NRC to decide limits on recreational use of Pigeon River Country trails
The meeting will discuss a land-use order drafted to give specific guidelines as to how the 118,000-acre Pigeon River Country could be used by the public, while still maintaining the wild character of the vast wilderness.
Although Thursday's meeting will discuss the land use order it will be for information only, a final decision on the land use order won't come until sometime in May.
“I recently approved the Pigeon River Country State Forest concept of management that attempts to accommodate multiple users and their interests, while protecting the wild beauty of the area,” said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. “This concept is a management framework for current and future recreation in the Pigeon River Country, and is the result of a variety of user groups who worked with us to resolve concerns. I appreciate the efforts of all these groups.”
The land-use order addresses three specific recreational aspects of the Pigeon River Country State Forest: Camping with horses, other riding or pack animals; trail riding with horses, other riding or pack animals; and bicycling.
Under the regulations set in the pending land use order, camping with horses or other riding or pack animals will be restricted to the Elk Hill Equestrian State Forest Campground and Trail Camp, and Johnson's Crossing Trail Camp, noted DNR Press Secretary Mary Dettloff.
Trail riding with horses, other riding or pack animals will also be restricted to specific roads and pathways.
A person riding or leading a horse, other riding animal or pack animal will be restricted to the north spur of the Shore-to-Shore Riding-Hiking Trail; a county road; a forest road designated and illustrated as open on the Pigeon River Country State Forest access map; or a service trail road posted open by the DNR, explained Dettloff. This would provide over 280 miles of riding opportunities.
Bicycling in the Pigeon River Country will be restricted to the High Country Pathway, the Shingle Mill Pathway and the Pickerel Lake Pathway; a county road; a state forest road designated and illustrated as open on the Pigeon River Country State Forest access map, providing 300 miles for bicycling.
“These regulations are necessary so that multiple recreational users can enjoy the Pigeon River Country State Forest with minimal conflict,” Humphries said. “They are also necessary to protect the wild character of the area, and for the DNR to remain in compliance with federal grant fund requirements associated with the acquisition and management of the Pigeon River Country.”
Humphries said it is important to note that recreational activities can still be enjoyed in the Pigeon River Country, but that they will be restricted to certain areas.
“We want to accommodate the users who have enjoyed this area, and who have helped through volunteer efforts to maintain it,” she said. “But we also wanted to make sure that the Pigeon River Country remains the ‘Big Wild' for recreational activities that have been enjoyed for decades, such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, snowmobiling, horseback riding and bicycling. This state forest area belongs to the public, and we are charged with best managing it for multiple public recreational uses.”
For more information on the proposed land use order, visit NRC section of the DNR's Web site at www.michigan.gov/nrc.