Michigan releases 5 year forest management plan

LANSING (AP) -- The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has released a five-year plan to guide management of the state's forests. Officials say it outlines a mission, values, goals and objectives that will guide decisions by the forest resources division from 2014 through 2018. Division chief Bill O'Neill says Michigan's 4 million acres of state forest land contributes to the economy while providing vital wildlife habitat and space for recreation. He says the plan was developed in consultation with a variety of interest groups. O'Neill says the plan will promote growth of the forest products industry and support programs such as wildfire protection, forest health monitoring, urban forestry and land management. Staffers are developing a list of steps to meet the plan's goals and objectives. ---------------- Online: http://www.michigan.gov/forestplan. Published: Mon, Mar 24, 2014