Sec. 52502.
The department shall manage the state forest in a manner that is consistent with principles of sustainable forestry and in doing so shall do all of the following:
(a) Manage forests with consideration of its economic, social, and environmental values by doing all of the following:
(i) Broaden the implementation of sustainable forestry by employing an array of economically, environmentally, and socially sound practices in the conservation of forests, using the best scientific information available.
(ii) Promote the efficient utilization of forest resources.
(iii) Broaden the practice of sustainable forestry by cooperating with forestland owners, wood producers, and consulting foresters.
(iv) Plan and manage plantations in accordance with sustainable forestry principles and in a manner that complements the management of and promotes the restoration and conservation of natural forests.
(b) Conserve and protect forestland by doing all of the following:
(i) Ensure long-term forest productivity and conservation of forest resources through prompt reforestation, soil conservation, afforestation, and other measures.
(ii) Protect the water quality in streams, lakes, and other waterbodies in a manner consistent with the department's best management practices for water quality.
(iii) Manage the quality and distribution of wildlife habitats and contribute to the conservation of biological diversity by developing and implementing stand and landscape-level measures that promote habitat diversity and the conservation of forest plants and animals including aquatic flora and fauna and unique ecosystems.
(iv) Protect forests from wildfire, pests, diseases, and other damaging agents.
(v) Manage areas of ecologic, geologic, cultural, or historic significance in a manner that recognizes their special qualities.
(vi) Manage activities in high conservation value forests by maintaining or enhancing the attributes that define such forests.
(c) Communicate to the public by doing all of the following:
(i) Publicly report the department's progress in fulfilling its commitment to sustainable forestry.
(ii) Provide opportunities for persons to participate in the commitment to sustainable forestry.
(iii) Prepare, implement, and keep current a management plan that clearly states the long-term objectives of management and the means of achieving those objectives.
(d) Monitor forest management by promoting continual improvement in the practice of sustainable forestry and monitoring, measuring, and reporting performance in achieving the commitment to sustainable forestry.
(e) Consider the local community surrounding state forestland by doing both of the following:
(i) Require that forest management plans and operations comply with applicable federal and state laws.
(ii) Require that forest management operations maintain or enhance the long-term social and economic well-being of forest workers and local communities.
History: Add. 2004, Act 125, Imd. Eff. May 28, 2004
Popular Name: Act 451
Popular Name: NREPA
Last modified: October 10, 2016