Public meetings to discuss wind energy

Press release

The Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council, an advisory body appointed by Governor Granholm, is hosting three meetings in coastal communities to share information on its recommendations for offshore wind energy and to get input from the public.

LOCATIONS:

TIME:

All meetings begin with an open house starting 6 p.m. Presentations begin at 7 p.m. followed by opportunities for discussion and input by participants. Meetings end at 9 p.m.

DETAILS:

In its September 2009 report, the council recommended criteria for identifying the least favorable and most favorable areas for development of offshore wind energy in the state's Great Lakes. For example, the most favorable areas are at least six miles offshore and avoid shipping lanes, sensitive fish and wildlife habitats, etc. The five largest most favorable areas are located in southern Lake Michigan near Berrien County, northern Lake Michigan near Delta and Mackinac Counties, outer Saginaw Bay, and Lake Huron near Sanilac County. The council has also proposed a regulatory framework to establish a clear process in state law for leasing the necessary state-owned bottomlands. The council is now seeking input from the public on its recommendations by hosting the three meetings. The meetings will not address the merits of specific development proposals for offshore wind projects. For more information, including a copy of the council's report and meeting materials, visit: www.michiganglowcouncil.org.

CONTACT:

DELEG Office of Communications (517) 373-9280.

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River-in-a-box teaching tool aids Huron Pines

Anyone who lives here is familiar with Michigan’s unique water ways and the ecosystems they connect with. Since 1973, Huron Pines has been a leader in protecting the lands and waterways in Northeast Michigan.

Huron Pines is a non-profit corporation working to protect those lands and watersheds in eleven counties in Northeastern Michigan. The conservation-minded organization works primarily through partnerships with political and private agencies that are stakeholders in the 6,700-square-mile area. Last fall we told you about the Woody Debris river stabilization program that Huron Pines uses periodically to stabilize river banks and improve fish habitat in the AuSable River and Manistee river basins. The activity is pretty hard to miss if you’re in the area. Whole trees, roots and all will be seen floating through the skies beneath a very large helicopter. These trees are placed at strategic positions throughout the river systems to control erosion and create fish habitat from natural vegetation much as happened by natural processes before man came on the scene.

One of Huron Pines’ most effective tools is education. To that end the organization is an active participant in numerous outdoor shows around Michigan, offering in-school presentations and workshops that are open to the general public. Last autumn, Huron Pines Restoration Project Manager Patrick Ertel attended a Streams Restoration Workshop in Columbus, Ohio where he discovered a portable river system model that simulates river processes such as erosion, flooding, meandering and other characteristics, all in compressed time.

Deer management open houses

DNRE Press release

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is inviting the public to participate in the deer management planning process. Four public meetings have been held, and another four are occurring in the next couple weeks. The DNRE will present and discuss the draft statewide deer management plan. These meetings will be held 7 to 9 p.m. EST, with the exception of the Crystal Falls meeting, which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. CST.

Leftover Spring Turkey Licenses Go on Sale Mon., March 8