conservation

How a small pest is threatening to do major damage to Michigan forests

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A lone eastern hemlock tree in Harbor Springs, Michigan on August 18, 2021. If you’ve ever walked through Michigan’s northern forests there’s a great chance you might have seen an eastern hemlock tree. The trees are among some of the longest living trees in the entire state, and now they may need our help. Hemlock woolly adelgid was recorded in Michigan for the first time in Ottawa County in 2015 . Since then, state and conservation organizations across Michigan have been on high alert to make sure the pest isn’t able to spread and destroy our hemlocks, and with them, our local ecosystems.

Up north, at the Little Traverse Conservancy, volunteer manager Cacia Lesh, is helping to organize and train volunteers to survey for HWA.

Environment

Brook trout brouhaha brews in the U.P.

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By SAODAT ASANOVA-TAYLOR
Capital News Service
LANSING – Brook trout experts have asked the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to put on hold a proposal to double the brook trout creel limit in 10 streams in the Upper Peninsula. They claim the proposal carries a political agenda and lacks scientific data, potentially threatening the overall brook trout habitat. The agency’s proposal would allow anglers to take 10 fish per day per person. The current limit has existed for more than a decade. The daily possession limit would be 10 fish and the minimum size would be 7 inches.

Agriculture

More farms up north mean opportunity, development

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By EDITH ZHOU
Capital News Service
LANSING – More farming opportunities have come to northern Michigan this year because of climate changes and global warming, agriculture experts say. According to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan is home to 10 million acres of farmland, but only 10 percent is in the northern parts. Department Director Jamie Clover Adams said there are additional farming opportunities in the north (both the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula) and that there is a trend of more acres being farmed in those regions. “In theory that would mostly be rooted in climate change enabling a longer growing season for areas in northern Michigan,” Jeremy  Nagel, the media relations specialist for the Michigan Farm Bureau, said. Nagel said, “Agriculture up there is mostly hay, some small grains, potatoes, beef cattle and dairy.

Business & Economy

Homelessness down statewide, but higher in the Northern Lower Penninsula

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By SAODAT ASANOVA-TAYLOR
Capital News Service
LANSING – While improving economic conditions have reduced homelessness overall in the state, the numbers are still rising for some regions, including the Northern Lower Penninsula. A total of 94,033 people were homeless in Michigan sometime in 2011, according to the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness. That is down 6 percent from the previous year. That reduction is strong evidence of successful work by programs such as the Michigan Campaign to End Homelessness, said Eric Hufnagel, executive director of the coalition. This campaign was launched in 2006 to prevent homelessness and support people at risk of becoming homeless.

Government

Lawmakers want more local authority over ORVs

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By ANJANA SCHROEDER
Capital News Service
LANSING – Northern Michigan local governments may soon be able to authorize off-road vehicle (ORV) regulations and ordinances. Rep. Joel Johnson, R-Clare, said he is trying to make it easier for ORV riders to use the designated trail systems within the counties in northern Michigan. The proposal would allow local governments to adopt ordinances to permit ORV riders to avoid the long detours between designated ORV routes. Riders could either drive on shoulders of state trunk line highways or local governments could authorize connections on dislocated segments of ORV trails in certain northern roadways, including ones in Mason, Gladwin, Wexford and Crawford counties. Johnson’s bill would give the state Transportation Department 60 days to decide if local governments could authorize such ordinances.

Government

Bill would end tax spike when cottages handed down

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By LAUREN GIBBONS
Capital News Service
LANSING — A widely-supported bill that would prevent property tax increases for owners who transfer family-owned land has a high chance of becoming law before the end of the year, according to the sponsor, Rep. Peter Pettalia, R-Presque Isle. The bill would primarily benefit families who own cottages or lakefront property, Pettalia said. Current law decrees that the taxable value of a home cannot increase from one year to the next by more than 5 percent or the increase in the consumer price index. When property is sold or transferred, however, the restriction doesn’t apply, and property taxes generally increase to reflect the value of the property. That law can put families planning to pass on their cottages or waterfront property in a bind, Pettalia said.

Business & Economy

Up North luring tourists with dogs, bikes, skis

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By LAUREN GENTILE
Capital News Service
LANSING – The wind is cooler, leaves are changing color and winter is around the corner but Northern Michigan experts say they can lure tourists this fall and winter. Pure Michigan revealed its new fall advertising campaign, Michelle Begnoche, communications specialist said. “Michigan really is a four-season state,” Begnoche said. “Residents from across the country will travel to see our fall color displays in Northern Michigan, along with the great cider mills that we have to offer.”

The program’s advertising budget is around $2.6 million and includes almost $400,000 in private funding. “We are working really hard to get people to travel here,” she said.