Sec. 50115.

For the public benefit, the board shall mandate the continuous growing, improvement, and harvesting of forest trees to protect and maintain the forest soil, air, water resources, wildlife, and aquatic habitat within the district. The board of the western Upper Peninsula forest improvement district shall establish minimum standards for the conduct of forest practices on forest land within the district. These standards shall do all of the following:

(a) Provide for the improvement and harvesting of forest trees in a manner that will increase the productivity of the forest land, reduce soil and debris entering streams, and protect wildlife and fish habitat.

(b) Provide for road construction that will ensure the maintenance of forest productivity and water quality during construction and maintenance.

(c) Provide for reforestation that will maintain the growing and harvesting of desirable forest tree species by describing the conditions under which reforestation will be required, specifying the minimum and maximum number of trees per acre and the maximum period of time allowed after harvesting for reforestation, and requiring stabilization of soils that have become exposed as a result of harvesting. An acreage exemption from reforestation may be established, except that, on the land exempted, within 1 year after harvesting, some form of vegetative cover shall be required sufficient to provide continuing soil productivity and stabilization.

(d) Provide for management of slashings resulting from the harvesting, management, or improvement of forest tree species so as to protect reproduction and residual stands, to reduce the risk from fire, insects, and disease, to optimize the conditions for future regeneration of forest trees, and to maintain water quality and fish and wildlife habitat.

(e) Coordinate the notification requirement of this subpart and all other submission requirements imposed upon members so as to minimize the requirements for submission of information.

(f) Require having specific forest fire fighting equipment readily available.

History: Add. 1995, Act 57, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995 Popular Name: Act 451Popular Name: NREPA