The DNR purchased 123.80 acres of land in Barry County to be managed as part of the Middleville State Game Area. The southern portion of the property is hardwood forest and the northern portion consists of open fields, bisected by a wooded drainage ravine. Acquisition of the property provides expanded public hunting and recreational opportunities. The property was purchased with a grant provided by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.
The DNR purchased approximately 15 miles of recreational trail easements in Keweenaw and Houghton Counties. Acquisition of the easement rights permanently secures and connects trail access in perpetuity, providing public recreation opportunities and securing trails for future generations. The trails are dedicated to U.P. Snowmobile Trail No. 3 and provide dual use for trail ORV B. The easement rights were purchased with the Michigan Permanent Snowmobile Easement Fund.
The DNR purchased conservation easement rights over approximately 73,063 acres across Marquette, Baraga, and Iron Counties. The property contains environmentally important private forest lands that were threatened by conversion to non-forest use. The private landowner will manage the property under the terms of the Conservation Easement, which will be enforced by the DNR. The acquisition of the conservation easement prevents subdivision of the land, provides permanent public access to these unique lands, and requires the property to be sustainably managed as a working forest, which will provide wood fiber to the market and help to support the local rural economy. Acquisition of the rights in land was made possible by a United States Forest Service Forest Legacy Program grant of $15,075,000, a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant of $4,200,000, and a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant of $1,00,000. For more information, see our showcasing story: Showcasing the DNR: Protecting the wildest of Michigan’s wild places
This exchange was offered by the applicant to acquire 80-acres of land that was classified as land available for exchange during the state land review. The applicant offered 80 acres of land surrounded by state-owned land on three sides. The offered land provides approximately 0.11 mile of frontage along the East Branch of the Black River, which is a high priority cold water trout stream. The offered land is now being managed as part of the Sault Ste. Marie Forest Management Unit.
