Commercial Forests
MOAHR #2021-75 NR
Public Hearing
This public hearing is being called to order at 2:16 pm, on Thursday, August 17, 2023. We are in the Con
Con Hearing Room, located in the atrium level of Constitution Hall, 525 West Allegan Street, Lansing, MI
48933. This hearing is being audio recorded. My name is Margaret Rost, and I will be facilitating the
hearing.
The Commercial Forest Rules are promulgated under authority of Part 511 of the Natural Resources and
Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.51101 to MCL 324.51120.
This public hearing is being conducted pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, Public Act 306 of
1969.
The public hearing notice was published in the following MICHIGAN newspapers of general circulation:
1. The Jackson Citizen Patriot;
2. The St. Ignace News; and
3. The Traverse City Record Eagle
The notice was also published in the Michigan Register and posted on the department website.
The purpose of this public hearing is to provide the public with an opportunity to give views and
comments on the proposed amendments to the administrative rules set, Commercial Forests,
R 299.2601 to R 299.2612. Public input is an important part of this administrative process and will be
included in the official record.
I will call speakers up from the cards that I have received. When you come forward, please state for the
record your name and your organization or company that you may be representing. Please try to keep
your comments to under five minutes. I would like to ask everyone to respect each person’s opportunity
to speak, so if you have a cell phone, please put it on silent.
Commenters:
Luke Thiel, Michigan Forest Products Council:
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R 299.2604 – change 30-day notice to 7-day notice prior to removal of sand and gravel
R 299.2605 – add clarifying language that upon request, the owner of a conservation easement
shall submit a copy of the prospective easement to the Department before entering into the
agreement and provide the Department with 30 days to review
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R 299.2605(e) – retain existing language
R 299.2605b – change forest management plan requirement for owners of parcels of 5,000
acres or more to submitting a copy of the amended or revised forest management plan to the
Department seven days before implementation & striking the proposed amendment as drafted
R 299.2906 – reduce proposed pre-harvest notice requirement for large commercial forest
owners with 5,000 or more enrolled acres to seven days
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