DNR declines land lease request, signs agreement with military for land use via permits

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced on Friday, April 28, that it “has declined a proposed 20-year lease of approximately 162,000 acres of state forest land to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs” but the military “will be able to apply for limited land use permits to conduct exercises on up to 52,000 acres of eligible land” for “controlled trials of cyber and electronic warfare technologies” or “low impact or light maneuver training” or “small formation activity involving less than 500 National Guard members and up to 100 affiliated partner members.”

“The decision was made after months of public input and after consultation with interested Michigan Tribal governments,” according to the Department of Natural Resources. “The (Department of Military and Veterans Affairs) had sought to lease the land, located around (Camp Grayling), to accommodate low-impact military training activities.”

“We appreciate the many comments we received on this proposal and the commitment people have to public lands,” said Acting DNR Director Shannon Lott. “Public concerns and feedback from Tribal governments, coupled with our own review of the proposal, led us to decide against a 20-year lease on such a significant portion of state-managed land.”

According to the DNR, “Michigan military leaders last winter proposed a lease of up to 162,000 acres of state forest land around Camp Grayling to conduct periodic, low-impact activities such as cyber and electronic warfare, and operation of space and communication systems.”

According to an April 28 press release from the Department of Natural Resources, the military will be able to access some additional land for training through permits, and the land will remain open to public use.

“Under a Memorandum of Understanding between the DNR and the (Department of Military and Veterans Affairs), the DMVA will be able to apply for limited land use permits to conduct exercises on up to 52,000 acres of eligible land. The permits would allow the Michigan National Guard to conduct low-impact training on specified areas of land, which would remain open to the public and Tribal members at all times. The MOU also provides that the permits will not allow military training to take place in any protected or sensitive habitat areas or within a certain distance of inland lakes and designated trout streams,” according to the DNR.

“The (Department of Military and Veterans Affairs) may apply for permits using the same system and be evaluated under the same regulations that apply to all other public events and activities on state-managed public lands, including individual events, research projects, and large gatherings. The DMVA will pay fees and costs associated with applying for a permit, the same as other members of the public,” according to the DNR. “People who want to legally use the land for hunting, fishing, camping, or other recreational pursuits would continue to be allowed, without restriction, on land in use by the Michigan National Guard under a land use permit.”

“While the MOU’s framework doesn’t meet the full vision of our original request, we believe it still provides distance and area required for some low-impact training that will help our service members stay safe and successful on a modern battlefield,” said Col. Scott Meyers, Camp Grayling Commander, via an April 28 press release from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “We respect the DNR’s decision to deny our lease request while providing a way forward to help facilitate training capability for those who wear the uniform, and we appreciate the public’s engagement over the last several months, as well as the feedback we received from Tribal governments.” 

“For us, this is all about taking care of our service members who have made the commitment to put their lives on the line in support of our national security. We can do that and honor Michigan’s environment. Ultimately, the National Guard is here to serve and defend the homeland that the citizens of our state and nation hold dear. We have heard the concerns offered by many private individuals and groups, as well as from several federally recognized Tribes, and are taking them into account. We will strive to uphold both these commitments: to offer the readiest combat force possible, and to serve the people of our state responsibly and with gratitude for all they do to support us,” Col. Meyers said via DMVA press release.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding, “For any Camp Grayling training events intended to be conducted on State land beyond the Camp Grayling borders, DMVA and/or the Michigan National Guard will apply to DNR for State land use permits. These applications will designate specific periods of time and locations for access to conduct training exercises. All land use permits will be processed and issued in accordance with DNR’s authority under (the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act).”

“The permits and military training exercises described in this MOU will be limited to a maximum of approximately 52,000 acres of tax-reverted State land,” according to the Memorandum of Understanding. “The land use permit applications will be limited to the amount of acreage needed for the proposed military training exercise.”

MAP LINK: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/-/media/Project/Websites/dnr/Documents/Publ...

“All areas covered by any land use permit described in this MOU will remain open to legal public and Tribal use during the time periods covered by any such permit, including during any military training exercises conducted. The land use permits described in this MOU will not allow military training exercises to take place in any protected or sensitive habitat areas, or within 3,000 feet of any inland lakes or designated trout streams listed in Fisheries Order 210.23. DMVA and/or the Michigan National Guard will maintain the State land at issue, including any roads or trails, in the condition they existed in prior to the military training exercise. DMVA and/or the Michigan National Guard will continue public service announcements related to permitted activities through existing military protocols,” according to the Memorandum of Understanding.

“The purpose of the land use permits described in this MOU will be to conduct the following activities: 1. Small formation activity involving less than 500 National Guard members and up to 100 affiliated partner members; 2. Controlled trials of cyber and electronic warfare technologies; 3. Low impact or light maneuver training,” according to the Memorandum of Understanding.

According to the MOU, “The following activities will not be permitted: 1. Live fire or any similar kinetic activity; 2. Use of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam material or any similar or other material known to contain harmful pollutants, including PFAS; 3. Activity within 3,000 feet of any inland lakes or designated trout streams listed in Fisheries Order 210.23; 4. Use of tanks; 5. Erection of fencing or any permanent structure; 6. Violent, loud, or disorderly conduct; 7. Activity that results in significant damage to vegetation; 8. Storage of watercraft or other vehicles beyond designated permitted period; 9. Use of any loudspeaker, PA system, or similar equipment.”

The MOU “will be in effect from the date of execution for five years unless it is terminated as set forth below” and “it may be extended for five-year additional increments upon the mutual agreement of the Departments. This MOU may be modified upon the mutual agreement of DNR and DMVA and upon execution of a written amendment signed by both Departments. DNR or DMVA may terminate this MOU at any time upon prior written notice to the other Department.”

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Lott and MG Paul D. Rogers, Adjutant General and Director Department of Military and Veteran Affairs.

A link to the map showing the “52,000 acres of eligible land” is available at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/public-land/camp-graylin.... Areas include land in Crawford County, Otsego County, Kalkaska County, Missaukee County, Roscommon County, and Oscoda County. The website also includes a link to the full Memorandum of Understanding.