VANDERBILT -- Bob Jacobson loves the Pigeon River Country State Forest and he wants state officials to do more to protect it.
Jacobson, of Prudenville, president of the Michigan Conservation Foundation, is set to speak Thursday to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission about what he said is a lackluster update to the PRC concept of management plan. The plan is open for public comment through Saturday.
The PRC state forest makes up the heart of the state's elk territory, about 180 square miles of sparkling streams, clear lakes, dense swamps and rolling, wooded backcountry in Otsego, Cheboygan and Montmorency counties.
Jacobson's group's concerns include unenforced snowmobile regulations, unrestricted bicycle use and effects on the area by horseback riders.
Other groups also cite problems with the plan.
Jim Maturen, of Reed City, also intends to speak to the NRC about worries held by his group, the Michigan Wild Turkey Hunters Association. Its members have issues with a new forest management, he said.
"It was supposed to be the last wild place left in the northern Lower Peninsula. Even though civilization encroaches, it's to remain wild," Maturen said.
Increasing use of roads and trails by horseback riders is a major concern of the hunters group, he said.
"You don't see elk tracks anymore. You see horse tracks. There are horses, horses everywhere. We want specific trails for them or eliminate them altogether," Maturen said.
Bill O'Neill, field coordinator for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, said all forest uses must be balanced, but concerns about horses are legitimate.
"We're trying to identify how many horses we can have in the Pigeon without having a detrimental effect on the wildlife habitat or the recreation experiences of others. We don't want to harm the ground or run everybody else out," O'Neill said.
The draft plan addresses horseback riding, and notes that horses' impact will be monitored by state officials, who must determine every five years whether horses are degrading the area's natural resources. It also covers logging, energy exploration and other recreational uses, such as snowmobile riding, hunting, fishing, camping, off-road vehicles and canoeing.
Maturen said his group also wants more openings in the woods to improve habitat for elk, deer, turkey and other wildlife.
