Just as Joe Jarecki thought he was officially retired as the PRCF Unit Manager, he has found himself enlisted (or did he actually volunteer?) to be the main recording secretary and/or reporter for more meetings than he could have possibly imagined. Among them are the following:

Twenty-nine people showed up at the forest headquarters on July 8th. for the annual meeting, a near record. Was it because we began with lunch? After the approval of the 2006 annual meeting minutes, the treasurer reported the association's financial solvency, but expressed concern with dropping membership roles, which in turn prompted guests from the Song of the Morning Yoga Ranch to question how the Association planned to finance any court contestation with them over their plans to have ten Antrim Shale gas wells drilled on their property. When it was pointed out to them that their property was included in the unit drilling agreement, the response was that Song of the Morning was not a willing partner to the agreement. Jarecki pointed out that unless special permits (which are not likely) were issued to cross state land, the development of gas wells remained unlikely. Mutual invitations to visit the Ranch and to attend a PRCA board meeting were exchanged.

In the annual report of the Forest Unit Manager (given by Jarecki in place of the acting manager, Laurie Marzolo) Joe also reported on the plans for up to 19 Antrim wells to be drilled by Aurora Energy to the NE on land annexed to the PRCF up near Tomahawk Lake. This area is not part of the original Consent Order restricting drilling in the PRCF. Likewise, two deep Niagaran wells are being drilled on annexed land near Johnson's Crossing. However, one has already turned out to be a dry hole.

In response to the report that the Johnson's Crossing horseback riding camp has been closed, Jarecki discussed the State government financial crunch as it is affecting the DNR. Half of the $2.50 (per Michigan resident) allotted to the DNR is used to pay land taxes. User fees charged at forest campgrounds do not come close to covering upkeep expenses.

The main event of the meeting was the presentation by DNR Forestry, Mineral and Fire Management Division Chief Lynne Boyd and Planning Specialist Annamarie Bauer who came up to the meeting from Lansing to discuss the update of the 1973 Concept of Management for the PRCF. In particular, while Boyd stressed that the general objectives of the original document remain the same, she highlighted the following changes:

After Boyd's presentation PRCA President Ray Hoobler then announced the near completion of the new High Country Pathway and Pigeon River Country Forest Map. A sample 20"x20" draft version of the map was shown, and a description given of the additional information to be contained on the back of the map. The plans are to sell the map both locally, through the mail, and by means of the association website. Ray then introduced Dale Franz, author of the original 1983 book on The Pigeon River Country: A Michigan Forest, and who has prepared a new edition of the book, which is soon to be published by the University of Michigan Press. Dale read a passage from a new chapter that he has added to the book. Plans are for the Association to purchase a substantial number of copies and to sell them through much the same means as the new map

Despite a protest by the Treasurer (who would like to be replaced) the present officers were reelected: Ray Hoobler, President; Rudi Edel, Vice President; Secretary Greg Keith; Richard Kropf, Treasurer. However, Lance Weyeneth agreed to chair the Internet Website Committee, and to take over the job of filling website and mail orders for the new map and book. Ray Thatcher agreed to chair the membership committee, and Ed lebowsky volunteered to help with mail and/or treasurer's

Duties. The meeting adjourned around 4 pm.

The council meeting began, as usual, at 6:30 pm at the PRCF Management Unit Headquarters. Fourteen of the appointed members were present, four absent. Three of the ex-officio (DNR) members were present, one absent.

Ten others were also present, among whom were Joe Jarecki (who took the minutes) and Ray Hoobler, who brought the council up-to-date on the PRCA's latest doings.

Bridge engineer Paul Repasky up-dated the Council on the replacement of the Sturgeon Valley Road bridge over the Pigeon River, scheduled for June 2-August 8, 2008. A map of the official (42 mile!) detour was passed out. However, Don Huff, representing the Otsego Co. Road Commission, assured the Council that maintenance will be increased on shorter detours.

Lynn Boyd presented the Council with another update of the Concept of Management update (see the synopsis from the annual PRCA meeting) but this time with added emphasis on the public input process. It was admitted that the steering committee for the project did not end up in complete agreement, but that the results "can be lived with", since the document "has aclear direction, yet includes some flexibility."

Glen Matthews, speaking for the Forest Cover Management and Wildlife Habitat Committee briefed the Council on concerns regarding aspen regeneration and open area management, inasmuch as it falls short of the 1973 Concept of Management goals.

Dave Borgeson, update the Council for the Aquatic Systems Committee.

At the prompting of Council Chair Pete Gustafson, the Council listed a number of issues where it was felt that the updated Concept of Management needed to be corrected or strengthened.

Representing the Oil & Gas Committee, Ken Glasser update the Council on the steps being taken to fix ground contamination problems at the old Charlton 4 Central Processing Facility (on Lost Cabin Trail). After Schmude Oil Co. plans for Song of the Morning Ranch were brought up, FMFM chief Lybb Boyd assurred the Council that the DNR has no intention of giving Schmude the permission to cross state land with any pipeline.

Local FMFM manager Dayle Garlock spoke of twenty state forest campground closings, and unfilled management positions due to the shortfall in the state budget, which sparked a number of questions in return.

Wildlife Manager Glen Matthews told the Council that the number of doe hunting permits has been reduced for this year in this area and that the taking of 135-140 elk by permit is foreseen.

Acting Forest Manager Laurie Marzolo added that do to reduced funding, the forest pathways will not receive further maintenance for the time being. Dave Smethurst that MSU, in leasing buildings in the Forest, be made responsible for their upkeep.

There was continued discussion on needed changes in the proposed update of the Concept of Management, which led to the scheduling of a further special meeting of the Council on the subject (below).

(August 1, 2007 at the Gaylord DNR Operations Service Center) on the subject of the proposed update of the Concept of Management. Seven council members present, eleven absent, plus two ex-officio members present, two absent. The following issues were highlighted:

Forest Cover and Wildlife Habitat Management:

Recreation and Law Enforcement:

Pigeon River Country Advisory Council:

Aquatic Resources:

Introduction:

Chairman Gustafson said that he plans to write a letter about the draft update of the Concept of Management on behalf of the Advisory Council prior to the September 15^th deadline. He will use input from the July 20^th Council meeting and from this meeting.

[Note in addition to Joe & Jude Jarecki, the PRCA's official voting representative on the Advisory Council Eugene Horan, was present at all of the above meetings making the PRCA's concerns known.] .

The next Pigeon River Country Advisory Council Meeting will be held Friday, October 12th. 6:30pm at the Forest Headquarters and Information Building. The these meeting are open to the public, and we encourage PRCA members to attend and make their presence and concerns known, particularly at the time set aside for public comments at the beginning of the meeting.

The editor of this newsletter represented the PRCA on July 25th. at the "Ecological Summit" held at the University of Michigan Biological Research Station at Douglas lake near Pellston. The theme this year was on The Effects of Global Warming in the Great Lakes Basin. The gist of the presentation by the experts is that we can expect longer, hotter, and drier summers, and shorter, milder winters with generally less snowfall. When precipitation does occur, however, it is apt to be more violent. It was predicted that by the end of this century, if not before then, northern Michigan's climate will be similar to that of Missouri, and that of southern Michigan, to that of Arkansas. Not good news for those who love winter sports! At last year's summit, one researcher who has been studying small mammals in the Pigeon River Forest told me that already the northern types of flying squirrels, deer mice, etc., have been replaced by more southern varieties.

The Upper Black River Watershed Restoration Committee - Met on September 21 at Canada Creek Ranch. More funding woes, especially when it comes to grants for stream bank repairs. Also problems with the EPA regulations, especially when it comes to preserving Hungerford Water Beetle Habitat. DNR Fisheries has been testing the Black, charting especially summer temperatures and counting fish in selected areas.

This summer's temperature records not yet in, but trout reproduction looks fairly good in the upper reaches, despite beaver dam congestion on many feeder creeks. However, a number of road crossings on these creeks need serious attention, among the most glaring being the crossing at Stewart Creek on Blue Lakes Rd. in Montmorency Co. along the eastern border of the PRCF.

Other News: The replacement of the "Tin Bridge" by the Cheboygan County Road Commission, on the Tin Bridge extension of Grass Lake Rd. is underway, despite the Advisory Council's recommendation that, having become unsafe, it simply be removed and not replaced. They have, however, agreed to keep the replacement down to one lane in width, which makes sense because this stretch of road is built through a swampy woodland on a section of old railway grade. Rock fill had to be added just to get the construction crane (which reportedly got stuck several times) to the location. Just whom this improvement will benefit is not clear. But it is a good example of your tax dollars at work.

As announced at our annual meeting, the Association will soon have available a new detailed topographical map of the High Country Pathway and the Pigeon River Country Forest, as well as a new updated and expanded edition of Dale Franz's 1983 classic book The Pigeon River Country: A Michigan Forest.

Measuring about two feet square, on a scale of 1 inch to the 1/2 mile, the topographical map will take in most all the territory encompassed between old US 27 on the west to just beyond M-33 on the east, and almost up to M-68 on the north to M-32 on the south (see the next page of this newsletter). Produced with the help of the DNR and the North Country Trail Association, the map will also have all state-owned land clearly marked, along with the location of all state forest campgrounds, elk viewing areas, etc. Printed in color on highly durable vinyl, this rugged map should be invaluable to anyone who ventures out into the woods, whether for hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, mushroom hunting, mountain biking, horseback riding, or just cruising the back roads to take in the scenery. All the state forest "two-track" trails open to vehicles are also marked, as well as all the official forest pathways (with the distances given between the campgrounds, road-crossings, etc.). The backside of the map will be filled with valuable information regarding the High Country Pathway and the other pathways, as well as the history and main features of the Pigeon River Country Forest. In this we intend to replace the old High Country Pathway book, which will soon be out of print. The new map (see scaled down facsimile on page 4 of this newsletter) should be available for shipping by the end of October.

Dale Franz's book, which has long been out-of-print, but which has still remained in demand, is being reprinted in this new expanded addition by the University of Michigan Press. Dale worked out a special agreement with the press that will allow marketing of this book through the Association via it's website, although we expect that it will also be available through local bookstores. We are also expecting to arrange for a book-signing (and sales) event to be held at the Otsego County Library sometime after the book becomes available later in November.

We plan to make both the map and the book available through purchase on our PRCA website, as well as through mail order and through sales to local businesses and chambers of commerce. The retail price will be $7.50 for the map and $24.95 for the book (paperback, 352 pages). All profits from sales (without sales tax—since the PRCA is a 501c tax exempt organization) will be set aside for the work of the Association.

The topographical map will be available in two forms: either pre-folded for use on the trail or in the automobile, and unfolded to facilitate wall-mounting. (We also have available copies of the popular 1991 PRCF illustrated poster map, which continue to sell for the original price of $5.00 and which can also be mailed to you in the same tube should you order the new topographical map in the unfolded version)

Shipping and handling fees for the book will be $3.50 at current USPS media mail prices. Attached to this newsletter (page 5) is a mail-in sheet which you may use order a map or book, or both, and/or to renew your membership. However, we would ask you to write separate checks for book/map purchases as distinguished from membership dues and donations so that we can better keep our financial records straight as a IRS rated 501c organization.