North Michigan News

State Representative Ken Borton announced that funding for Northern Michigan conservation organizations and a forestry simulator for Kirtland Community College has been included in the House Republican ‘Value for MI Dollars’ budget plan. The Michigan House of Representatives approved the plan last week, and these projects will be part of ongoing state budget negotiations.

“I’m proud to have secured two key Northern Michigan projects in our House budget that would strengthen ongoing wildlife conservation efforts and help educate college students on safe and effective ways to harness our immense timber resource across Northern Michigan,” said Borton, R-Gaylord. “Our taxpayer dollars should be sent to where they would have the greatest possible impact, and I can think of no better place than investing these resources into our rivers and streams or into educating our timbermen of tomorrow.”

The Mason-Griffith Founders Chapter of Trout Unlimited is set to receive $2.5 million under the proposed budget. Local conservation nonprofits have managed stream habitat restoration since the Michigan Department of Natural Resources shifted its priorities nearly 20 years ago and reduced fishery field staff. Leaders from these groups say additional funding is necessary to meet restoration needs.

The funds are expected to support local cooperative conservation groups such as Anglers of the Au Sable, Au Sable North Brand Area Foundation, and the Upper Manistee River Association. The money would be used for stream habitat restoration, excess sand and sediment management, temperature and flow monitoring, as well as nuisance beaver management.

Kirtland Community College is also slated to receive $100,000 for a timber harvester simulator. This equipment will enhance training at the Michigan Forest Products Institute based at Kirtland by allowing students to develop practical skills without the risks or costs associated with using real machinery in the field.