Permits
Forest Service Permits:
For extensive information about the Forest Service Special Uses Program, including how to apply for a permit for a wide range of uses, please visit the Forest Service's National Special Uses Webpage: http://www.fs.usda.gov/specialuses/index.shtml. Prior to submitting your proposal, you may consider scheduling a meeting at the local Forest Service office where the use is being requested. A staff member can discuss your proposal, potential land use conflicts, application procedures and qualifications, probable time frames, fees, bonding requirements, additional coordination with other agencies, environmental reports, and field reviews.
Non-Forest Service Permits:
For a burning permit visit the state of Michigan website.
Holiday Trees
This permit allows you to cut a Christmas Tree within designated areas of the Hiawatha National Forest.
Decorative
Permits are required for collecting decorative material if used for commercial purposes.
Edible
Foraging for wild blueberries and other edibles is a popular local and tourist activity on the Hiawatha National Forest. No permit is required to gather for personal use.
Minerals
Minerals permits are required for use of gravel, rock, etc.
Firewood Permits
Hiawatha National Forest Firewood permits provide for non-commercial firewood gathering. The permits cost $20 and are good for personal-use firewood gathering on the Hiawatha for one year after the date of purchase -- or when the purchased cords have been gathered, whichever comes first. Permits are sold at:
- Online via the link listed below
- St. Ignace/Sault Ste Marie District Office -- 906-643-7900
- Supervisor's Office in Gladstone-- 906-428-5800
Please have the following information on hand to obtain your permit:
- Full name
- Phone Number
- Driver’s license or other identification number and expiration date
- Address
- License plate number of vehicle to be used to collect the firewood
Only standing dead and down trees may be gathered for firewood. Further guidelines for cutting will be provided with the permit. This authority applies only to non-commercial firewood cutting on Hiawatha National Forest system lands.
Purchase firewood permit at this link.
The Rapid River/Manistique, Munising, and St. Ignace Ranger Districts will begin selling conifer bough permits early October.
Individuals who are planning on plowing snow on roads within the jurisdiction of the Hiawatha National Forest are required to obtain a permit before beginning work. The permits are free and will provide guidance and specifications – including provisions for safety- that need to be followed when plowing roads on the national forest.
To obtain a permit, or if you are not sure who has jurisdiction over a road that you plow, please contact your local Forest Service engineer. Please contact your local Ranger District contact as soon as possible.
- Munising, Rapid River and Manistique Districts – David DeVet (906 474-6442 ext 132)
- St Ignace/Sault Ste. Marie Districts – Todd Kenyon (906-643-7900 ext 141)
Tree Planting
The Forest Service "Plant-A-Tree" Program permits individuals and groups to donate money for planting trees on National Forests. The trees may be planted to memorialize loved ones or to commemorate special events such as births, weddings, or anniversaries. For a suggested minimum donation of $10, which pays for 10-15 seedlings, donors receive a certificate acknowledging their gift. If desired, the name of the person in whose honor the donation is made will appear on the certificate. The trees, planted mostly in large plantations, will not be individually identified by donor. Smaller (or larger) donations will be acceptable in most cases. Business groups may participate in the program as long as their participation is non-commercial. Donations may be made in person and by mail at all Forest Service offices. Forest Service offices are listed in the telephone directory under "U.S. Government, Department of Agriculture." There are two other similar programs. The American Forests group plants memorial trees in national forests in honor of loved ones. Find out more about the Memorial Trees campaign at http://www.americanforests.org/campaigns/memorial_trees. The Arbor Day Foundation plants "Trees in Memory and Trees in Celebration at http://www.arborday.org/join/treecelebration.html.
However, some states regulate or prohibit the scattering of ashes. It is important you check local and state regulations and laws pertaining to this activity.
Guidance for Scattering Ashes and Erecting Memorials on Forest Service Land
Some states regulate or prohibit the scattering of ashes. It is important you check local and state regulations and laws pertaining to this activity. It is Forest Service policy to not permit commercial scattering of cremains on NFS lands by flying services, mortuaries, or funeral homes. While there are substantial differences between a traditional cemetery and the scattering of cremains, our existing permitting authorities do not provide for the permanent use of the NFS land.
Neither burial nor scattering of ashes are an appropriate use of the forests and are not authorized on the lands of the National Forest System. The placing of remains creates a permanent occupancy of the land and the placing of headstones or monuments documenting the location are similarly permanent. Placing of statues, flowers and other items of remembrance would be considered a monument.
The use of the National Forests for these purposes would need a Special Use Authorization (36 CFR 250). In determining if an authorization can be issued, the proposed use or application to use the forest must pass the screening criteria found at 36 CFR 251.54. However, burial of remains or scattering of ashes would not pass the initial screen found at 36 CFR 251.54(e) 1.iv; “The proposed use will not create an exclusive or perpetual right of use or occupancy” or the second level screen found at 36 CFR 251.54(e) 5.i; “The proposed use would be inconsistent or incompatible with the purposes for which the lands are managed.”