Press Releases

"I'm encouraged to see that the Huron-Manistee Forests decided to delay the ban on alcohol and will take the time over the next year to work with the community on ways to keep our waters safe. While it's imperative that we conserve our waterways and forests, we must ensure our public lands remain a place the public can enjoy and appropriately utilize. The Huron-Manistee Forests have long been an example of conservation done right. I appreciate their willingness to engage with my office and stakeholders in the community to better approach this situation." 


The following release was issued from the United States Forest Service:

CADILLAC, Mich., February 12, 2019 –The Huron-Manistee National Forests will delay implementation of a closure order prohibiting alcohol on sections of three National Wild and Scenic Rivers until at least 2020. The delay creates an opportunity for the Forest Service to work with local communities to develop alternative means of restoring public safety and preventing damage to congressionally-protected sections of the AuSable, Manistee, and Pine Rivers.

“Individuals and businesses throughout northern Michigan have expressed strong interest in partnering with the Forest Service to address ongoing public safety and environmental issues on our National Wild and Scenic Rivers,” said Huron-Manistee National Forests Supervisor Leslie Auriemmo. “We welcome a practical, community-driven solution to these challenges.”

Earlier this month, the Forest Service announced a closure order to prohibit alcohol on sections of the AuSable, Manistee, and Pine National Wild and Scenic Rivers during the 2019 recreation season. The closure order was intended to address persistent public safety issues and protect natural resources on those waterways.

In lieu of implementing the alcohol closure order in 2019, the Forest Service will organize and chair a community working group consisting of small businesses, municipal officials, and private citizens from the National Wild and Scenic River corridors.  By May 2019, the working group will develop an action plan to restore public safety to those rivers. The Forest Service will report regularly on the working group’s activities and will continue to promote responsible use of public waters.

During the summer recreation season, the Forest Service will work with community partners to implement the action plan.  If the action plan does not improve conditions upon the National Wild and Scenic Rivers, the Forest Service would consider implementing the alcohol closure order in 2020.

The Forest Service has a statutory obligation to protect the outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values of our National Wild and Scenic Rivers,” said Auriemmo. “We look forward to working with our community partners to ensure a safe and sustainable recreational experience for all Americans who wish to visit our waterways.”

The Forest Service will maintain several avenues for inquiries and suggestions pertaining to the working group and its activities.  Interested parties may submit comments to Public Affairs Officer Nate Peeters by e-mail (r9_hmnf_website@fs.fed.us) or post (1755 S Mitchell Street, Cadillac, MI 49601).  For more information about the Huron-Manistee National Forests, please visit https://fs.usda.gov/hmnf