastline. Now.

Well, I have 12 days to decide what my comments to the Forest Service will be. I wonder what I will say.

See Public Comment Sought on White Pines Wind Turbine Project Near Nordhouse Dunes
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See Lake Michigan Recreation Area
See Nordhouse Dunes

Public Comment Sought on White Pines Wind Turbine Project Near Nordhouse Dunes

Proposed sites of wind turbines in Mason County, MI. (right click and view in new window or tab to see full size)

by Joan H. Young
from the Manistee National Forest

The Huron-Manistee National Forest is seeking public comments on a proposed wind turbine project called the White Pines Wind Farm Project. A five-page document can be obtained from Patrica O'Connell. See contact information below.

A brief summary of the points in the document follows:

This project proposes the erection of 20 to 28 wind turbines, each 262 feet high within the Manistee National Forest in the area near the Lake Michigan Recreation Area and just north of Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness. The turbines would generate between 50 and 70 megawatts of power and are estimated to have a life span of 30 years.

In addition to the turbines themselves, the following are components of the project:
     1. Approximately nine miles of road reconstruction, and five miles of new roads would be built.
     2. Over 40 miles of underground cable would be installed.
     3. A step-up transformer would be mounted on the base of each tower.
     4. An electrical substation of about 5 acres would be constructed on Morton Road.
     5. An above-ground transmission line would be installed to carry the power to the Pere Marquette- Stronach transmission line which already exists to the east of the project area. The right-of-way for this line will be 150 feet.
     6. Existing meteoroligical towers which are currently collecting data within the project area would remain in place.
     7. Three temporary staging areas would be located for concrete batch mixing, equipment storage, etc. These would be re-vegetated upon completion of construction
     8. A second substation on private land would be built where the new transmission line joins the Pere Marquette- Stronach transmission line.

There are two open houses scheduled for public scoping.
     1. September 30, 2008 at the Ramada Inn, 4079 W US 10, Ludington. The public is welcome between 4 and 7 pm.
     2. October 1, 2008 at the Days Inn, 1462 US 31, Manistee. The public is welcome between 4 and 7 pm.

Comments should be received by the Forest by October 12, 2008. You may comment via the email given below, or by downloading the pdf form and sending it to Patricia O'Connell (address also below).

Commentary by Joan H. Young:
Questions which spring instantly to mind about this project are:
     1. Will the turbines be visible from the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness?
     2. Will reconstruction of the roads change the back-country character of the area? In particular, Green Road is currently dirt and very pot-holed. Although it is much traveled, there are many unofficial pull-off camping spots on the east side of Nordhouse Dunes. Will improvement of this road increase the incursion of illegal motorized vehicles and promote increased speed by legal vehicles?
     3. Will the turbines change the character of the area in the Lake Michigan Recreation Area? Although this is not wilderness, the area certainly projects a wild feeling if one leaves the trail system, and is in many places less trampled than the Nordhouse Wilderness Area.

Contact Patricia O'Connell, Cadillac-Manistee Ranger District, Huron-Manistee National Forest, 412 Red Apple Road, Manistee, MI 49660, 231-723-2211 x 3119,
Comment to comments-eastern-huron-manistee-manistee@fs.fed.us
Download the White Pines Wind Farm comment form (a pdf)
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Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Lake Michigan Recreation Area
See Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness

Untended Campfires - A Scary Story

by Paul Haan, edited by J.H. Young
used with permission, from greatlakeshikes email group, and including additional information from various responses.

I stumbled across something this weekend that really set my teeth on edge. Our trail crew with the Western Michigan Chapter NCTA was out mowing back the bracken ferns along the trail in northern Newaygo County on cool, beautiful, breezy Sunday morning. Shortly before noon, I decided to bushwhack back from the car towards the mowing crew for which I was waiting. On my way through the brush, I stumbled across a recently vacated backpacker campsite. There, in the middle of it all, was an unattended, smoldering pile of ashes.

I couldn't believe my eyes. The wind was blowing at a good 25 mph, and some knuckleheads didn't have the common sense to put out their campfire before leaving?

With the windy conditions that morning, I would say the odds would have been pretty good for a forest fire had I not found their leavings. Perhaps they "thought" it was out, but it certainly wasn't. This location was a mere 2 miles south of where a couple of careless backpackers burned up 40 acres just a few years back.

Thankfully, their Leave No Trace practices weren't much better than their fire dousing skills, making it easy for me to trip across the smoldering ashes. They also left a wad of duct tape, a ziplock bag, and the matted down ferns . The fire was only about 60" off the trail and about 100" from the Cedar Creek drainage.

In response to this posting, other reported coming across campfires blazing high, less than three feet from stacked woodpiles with no human anywhere in the vicinity. Two of these instances were in the northern Manistee Forest, near Coates Highway, and one other one near Newaygo.

It's beginning to seem quite miraculous that we still have the Manistee National Forest intact to recreate in.

PLEASE, if you find it necessary to build a fire in the back country, make sure it is good and out before you leave. And while you're at it, PLEASE try to camp at LEAST 200" off trail and away from the water sources upon which we all depend.

See Great Lakes Hikes email group
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Indiana Bats Dying from Mysterious Mold

Indiana Bat photo by Dr. J. Scott Altenbach from the MD DNR

In response to information about a mysterious illness that has been associated with the deaths of more than 8,000 bats, conservation groups today asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to close all bat hibernation sites and withdraw all federal permits to "take" — that is, harm or kill — imperiled bats until the cause of the deaths is understood. One species of bat that is at risk is the endangered Indiana bat.

While details are limited, scientists have given the name "white-nose syndrome" to describe a Fusarium mold that is exhibited around the dead bats’ noses. The syndrome is associated with the discovery of thousands of dead bats in at least two Albany, New York-area caves last winter. The two caves apparently lost over half their populations. This winter the "white-nose syndrome" has been found on a bat in a Vermont cave.

"Throughout the years, we have warned that the Indiana bat was one catastrophe from extinction. The public needs to know what the Fish and Wildlife Service is doing to meet this immediate threat, " said Mark Donham, program director for Heartwood.

The Indiana bat is one of the most endangered terrestrial mammals in the world. It was first listed under the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966. At least 700 individuals of this endangered and legally protected species have died in New York in the past 18 months. It is unknown if white-nose syndrome is the cause of the death or a symptom of what causes the death.

"Regardless of why these bats are dying, we must prepare for the worst," said Leigh Haynie, staff attorney for Center for Biological Diversity. "The Missouri and Kentucky populations of Indiana bats have been decimated; if the Vermont and New York populations of this endangered species are also dying, the Fish and Wildlife Service must take immediate emergency action to ensure this species does not go extinct. These are dire circumstances. The agency must act with all due haste."

The Manistee National Forest is considered to be the northernmost edge of its range.     - editor

a press release of the Center for Biological Diversity, "Mysterious Disease Threatens Survival of North American Bats; Conservation Groups Ask for Immediate Protections", Jan 29, 2008
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