Public Land Strategy

Below is the outline of the updated land strategy for 2021. 

We recognize that public lands can exist at the federal, state and local level, but for the purposes of this work we will focus exclusively on public lands administered by the state of Michigan and managed under the authority of the DNR. These will be simply referred to as “public lands” for the entirety of this document. We will post new sections for review as they become available.

Sections currently available for review:

Section 4: The draft “Land Information” section of the revised land strategy provides an overview of the routine public lands-related work that is undertaken by the DNR on behalf of Michigan’s citizens. The focus of this draft section of the land strategy is to educate and inform to help provide some context to the overall revised land strategy and priorities for public land ownership.

Section 3: Land Strategy Goals

Section 5: Key Actions

Section 1

• Introduction – Why public lands matter, how a management strategy helps
• History of the Department of Natural Resources and public lands

Section 2

From then to now – Changes from the 2013 land strategy

Section 3: Land strategy goals

• Protect natural and cultural resources
• Provide access to outdoor public recreation opportunities
• Promote responsible natural resource management

Section 4: Land information

• Dedicated project boundaries 
• State land review process
• Land transaction process
• Payments in lieu of taxes (PILT)
• Types of land ownership rights
• Land acquisition and funding
• Partnerships in helping to manage public lands

Section 5

• Key actions
• Conclusion

Additional Documentation

• 2013 implementation report
• Appendix
• Executive summary