A proposed land use order will be amended to address the public's use of the Pigeon River Country State Forest at the April 10 Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing. The order will discuss how multiple users can enjoy recreation in the 118,000-acre state forest tract in northeast lower Michigan, while protecting the wild character of the Pigeon River Country.

The order will be considered for action by Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries at the May meeting of the NRC.

"I recently approved the Pigeon River Country State Forest concept of management that attempts to accommodate multiple users and their interests, while protecting the wild beauty of the area," said Humphries. "This concept is a management framework for current and future recreation in the Pigeon River Country, and is the result of a variety of user groups who worked with us to resolve concerns. I appreciate the efforts of all these groups."

The land use order, which will be reviewed for information only at the April NRC meeting, addresses three specific recreational aspects of the Pigeon River Country State Forest: camping with horses, other riding or pack animals; trail riding with horses, other riding or pack animals; and bicycling.

Camping with horses or other riding or pack animals will be restricted under the land use orders to the Elk Hill Equestrian State Forest Campground and Trail Camp, and Johnson's Crossing Trail Camp.

Trail riding with horses, other riding or pack animals will be restricted to certain roads and pathways. A person riding or leading a horse, other riding animal or pack animal will be restricted to the north spur of the Shore to Shore Riding-Hiking Trail; a county road; a forest road designated and illustrated as open on the Pigeon River Country State Forest access map; or a service trail road posted open by the DNR, providing over 280 miles of riding opportunities.

Bicycling in the Pigeon River Country will be restricted to the High Country Pathway, the Shingle Mill Pathway and the Pickerel Lake Pathway; a county road; a state forest road designated and illustrated as open on the Pigeon River Country State Forest access map, providing 300 miles for bicycling.

"These regulations are necessary so that multiple recreational users can enjoy the Pigeon River Country State Forest with minimal conflict," Humphries said. "They are also necessary to protect the wild character of the area, and for the DNR to remain in compliance with federal grant fund requirements associated with the acquisition and management of the Pigeon River Country."

Humphries said it is important to note that recreational activities can still be enjoyed in the Pigeon River Country, but that they will be restricted to certain areas.

"We want to accommodate the users who have enjoyed this area, and who have helped through volunteer efforts to maintain it," Humphries said. "But we also wanted to make sure that the Pigeon River Country remains the 'Big Wild' for recreational activities that have been enjoyed for decades, such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, snowmobiling, horseback riding and bicycling. This state forest area belongs to the public, and we are charged with best managing it for multiple public recreational uses."

For more information on the proposed land use order, please visit the NRC section of the DNR's Web site at www.michigan.gov/nrc. All materials for the April 10 meeting, including the proposed land use order, are available in the agenda for the meeting.