For more than 50 years, the Michigan Association of Timbermen has championed the importance of sustainable forest management. Michigan’s forests are not only an economic engine but also a cornerstone of environmental health and community well-being. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ recent proposal to lease 420 acres of public forestland in Otsego County’s Hayes Township for a solar farm causes us to question whether state-owned land should ever be converted for such uses.

Renewable energy at the expense of forests

The Michigan Association of Timbermen opposes the notion that “renewable” energy initiatives must come at the expense of productive forests. Studies, including those cited by Harvard University (Harvard Gazette, Oct. 13, 2023), highlight the paradox of clearing forests for solar farms: the carbon sequestration benefits of forests often outweigh the emissions reductions achieved by solar panels on the same land.

Mismanagement of public resources

Public outrage has been swift. As reported by MLive, lawmakers and citizens alike have criticized the DNR for “selling out” to solar developers. The justification for the project–proximity to high-voltage transmission lines–fails to account for the broader economic and ecological costs. Michigan has ample non-forested lands, such as brownfields and abandoned agricultural properties, that could support solar farms without encroaching on valuable forestland.

While 420 acres may not seem like much compared with the DNR’s annual forest management goals of more than 40,000 acres, the move may result in the DNR getting a “taste” for revenues derived from the trending renewable energy industry, resulting in more forestland conversion over time. While the DNR may see it as a small effort to diversify its portfolio, the taxpayer may see it as the restriction of public land from a multiplicity of uses; solar installations would prevent hunting, hiking, biking, birding and other outdoor uses, not to mention sustainable logging.

A threat to timber industry stability

The Michigan Association of Timbermen believes the DNR’s decision to lease forestland for solar development poses a future risk to Michigan’s timber industry. Public lands play a critical role in maintaining the supply of timber necessary to sustain this $26 billion sector. The area targeted for development includes red pine plantations–a key resource for lumber production–and removing these forests from production could lead to shortages, rising costs and job losses.

Michigan’s timber industry relies on careful forest management to ensure renewable, sustainable resources. Clear-cutting forestland for solar farms not only disrupts this balance but also endangers the livelihoods of loggers, mill workers, and rural communities that depend on the industry.

Protecting Michigan’s legacy

The Michigan Association of Timbermen urges the DNR to halt their efforts to diversify into solar installations and prioritize solutions that balance renewable energy goals with sustainable forest management.

Michigan’s timber industry has thrived due to a commitment to responsible stewardship of natural resources. Deforesting public land for solar development jeopardizes this legacy, risking both economic stability and environmental health.

The Michigan Association of Timbermen calls on policymakers, industry stakeholders, and citizens to again prioritize sustainable forest management as one of the primary revenue generators for the Michigan DNR; and to encourage the State to make decisions that prioritize the careful harvesting of our trees, Michigan’s renewable resource, for generations to come.

Share your thoughts

If you would like to share your thoughts, comments or concerns with the Michigan DNR regarding their current and future plans for solar development on public land, please contact:

Scott Bowen

Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources

525 W. Allegan St.

Lansing, MI 48933

BowenS7@michigan.gov