ESCANABA FOREST MANAGEMENT UNIT COMPARTMENT REVIEW PRESENTATION COMPARTMENT # 113 ENTRY YEAR: Compartment Acreage: 2772

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1 ESCANABA FOREST MANAGEMENT UNIT COMPARTMENT REVIEW PRESENTATION COMPARTMENT # 113 ENTRY YEAR: 2011 Compartment Acreage: 2772 County: Menominee Revised: July 31, 2009 Stand Examiner: Dustin Salter, Forester, Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Division; Bill Rollo and Craig Albright, Wildlife Division Legal Description: T37N R28W Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 16, & 21; T38N R28W Section 31 Management Goals: The majority of this compartment was acquired in 2000 from Wisconsin Public Service Corporation. When this land was acquired very little management had taken place in the last 30 to 40 years. This compartment is comprised of about 50% aspen, most of which is over mature and is in a state of decline. Over the last decade about 20% of the mature aspen has been final harvested. This year of entry, 7 additional aspen stands are prescribed for treatment. Most of these stands will be managed for aspen, but some non-stocked portions of the stands will have red pine introduced to create diversity within this area and increase the conifer component. There are a couple of small red pine plantations that already exist within the compartment. These are in need of a thinning. When this compartment was originally inventoried in 1999 approximately 20% of the compartment consisted of spruce/fir types. This percentage is much lower now. A few of these stands had partial harvests done. Some of these stands were set up on timber sale contracts but were turned back because of the high mortality of the balsam and spruce from the spruce budworm. The majority of the fir types within the compartment have incurred significant mortality from the spruce budworm, which is still evident in the area today. The original goal of the Menominee River Natural Resources Area plan was to increase the conifer component throughout the compartment. This can only be done by promoting pine in this area. The younger stands of spruce/fir have also been hard hit by the budworm and are slowly dying out. Also, the majority of the upland sites are dry sandy sites, which puts additional stress on the spruce and fir. This year of entry, 2 stands will be harvested, converting them to different species. Another large component of this compartment is lowland conifer/ hardwood types. This year of entry, 3 stands will be final harvested with a management objective of mixed swamp conifer and balsam poplar. Within most of the lowland conifer stands spruce budworm has killed the majority of the balsam and white spruce within them. By harvesting these stands now, some of the volume can be salvaged. Also, 5 white and red pine stands will be treated this decade. They will be thinned to remove the short lived species and also lower the basal area of the stand. This will increase the size of the residual stems as well as open up some small holes to allow the white pine begin to start regenerating. Approximately 30% of the compartment is designated as special conservation area (SCA). The majority of the acreage is near the Menominee River and some smaller creeks that run through the compartment. Soil and Topography: This compartment is mostly level with some rolling hills, but there is a bluff along the river in many places. The upland sites consist primarily Pemene fine sandy loam and the lowland sites are comprised of Lupton, Cathro, and Tawas mucks. Ownership Patterns, Development, and Land Use in and Around the Compartment: This compartment is part of a band of state forest land that extends for about 20 miles along the Menominee River, with this

2 compartment on the North end of this band. There is more state land to the South of this compartment and another block a couple of miles to the East. There is some corporate land around the compartment, but most of the non-state land is owned by private individuals. This area is used primarily for recreation. Unique, Natural Features (include only non-site specific and non-sensitive information): This compartment includes more than 4 miles of undeveloped frontage along the Menominee River. Within this stretch of river the Pemene Falls is present. Archeological, Historical, and Cultural Features (include only non-site specific and non-sensitive information): Ruins in the Pemene Falls and potential archeological sites along the river. Special Management Designations or Considerations: A Hillside Prairie is present along the Menominee River bank north of Pemene Falls. Watershed and Fisheries Considerations: Wildlife Habitat Considerations: This compartment is being managed under the guidelines contained in the Menominee River Natural Resources Area plan which was officially adopted by the Department on November 2, The plan provides guidance on protecting the natural and scenic qualities of the land while providing public access for recreation. The plan formed the basis for the management prescriptions during this year of entry. A major wildlife habitat feature in this compartment is the Menominee River and 2 streams which empty into the river. A corridor of forest about 660 feet wide has been designated as Special Conservation Areas along these riparian corridors to promote mature forest conditions. These conditions will be beneficial for bald eagles, wood ducks, pileated woodpeckers, and other species that favor mature forest near water. In addition, a unique Hillside Prairie is located along the river bank north of Pemene Falls. Away from the riparian zones, early successional forest predominates. Aspen covers 59% of the compartment, and much of it is advanced in age (45% is 50+ years). There is a desire to diversify the aspen cover type with other species because soil conditions are not good for aspen growth and stands have become mono-typical with many openings. The plan originally called for underplanting of white pine, red pine, and red oak in the aspen stands near River Road, but that prescription no longer appears viable due to heavy understory development. An alternative prescription being proposed at this time is to harvest and regenerate the mature aspen stands and later plant small patches or strips of red pine in non-stocked areas to add diversity. Additional diversity will be provided by red maple, oak, white pine, service berry, cherry, and other species that are becoming established in the understory in many areas. This habitat is favored by many of the more popular game species, such as deer, grouse, and bear. Mineral Resource and Development Concerns and/or Restrictions: Surface sediments consist off an end moraine of medium-textured glacial till and medium-textured glacial till. The glacial drift thickness varies between 10 and 100 feet. The Cambrian Munising Formation and the Precambrian Intrusive and Quinnesec Formation underlie the glacial drift. The Munising has been used as a building stone in the past. This Compartment has not been leased for metallic exploration. A gravel pit is located in Section 3 and potential is good. No economic oil and gas production has been found in the UP. Vehicle Access: The majority of the compartment is accessible from the North State road which is a county road that runs north-south through this compartment. There are a number of two track roads that branch off from the county road. A number of these roads have been bermed, as part of the original management plan. There is a small parking area off of an access road for the Pemene Falls. Survey Needs: A couple of corners will need to be set in order to set up timber sales.

3 Recreational Facilities and Opportunities: Faithorn Township operates a developed campground along the river in section 6. Within the compartment there are a number of non-designated camping sites along the river. The original plan stated that no camping would be permitted within one half mile of the Pemene Falls parking lot, west of the North State road. Also, no camping would be permitted within one half mile of the Faithorn Township campground. The main uses of this area are hunting, fishing, boating/canoeing, camping, and sight-seeing. There was talk about creating/improving a walking trail along the river as part of the original plan for this area. No action was taken on this issue. Fire Protection: This area consists of large areas of dry sites which have potential for larger fires. Also, with the heavy mortality of the spruce/fir from the spruce budworm there is potential for increased fire activity in these areas. There are a number of water sources within the compartment and access is good throughout. Additional Compartment Information: **** Cover type details, proposed treatments and stands designated as FDF are listed in the attached reports: Cover Type by Age Class Cover Type by Management Objective Compartment Volume Summary Proposed Treatments No Limiting Factors Proposed Treatments With Limiting Factors **** The following information is displayed on the attached compartment maps: Base feature information, stand numbers, cover types Proposed treatments Proposed road access system Suggested potential old growth

4 8/13/2009 7:55:45 AM Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Operations Inventory System Individual Compartment Report TABLE 3: Page 1 of 1 ESCANABA RIVER STATE FOREST ESCANABA FOREST MGT UNIT MENOMINEE COUNTY COMPARTMENT: 113 Table 3 (acres shown in boxes) STAND AGE CLASS COVER TYPE Not Coded All Aged Total Aspen 1656 Black Spruce Cedar Lowlnd Brush Lowlnd Poplr Marsh 20 Mx Swmp Cnfr Non Stocked 1 Oak Paper Birch 5 Red Pine Spruce Fir Swamp Hrdwds Upland Brush 2 Upland Hdwds White Pine Total

5 8/13/2009 7:55:49 AM Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Operations Inventory System Individual Compartment Report TABLE 3A: Page 1 of 1 ESCANABA RIVER STATE FOREST ESCANABA FOREST MGT UNIT MENOMINEE COUNTY COMPARTMENT: 113 Table 3A (acres shown in boxes) MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE TYPE COVER TYPE A S V C G H J I L P N Q X O B R K Y F E T D U M Z W Total A Aspen S Black Spruce C Cedar L P N Q X O B R F E U M Lowlnd Brush Lowlnd Poplr Marsh Mx Swmp Cnfr Non Stocked 1 1 Oak Paper Birch 5 5 Red Pine Spruce Fir Swamp Hrdwds Upland Brush 2 2 Upland Hdwds W White Pine Total

6 8/13/2009 7:55:52 AM Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Operations Inventory System Individual Compartment Report TABLE 10: Page 1 of 1 ESCANABA RIVER STATE FOREST ESCANABA FOREST MGT UNIT MENOMINEE COUNTY COMPARTMENT: 113 Table 10 - COMPARTMENT VOLUME SUMMARY - ALL STANDS COMPARTMENT SUMMARY TOTAL VOLUME Hardwood Cds Hardwood 334 Mbf Softwood Cds Softwood 1545 Mbf Sum TotVol Cds CUT VOLUME Hardwood Cds Hardwood 102 Mbf Softwood 2576 Cds Softwood 367 Mbf Sum CutVol Cds Total Cmpt Acres Acres Proposed For Cut

7 Stand ESCANABA FOREST MGT UNIT Proposed Treatments Compartment: 113 With NO Limiting Factors Cover Type Acres Age Site Index Mgt Obj Condition Method Cut Harvest Priority Cultural Need aspen (upland) mature final harvest 1 natural regeneration Mature A stand, Final Harvest - Leave R, W, and Oak for diversity and retention. 16 R red pine old growth (potential or actual) thinning 1 Entry Year: 2011 FDF Status SCA-This stand provides mature habitat conditions along the Menominee River. This stand should be thinned. Thin this stand to make it more resemble a natural red pine stand, and to promote large diameter trees along the river. Reduce the BA down to 160. Cut two rows and leave three rows and thin the remaining three rows to reduce the BA to the desired level. 28 F aspen (upland) mature final harvest 1 natural regeneration This stand has been hit hard by the spruce budworm, there is significant mortality of the Fb and Fs. This stand needs to be harvested to salvage as much of the F as possible. Final harvest this stand - Leaving enough W to meet the retention guidelines. All species are very poor quality aspen (upland) immature 0 planting Stand was clearcut under contract There are still a some scattered pine left. There are some areas that didn't regenerate after harvest that we are recommending planting red pine in. The openings range from 0.5 acres to 2 acres. There is between 5 to 7 acres of openings within the stand. These will be trenched and planted at a 6' X 8' spacing. Herbicide will only be used if needed mixed swamp mature seed tree 1 natural regeneration conifer Mature lowland conifer stand. Final harvest this stand, leaving enough T, S, and C seed trees to meet the retention guidelines. Also there is a 2 acre portion of this stand in comp 7 (stand 23), cut this portion at the same time aspen (upland) mature final harvest 1 natural regeneration Over mature A. Final Harvest, leaving the pine, oak, and cherry for retention. Treat this stand in In the areas that do not regenerate following the harvest trench and plant red pine at a spacing of 6' X 8'. Herbicide if needed. Leave a 2 chain no cut buffer along River Road. If feasible underplant white pine in this buffer area. If open plant red pine white pine two aged selection 1 natural regeneration This stand should be managed for W and R. The pine and oak should be thinned down to 70 BA and all other species should be removed from the stand. By leaving the 70 BA it should discourage A from regenerating within the stand. Only 50% of the oak may be harvested aspen (upland) mature final harvest 1 natural regeneration Overmature A. Final harvest, leaving all W, R, and Oak. Treat this stand in In the areas that do not regenerate following the harvest trench and plant red pine at a spacing of 6' X 8'. Herbicide if needed. Leave a 2 chain no cut buffer along River Road. If feasible underplant white pine in this buffer area. If open plant red pine aspen (upland) mature final harvest 1 natural regeneration Very poor quality A stand. Final harvest, leaving cherry, W, and R for retention aspen (upland) mature final harvest 1 natural regeneration Over mature A. Final harvest, leaving pine, oak, and cherry for retention and diversity. 120 F white pine mature final harvest 1 natural regeneration Over mature stand. This stand was on contract before, but was never cut and it was turned back to the state. A very large portion of the F has died out, also the birch is dying out. Final Harvest, leaving the oak, and mark enough pine to leave to meet the retention guidelines. The far west point of this stand has a couple small patches of black spruce aspen (upland) mature final harvest 1 natural regeneration Aspen is mature. Final Harvest, leaving R, W, and oak for retention. 126 R red pine old growth (potential or actual) thinning 1 SCA-This stand provides mature habitat conditions along the Menominee River. The pine needs to be thinned, manage this stand for large diameter pine. Reduce the BA of the stand down to 120. Mark the stand to make it more resemble a natural red pine stand than a plantation. Also, remove all short lived species within the stand. Do not cut any timber on the west side of the North State Road. Page 1 of 2 8/13/2009

8 Stand ESCANABA FOREST MGT UNIT Proposed Treatments Compartment: 113 With NO Limiting Factors Cover Type Acres Age Site Index Mgt Obj Condition Method Cut Harvest Priority Cultural Need white pine two aged shelterwood-seed 1 natural regeneration Entry Year: 2011 FDF Status Large mature pine stand with pockets of 30 to 40 year old A. The spruce budworm has killed or is in the process of killing the majority of the F. Manage this stand for W. Cut all species, leaving 30 to 40 BA of the current overstory species. The majority of the leave trees should be pine and oak. With leaving this overstory it will shade out the A and provide partial sunlight to allow W to regenerate. Only 50% of the oak may be harvested aspen (upland) mature final harvest 1 natural regeneration Mature A. Final Harvest, leaving oak and pine for retention white pine immature selection 1 natural regeneration The short lived species within this stand are over mature and dying out. Spruce budworm is present within this stand. Manage this stand for W. The BA should be lowered to 60, by removing all species; except mark 60 BA of oak and pine to leave. By leaving 60 BA it will shade out the short lived species. I am doing a moderate removal on the pine in this stand due to its proximity to the river. Only 50% of the oak may be harvested. 137 P balsam poplar & mature final harvest 1 natural regeneration swamp aspen and swamp white birch Over mature stand, all species are in a state of decline. This stand was on contract to cut, but it never was. Final Harvest, this stand, leaving all white oak, elm, and ash less than 5". Also mark enough pine, red oak, and Fs seed trees to meet the retention guidelines. Treat stand 60 in comp 9 with this stand when it is treated. Only 50% of the oak may be harvested mixed swamp mature final harvest 1 natural regeneration conifer Total Acres... Stand is mature. Final harvest, leaving enough T, S, and C seed trees to meet retention guidelines. This stand will regenerate back to a mix of T and S. The Fb and Fs are dying out of the stand from the spruce budworm. 798 Page 2 of 2 8/13/2009

9 Stand ESCANABA FOREST MGT UNIT Proposed Treatments Compartment: 113 With Limiting Factors Cover Type Acres Age Site Index Mgt Obj Condition Method Cut red pine unevenaged thinning 1 Harvest Priority Cultural Need Entry Year: 2011 FDF Status TREATMENT LIMITING FACTORS: Threatened, endangered, and special concern species/communities This stand is need of a thinning. Cut all A, B, M, and F. Also, mark the pine down to 80 BA. There is a hawk nest within the stand. Wildlife will monitor to see if the nest remains active. When the nest becomes inactive or if guidelines are changed we will set up the sale. Total Acres... 8 Page 1 of 1 8/13/2009

10 "N "W "W "W Covertype & Treatment Map "W "W "N "N R South Lake Dr. Kad ing Cr Brandt s Lk. Bird Rd F5 56 L0 41 M Q4 Blom Cr "N "N Compartment 113 T37N, R28W, Sec. 3-6, 8-10, 16, 21 T38N, R28W, Sec. 31 County: Menominee Unit: Escanaba YOE: 2011 Acres: 2,772 GIS Calculated Stand Examiner: Dustin Salter Map Revised:8/12/2009 Map Phase: Pre-Review E6 Men omi nee 80 R B6 77 Sta te Rd F S Q F F5 59 N "N Faithhorn Township Park O6 163 O S O "N "N Legend Miris Corners County Paved Roads Paved Roads County Gravel Roads Gravel Roads Poor Dirt Roads Water Features Public Access Site Stand Boundaries Treatments - Final harvest/natural regeneration Seed tree/natural regeneration Shelterwood-seed/Natural regeneration Thinning Selection/Natural regeneration A - Aspen B - Paper Birch C - Northern White Cedar E - Swamp Hardwoods F - Upland Spruce or Fir I - Local Use L - Lowland Brush M - Northern Hardwoods N - Marsh O - Oak P - Balsam Poplar, Swamp Aspen, Swamp White Birch Q - Mixed Swamp Conifers R - Red Pine S - Black Spruce Swamp U - Upland Brush W - White Pine Gerald Welling Access Site 172 X0 174 W4 139 O U0 176 W6 126 R P F6 142 L F4 120 F W6 Pem enee Cr "N "N Co. Rd Miles "W "W "W "W "W

11 "W "W "W "W "N "N "W Stand Boundary Map "N R6 K ad ing 40 Blo m 41 M Cr B Q F5 66 F te Rd 82 E6 om 59 N i ne R Faithhorn Township Park "N e 57 F S5 n Me 05 r Sta C L0 F "N 53 Q Compartment 113 T37N, R28W, Sec. 3-6, 8-10, 16, 21 T38N, R28W, Sec. 31 County: Menominee Unit: Escanaba YOE: 2011 Acres: 2,772 GIS Calculated Stand Examiner: Dustin Salter Map Revised:8/12/2009 Map Phase: Pre-Review Bird Rd. Brandt s Lk "N South Lake Dr. 107 S O O O F6 Miris Corners County Paved Roads Paved Roads County Gravel Roads Gravel Roads Poor Dirt Roads Water Features Public Access Site Stand Boundaries R "N "N Legend 127 F O5 Gerald Welling Access Site 137 P6 172 X0 144 F6 142 L "N U0 179 e. Cr 176 W6 149 W "N 174 W4 P em e ne 196 Co. Rd "W "W "W 1 Miles "W "W

12 "N "W "W "W "W Dedicated & Proposed Special Conservation Area Map "W "N "N "N Compartment 113 T37N, R28W, Sec. 3-6, 8-10, 16, 21 T38N, R28W, Sec. 31 County: Menominee Unit: Escanaba YOE: 2011 Acres: 2,772 GIS Calculated Stand Examiner: Dustin Salter Map Revised: 8/12/2009 Map Phase: Pre-Review R6 82 E6 17 Men omi nee R South Lake Dr. Kad ing Cr. Sta te Rd. 71 F Brandt s Lk F Bird Rd L0 F B S Q M Q4 57 F5 Blom Cr. 59 N "N "N Faithhorn Township Park O6 163 O S O "N Legend Miris Corners Stand Boundaries Proposed SCA Proposed SCA - Special Conservation Area Dedicated Special Conservation Areas Ecological Reference Areas Boat Access Sites OI Special Conservation Areas Potential Old Growth Stands Cold Water Streams R F F "N O "N Gerald Welling Access Site 172 X0 174 W U0 176 W6 137 P6 144 F6 142 L W6 Pem enee Cr "N Co. Rd Miles "W "W "W "W "W

13 Report Date: 08/12/2009 Type Escanaba Mgt. Unit Compartment: 113 DEDICATED CONSERVATION AREA DETAILS Page 1 of 1 * This is a list of Dedicated Biodiversity Areas for this compartment along with a 1/4 mile buffer surrounding the compartment. Refer to Dedicated Conservation Area Map for areas that the below listed Conservation Areas are located. Conservation Area Description ERA = Ecological Reference Area HCVA = High Conservation Value Area SCA = Special Conservation Area ERA SCA SCA SCA SCA Ecological Reference Areas Archaeological Site Cold Water Stream Concentrated Recreation Area Potential Old Growth Areas Ecological Reference Areas (ERAs) are high quality examples of natural communities that have been identified as Element Occurrences (EOs) by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) within the context of their natural community classification system. Element Occurrences with viability ranks of A (Excellent) or B (Good) and a Global (G) or State (S) element (rarity) ranking of endangered (1), threatened (2), or rare (3) serve as an initial base of ERAs. They may be located upon any ownership in the State. The system is comprised of individual or associations of natural community types that are managed for restoration and maintenance of natural ecological processes and values. The public may submit recommendations for lands as ERAs using the DNR Conservation Area Recommendation Form. An aquatic or terrestrial area of the State that contains physical remains of human occupation. These are sites of cultural and historical significance that may occur upon terrestrial areas and Great Lakes bottomlands. They include thousands of Native American settlements and burial sites, as well as French and British outposts, nineteenth century logging camps, mines and homesteads. Beneath the waters of the Great Lakes, there are shipwrecks and other remains documenting the maritime trade. Such sites may be identified by Natural heritage data from the State Historic Preservation Office. Proposed treatments in this compartment will be implemented in such a manner as to maintain the integrity of these sites. Due to the sensitive nature of this information, no further detail about location is available. A coldwater stream has temperature and dissolved oxygen conditions that allow naturally-reproduced or stocked trout populations and those of other coldwater fish species (e.g., slimy sculpin) to persist from year to year. Coldwater streams in Michigan typically provide these conditions due to substantial contributions of groundwater to their stream flows. Such streams are established by Director's action and designated as trout resources by Fisheries Order 210. Facilities that are designed and maintained for routine or heavy recreational use, including State Parks, State Forest campgrounds, motorized and non-motorized trails, trailheads, staging areas and public access sites. This category contains stands were identified for a broad range of reasons and were coded in the OI database as stand condition 8 as potential old growth (POG). Approximately 310,000 acres have been identified through the Operations Inventory (OI)/Compartment Review process. For stands in Year of Entry 2008 and forward, potential old growth is managed for the identified objective until it is: 1) vetted through the Biodiversity Conservation Planning Process (BCPP) and given a specific designation and objective (as an ERA, HCVA, or other type of SCA) and is released from the potential old growth designation; or 2) it is released from the potential old growth designation via the Compartment Review process.