March 5, 2008
Contacts: Susan Thiel 989-348-6371 or Mary Dettloff
517-335-3014
Mason Tract Timber
Cutting Part of Wildlife Habitat Management
The Mason Tract, a
4,700-acre special management area in southeast
area’s management plan, said Department of Natural
Resources
officials.
"We realize that some
area residents may find it unusual that we are
allowing some timber harvesting on the Mason Tract, but it is
in the
best interest of the wildlife habitat that this cutting
occurs,” said
Lynne Boyd, chief of the DNR’s
Division. “Timber harvesting is used to sustain and enhance
habitat
for both game and non-game wildlife.”
The harvests taking place in
the Mason Tract area are designed to
regenerate stands of over-mature and declining oak, jack pine
and aspen;
to thin red pine plantations; and to remove hazardous
trees in the Canoe
Harbor Campground.
The Mason Tract was
bequeathed to the State of
ardent conservationist George Mason. With very few private
in-holdings,
this tract encompasses nearly 10 miles of the south
branch of the Au
preserve.” With that in mind, the DNR has actively managed
the forests
on the tract to enhance wildlife habitat and ensure
conservation of the
south branch of the Au Sable River. Active forest
management practices
today enhance woody debris in the river, regenerate cedar
along the
river corridor, regenerate oak and aspen stands for
wildlife, and remove
old jack pine and oak trees to prevent large-scale
insect and disease
infestations in the area.
Persons interested in
becoming involved in the long-term planning
process for the Mason Tract can contact DNR Forest Unit
Manager Susan
Thiel, DNR Grayling Field Office, at 1955 N. I-75 Business
Loop in
Grayling
or by calling 989-348-6371, ext. 7441.
The DNR is committed to the
conservation, protection, management, use
and enjoyment of the state's natural resources for
current and future
generations.