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~ Current Concept of Management for the Pigeon River Country ~ Click here for the draft 2007 Concept of Management
Policies and Guidelines Forestry Division CONTENTS Introduction
The Pigeon River Country is 145 square miles of sparkling streams, clear lakes and wild, beautiful forests and hills. It is large, varying from 6 to 11 miles in width, east to west, and is 19 miles from north to south. It lies in the northeastern part of Michigan's lower peninsula, quite centrally located between the villages of Gaylord, Indian River, Onaway and Atlanta in northeastern Otsego County and southeastern Cheboygan County. Its western edge is 5 miles east of Interstate-75. It is close to M-68 on the north, M-33 on the east, and M-32 on the south. No major highway traverses it. Those roads which enter it lead to nowhere in particular, seeming to agree with individuals who feel that it is sufficient just to arrive within this pleasant place. Because of the absence of dwellings, cultivation, commercial enterprises or signs of man's activities, visitors enjoy a feeling of escape from today's fast moving society. There is a flavor of natural wildness and peaceful beauty here, the animals and birds are undisturbed, and people are occasional visitors. Loud, unnatural noises are infrequent and constructed works of man are scarce. True escape is possible here and its therapy is enjoyed by both wildlife and people. Generally speaking, the Pigeon River Country is quiet, unimposing, forested countryside. One might enter and leave the area without recognizing any outstanding characteristics or features. Its varying forests, gentle hills, lakes and clear streams are not unusual in Michigan. But the area does have unique qualities. Ninety percent of it is state forest land for the use of the people. The remainder is in small private recreational retreats or vacant properties. Its size, the extent of its public ownership, and its disconnection from modern "progress", development, crowds, and traffic make it unique as one of the largest remaining blocks of undeveloped land in lower Michigan. To make the Pigeon River Country even more unique, it is the central range of the only large, truly wild elk herd east of the Mississippi River. Sighting these magnificent animals as a result of chance encounters is a great experience for many. The bugling of the bulls in the fall mating season provides a thrill, as does the unexpected discovery of a harem or band of from several to thirty or more animals. Grouse, bears, bobcats, woodcock, deer, beaver and many other birds and animals, some of them clinging to remnants of diminishing habitat in Michigan, live here in harmony with their circumstances. The streams provide excellent conditions for healthy populations of native brook trout, and several of its lakes are well-suited to warm water game fish. In July, 1970, a major oil and gas discovery became the event that triggered actions leading to development of these policies and guidelines for the Pigeon River Country. The well, officially designated STATE-CHARLTON 1-4, brought industrial activity, men, machinery, and noise. Dust and the smells of raw petroleum and natural gas followed trucks, which began a continuous relay transporting oil over a wide, new road which had replaced a scenic, little-used forest trail. In short succession, three more successful and two unsuccessful wells were drilled in close proximity, adding to the activity and very visible changes which occurred in this formerly wild, quiet area. Viewing these sudden happenings as a threat of more to come, people who had enjoyed this pleasant place of refuge from all such activities were alarmed to the extent that changes in the Pigeon River Country became frequent topics of conversation in the local area. The oil well was the trigger, but those who had previously enjoyed their own unhurried pursuits here suddenly realized that at an accelerating pace, changes were occurring and more could be expected. With their attention now focused on the area, people began to recognize that timber harvests, wildlife habitat cutting, recreational developments, and visitors on snowmobiles and motorbikes had all recently increased. New developments, new activities, and greatly increased numbers of people might be expected to alter completely the peace and beauty that were here. Within two years following the drilling of State-Charlton 1-4, awareness of changes had stimulated interested individuals to action. The most concerned individuals formed an association reflecting their sole purpose of finding means to protect the surrounding area from further change. Personnel of the Department of Natural Resources began to appraise the situation and to make recommendations for the future management of the area. Within this concern as a cause, a group of people organized as the Pigeon River Country Association, in July, 1972, requested the Natural Resources Commission to designate 127 square miles of land as a "special management area", and to provide protection in the form of a plan to save the values seemingly threatened. They requested protection against change and over-use, restrictions on vehicular traffic, designation of the main streams as Wild Rivers, and a continuation of management, which they recognized as responsible for having helped to create the conditions which they enjoyed. They asked for official designation and a plan of management for the area as assurance against unexpected and undesirable events. Both from the Pigeon River Country Association and from interested individuals, messages were received by the Department of Natural Resources regarding protection and management of the Pigeon River Country. A great majority were in full basic agreement with the objectives and requests of the association. Fisheries and Wildlife biologists of the DNR, sharing the public alarm over impending changes, submitted recommendations designed to protect the high quality trout waters and wildlife habitat found here. Foresters, charged with managing these lands for all uses, began to see not only the threats that others saw, but also the likelihood that some single interest, given special consideration, or with stronger leadership, might harm or encroach upon the rights of another, and that a balanced plan was needed to avoid this. The Natural Resources Commission fully supported those common views and directed that a study and recommendations be prepared. The area to be included was expanded to 145 square miles. The Forestry Division, as land managers responsible for this area, was assigned the task.
Just as most of Northern Michigan, the Pigeon River Country was logged between 1860 and 1910. All of its magnificent pines went first. Many were floated to mills on the Black or the Pigeon River, or the Sturgeon River just to the west. The area was later veined with logging railroads which made it possible to reach timber away from the rivers and to take the valuable and heavy hardwoods which could not be floated as was the pine. The logging was followed, and in some areas preceded by disastrous, consuming forest fires that swept the slashings and invaded the remaining timber repeatedly, even as late as the early 1930's. Mingled into this time-space were many efforts to convert the land to farming use. At first the farms were for the raising of work horses and oxen for the logging camps, and for raising pigs, fruit and vegetables to feed the hungry loggers. Hay fields and oat crops were grown for the work animals, used for both logging and farming. But after the logging ended, the sawmills, mill towns and supporting farms died, for there were very few roads, no industries, and climate and soils were not suitable for profitable farming. Farms were abandoned and forgotten, but their locations are marked where a few large, sod-bound fields can still be found. The land and waters were all given back to nature, to heal the wounds left by those who had come and gone, having conquered this wild land like a broncobuster breaks a horse, with sharp spurs and single purpose. The timber was gone, The Pigeon River Country remained "off the beaten path", little noticed by the public while its forests and wildlife were recuperating and its waters returned to natural conditions. Abandonment of mills and farms and neglect in paying taxes caused large parts of the Pigeon River Country area to return to State ownership. By 1919, the State had acquired 6,468 acres in the northeastern township of Otsego County, and in April of that year the Pigeon River State Forest was established with a resident custodian living in a farm house. First planting of pine, as a forerunner of a major effort to reforest the denuded lands of the area, was made in 1920 when 81 acres were planted. In 1924 the DNR designated the Otsego Wildlife Refuge Unit east of Vanderbilt, in part coincident with the Pigeon River State Forest. Elk, which had been released in 1918 were increasing rapidly by that tine, and the refuge was intended to protect both them and the scarce deer in the area. For a short time a resident game keeper was assigned here, but by 1926 the entire state ownership was again administered by the supervisor of Pigeon River Forest. Most of the Otsego Refuge was leased or under permit from private owners until 1926 when 10,600 acres were purchased for $3.75 per acre with Game and Fish Protection Fund money and added to the original 2,720 acres of the Refuge. Planting of pines and clearing lines for fire protection were both well established activities by this time, and each increased as did the land in State ownership. By mid-1928 the Pigeon River State Forest included 19,200 acres and extended into adjacent Cheboygan County. Large acreages were both purchased and acquired through tax reversion in the late '20's and '30's. Lands purchased in adjacent Cheboygan County were designated as the North Pigeon River Refuge, which was closed to all deer hunting in 1931. Both the refuges and intermingled State Forest lands were administered by the forest supervisor. Except for young growth of spruce and cedar in the many narrow swamps and a thicket of hardwood saplings on some of the areas of upland which had escaped the most recent fires, the land was either barren hills or just sparse "brush" when a Civilian Conservation Corps camp was established on the old farm land next to Cornwall Lake in 1933. Some of the lakes were the repositories for slab wood, sawdust, and deadhead logs left after early logging. The streams had been scoured by the log drives, flushed by the release of dammed-up waters spring after spring. Abandoned logging railroad grades reached in all directions, and cleared log-decking areas were visible at strategic points along the rivers and railroad grades. Broken logs, exposed and rotting ties, big pine stumps and burned snags made it as plain as the fence posts, lilac bushes and barbed wire at the old homesteads just what had happened here. Some of these can still be found. It was not long ago. Obvious needs were dealt with by the vigorous youths of the CCC. Roads were built using the old railroad grades as foundations wherever possible. Almost one third of the bare lands were hand=planted to native pines and were protected from fires by construction of a grid of interlacing fire-breaks, cleared to road width every quarter mile in the pine areas. CCC labor and spring thaws removed the worst of the debris in the streams and healed the eroding banks. Young seedlings and saplings, both natural and planted, grew in size and numbers. The forests grew and began to close the old fields. With so few people living in or using the area, wildlife flourished. The elk thrived and multiplied on the plentiful food supply and solitude to occupy this and the surrounding countryside. . By 1927, elk were estimated to number possibly as many as 5OO, not enough to allow hunting, but in 1929 the Pigeon River Refuge was opened to hunting of deer, which no longer needed protection. The adjacent Otsego Refuge was kept closed to protect the elk, but a study showed that the elk ranged onto nearby lightly hunted private hunting clubs which afforded them considerable safety, and in 1940 the Otsego Refuge was also opened for deer hunting. In 1952 redistricting and renaming of state forest lands resulted in division of the original Pigeon River State Forest into four separate forests for administrative purposes. The division was on the county line between Otsego, Cheboygan and Montmorency Counties, and a northerly extension of the Otsego-Montmorency County line (the base meridian) northerly through Cheboygan County. It left the lands in Otsego County in the Pigeon River State Forest, but transferred the northwesterly portions to the Hardwood State Forest, the northeasterly portion into the Black Lake State Forest, and the small acreage in Montmorency County to the Thunder Bay River State Forest. Administration of these contiguous state-owned lands was then and until now [i.e., 1973] in four locations: Gaylord, Indian River, Atlanta, and Onaway, with no resident personnel or office within the original Pigeon River tract. From 1952 on, the old headquarter buildings were used as a laboratory and office for fisheries research, no longer as either forestry headquarters or as residences for anyone except on temporary assignments. Management during the first 20 years of State ownership consisted of forest fire protection, including building miles of firebreaks which are still very evident, protection of elk and deer from hunting, planting of pine, protection against timber thieves and squatters, and development of three campgrounds. After that, timber sales, limited at first by the immature forests and scarce markets, elk research, and fish planting and research came into the picture. At this time (1973), 65 percent of the state-owned lands in the Pigeon River Country have been purchased by the use of money from the Game and Fish Protection Fund. The remainder was acquired almost entirely by reversion to the state after non-payment of taxes by the former owners. By 1950 and at an accelerating pace since then, timber, fish, wildlife and people have demanded and received considerably increased attention. Demands are presently far beyond adequate means for response. Oil was discovered at the edge of the Black River swamp in 1970. Much has changed since.
The Pigeon River Country has two major distinguishing characteristics: being a large, uninterrupted block of public forest land in unspoiled, undeveloped condition, and being the heartland of Michigan's very unique elk herd. For these reasons this statement of policy and guidelines has been developed for the area. They are designed also to accommodate many other features, providing for them as fully as possible without harming these two important characteristics and to compromise between and among them to achieve a maximum combination of benefits. It is very significant to note that a great majority of those who have offered their views in regard to this area recognized management as a necessity for achievement of what they wanted. To protect the Pigeon River Country, to keep it "as it is", and yet to please its visitors, maintain its clean water and benefit its elk and other wildlife will require considerable management effort. It has been recognized that this area, its environment, its forests and its use by people have all been changing. Now it is proposed to arrest that movement so as to prevent undesirable development from occurring. To a great degree this can be done. At least those elements of change which are disagreeable or damaging can be controlled, if not eliminated through management. It will be the policy of the Department of Natural Resources to manage the Pigeon River Country to protect and maintain the natural beauty of its forests and waters, and to sustain a healthy elk herd and wildlife populations. The Department's objectives, therefore, are to manage and control activities so that those activities which are permitted are in keeping with the unique and wild character of the Pigeon River Country; and to protect the area from overuse and overdevelopment. Within this policy and these objectives, the Department plans:
In order to accomplish the stated objectives, these guidelines are developed as a framework from which detailed and specific short and long range programs of management action will be separately written in such a way as to reflect the objectives, which, once achieved, will be maintained.
Times and circumstances are changing and needs differ from one place to another. Wants and interests of people, and both the use and conditions of the Pigeon River Country have been constantly changing. Management for this area needs more than general objectives; it needs guidelines to serve its particular needs and conditions. Using the predomination of certain land and cover characteristics and resulting development of past uses as a basis, these general plans emphasize those areas which have been demonstrated to be best suited for a particular use in assigning priorities in management. These areas are most easily identified by the greater or lesser abundance of certain types of cover, which itself is dependent on soils and drainage. Manipulation of the cover, either by preservation or active control, is the most important element which will influence wildlife, aesthetics, and recreation. Cover Management Areas: Four broad areas are defined within which cover will be primarily managed to satisfy specific objectives. These will be broad areas in which:
Managing these areas for different primary objectives is not intended or expected to create or magnify visible differences. Within each cover management area, islands of differences in soils, terrain, and cover types occur, which will most logically be managed for other objectives. Small HIGH FOREST units will be found in the ELK RANGE: openings will be maintained for WILDLIFE HABITAT within the HIGH FOREST, but the primary management will be that of the cover management area. A variety of conditions will continue to prevail in all areas. Each of the selected objectives will be attainable under the management to be emphasized in management areas. None are areas of exclusive use, except for the Natural and Nature Study areas, but each will allow greater emphasis in management toward one or another of the objectives. Timber will be harvested as a product of ever-continuing growth of the forests. The primary objective of forest management will not be to produce a specific product, or products, such as sawlogs or pulpwood, but to achieve the forest conditions most suited to stated objectives of the area. As the most efficient and economical means of management, commercial cutting will be used to keep the forests vigorous, create or maintain desired conditions or effects, as well as to provide important economic benefits. Full production of needed timber products is a certain and intended result of such management. To achieve and maintain aesthetic qualities and conditions, natural type-lines will be followed whenever possible in timber and cover management. A variety of age-classes, species, cover conditions, and types will be developed. It will be the policy to restrict clear-cutting to units not to exceed 40 acres, or a combined total of 40 chains in width and length of each cutting unit. More than one unit, not adjacent, may be combined in a sale. The total area so cut should allow regeneration of aspen every 40 years, jack pine every 50 years, and regeneration of the hardwoods thus handled, approximately every 50 years. It is important to restrict the size of units of area cut, mechanically treated, or burned at one time, and also the total. This is necessary in order to maintain areas of every size class for continuation of the program and also to provide favorable food and cover at short distances from any point at all times. To avoid disturbance during the critical time of nesting, young-bearing, and the early weeks of life of wild young, off-road activities of logging will not be permitted from April 15 through June 30 in either ELK RANGE or WILDLIFE HABITAT management areas. HIGH FOREST - 31 percent of the public land: Almost one-third of the total area is in the HIGH FOREST cover management area. Few people realize that this forest is in a rapidly changing state. The natural processes of reproduction, growth and mortality, and changes of species as conditions of shade and competition for moisture change, all demand management. It should be remembered that this area was logged off and burned in the relatively recent past. The forests were almost totally removed between 40 and 100 years ago, and those present now have grown since that time. Maintenance of the beauty, variety and health of the cover, including the largest trees present, depends on preventing two natural processes from occurring: (1) the tendency for the combination of a few species most tolerant of shade (the "climax" type) from taking over everywhere; and (2) the complete dominance by mature and overmature trees over all other vegetation. If climax types take over, the forest becomes monotonous - all one size and age and of only a few species. If old trees dominate too much, low vegetation and young trees die due through lack of sunlight and moisture. If either occurs, many species of flower and bird life are lost. To continue the present pleasing general conditions of the forests, will call for:
Some of these efforts may be needed to regenerate temporary types such as aspen, white birch or jack pine, or to replace one type with another for greater variety or for wildlife benefits. None of these methods will be applied in wholesale measure which would offend the viewer or user of the area or upset continuous productivity of all conditions. To maintain the northern hardwoods and the red and white pines of the HIGH FOREST in approximately their present desirable stage of development, single tree selection will be used in the hardwoods to achieve and maintain all-age stands; group shelter-wood silviculture will be applied at 10-year intervals in the red and white pines and they will be regenerated on a 120-year rotation. Periodic thinnings will be necessary in the pines. The goal will be a variety of conditions, from grass, ferns and shrubs, to small, medium and large trees, with many species represented. Meadows and sod-covered hills, deep silent swamps and cathedral-like groves of tall pines and hardwoods will be provided. ELK RANGE - 33 percent of the public land: The present (1973) elk herd is estimated to be between 400 @nd 700 animals. The goal of the elk management in the Pigeon River Country will be to maintain a healthy, visible herd, so as to preserve it as an example of this impressive native of Michigan. Efforts will be made to keep the herd between 500 and 1,000 animals. A healthy herd will be an increasing herd, and periodically their numbers will need to be reduced to balance their habitat and to avoid conflict with other uses of the area. Reduction of numbers may be done by carefully regulated hunting when and if this need is determined. ELK RANGE management will be given top priority in large cover management areas totaling approximately 30 percent of the entire tract. Elk will share equally in benefits on another 25 percent managed for mixed wildlife habitat. They will continue to be found in conditions to their liking which will be maintained in lesser amounts over the rest of the area. The following specific practices will be employed: Maintain and increase grassy openings. "Permanent" grassy openings will be maintained in all areas wherever they occur by periodically using rolling choppers or similar devices to prevent tree encroachment at the edges and by fertilizing and seeding. These practices will also rejuvenate shrubs in the edge growth. Grassy openings in the ELK RANGE (and WILDLIFE HABITAT) management areas will be enlarged and new openings added by following tree harvest with rolling choppers, selective herbicides, seeding and fertilizing. The goal will be to double the present total area in grassy openings over a 20-year period by adding approximately 200 acres each year, primarily in the elk range cover management areas. Prescribed burning may be used in restricted areas. Renew available herbaceous and woody sprout growth. By clearcutting of aspen and jack pine, of northern hardwoods where high quality stands are not developing, and of lowland hardwoods in the elk management areas, new sprout and seedling growth, and growth of mixed herbaceous plants will be created on a regular basis each year. The schedule for cutting of these types should almost double the area in seedling and sapling size classes over this entire managed area within the next 20 years. Coniferous trees may invade aspen types and some will need to be removed during harvest operations in order to avoid loss of the aspen type. Red and white pine invading jack pine type should be cut similarly. If jack pine is to be regenerated, prescribed burning or planting may be necessary. Normal selective harvest in northern hardwood stands is expected to result in considerable benefits to both elk and other wildlife as it establishes and supports new understory growth. Provide seclusion and solitude. - During the calving season and for a short period (May and June), seclusion and solitude are sought by elk cows. This period is also when recreational activities of people begin to increase. Neither foot traffic nor skiers bother elk. They are, however, quite alarmed by autos or other fast-moving vehicles which cause them to move away from roads and trails. To avoid this, traffic in elk areas will be reduced and held to a low level by closing unneeded roads and trails to public vehicles. Reduce poaching. The closing of unneeded roads and trails to motorized vehicles will facilitate law enforcement. Many believe that the most serious problem of the elk herd is attrition through poaching. The excessive network of drivable roads not only makes surveillance by law officers difficult, but makes apprehension of violators even more so. WILDLIFE HABITAT - 25 percent of the public land: Within the Pigeon River Country are natural circumstances which particularly favor certain game species of wildlife and a great number of non-game birds and animals. Great care will be taken to avoid the loss of any element necessary to those circumstances. The non-game species benefit from the presence of a great variety of cover types, from grassy meadows to very large trees and from wet marshes to deep lakes and streams. Fortunately, this variety is the most important of all characteristics of the Pigeon River Country, for people as well as for wildlife. Every necessary effort will be expended and every consideration given to keeping these varying circumstances, except in the natural Area and Nature Study preserves where natural development will diminish low growth, openings and young trees. Of special importance among animals and birds are black bears, bobcats, deer, grouse and woodcock. The first two are certainly neither rare nor endangered, but habitat to suit the needs of these very wild creatures, which must have seclusion to survive, is rapidly diminishing in the Lower Peninsula. Bears and bobcats: Both bears and bobcats need sizeable areas where they will not encounter man. Bears are particularly vulnerable in the spring when they are hungry and when cubs are very small. Bobcats are seldom seen, except when hunted, attesting to their wildness. For the special benefit of these animals, coniferous swamps will be treated as areas of shelter and seclusion. Large areas which include swamps will be left roadless and to a great degree trailless. Timber cutting in these swamps will be limited to that necessary for maintenance and regeneration. Deer: Deer will thrive in conditions made favorable for elk and other wildlife. Deer are now numerous in the area and no additional measures are needed for them. Deer pose a special problem in the Pigeon River Country area. They are carriers of the brainworm disease which does them little harm but which, when transferred through grazing to elk, causes death. For that reason, hunting will be encouraged and aided in an effort to prevent a great increase in deer numbers. Ruffed Grouse: Grouse will benefit especially from the cover management to be employed for elk. They need various sizes of shelter and mature patches of aspen and basswood for winter food. Cover and timber management practices to be employed everywhere will provide these in abundance. The edges and small sodded clearings provided by little-used service roads and landings will be used by them also. Woodcock: Woodcock thrive best with access to wet areas, including low-land brush, hardwood swamps and wet grassy meadows. All of these conditions exist in areas of the WILDLIFE HABITAT cover management area, and specific efforts will be made to maintain them. Small areas will be burned to keep the grassy meadows, and lowland hardwoods will be cut to rejuvenate lowland brush and marsh conditions. Any landings (small clearings) created within the vicinity of marshes or swamps will likely be used as singing grounds in the spring. NATURAL AND WILD - 11 percent of the public land: Certainly a great present aesthetic value, and now very similar in appearance to the High Forest, the areas to be preserved as a Natural Area and as a Nature Study Area are of particular interest. The only management to be applied in these areas will be to protect them from unnatural alteration (the effects of people) and from major natural disasters such as fire, which could totally destroy them. The area which will be recommended for dedication as a Natural Area under the Wilderness and Natural Areas Act of 1972, is approximately 160 acres of natural red and white pine up to 1OO years old, and mixed with a few hardwoods and aspen, the latter of which are dying out. At one place the type changes from red and white pine to cedar of the same age. The stand has full structure from ground cover to tall trees, and great natural beauty. A few miles south of the Natural Area is an area of northern hardwood type, totalling approximately 850 acres, which will be recommended for dedication as a Nature Study Area. Part of this area has been logged since its origin as a stand about 100 years ago, but the remainder has been untouched. Time will heal the scars here and the growth and changes which will occur under protection alone will be of great interest to observers, as will the flora and fauna of this area. Along the watercourses which will be recommended for study and possible dedication under the Wild and Natural Rivers Act, and also bordering all other streams and lakes, an area of trees and associated ground cover will be carefully maintained in natural appearance. This area will require modifications to any cutting, but not its complete abandonment.
All waters in the area will be protected from destructive use by management of shore cover such as is practiced in natural river areas. Black River, Pigeon River and Hardwood Creek will be recommended for study and possible dedication under the Wild and Natural Rivers Act. Streams will be managed for trout, while lakes will be managed variously according to the characteristics of habitat they offer. Any cover or shore protection devices used will be designed and of materials to maintain a natural appearance. The following points will be observed in water and fisheries management:
To achieve the stated objectives it will be necessary to manage people who use the Pigeon River Country as well as the natural resources of the area. This we hope to accomplish through "gentle persuasion" by encouraging recreational pursuits most in harmony with the character of the Pigeon River Country. For control and management of recreational activities the entire tract will be divided into two zones. The Central Zone contains the majority of campgrounds and trails. This zone also has land, water and forest conditions which people like best for active recreation and passive observation. The Outer Zone contains some of the most remote and secluded portions of the Pigeon River Country and is least used by people. Wild life need it to remain this way. People's activities, their distribution and numbers in these zones as well as the effects they create will be controlled. The intent will be to minimize disturbing activities by the nature of facilities and circumstances and by areas and facilities made available or withheld from use. Both wildlife and people are disturbed by loud unnatural noises and rapid movements. Truck traffic, clanking and hammering of construction or repair, engine and motor noises, and fast-moving vehicles are all very disruptive, especially if continuous or if they occur at seasons when wildlife especially seek seclusion or when people are enjoying quiet, leisurely activities. In large areas access by vehicles will be restricted to existing roads. In keeping with the general character of the area and to protect the wildlife and environment from disturbing intrusion at critical times of the year, some recreational activities will be confined to certain zones or limited to certain periods of time. No restrictions will be applied except for these reasons. Camping: Camping will be of two kinds: "drive-in" camping, where access roads permit vehicles to enter campgrounds with prepared sites and simple facilities (no electricity will be available), and "Primitive" camping, which will be away from vehicular access routes but in prescribed areas, and in which no facilities will be provided (until when and if use or abuse requires it). There are five drive-in campgrounds in the Central Zone and one in the Outer Zone. These will be maintained to emphasize natural features of the area and shall be controlled to avoid crowding or over-use. No new drive-in camping facilities are being planned. Employees stationed in the area will visit each campground regularly. In both Central and Outer zones primitive walk-in camping will be controlled to perpetuate the very essence of the high quality recreational experience obtainable now in the Pigeon River Country. Both over-use and uncontrolled use could destroy this potential. ' For safety and possible emergencies, for fire control and planning purposes, persons who will be primitive camping will be required to obtain a fire and camping permit and to leave an itinerary of their intended route. Primitive camping "sites" will be provided in the central zone. The Outer Zone will be restrictive in regards to where and when camping will be permitted. Primitive campers will be required to carry out all trash; burning combustible material will be allowed (fire conditions permitting). Open fires will be allowed only in approved fire rings. Only dead and downed wood material may be used for fire. Cutting of live trees, brush, poles, or timber for recreation use is not permitted. Continued review of these camping policies and guidelines will be necessary in order to insure an enjoyable experience. Pathways (non-motorized trails): In response to recent increased interest and the growing need for marked pathways for back-packing, day hiking (nature walks), cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, the Department will encourage these activities as least damaging or disturbing to the environment and wildlife. Pathways of varying length will be provided to serve not only the day hiker, but also the weekend and vacation user. The same pathways will be used by a variety of people: back-packers, skiers, snowshoers, and hunters. There are presently three marked pathways in the Central Zone. More will be established, both here and in the Outer Zone, where service roads will be used as portions of trails. Within the Central Zone, to accommodate organizations, there will be no restrictions on sizes of groups hiking or camping together, but to avoid disturbing wildlife in the Outer Zone such groups will be limited to 10 or less together. Plans for a Pathway [now known as the "High Country Pathway"] which will link the Pigeon River Country with the three surrounding State Forests are being proposed. The route, or routes will go from the Pigeon River Country area east across the Black River into Presque Isle County in the Sink Holes Area of the Black Lake State Forest, then south to Clear Lake State Park, and then west through Rattlesnake Hills of the Thunder Bay River State Forest back to the Pigeon River Country. All of it will be on state-owned land. There are not many places in the lower peninsula which offer this possibility. The Michigan Riding-Hiking Trail traverses this area from north to south. It will be relocated off roads and possibly incorporated into the longer Pathways system. One drive-in horse camp will be permitted in the Central Zone, primitive camps may be established in the Outer Zone. Canoeing: The Pigeon River, south of Webb Road, is not suitable for canoeing; north of Webb Road, it offers poor canoeing possibilities. Access is available at Mclntosh Landing, but there are over 30 "carry-over" points in the first 20-mile stretch. Take-out will be outside of the area. Canoeing of the upper Black River (up stream) of Clark Bridge is not recommended and shall not be encouraged. From Clark Bridge down-stream, canoeing is possible and access will be provided. Permits for commercial use of canoe landings will not be granted. Visitor Center: A Visitor Center will be provided for convenience and emergency use of the public. Information about the area, maps of trails and roads, and restrictions which must be observed will be dispensed. A public telephone and toilets will be available. Other facilities and conveniences will be added later. With the help of seasonally employed students, the Center will be open 7 days a week from April 15 through October 30. If use and demand warrants it, an interpretive center will be established later. Present buildings are very adaptable for these uses. Picking: Berry and mushroom pickers are welcome. They must not pick in the Natural Area or Nature Study Area, each of which will be posted. Hunting and Fishing: Hunters and fishermen are welcome. Provisions will be made for the fishermen and hunters in the way of access to areas they frequent. Water access points will be improved to prevent erosion, but to discourage greater use they will not be enlarged. Some new access points will be provided. Parking Areas: For visitor convenience, parking areas will be cleared and graded at water access points and at road and trail intersections throughout the area where they are needed. Recreation Vehicles: Off-road vehicles (ORV's), including motorcycles, all terrain vehicles, and snowmobiles will be allowed to use roads as governed by state and local laws. They will be prohibited from travel on service roads, trails, or paths. Service roads will be posted or have gates and signs identifying them as service roads, closed to public vehicles. To avoid disturbance to wildlife and possible damage to vegetation and land surface, no new trails will be provided for ORV's. One 12-mile snowmobile route located in the southern portion is marked on country trail roads which are not plowed in winter. The term "roads", as used in this study, includes all roads which are available for the use of the public, regardless of administration, ownership or origin. Within the Pigeon River Country are county roads, others which were built by the Department of Natural Resources, and many drivable routes which have developed over the years through repeated use of trails created by loggers, fishermen, hunters and individuals for numerous other reasons. Many of these are not shown on maps. There are presently well over 250 miles of roads which appear on maps and are available to the public in that they are not closed or posted against use. Just less than half are in the county road systems of Cheboygan and Otsego Counties. Many of the mapped roads, both county and other, are in poor condition; some are completely impassable by vehicle; some are not recognizable as roads. Maintenance on the remainder varies from good to very poor, and in the spring, thawing and excess water create difficulties in many places. Generally speaking, there is adequate road access to most places where access is needed or desirable. In many areas there are far more roads than are needed or are desirable for best use. Most unneeded roads and drivable trails are not county roads, but a few are. Altering an established road system is difficult, may be costly, and has long lasting effects. Decisions, whether to close or abandon a road, improve it or to build a new route, should be the result of careful deliberation and consultation with people affected. In the case of closing county roads, a sequence of petitioning, public hearings and then action is needed. This, of course, requires the cooperation of the county road commission involved. Where other roads or trails are to be altered, an administrative decision is sufficient. It should have local approval and support. Beginning in compartments scheduled for periodic management efforts under the Forest and Wildlife Management Plan of the area supervisor, roads included will be reviewed as to their status, conditions and need. Recommendations of the Advisory Council will be sought and an action program decided upon. Each year new compartments will be so reviewed. Decisions may call for closing and abandonment; closing only to public use (retaining for service and work use); improving and adding stretches for public use, some to become part of the county system; or for improvement and maintenance. Within less than ten years, all roads now in existence will have been reviewed and decisions made. Any roads to be permanently closed will be barricaded and allowed to return to natural conditions. Some tree planting, disking, seeding and fertilizing may be needed to hasten the process. No through thoroughfares are planned. The counties will be asked to provide maintenance sufficient for needs but not to attract greater use or to encourage high speed. The Advisory Council will be asked to consider, recommend and gain support for all decisions regarding roads. Signs will be placed at points where roads enter the area, advising visitors that they are entering Pigeon River Country and the rules regarding the use of the area. Proper decisions, area-by-area and road-by-road, will result in convenience of access where desirable and protection of seclusion where that is desirable. It will also distribute travel so as to avoid any tendency toward congestion. With this plan is a map of preliminary recommendations for a road system to serve the Pigeon River Country. Review and revision will very likely be needed. Parking Areas: Narrow roads and many dispersed recreational activities such as hunting, hiking, and berry or mushroom picking creates the problem of roads blocked by parked cars. To alleviate this problem, parking spaces adequate for a few cars will be cleared and graded at convenient road and trail intersections for the use of visitors. Service Roads: In addition to roads available year-around for public use, a network of service roads is needed to allow maintenance and work vehicles, as well as loggers, to enter almost all areas. Such a network will not cause vehicular disturbance in secluded areas, because of infrequency of use for these purposes. Timber and cover management will require access at least once every 10 years. Where roads for public use are not desirable, these access routes will be designated as Service Roads. They will also be a part of the non-vehicular recreation system, providing routes for hikers and "grouse-walks" for hunters. During periods of disuse, following each major use, these roads will be disked, seeded and fertilized to establish a sod cover for wildlife and to prevent closing by trees. Haul roads for logging will be planned to become part of the permanent system of Service Roads, usable for recreational trail routes, fire control and hunter access. Oil and gas pipeline routes and access roads will be planned wherever possible to provide service roads needed for other uses also. Roads in this category wild be closed to public vehicular traffic by the use of gates or other means and posted as to their status. Landings: Service-Roads only lead workers and loggers into the forest areas. In many instances the work to be done then requires space for equipment, supplies, and possibly for certain tasks to be performed. Logging, of course, requires space for temporary piling of cut products, and more and more it requires preliminary processing at the woods site. Cleared work sites are needed at least every 10 years, in almost every forest stand. The term "landing" will be used to refer to these clearings. Landings will be created throughout the forest areas as each portion is scheduled for maintenance or logging. A typical landing will be approximately 100 by 200 feet in size, and will be on a Service Road, at least one-quarter mile from any road open for public use. They will be spaced as needed and it is anticipated that this will be done conservatively, additions being made as needs are indicated. Some may be smaller, others larger, as determined by the limitations of the terrain at each location. Landings will also be useful for wildlife and recreation as small permanent openings with the usual variety of plants and shrubs of the forest edge. Those who use the Service Roads as hiking, skiing, or hunting trails will also find these small clearings very useful as secluded campsites, or as visibility clearings for hunting. Edges may be planted with occasional flowering or fruiting trees or shrubs and accent trees for variety.
As a result of partial exploration and past development efforts, it has been definitely proven that there are significant oil and gas deposits under the Pigeon River Country. These occur in porous "reefs" or island-like formations between four and six thousand feet beneath the land surface. The reefs vary in dimension, extending laterally under a surface area of from less than 80 acres to possibly more than 5OO acres each. Prudent, conservative exploration and development of these needed resources will be allowed. Great care will be taken to avoid serious or permanent damage to aesthetics, wildlife or waters. It is possible that oil and gas production may be denied or deferred in portions of the area, however, decisions in this regard will be tempered by consideration of demand, need and the effects of exploration and development on other objectives in the area. It is quite probable that very careful development can be conducted with minimal damaging effects. Each proposed development location will be considered separately on the basis of all related factors. It is not the intention of the DNR to cause or allow unwarranted loss of values which are scarce, irreplaceable or more important than the proposed development for minerals. Neither is it intended to ignore the presence of this valuable and useful resource. As exploration progresses, complete plans for placement and development of wells and all facilities will be worked out for each area before any actual development begins. To avoid disturbance during the critical period of nesting, young-bearing, and the first weeks of life for young wild creatures, as well as to avoid damage to roads and land in the spring thaw and wet ground period, neither seismic exploration, pipeline or road constructions, or major construction or repair of facilities will be allowed from April 15 through June 30.
Utility Lines: There are no major uses of electric power within the Pigeon River Country, and there are no high-voltage transmission lines crossing it. It will be the policy that no transmission lines will be allowed to cross the area. Scattered throughout but most prevalent on the outer areas, especially in the northeast portion, are over 80 small private ownerships. Electric distribution and telephone lines are in service to many, not to all. If few lines are to be constructed to areas not presently served, they will be buried, according to the Guidelines for Utilities, Pipelines, and Communications Systems on State lands, issued by the DNR. Where possible, routes will follow public roads. Sand and Gravel: The extraction of surface minerals within the Pigeon River Country will not be allowed. Adequate deposits of sand and gravel are present in nearby locations. Sanitary Land Fill: The development of sanitary land fills will not be allowed. Economics: It is not an objective of this plan to maximize economic benefits derived from this area. It is anticipated that implementation of the plan will not adversely affect them. Indirect economic effects of recreation-seeking visitors will be felt both locally and elsewhere. Timber production should increase measurably, as prescribed, intensified cover management is expected to improve vigor, quality and growth of the trees and stands and as cutting is used as a tool to accomplish stated objectives. Oil and gas production will contribute significantly to satisfy public needs.
Within the boundaries of the Pigeon River Country are more than 85 privately owned parcels of land totalling 9,763 acres. Most are used for recreational purposes, a few are permanent residences and several are vacant. Boundaries are drawn including these lands to show areas influenced by the plan, and with the hope of cooperation and compatible land use and management among those included. No restrictions or controls of any kind directly affecting included private lands are implied or intended in this plan, except those which may accompany future dedication of wild and natural rivers. Cooperative and coordinated management of private lands both within and adjacent to the Pigeon River Country is, of course, highly desirable and will be sought. To this end, consultation and assistance will be offered to private owners by DNR personnel assigned to this unit. It is highly desirable that the DNR aggressively seek opportunities to acquire ownership of all private in-holdings which are or may become available. Interrupted ownership carries the possibility that an owner may disagree with the planned use of the area surrounding or adjacent to his lands and could thwart efforts to provide seclusion or other special conditions. Most owners contacted have indicated great interest in what will be happening to the state lands that surround them, and seem to support the concepts herein described. If purchase of lands is not possible, easements will be sought to assure compatible land use and cover management. Consideration of private owners' interests and consultation with them will be undertaken in regard to local zoning or ordinances to control land development and use. The Advisory Council will be expected to consider this and make recommendations.
Although not stated as an objective, it is the intention of these policies and guidelines to cause subtle changes, protracted over a period of years, in order to cushion the effect. All elements of the natural scene: plants, animals and man, are least disturbed by gradual processes of change. Those changes which will be made to satisfy the indicated use objectives will be accomplished over a period of years, and will not constitute actual visual changes to any great extent. Within these pages are specific recommendations where a schedule is appropriate. Following this framework for management, a comprehensive determination will be prepared, which will indicate the specific details as to what will be happening on each acre within the Pigeon River Country. These detailed plans will be drawn up by the unit supervisor in consultation with Wildlife Fisheries Biologists for one-tenth of the total unit two years in advance of needs. Work previously planned will progress elsewhere. Each year's planning effort, compiled with earlier and later plans for parts of the unit will be called the Forest and Wildlife Management Plan. This is the continuous planning and action program employed in each state forest in this region. By this means, both work load and planning efforts will be kept at a uniform rate of accomplishment. It is important that this schedule of inventorying, analyzing, and working up the plan of application should be adhered to. Without the localized and detailed plan showing what is to be done, where, and when, the objectives of the area will not be realized. A gradual rate of accomplishment will also avoid the necessity of decisions on details for all areas before a period of trial. Trial and observation of effect as progress is achieved allows correction if the chosen course is wrong or out of balance. It also avoids high initial cost in funds and manpower, allowing a continuation at modest levels over a period of years. Gradually changing circumstance will require only gradual adjustment of people and wildlife. There are reasons why it may become desirable in the future to alter management objectives, management practices or management zones or areas. Objectives might need to be revised to fit changing needs or wants of people, as a result of significant changes in populations of wildlife, or in recognition of limitations of the area to support activities or conditions first chosen. Practices employed for any purposes indicated may be found to be too costly, not productive of desired results or less favorable than others which may become available. It may become either more logical or otherwise desirable to alter the management areas in order to respond to natural cover changes which can be used, or to changing interests, wants, and needs of people. Such changes in these policies and guidelines should be considered by the Advisory Council and recommendations made to the Department of Natural Resources.
The name PIGEON RIVER COUNTRY for this area has been established through use by people over the years. It appears as the title on maps and documents prepared and published by the Department of Natural Resources. It has been officially adopted in the name of the Pigeon River Country Association, a primarily local association of lay persons deeply interested in the area. Although the area was previously managed as a State Forest unit, in recent years, after an effort to equalize work loads of foresters and to use County lines where possible as forest unit boundaries, the State lands have been parts of four separately-administered State Forests. (Pigeon River State Forest, Hardwood State Forest, Black Lake State Forest and Thunder Bay River State Forest.) Present Pigeon River Country Administration 42% -- 34,8?5 acres Pigeon River State Forest - Otsego County (intermingled within this area are an additional 9,763 acres of private lands.) This area should be recognized, named, dedicated, administered and managed as a cohesive unit. Neither cover on the land, wildlife, water nor visitors recognize county or township lines as divisions of the area. Conditions and uses do vary considerably within the pro posed boundaries, but not on political lines. Management as a unit, including planning, is essential to achieve a regular, coordinated flow of those actions necessary to the maintenance of conditions beneficial to wildlife, aesthetics and popular uses. Cover manipulation for conditions to satisfy both wildlife and people needs unit consideration in management. Administration under one forester, with supporting staff, will make this possible. The unit needs an official name. It is enjoyed by people as a distinctive area. It should have a headquarters for visitors and administration, which it once had as the original Pigeon River State Forest. There is ample reason for it to be named, designated and placed under the supervisory responsibility of an Area Forester with necessary assistants. What is needed now is a purposeful deviation from the general pattern with the intention of achieving the specific set of objectives designed for this particular area. This is not just another State Forest. This is the Pigeon River Country, with its own character and potentials. It has its own capabilities and needs. Management here should have some elements of difference, suited to this area and to the attainment of objectives designed for this particular area. This can and will be done within the framework of policies and objectives for dedicated state forest lands, as approved by the Natural Resources Commission in July, 1970. It is proposed that this area be dedicated as a separate state forest named the Pigeon River Country. This will necessitate redefinition of all affected forest units and renaming of the non-contiguous state forest lands in Otsego County which have recently been administered as parts of the Pigeon River State Forest. Those lands in Otsego County outside the Pigeon River Country will be called the Otsego State Forest. The Forestry Division of the Department of Natural Resources has had little opportunity in the past to manage any area intensively. It has long been restrained by juvenile forest conditions, a lack of markets for timber, and insufficient personnel and funds to respond to any but critical needs. With the approval and adoption of this plan, it is expected that the Pigeon River Country, administered as a state forest under this plan, will demonstrate the full benefits of multiple use management as advocated by the Department of Natural Resources. The Pigeon River Country is indeed a special possession owned by the people of the State of Michigan. As such, it deserves and will get special consideration and careful management to maintain and enhance its unique values and benefits.
Administration of the Pigeon River Country will be headed by an Area Forester whose headquarters will be the buildings which were constructed for this purpose long ago. Although these buildings are now assigned to Fisheries Division for research purposes, research has not been conducted here for some years. Under the Area Forester in charge will be one Assistant Area Forester, one Wildlife Biologist and one Forestry Technician. The duties of these men will involve wildlife and recreation management as well as timber and cover management. They must be versatile. Their contacts with the public will be many. Stenographic help will be needed, as will seasonal help in summer when recreational use is heaviest. These are new positions in the Region. One Area Forester and one Forestry Technician will be needed to handle the problems of the Otsego State Forest, approximately 56,000 acres of state forest land in the rest of Otsego County. Labor, directly employed or accomplished by contracts, will be needed for many jobs to be done in management of this area. Elk range and wildlife habitat improvement and maintenance, maintenance of buildings, roads, trails, campgrounds and an untold number of daily chores which must be done all will call for manpower and funds. It must be recognized that new restrictions, new uses and the recent increase in visitors brings a need for added law enforcement and the considerable assistance our Conservation officers provide to those who use the out-of-doors. The greater resource values now present warrant greater vigilance and protection against fire. A forest fire could cause irreparable damage and terrible loss to resources of the area.
As a means of keeping the management of the Pigeon River Country responsive to the wishes of people who use it and who may be affected by its use and management, and also as a means of gaining citizen involvement and assistance and the cooperation and support of local government, an advisory and supporting organization comprised of private citizens and representatives of local government will be formed. It will be called the Pigeon River Country Advisory Council. The guidance of its members will be helpful in carrying out this plan. Establishment of the Pigeon River Country Advisory Council is intended to:
The Council will consist of 12 citizen members and 3 ex-officio members from the Department of Natural Resources. The Area Forester will serve as secretary. Each will have an equal vote in adopting recommendations. Citizen members will be appointed by the Director of the Department of Natural Resources. The Council will include citizen representation from both local and statewide organizations, also including governmental organizations. From the Department of Natural Resources, the ex-officio members will be the Area Foreseer responsible for administration of this area, the Fisheries Biologist for this area and the Wildlife Biologist. Terms of citizen members are to be for three years, with four of those first appointed to serve for one year only, and four to serve for two years, so as to create staggered terms of membership. After appointed memberships expire, new members will be appointed for three- year terms by the Director of the Department of Natural Resources. The Council will elect its own Chairman annually and in cooperation with the Ares Forester will determine its own schedule of meetings and methods of conducting business. Meetings will be called at least annually and as determined by the Chairman and the Area Forester or by the Director of the Department of Natural Resources. The Advisory Council will be advisory and supportive. Its responsibility will be to consider plans, programs and activities proposed or conducted within or affecting the Pigeon River Country, and to advise the Director of the Department of Natural Resources by written report of their views in regard to these matters. One of their primary roles will be to develop public support and local cooperation for programs adopted for this unit. There are a number of specific problems which could well be brought before the Council for its recommendations. Among them are such matters as disposition, maintenance, improvement, or abandonment of roads and trails; what to do about growing recreational pressure on Cornwall Flooding; location and directional signs; litter and trash removal; and land use planning and zoning in the local area. Properly balanced, representative membership in the Council should assure that no single interest will gain unjustified dominance over others in the management and use of the area.
Neither the Pigeon River Country nor any other local area of state lands can satisfy all the needs and wants of the public to whom it belongs. To attempt to use it for all purposes would spoil it for many. The Department of Natural Resources recognizes a responsibility to satisfy all of the needs and wants of the public to the extent that it can be done in reasonable harmony and without serious damage to natural resources or the environment. The Pigeon River Country is well suited to satisfy many different objectives and needs, but to do so it is necessary to deny or restrict certain activities or uses which conflict with or seriously affect the uses planned. Among those are some which can be equally well served on other nearby state forest lands. The nature of roads, trails, terrain and cover in these other areas, coupled with conflicting uses is the basis for recommending that development be undertaken on other state lands to satisfy demands for off-road vehicle use of all kinds. Streams of the Pigeon River Country are not high-quality streams for canoeing, nor are they large enough to handle heavy demand for this use. Those who inquire here about canoeing waters will be told the limitations of the Pigeon and the Black, and advised of other streams more suited to the sport. Of great concern to people of the area is the possibility that any development or improvement will lead to great additional numbers of people using it. Increases have already occurred, and more can be expected no matter what is done. This plan is intended to encourage only compatible and least damaging uses. To whatever extent it is possible to do so, development of similar potentials on other state lands at an early date will reduce the concentration of public attention in the Pigeon River Country. A separate plan will be prepared dealing with development of oil and gas. The Department is now negotiating with major development leaseholders in the preparation of this plan. Every possible effort is being made to minimize the effects where oil and gas development may take place.
On December 7, 1973, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, meeting in formal session upon recommendation of A. Gene Gazlay, Director of the Department of Natural Resources, with concurrence by his staff, did dedicate the state-owned lands lying within Cheboygan County S1/2 of T34N-R1W Otsego Co. T32N-R1W Montmorency Co. W1/2 of Sections 6 and 7, and S1/4 of Section 31; T32N-R1E as the Pigeon River Country State Forest, removing these areas from the state forests within which they had been formerly dedicated. They further adopted this document as guidelines for the management of this unit.
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