Sugar bush qualifies as "agricultural use" as defined by Michigan law - 11/30/2010

"Agricultural Use" in Michigan is defined by MCL 324.36101. Properties that are 50% or more dedicated to "agricultural use" may qualify for the Michigan Agricultural Property Tax Exemption.

New rules for the FSA BCAP program - 11/8/2010 (MISAF)

For those that follow the USDA Farm Service Agency Biomass Crop Assistance Program, the new final rule was published 27 October 2010. Along with other documents and fact sheets, the rule is on the FSA website [ http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=ener&topic=bcap ].

Upper Peninsula woody biomass website is launched - 9/24/2008

The Upper Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development Council announces the launching of a new website, dedicated to promoting woody biomass as an alternative fuel source. It's purpose is to stimulate the development of a sustainable woody biomass industry in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, by providing a central clearinghouse for information on all aspects of woody biomass production and utilization in the region. You can access the site by going to: www.upwoodybiomass.org.

In addition, the website contains:

• UP Woody Biomass Exchange - An free, interactive service for buyers & sellers of woody biomass in the UP
• Woody Biomass Users - Information about schools & other facilities using wood for fuel in the UP
• Woody Biomass Harvests - Information on past, present, and future woody biomass harvests in the UP as well as guidelines for maintaining the sustainability of woody biomass harvesting in the UP
• Information Sets - A searchable collection of information on many aspects of woody biomass production & utilization, categorized into four main topics and 13 subtopics.
  

Emerald Ash Borer Infestation Confirmed in the U.P. - 11/1/2007

LANSING - Michigan’s Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Response team confirmed an EAB infestation at the Straits State Park in St. Ignace located in Mackinac County. This Upper Peninsula (U.P.) discovery was made during the removal and inspection of a 2007 detection tree established by Michigan Tech University.

“This discovery further underscores the need for travelers to stop moving firewood,” said Don Koivisto, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA). “It’s critical that we slow the spread of EAB to allow science to provide additional research to offer a long-term eradication solution if we are to be successful in preserving Michigan’s rich natural resources.”

“We encourage campers to purchase local firewood at their destination, and to not transport firewood to state parks and state forest campgrounds. Movement of infested wood is the quickest way to spread EAB,” said Rebecca Humphries, director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “We must protect our forests from the immediate threat EAB poses, while managing these resources long-term.”

Over the next several weeks, MDA crews will be conducting intensive surveys in a half-mile area around the St. Ignace site to determine the extent of EAB infestation. The results of those surveys will determine what action the state will take.

"Michigan continues to implement an approach within available resources to respond to this devastating pest," said Koivisto. "Curbing the spread of EAB and protecting the ash resource in Michigan hinges on a stable federal funding commitment."

EAB is an exotic, aggressive beetle native to Asia and was discovered in southeast Michigan in 2002. To date, the pest is responsible for the death or damage of approximately 25 million ash trees in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Ontario, Canada.

Residents are encouraged to continue to report suspect EAB infestations in the U.P. by calling the toll-free EAB hotline at 866-325-0023.

For more information about EAB, please visit www.michigan.gov/eab or www.emeraldashborer.info. Residents may also contact their regional MDA office or their local Michigan State University extension or conservation district office.

-Bill Cook, State Communications Chair

Sustainable Forest Technologies, Inc. is purchased by American Forest Management - 9/15/2007

American Forest Management, Inc. (AFM) announced today that it has entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with International Paper Company to acquire its forestry consulting business, Sustainable Forest Technologies, Inc. (SFT). The sale is expected to be completed in September.

The acquisition will combine the knowledge and expertise of two of the leaders in the field of forest management consulting, providing management activities on over 4 million acres of forestland throughout the United States. AFM will have a staff of 220 professionals operating from 41 offices in 15 states.

In making the announcement, Robert M. Jolley, Chief Executive Officer, noted “American Forest Management has been fortunate in acquiring an organization which employs such a highly motivated and experienced group of individuals. Our combined organization will enable us to expand our capabilities and services in a broader geographic area.”

AFM will continue to serve a variety of clients including private non-industrial timberland owners, timber investment management organizations, forest industry, conservation groups and public land managers. Services include land management, investment analysis, timberland sale and acquisition services, appraisals, growth and yield modeling, environmental assessments, forest inventory and design, acquisition due diligence, forest resource data management, harvest scheduling and analysis, and mapping services.

Presidential Campaign to Promote Noble Forestry Line of Apparel - 9/1/2007

Deadline to Switch from Commercial Forest to Qualified Forest is Fast Approaching - 8/16/2007

A one-time window of opportunity to withdrawl from the Michigan Commercial Forest Program and enroll in the Qualified Forest Program will close late in September 2007. Please visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for additional information.

The United States Forest Service Equips Natural Resource Professionals to Duplicate Successful Training Program - 6/21/2007

The USFS Hardwood Value Improvement Program (HVIP) is an partners based initiative to train, certify, equip, and support Local Trainers who will conduct HVIP Bucking Workshops. These workshops equip log buckers to improve their value recovery on quality hardwood trees by 20% or more. These are documented improvements in the value of saw and veneer logs produced from quality hardwood trees. The training includes both indoor and outdoor components and makes use of the HW Buck computer simulator to give participants the opportunity to improve their skills on both simulated and actual, on-site, tree stems. Hardwood defects, grading and scaling, and expert bucking techniques are covered. Participant receive both HVIP and SFE Continuing Education Credit.

Attendees at the recent HVIP Bucking Workshop, held at the Ford Forestry Center in Alberta MI, were given a bucking test both before and after completion of the workshop. The test consisted of choosing bucking cuts to manufacture an actual hardwood tree into hardwood logs. Value loss was calculated by comparing the logs produced to the set of logs which could have been produced to generate the absolute maximum value from that tree. When tested after completion of the workshop the average value loss was reduced by fifty percent (50%). These results are consistent with measurements of previous HVIP Bucking Workshop trainees.

Impacts of Corporate Timberland Ownership Change in the Upper Peninsula - A Community Forum - 6/8/2007

Over 1 million acres of corporate timberland in Michigan's Upper Peninsula changed hands in 2005-06. Ownership change is a primary vector for land use change. New owners will open some of these lands to new types of development that will help shape the future economic, social, and natural landscapes of the region. In this research, an analysis of corporate timberland ownership patterns and related change in management practices will be made and be used to yield policy and market-based strategies to preserve local prosperity, wildlife, and public access.

The Upper Peninsula Resource Conservation & Development (UP RC&D) Council will sponsor three community forums in partnership with the Luce-West Mackinac, Marquette and Houghton-Keweenaw Conservation Districts to help inform citizens and policy-makers across the UP of research findings in this project.

Presentations will be made regarding changes in corporate land ownership over the past several years, the importance of the forest products industry to the U.P. economy, local and state regulatory capacity and market-based tools. Participants will hear a corporate landowner's perspective and review the Michigan Commercial Forest Act. Members of county and township government, planning and zoning board members, conservation district and RC&D board members, owners and managers of mills and other timber products companies, foresters, timberland owners, representatives of land conservancies, recreation and wildlife organizations and other interested individuals will be invited to participate in the forums.

Input from forum participants will be gathered and considered for inclusion in the final project report.

Locations and Dates
June 19, 2007 - Newberry - Best Western Hotel
June 20, 2007 - Marquette - Peter White Public Library
June 21, 2007 - Houghton - UPPCO Building

Study Shows Michigan Has Largest Under-spending Gap For Natural resources in the Nation - 6/4/2007

Lansing, Michigan­Preliminary findings of a new national benchmark study of natural resources conservation and management funding indicates that Michigan ranks as one of the nation’s top states in the amount and diversity of its natural resources, but is below all other states in spending to protect those resources.

The conservation study was conducted jointly by the Heart of the Lakes Center for Land Conservation Policy and by the Land Policy Institute at Michigan State University (MSU). Funding was provided by People and Land, an initiative supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and by the Americana Foundation.

The study considered natural resources data, conservation spending, socio-economic data, and political factors to develop a model to predict expected levels of conservation spending. Those figures were compared with actual spending to determine the ranking for the lower 48 states.

Results indicate that a strong disconnect exists between conservation spending at the state level and a state’s natural resource base, and that a state’s macro-economy, in terms of poverty rate and public debt levels, can have a profound impact on the proportion of conservation spending.

“These results reinforce the gravity of the funding deficit,” said Rachel Kuntzsch, executive director of Heart of the Lakes. “To thrive in changing economic times, Michigan leaders must recognize the return on investment a strong and healthy natural resource base has on our economic prosperity. Not only does Michigan reap significant returns through resource-based industries, but our ability to attract businesses and workers is integrally linked to the quality of life we have to offer. We need to invest in these assets rather than neglect them.”

To download a copy of the preliminary findings, go to www.landpolicy.msu.edu or http://www.heartofthelakes.org/ or call the Land Policy Institute at 517.432.8800.

The Most Widely Used Forest Management Handbook Has Been Revised and Re-released - The Managers Handbook for Red Pine - 5/25/2007

This new version of the Red Pine Managers Guide gathers up-to-date information from many disciplines to address a wide range of red pine management issues. It provides guidance on managing red pine on extended rotations with a focus on landscape-scale objectives along with the traditional forest management tools focusing on production silviculture. The insect and disease portion of this guide has been expanded to include the latest information on forest protection.

Title: A Revised Managers Handbook for Red Pine in the North Central Region
Author: Gilmore, Daniel W.; Palik, Brian J.
Publication: Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-264. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Research Station. 55 p.

Extension Provides Workshops On Michigan's New "Qualified Forest Property" Program - 5/7/2007

Forest owners interested in active sustainable forest management and reducing their property tax burden may be interested in a workshop designed to explain Michigan's new Qualifed Forest Property Program. Forest owners with at least 20 acres of forest land, and other eligibilities, can apply for an exemption of school operating expense milage.

Three U.P. locations are hosting this evening workshop; 15 May in Houghton, 16 May in Escanaba, and 17 May in Sault Ste. Marie. The sessions will be conducted by Dr. Karen Potter-Witter, MSU Professor of Forestry and Extension Specialist. Registration deadlines are one week prior to the workshop date. There is a $15/person fee. Registration can be done on-line at http://web2.canr.msu.edu/forestry/register.cfm. The workshop will define who is eligible, program requirements, forest owner responsibilities, and the application process. This program does not require forest owners to allow public access. More information can be obtained from County Extension offices, Conservation District offices, or on-line at http://miforestpathways.net on the calendar.

JM Longyear LLC Supports Logger Professional Development Training - 5/3/2007

The JM Longyear LLC is sponsoring a special one day HVIP Bucking Workshop on May 7th for logging contractors within Michigan's Upper Peninsula. HVIP Bucking Workshops equip log buckers to improve their value recovery on quality hardwood trees by 20% or more. These are documented improvements in the value of saw and veneer logs produced from quality hardwood trees. The training includes both indoor and outdoor components and makes use of the HW Buck computer simulator to give participants the opportunity to improve their skills on both simulated and actual, on-site, tree stems. Hardwood defects, grading and scaling, and expert bucking techniques are covered.

Tree Seedling Delivery Fast Approaching - 4/27/2007

The Houghton/Keweenaw Conservation District's Annual Tree Sale Program will be delivering pre-ordered tree seedlings and shrubs on Friday, May 4th (3:00 p.m -6:00 p.m.) and Saturday, May 5th (9:00 a.m - noon). Distribution will take place at the Houghton County Area in Hancock (1500 Birch Street). If you did not place an order call the District office to find out if extras are available for purchase (906-482-0214).

Beleaguered Michigan DNR Forest Management Program Move Forward - 4/26/2007

Late in the fall of 2006 the Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Forest Management Division announced that, due to budgetary short falls, the majority of contracted timbersale setup activities would be canceled. The timber sale program allows forest and wildlife managers within the department to implement habitat improvement activities, protect forest health, prevent wildfire, as well as generate the majority of it's annual operating funds. The lack of existing operating capital to sustain such a vital function reveals the severity of the state's budget woes. Even so, Noble Forestry, being one of the few service providers awarded contracts prior to the program's cancellation, has commenced timber sale set up activities for the 2007 season. Activities though out the Western Upper Peninsula will continue relatively unimpeded this year thanks to the DNR Baraga Unit's efforts to complete management planning activities prior to the 2006 cutoff.

Logger Job Skills Training Reduces Value Loss By Fifty Percent (50%) - 4/26/2007

Attendees at the recent HVIP Bucking Workshop, held at the Ford Forestry Center in Alberta MI, were given a bucking test both before and after completion of the workshop. The test consisted of choosing bucking cuts to manufacture an actual hardwood tree into hardwood logs. Value loss was calculated by comparing the logs produced to the set of logs which could have been produced to generate the absolute maximum value from that tree. When tested after completion of the workshop the average value loss was reduced by fifty percent (50%). These results are consistent with measurements of previous HVIP Bucking Workshop trainees.

HVIP Bucking Workshops equip log buckers to improve their value recovery on quality hardwood trees by 20% or more. These are documented improvements in the value of saw and veneer logs produced from quality hardwood trees. The training includes both indoor and outdoor components and makes use of the HW Buck computer simulator to give participants the opportunity to improve their skills on both simulated and actual, on-site, tree stems. Hardwood defects, grading and scaling, and expert bucking techniques are covered. Participant receive both HVIP and SFE Continuing Education Credit.