Michigan Association of Timbermen Response Plan for Ice Storm Recovery
- timbermen1972
- Apr 4
- 3 min read
The recent ice storms across Northern Michigan have caused widespread damage to private forestlands, logging operations, and the broader forest products industry. Downed trees, blocked access roads, and infrastructure damage have significantly disrupted business operations, threatening livelihoods and long-term sustainability.
The Michigan Association of Timbermen (MAT) is committed to supporting its members through this crisis by providing information, resources, and advocacy for financial and logistical assistance.
Immediate Support & Resources
1. State of Emergency - Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency, which opens the door for federal and state resources to aid in the recovery efforts. The following counties are covered under the State of Emergency:
Otsego, Oscoda, Montmorency, Presque Isle, Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Mackinac, and Alpena.
Some of the major directives from the Governor’s State of Emergency declaration include the suspension of certain rules for motor drivers and carriers. Specifically:
All state load, size, and weight restrictions, including but not limited to MCL 257.716 and MCL 257.722, and any local seasonal weight, size, or load restrictions, are suspended for the transportation and delivery of gasoline, distillate, propane, and other necessary equipment to address the transportation and supply needs arising from the current emergency, as announced in Executive Orders 2025-2 and 2025-3.
The Michigan Association of Timbermen has made calls to clarify what portions of our industry would be covered in addressing the emergency. We believe that if you are specifically moving equipment / materials to assist with the emergency cleanup of various roads for critical transportation purposes or to allow residents to get to and from their homes, you would qualify under emergency declaration.
2. USDA Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP)
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers financial assistance through the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) to help private forest landowners restore damaged forests.
Key Benefits:
Cost-share funding (up to 75%) for restoration activities such as debris removal, tree replanting, and erosion control.
Eligibility includes non-industrial private forestland impacted by the storm.
Limited to max of $500,000 per person/legal entity
Action: Affected landowners should contact their local FSA office as soon as possible to apply.
Find your local FSA office here: https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator
View the program fact sheet here: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/tools/informational/fact-sheets/emergency-forest-restoration-program-efrp
3. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Assistance
The Michigan Association of Timbermen has been in active and regular discussions with the Michigan DNR Forest Resources Division regarding their response. They’re currently conducting aerial surveys of their timber stands in the areas that experienced damage from the ice storms, with the goal of prescribing rapid treatments.
The Michigan Association of Timbermen is requesting the following:
- Scaled sales being posted as soon as possible to salvage as much as possible from state lands before insects, stain and rot set in.
- Free extensions for current timber sales in both affected and unaffected areas, to allow loggers to re-direct attention to the most severely damaged timber stands.
- A strategic, focused effort to quickly replant, with special attention on red pine, which may have taken the most damage as a species across the affected region.
The Michigan Association of Timbermen will continue to coordinate with our industry members and advocate on their behalf related to ice damage cleanup efforts. Here are some next steps and a call to action for our members:
Document & Report Damage – Take photos and keep records of damage to support applications for assistance.
Apply for EFRP and other relevant aid
Stay Informed – Follow MAT updates on funding, technical support, and policy changes.
Engage with MAT – Share concerns and participate in advocacy efforts to ensure the industry’s needs are met. Please call Executive Director Justin Knepper with any comments, questions, or concerns related to ice storms and its effects on the timber industry.
Sincerely,
Justin Knepper, Executive Director
Michigan Association of Timbermen
906.293.3236 office
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