The US Forest Service has unveiled plans for a significant logging initiative in the Ottawa National Forest of Michigan, which has sparked concerns among environmental groups and local stakeholders. The proposed Silver Branch Vegetation Management Project aims to clear-cut approximately 25,000 acres, an area roughly equivalent to the size of Detroit, while also expanding gravel mining operations and constructing new roads.
The project will cover about 40 miles along the eastern edge of the Ottawa National Forest, situated in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This region, bordering Wisconsin, is home to the endangered northern long-eared bat, prompting alarm from various environmental organizations. The project also incorporates a wild rice seeding initiative, improvements to camping facilities, and efforts to support the habitat of the protected Kirtland’s warbler.
Officials from the Ottawa National Forest assert that the primary objective of the Silver Branch project is not logging but rather the maintenance of forest health by promoting a diverse tree population. According to Trevor Hahka, the district ranger for the Bessemer, Iron River, and Watersmeet Ranger Districts, the project is designed to counteract the aging of certain tree species and to enhance the overall ecological balance of the forest.
Environmental Concerns and Opposition
Despite these assurances, opposition has emerged from a coalition of environmental groups, including the Environmental Law & Policy Center. Kelly Thayer, a senior policy advocate at the center, criticized the project, stating, “It involves 25,000 acres of national forest clear-cutting and yet the determination has been that there would be no significant impacts from such activities. That’s just not plausible.” The coalition has submitted a letter, accompanied by a detailed 73-page document, raising concerns about the potential for logging to exacerbate the spread of invasive species, increase water runoff, and disrupt habitats of protected wildlife, including gray wolves.
Thayer also highlighted the ecological significance of mature forests, emphasizing, “The mature forest is most important for sequestering carbon and helping to stabilize our climate.” The groups involved in the opposition are advocating for modifications to the project boundaries to better preserve existing and proposed protected wilderness areas and are calling for a comprehensive environmental impact statement.
While the federal government has conducted an initial environmental assessment and determined there would be “no significant impact” from the project, critics argue that this assessment is insufficient. If the US Forest Service opts to produce an environmental impact statement, it would face rigorous scrutiny regarding potential environmental repercussions and would need to propose alternatives.
The Forest Service previously initiated a 30-day comment period for the project starting on December 23, 2023, and another opportunity for public objections is expected in March 2024, with a decision anticipated later that month. Should the project proceed as planned, it is scheduled to commence in June 2024.
Project Scope and Financial Implications
The Silver Branch project entails a mix of logging strategies, including about 1,500 acres designated for clear-cutting and approximately 24,000 acres where selective logging will occur. This approach aims to retain some trees while addressing forest health concerns. In total, the areas designated for tree removal encompass around 130 square miles.
While Hahka has not provided a definitive figure on the financial benefits of the project, he noted that revenue from timber sales would be contingent on market conditions. Logging contracts will be awarded to private contractors through a competitive bidding process, with selected companies paying fees to the federal government for the timber they harvest. These fees will contribute to federal accounts rather than being allocated solely to the Ottawa National Forest.
Hahka has acknowledged concerns raised by various groups, stating that measures are in place to mitigate potential issues. These include protective buffers around known northern long-eared bat roosts and adherence to best practices aimed at reducing water runoff and limiting the spread of invasive species. The project also includes plans for thinning and prescribed burns, intended to bolster forest resilience against pests, diseases, and wildfires, all of which are exacerbated by climate change.
David Carter, a forestry professor at Michigan State University, characterized the Silver Branch proposal as a standard Forest Service initiative involving timber harvests and habitat restoration. He noted that opposition often stems from local residents who may resist such projects due to concerns about environmental impacts, commonly referred to as “not in my back yard” attitudes. “People’s demand for wood products has not gone down. It only goes up,” he said, stressing the importance of responsible harvesting practices to prevent deforestation in less regulated regions globally.
As the project moves forward, the ongoing dialogue between the US Forest Service and concerned stakeholders will be crucial in determining the balance between ecological preservation and resource management in Michigan’s national forests.
