Feb. 2, 2023 Update: DNR will accept public comment on proposed Camp Grayling expansion through Feb. 8
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced today it will continue to accept public comment through 5 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 8, on the National Guard’s proposed expansion of its Camp Grayling training facility to include 162,000 acres of DNR-managed forest land. The DNR has been receiving public comments since June 2022, and the DNR and the military have sponsored and appeared at many public meetings to collect feedback throughout the summer and fall regarding the proposed expansion. Several thousand comments have already been shared with the DNR, and staff has been evaluating public input as it is received. A summary of the comments will be posted on the DNR’s Camp Grayling proposal information page. The DNR will review the feedback received and continue discussions with the military about use of state-managed forest land for military training.
On August 31, 2022, FLOW submitted comments to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) raising concerns about the Michigan National Guard’s proposal to lease 162,000 acres of public lands to conduct military training exercises near Camp Grayling, which is headquartered west of the city of Grayling in northern Lower Michigan. This proposal would more than double Camp Grayling’s current footprint and would be the largest single land lease in state history and accordingly merits the utmost scrutiny from the DNR.
This proposal would more than double Camp Grayling’s current footprint and would be the largest single land lease in state history and accordingly merits the utmost scrutiny from the DNR.
FLOW’s comments question whether the DNR has statutory authority to lease state lands for military purposes and highlight the relevant considerations that DNR is obligated to make under state law prior to issuing any such lease.
FLOW’s comments question whether the DNR has statutory authority to lease state lands for military purposes and highlight the relevant considerations that DNR is obligated to make under state law prior to issuing any such lease.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will accept public input throughout its ongoing, open-ended process. The public can review the DNR’s Updated Camp Grayling expansion proposal Q&A and submit comments through the interactive, online map hosted on the DNR’s Camp Grayling lease update proposal webpage or by email to DNR-Camp-Grayling@Michigan.gov.
Thank you for your involvement in this very important issue. Michigan Public Land belongs to Michiganders. Current land leased by the DNR should be returned to the public.as well.
Please do not cut into the existing forests. We are in a climate emergency and need to preserve and protect our natural resources, not continue to chip away at what’s left.
Michiganders are vehemently against the proposal. The military has a strong presence in Grayling, residents are already bearing the effects of what it brings to community, and say NO to more of the same.
Michiganders are vehemently against the proposal. The military has a strong presence in Grayling, residents are already bearing the effects of what it brings to community, and say NO to more of the same.