A coalition known as Keep the U.P. Wild wants Congress to designate 51,000 acres in the Ottawa National Forest as a ‘wilderness.’ A logging representative asks ‘how many set-aside areas do we really need?’
Upper Peninsula
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
CDC recommends masks in 11 Michigan counties. Most have low inoculation rates
Most of Michigan has been spared the COVID surge sweeping nation. The counties deemed to have high or significant rates also tend to lag in vaccinations.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
After federal rule change, Michigan resumes killing cormorants to save fish
The state has permission to kill up to 9,650 birds and destroy up to 1,400 nests, a move state wildlife managers hope will reduce pressure on fish populations valued by anglers. Opponents say the birds are scapegoated for a fish collapse they didn’t cause.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan tourism needs foreign workers. Visa woes make hiring them tough
Federal H-2B visas make tourism possible for visitors in summer, business leaders say. But every year is a question mark about who will get workers and how many will be allowed. They say it’s time to solve that.
Posted inThe Center for Michigan
Watch Bridge Book Club talk on ‘Firekeeper’s Daughter’ with Angeline Boulley
On Tuesday, the author joined Bridge Michigan for a discussion of her New York Times best-selling novel about Sault Ste. Marie. Watch a video of discussion here.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Land sale threatens public access in the U.P. Should the state step in?
The private timberlands that blanket Keweenaw County have been open for public recreation for generations. But with 32,600 acres now for sale by a New York hedge fund, some fear “no trespassing” signs may follow.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Emergencies surge at northern Michigan parks, lakes. Time for a rescue tax?
A death at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is the most recent incident in a summer of tragedy in Michigan’s remote wildernesses. That’s stretched resources and has lawmakers thinking of new funding sources.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Enbridge ordered to retrieve 15,000-lb. anchor from Straits of Mackinac
Line 5 sustained no damage during the incident, which occurred as a result of an equipment failure while crews were doing maintenance work on the dual-span pipeline at the bottom of the Straits.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan tourism sector fumes at new delay in opening border to Canadians
Canada will allow entry to vaccinated U.S. visitors as of Aug. 9, but the U.S. travel ban on non-essential Canadian visitors was extended to Aug. 21
Posted inQuality of Life
U.S. Canada border reopening set for August, a relief for Michiganders
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated fully vaccinated U.S. visitors could cross the border starting in mid-August if Canada’s “positive path” on vaccinations continues. Michigan residents with cottages in Canada are hopeful but wary.