Michigan DNR to Sell Storm-Damaged Timber to Reduce Beetle Infestation and Wildfire Risk

Last Friday, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that it will issue “many” salvage timber sales due to the ice storm on March 30–31 in the northern Lower Peninsula.

The storm coated trees with up to an inch of ice, leaving pockets of severely damaged pine and hardwood trees in state forests. The DNR Forest Resources Division previously estimated that approximately 919,500 acres (372,100 hectares) were affected.

Salvage sales will be advertised and sold quickly to use as much forest product material as possible, reduce the risk of pest infestation, and mitigate wildfire risk. Salvage sales will be sold out of DNR forestry field offices.

DNR Forest Resources Division staff are prioritizing red pine salvage sales to minimize the risk of destruction from bark beetles. Salvage sales of all other species will be available in the coming weeks.

In a statement, Jeff Stampfly, Michigan’s state forester and chief of the DNR Forest Resources Division, said:

“Salvaging and removing downed and damaged trees as quickly and efficiently as possible are critical to moving our forests into the next phase of recovery and restoration. Everyone shares the goal of protecting the long-term health and vitality of our state forest lands, and these timber sales are a key part in the process.”