Michigan DNR Issues Guidance on Timber Sales Affected by Severe Storm

In a letter to loggers that use the Michigan VMS contract system for timber sales on state land, the Michigan DNR said they are “only setting up red pine salvage sales” so far in recovery salvage operations from the severe ice storm in the northern Lower Peninsula of the state. However, they also announced the DNR is willing to “address” any timber sales already under contract “that sustained damage in the storm” after the contract was signed..

The red pine sales will be sold “with a minimum bid price of $22.78 per cord. “Your bid price needs to reflect that you feel you can merchandize from the salvage and acreage involved,” Brenda Haskill, Timber Sales Manager wrote.

She cautioned that the “volume of wood on the prospectus is an arbitrary number placed on the sale,” so the scale can be advertised in a timely manner. The salvage sales will be “scaled as decked wood on the landing two to three days a week”, Haskill wrote.

Bid announcements and bid forms will be available on paper at Michigan DNR field offices in Atlanta, Gaylord, Grayling, and Pigeon River Country.

Haskill asked that companies that have sales under contract inspect conditions in the sales area as soon as they are accessible. “Sales that have more than 20% damage should be discussed with the unit manager listed on the contract,” she wrote. “We will do all we can to work with contract holders to continue your contracts,”.