Hiawatha National Forest Seeks Public input on Grand Island Visitor Use Management Project

Munising, MI May 1, 2025— The Hiawatha National Forest is seeking input on the development of a management plan for the Grand Island National Recreation Area.

Two public meetings will be held, one each on May 12 and 14 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Alger Parks and Recreation building at 413 Maple Street in Munising, MI. All are invited to attend, as a wide variety of perspectives will be essential to the success of this project.

Forest employees have partnered with the National Park Service- Denver Service Center to assess current and desired conditions of the area to support an enjoyable recreation experience and maximize benefits to the local community. Public input will inform this Visitor Use Management framework, long-term vision and future management options, including the island’s transportation system, recreation sites and facilities, commercial uses, historic and non-historic structures, the protection of cultural and natural resources, and the unique visitor experience the island provides. More information will soon be available.

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.