National Lakeshore offers hazard tree environmental assessment
From staff reports
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore proposes to update its Hazard Tree Management Plan (HTMP) to include responses to current and imminent tree disease epidemics. To do so, the National Lakeshore will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) that will describe and analyze alternative methods available for these responses and determine which to include in the plan update.
The National Lakeshore’s 2002 HTMP provides instruction for Hazard Tree crews to evaluate and treat those trees that either develop structural defects (e.g., large dead limbs) or are likely to soon fail, thereby posing a threat to park visitors, workers or structures. In a park with tens of thousands of acres of forested landscape, careful, effective implementation of the 2002 HTMP has meant very few tree-related incidents over the years.
The National Lakeshore has begun to see the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer and Beech Bark Disease epidemics; two tree diseases with very high mortality rates. A third tree disease, Oak Wilt, has been reported nearby and is likely to appear in the National Lakeshore’s forests soon.
Ash and Beech are both abundant as large-sized canopy trees in the National Lakeshore’s forests and can be found in developed areas, and alongside roads, trails, and adjacent landowner property lines. As these trees die, this will mean an increased hazard tree workload and will present the National Lakeshore with decisions about how to respond. Responses may include procedures such as preemptively removing trees that do not yet present the usual hazard tree characteristics (in cases where they do show clear disease symptoms) to avoid dangerous tree removal situations, stump grinding, and using a vibratory blade implement to isolate the root systems of infected oak stands, in the event of Oak Wilt infections.
This plan update will not include details on responding to tree pests and diseases, as these actions are already being implemented. Rather, it will focus only on hazard tree management and possible restoration activities.
Planning is just beginning and, as part of this process, the National Lakeshore welcomes your ideas and input regarding issues or concerns relevant to you. They are especially interested in items you would like them to consider as they plan the project. Please provide your comments electronically through the National Park Service’s Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website. A link to the PEPC site may also be found on the National Lakeshore’s website. Additionally, comments may be mailed to the National Lakeshore (Superintendent, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, 9922 Front Street, Empire, Michigan 49630).
The National Lakeshore requests that you provide your comments by Feb. 15. The comments you submit during this “scoping” phase of planning will be evaluated and considered during the development of alternatives and analysis of their impacts contained in the EA. When the EA is completed, the National Lakeshore will again solicit public input.
