Showcasing the DNR

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Showcasing the DNR: Herbicide helpful in managing state’s forests

BY KATHLEEN LAVEY Michigan Department of Natural Resources

MICHIGAN — From now through fall, people who visit or live near state forests may find signs posted that say herbicide spraying has taken place. They may occasionally find a road closed to off-road vehicle traffic or even see a helicopter flying above, trailing a mist of herbicide.

“Herbicide is an important tool for forest management, especially when preparing to plant red pine,” said Scott Throop, timber management specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The DNR’s Forest Resources Division manages more than 4 million acres of state forest land with practices that are certified as sustainable by third-party organizations.

Herbicides can be used to prepare for planting new trees or to remove invasive species.

“Safety is my number one concern after the decision is made to spray a site,” Throop said. “We spend a lot of time trying to mitigate the risk. We know that people use all of our state forest land, and we want to do our best to protect them.”

Keeping people safe starts with information to help them understand the process and the precautions being taken, said Jeff Stampfly, acting Forest Resources Division chief.

“We want to be open and informative with people about the various treatments we are using to manage the forests,” he said.

Parcels scheduled to be sprayed this year range from a 5-acre plot in Roscommon County to a parcel of about 1,000 acres of timber land in Kalkaska County. Roughly 9,000 acres of land in about 20 counties were scheduled for herbicide treatment this year; those plans normally are made two years in advance and are available for the public to review at Michigan.gov/ForestInput.

To put that in perspective, if the DNR sprays all 9,000 acres, that represents only two-tenths of one percent of Michigan’s state forest land base. It is likely that workers will be able to spray only about half of that acreage this spraying season. But even though the area is small in terms of acreage, it represents a huge investment that will ensure quality timber into the 22nd century.

This year, spraying began in June at research sites in conjunction with Michigan State University researchers, who are studying hardwood regeneration. Removing competition from other plants with herbicide helps researchers evaluate various tree-growing methods equally.

A herbicide application project is photographed from the Gwinn Forest Management in south Marquette County, in August 2019. The application was taking place to prepare the landscape for jack and red pine planting. (Michigan DNR/Courtesy Photo)

The spraying season, from July through September, usually takes place to prepare the ground for planting red pine the following spring or, in a few cases in the Upper Peninsula, jack pine trees. Spraying later in the fall kills hardwood saplings and grass while leaving the pines unharmed as they have gone dormant for the winter.

Several different herbicide products are used, depending on the site and the desired result. In every case, Throop said the goal is to use the lightest concentration of the herbicide product possible.

“Our chemical mixes are designed to work at the low A herbicide application project is photographed from the Gwinn Forest Management in south end of the concentration Marquette County, in August 2019. The application was taking place to prepare the landscape for jack range,” Throop said. “We’re and red pine planting. (Michigan DNR/Courtesy Photo) typically far from the high end of permitted use.” Herbicide is usually

All DNR herbicide applicaapplied from a large piece of tors are licensed and trained all-terrain equipment known in the safe use of these prodas a skidder or sometimes, a ucts, and all herbicides used helicopter is used. by the DNR are approved by “One of our major conthe U.S. Environmental Procerns when spraying from a tection Agency. helicopter is drift,” Throop When an area is to be sprayed, signs are posted beforehand at every access said. “If winds are such that drift becomes unacceptable, we’ll stop aerial spraying for Fast, Reliable point to the property, includ ing roads and trail heads. The signs specify what is that day.” After an area is sprayed, signs are left in place for at High Speed Internet being done and give a conleast 48 hours and sometact number people can call times longer. Out of an abunif they want to talk to DNR staff about the spraying. Nearby landowners also dance of caution, people are advised not to pick berries from sites that have been 841 N. Van Dyke are notified, although some times it is difficult to reach owners of seasonal homes. sprayed recently. Herbicide spraying becomes obvious in subseBad Axe, MI 48413 DNR staff and contractors are careful to try to accommodate neighbors’ concerns. quent days as plants begin to turn brown. “People notice something 989.269.2306 “We sprayed an area in Kalkaska County where was done, and they can call us at any time with quessales@m3isp.com there were lots of neighbors,” tions,” Throop said. Throop said. “In order to To learn more about how mitigate potential conflicts, and why the DNR manages we moved spraying to the almost 4 million acres of middle of the week to lessen state forest, visit Michigan. impacts in the area.” gov/ForestManagement.

michigansthumb.com

Ubly’s Nicole Franzel returns to ‘Big Brother’

ERIC YOUNG

eric.young@hearstnp.com

LOS ANGELES — Ubly Native Nicole Franzel was revealed to be one of the latest contestants on CBS’ “Big Brother” during the premiere of its “All-Stars” season Wednesday, Aug. 5.

This is Franzel’s third appearance as a contestant on the show.

She won the show’s 18th season in 2016.

Most recently, Franzel was a contestant on “The Amazing Race” with her fiance, Victor Arroyo. The two met as contestants on “Big Brother.” Nicole They finished Franzel fourth on “The Amazing Race.”

Franzel first appeared on Big Brother during its 16th season in 2014, where she was evicted twice on Day 56 and Day 77, finishing in 10th place.

“The first time I played I was so excited to be on the show,” she told the Tribune after winning Season 18. “I didn’t really play the game. This time, I went in and wanted to win, so every day I strategized.”

During her appearance in 2016, Franzel was nominated for eviction three times, including during the first eviction on Day 2.

However, she was able to escape eviction to win the $500,000 prize after spending 99 days in the “Big Brother” house.

In addition to being a contestant on Big Brother, Franzel also appeared a competition host in the 19th season in 2017.

This year’s season is unique as it takes place

HOSPITAL

Continued from Page 3 mammography. Danielle Blaine, director of Hills & Dales public relations, marketing and foundation, said the hospital is constantly looking to expand Ubly’s Nicole Franzel (right) pumps her fists in the air after host Julie Chen (center) announces that Nicole made Big Brother history by becoming the first woman to beat a man, Paul Abrahamian (far left), in the finals. Nicole outlasted 15 other houseguests and on Sept. 21 was crowned this season’s Big Brother champion. (CBS photo) during the coronavirus pandemic.

“All of this season’s houseguests have been individually quarantined for the past two weeks,” said host Julie Chen Moonves in the premiere episode, according to an article in Variety. “You’ve all been tested multiple times for COVID-19, as have I, and you are all clear to play this game.”

This season includes 16 previous houseguests. In addition to Franzel, they include Christmas Abbott and improve the services it offers. She said there is a lot of training that goes along with technology like the hospital’s new 3D mammography machine, and the work to provide their patients with the best care available is a continual process.

In 2018, Hills & Dales “The first time I played I was so excited to be on the show. I didn’t really play the game. This time, I went in and wanted to win, so every day I strategized.”

Nicole Franzel

Big Brother contestant on winning the show’s 18th season from Big Brother 19; David Alexander from Big Brother 21; Nicole Anthony from Big Brother 21; Dani Briones from Big Brother 8 and 13; Cody Calafiore from Big Brother 16; Kevin Campbell had around 7,000 ER visits, performed about 1,000 surgeries, saw about 50,000 outpatient visits and provided about 1,900 inpatient days of care.

Hills & Dales medical staff includes 12 physicians encompassing the areas of emergency medicine, family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, general surgery and orthopedics. Additionally, there are 12 nurse practitioners who work beside from Big Brother 11; Tyler Crispen from Big Brother 20; Bayleigh Dayton from Big Brother 20, Memphis Garrett from Big Brother 10, Enzo Palumbo from Big Brother 12, Janelle Pierzina physicians in caring for their patients. Hills & Dales also has clinics in Cass City, Caro, Kingston and Ubly and two rehab centers located in Cass City and Caro. The hospital grew with the completion of expansion projects in 1972, 1980, 2017 and 2019. Hills & Dales was also instrumental in bringing renal dialysis and MRI services to the community. In 2017, Hills & Dales earned a Level IV Trauma from Big Brother 6, 7 and 14; Kaysar Ridha from Big Brother 6 and 7; Da;Vonne Rogers from Big Brother 17 and 18; Keesha Smith from Big Brother 10; and Ian Terry from Big Brother 14.

This summer is the 20th anniversary of Big Brother, which premiered in July 2000.

This is the second all-star season.

The show will air weekly episodes on Wednesdays and Sundays and live evictions

MORE POWER TO YOU!

on Thursdays. Facility designation, making it the first facility in Michigan to do so. As a Level IV Trauma Facility, the hospital became a designated part of the statewide trauma system; endeavoring to help improve the care and outcomes provided to all trauma patients. Hills & Dales provides evaluation, stabilization, and diagnostic capabilities for injured patients and when needed, will transfer a patient onto a Level I, II or III facility.

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