The Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on boundaries for proposed management areas in the eastern Upper Peninsula ecoregion.

Draft management area maps and other information may be found on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnr. A quick link is provided to Ecosystem-Based Management on the front page. Click the link and scroll down to Eastern Upper Peninsula Ecoregional Planning to locate the Draft Management Areas for the EUP Ecoregion.

These management areas will provide a framework for the eastern Upper Peninsula regional state forest management plan, which will guide forest planning for the next 10 years. The goal is to group state forest land into management units according to their characteristics and attributes, such as grouping these units together by similar vegetation types, ownership patterns and proximity to important user markets (mills, transportation corridors, and recreational and tourism venues, for example).

The comment period ends April 30. Persons wishing to comment on the management area boundaries may send correspondence via e-mail to DNR-EUP-Eco-team@michigan.gov, or to EUP Ecoteam, DNR Newberry OSC, 5100 M-123, Newberry, MI 49868.

Future public meetings will detail the management guidelines for these areas and provide additional opportunity for review and comment. For more information, contact the EUP Ecoteam at (906) 293-5131. Copies of the draft boundaries also are available at libraries across the region.