10 - R4503- Hancock Creek Dam Forest Road Closure Checklist 2025.pdf

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

FOREST ROAD CLOSURE CHECKLIST

By authority of PA 451 of 1994, MCL 324.81101.

DEFINITIONS: “Forest road” means a hard surfaced road, a gravel or dirt road, or another route capable of being traveled by a 2-wheel drive, 4-wheeled conventional vehicle designated for highway use, but does not include an interstate, state, or county highway.

Sub-Unit, if applicable (e.g. compartment number, BAS number) Park, State Game Area, or Forest Management Unit Date (mm/dd/yyyy)

Select One:

Road Exists Does Not Meet the Definition of a Road* (e.g.

road is not under DNR jurisdiction, road is located behind a gate or berm, or road is grown over)

Select One:

Road Segment Coincides with Designated Trail Road Segment Does NOT Coincide with Designated Trail

Select One:

Proposal Initiated Internally Proposal Initiated Externally

*If the definition of a road is not met, the remainder of this checklist does not need to be completed. If the road exists and meets the definition of a road, assess the existing road for the following characteristics:

A. NON-EMERGENCY HEALTH/SAFETY YES NO N/A

1. Closure is necessary to protect health or safety of public

B. RECREATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS, UNDEVELOPED, NON-MAINTAINED YES NO N/A

1. Provides access to water, lakes or streams

2. Provides access to hunting sites

3. Provides access to dispersed camping opportunities or scenic overlooks

4. Provides access for picking/gathering and wildlife viewing

5. Provides connectivity to one or more roads

6. Closure improves conditions for non-motorized, recreational use

C. RECREATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS, DEVELOPED SITES YES NO N/A

1. Provides access to state game areas, parks, campgrounds, water access sites, boating access sites, trails or other developed sites

D. LAND MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS YES NO N/A

1. Administrative access re-opened (e.g. service access)

2. Similar or same access is provided by another road

E. UNFRAGMENTED HABITAT CONSIDERATIONS YES NO N/A

1. Closure improves conditions for wildlife (game and non-game species)

2. Closure improves conditions for conservation areas (including SCA’s, HCA’s, and PRD or Wildlife designations)

F. ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE CONSIDERATIONS YES NO N/A

1. Threatens endangered/threatened/special concern plants and/or animals

2. Threatens or is damaging archeological/historical areas

3. Threatens unique landforms, dunes or bluffs

4. Is damaging soils and/or riparian zones

5. Is contributing to run-off to lakes or streams

6. Is damaging to steep, or highly erodible hillsides

7. Contributing to illegal activities (e.g. trash dumping, poaching, timber theft, vandalism)

G. ACCESS TO IN-HOLDINGS CONSIDERATIONS (provide documentation of ownership) YES NO N/A

1. Historical, established use to reach a private parcel

2. Legal/deeded easement

H. UNAUTHORIZED NEW ROAD ESTABLISHMENT YES NO N/A

1. Created without approval

2. Closed and illegally re-opened

I. AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT CONSIDERATIONS YES NO N/A

1. Have sufficient “like experiences” been provided

J. SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS YES NO N/A

1. Likely to receive re-opening of road resolution from recreational group or local unit of government

Comments:

DISTRIBUTION:

FRD Unit Manager & District Supervisor Wildlife Division Biologist & District Supervisor Fisheries Division Biologist & District Supervisor PRD Trails Coordinator & District Supervisor Law Division Area & District Supervisors Page 1 of 1 R4503 (Rev. 01/28/2020)