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National Forest Hosts Open House Regarding Potential Land Exchange
Release Date: Sep 18, 2015
The Hiawatha National Forest, announced today the receipt of a letter from Graymont (MI) LLC stating its intention to submit a proposal for a land exchange related to the company’s Upper Peninsula limestone mine project.
In anticipation of such a proposal, the National Forest will host an informational open house in order to share the Forest’s land exchange criteria and gather potential additional criteria that could be used in discussions regarding prospective exchange lands.
In March, the State of Michigan approved a state land transaction with Graymont. As part of that arrangement with the state, Graymont acquired mineral rights beneath National Forest System lands. In response to the company’s interest in obtaining surface ownership of Forest Service parcels through land exchange, the U.S. Forest Service would like to gain insight into the types and locations of lands the public might like to see the Forest Service obtain in the event a proposal is received.
The Forest Service will host an open house on Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at 6 p.m. at the St. Ignace Ranger Station, W1900 US-2, St. Ignace, MI. For more information about the open house, please contact Robert West, District Ranger for the St. Ignace/Sault Ste. Marie Ranger Districts, at robertwest@fs.fed.us or 906-643-7900.
“We hope community members will attend the open house to provide feedback on what is important about the lands that make up your Hiawatha National Forest,” stated West.
If the Forest receives a land exchange proposal from Graymont, the agency would prepare an environmental analysis. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process requires an analysis for any project with significant impacts and the intended future use (mining) of National Forest System land would be considered in that analysis. A transparent public involvement process would be included. Preparation of an analysis may take up to three years, and would only begin if and when a proposal was received.
About the U.S. Forest Service
The U.S. Forest Service is an agency under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and as such is part of the federal government’s executive branch. The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land and is the largest forestry research organization in the world. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.