Hunting, snowmobiling preserved in Michigan U.S. Nat'l Forest

Associated Press 1/31/2012

The U.S. Forest Service says it will continue to allow firearm hunting and snowmobiling in certain areas within the Huron-Manistee National Forest after a federal appeals court ruling required it to revise its plan.

The agency's decision outlined in a release Monday from its office in Cadillac follows a 2010 court ruling overturning a Detroit federal court ruling. Lawyer Kurt Meister successfully argued before the appeals court that the Forest Service disregarded procedures in writing its 2006 plan.

Meister says officials favored hunters and snowmobilers over hikers, birders and others.

The Forest Service says it believes its decision balances all users' needs.

Lawmakers and the Michigan United Conservation Clubs urged the government to maintain hunting and snowmobiling access.

The Huron-Manistee forest covers about 1 million acres in northern Lower Michigan.