Details

Published: 07 August 2024

MDNR Report

Torch River Ramp

Work on the planned Torch River Bridge Boating Access Site enhancement project – located at the mouth of Torch River on the south end of Torch Lake in Antrim County – will resume next week with a four-week site closure.

The site is anticipated to reopen by Labor Day weekend.

In 2020, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources purchased an additional 1.5 acres to enhance the boating access site. A design and engineering team was hired to develop and design a new site plan, which was informed by public feedback collected at a public meeting in June 2022. Site enhancements will include:

Torch River Plan

• New entrance/exit onto Southwest Torch Lake Drive.
• A new boat launch that includes one new skid pier and two launch lanes.
• The addition of vehicle-and-trailer and vehicle-only parking spaces.
• A new carry-down launch and vehicle-only parking spaces for kayakers, paddle boarders and canoers.
• A vault toilet.
• Paving of one parking lot and new sidewalks/crosswalks.
• Redesign of a gravel lot across from the paved boat launch.

During the closure, there are alternative sites that also provide access to Torch Lake, including the following DNR-managed sites:

• Lake Skegemog Boating Access Site.
• Torch River Boating Access Site.
• Eastport Boating Access Site.

"The goal of this project was to enhance the boating experience, particularly with regard to safely launching and retrieving watercraft," said Stephanie Rosinski, Traverse City and Leelanau state parks supervisor. "We're excited to bring this along awaited project to the public this summer."

This project is funded through the Michigan State Waterways Fund, a restricted fund derived from boat registration fees and Michigan gas tax for the construction, operation and maintenance of public recreational boating facilities.

Anyone planning to visit the Torch River Bridge Boating Access Site is encouraged to visit Michigan.gov/DNRClosures to view any anticipated changes to the reopening date.

For more details on the project, contact Stephanie Rosinski, Traverse City and Leelanau state parks supervisor, at 231-922-5270 or RosinskiS@Michigan.gov.

Details

Published: 06 August 2024

MDNR Report

Scott Allen Thompson, 56, of Hawks, Mich., was arraigned by a judge in Montmorency County 88th District Court, following an animal cruelty investigation conducted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Thompson pleaded not guilty to four charges, including:

• One felony of failing to provide animals with adequate care, punishable of up to seven years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines and community service.
• One misdemeanor of animal cruelty, punishable of up to 93 days in jail with up to $1,000 in fines and up to 200 hours of community service.
• Two misdemeanors for improper burial of dead animals, each punishable by up to 90 days in jail and up to $500 in fines.

“This is a rare situation for the DNR to get involved in, as domestic animal complaints and investigations are not our primary responsibility or focus. However, there were no other resources available,” said Chief Jason Haines, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “This is a very large-scale animal abuse case, and something had to be done.”

In June, DNR conservation officers initially responded to the more than 50-acre Thompson family property, located in Atlanta, with a search warrant regarding a dead horse. They located a total of 10 deceased animals, including: four geese, two chickens and a horse, pig, quail and rabbit.

The owners were ordered to properly bury the horse. The other nine animals were sent to the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in East Lansing, where lab personnel determined starvation and dehydration were the causes of death.

On July 23, conservation officers returned to the property with a second search warrant. They were shocked to find numerous animals starving, with no water and poor living conditions.

Officers seized 75 animals and were able to relocate them to adequate facilities for proper care, including: 14 geese, 14 sheep, eight chickens and piglets, seven pigs and horses, four dogs and mini cows, three turtles, two goats and cats and one turkey and rabbit.

Thompson was arrested July 18 and remains free on bond pending future court appearances. He is due back next for an Aug. 16 hearing. The DNR is seeking a second suspect in this case.

Animal cruelty incidents should be reported to local county or municipal animal control officers. 

Details

Published: 29 July 2024

MDNR Report

Michigan Deer

Earlier in July, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission approved the scheduled deer hunting regulations for this fall. The full package of regulations includes updates that won't begin until after the 2024 seasons have ended; those updates will be explained at a later date.

The following updates apply to the fall 2024 deer hunting seasons. (For ease of reading, the acronym DMU is used throughout for deer management unit.)

Read more …