About 750 miles of road-clearing, and what did we find? Community

In the middle of a long day of clearing fallen trees and branches from roadways near Lewiston, Mich., Jason Mittlestat was able to put down his chainsaw and enjoy an unexpected treat: lunch at a community meal.

Sponsoring the lunch was St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, which also provided hot showers and beds for people who couldn’t stay at home due to the ice storm that devastated parts of a 12-county area of northern Michigan starting March 30-31.

“It was donated food and all volunteers running it,” said Teresa Collins, church secretary. “One day we served 600 meals.”

Mittlestat, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources forester from Baraga, reflected on what will really stick with him from this effort: “Neighbors helping neighbors. People helping out,” he said. “That’s how people are getting out of this.”

His story caused us to ask a similar question to another crew member, then another and another at dinner last night.

We’ve talked extensively about the mission of clearing roads and access to communications towers. This time we asked our crews: “After all of this, what is going stick with you?”

None of those we asked talked about trees or roads.

Mittlestat’s coworker Todd Markham, also of Baraga, chimed in “The human spirit is to be kind. I don’t want people to think we’re bragging about the stuff we cut. So many people were out there doing all of this. Neighbor to neighbor. All over. And we got to see that.”

The more we chatted, and people recounted their experiences during this emergency, age and experience melted away and we all simply appreciated the communities that welcomed us.

Rae Weiland, a firefighter based in Plainwell, eagerly added: “I’m sort of early in my career. Everyone being able to come together and work towards a common goal, that’s what I’ve really appreciated.”

One road clearing team was handed a stack of thank you notes written and decorated by children, with encouraging slogans like “We’re cheering for you” and “You can do it.”

The stories came faster from more and more crew members as they pushed their empty dinner plates out of the way, while the smell of chainsaw exhaust and saw dust hung in the air.

We all came to complete the mission of clearing nearly 750 miles of road assigned by the counties through the State Emergency Operations Center and to provide access to almost 50 communications towers.

What we’re leaving with is insight into resilience – of the forest and our communities.

Jen Hansen, a DNR fire supervisor in the Atlanta office, shared a moment she found one day to appreciate the beauty of a grove of aspens, bent but not broken by the ice, arched into a tunnel shape. Not to mention the spirit of people in the area.

“The most impressive thing was the community support,” she said. “Not just towards us, but towards each other.”

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download.

• Thank you sign for crews
• Thank you notes

Contact: Patrick Ertel (Department of Natural Resources Incident Management Team), 989-370-1163 or Lauren Thompson Phillips (State Emergency Operations Center), 517-216-0103

Interactive map shows northern Michigan roads now open following ice storm

Resource includes areas cleared by Department of Natural Resources Incident Management Team, cooperators   

A new interactive map provides a tool for people to track roads that are now open following the massive ice storm in northern Michigan.

All roads on the map were identified as public safety priorities by the State Emergency Operations Center and were cleared of debris by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Incident Management Team, along with the Michigan National Guard and other cooperators.

“Making sure there are clear roads for vehicles in the event of an emergency has been one of our top missions since we got saws, trucks and equipment out in communities hit by these storms,” Keith Murphy, Incident Management Team Operations Chief, said. “Our crews and cooperators have already cleared more than 630 miles of roadway and we’re not done yet.”

Murphy added, “This map is a tool people can use to find clear routes to their destinations, providing options to keep them and their loved ones safe.”

The information on the map will be updated as more roads are assessed and cleared through state-supported efforts. Roads included on the map have been cleared by DNR Incident Management Team crews and the efforts of county road commissions, fire departments and many other cooperators. This is not a comprehensive list of all open roads, only those that have been assigned to DNR Incident Management Team.

“The progress made by the Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan National Guard, Michigan Task Force 1, the Michigan Department of Transportation, and the county road commissions has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Capt. Kevin Sweeney, deputy state director of Emergency Management and commander of the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division. “With hundreds of miles of roads now cleared, communities across mid-Michigan are seeing a return to safety and accessibility. This work supports ongoing emergency response efforts, and helps more schools reopen by ensuring buses can once again travel roads that were left impassable by the ice storm,” Sweeney said. “We’re grateful to all the crews working on the ground and to our residents for their continued patience and cooperation. There is still work to be done. We remain committed to continued support and coordination through our State Emergency Operations Center.”

In addition to clearing roadways, the DNR Incident Management Team and its cooperators ensured access to the state radio communications, including 911, state and local law enforcement, fire departments, hospitals, and other public safety agencies by clearing debris to 34 Michigan Public Safety Communications System towers. All 13 cellular towers assigned to the team have also been cleared.

The map and resources for those impacted by the ice storm can be found at https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/emhsd/2025-northern-michigan-ice-storm as well as Michigan.gov/IceStorm.

Note to editors: Accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information follows.

Clearing debris: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Incident Management Team and cooperators continue to remove tree debris from roads identified as priorities for public safety by the State Emergency Operations Center.

April inspirations: Things to do, ways to help

Whether you want to get outdoors, enjoy a new destination or support your favorite natural and cultural resources, April offers options around the state. Upcoming classes, programs and volunteer opportunities include:

• Nature hiking, beekeeping, trails expo and more
• Show state parks some love at stewardship workdays

Nature hiking, beekeeping, trails expo and more

Signs of Spring Hike – Ludington State Park (Saturday, April 12). What better way to observe the first signs of spring – budding trees, emerging plants and the return of migrating birds – than on a 1.5-mile hike over easy terrain at one Michigan’s most beautiful spots? Beekeeping Clinic – Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center (Saturday, April 12 or Saturday, April 26). Whether you’re new to beekeeping or looking to expand your knowledge about these vital pollinators, this daylong class in Cadillac is for you. We’ll cover everything from bee biology and equipment to bee health and seasonal tasks. Trails Expo – Outdoor Adventure Center (Saturday, April 26). The Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit is celebrating its neighborhood rail with this event on the Dequindre Cut. Learn tips and tricks for hitting the trails from local experts in hiking, biking, paddling and more, then test out your skills in hands-on workshops.

Show state parks some love at stewardship workdays

Several state parks in southern Michigan will host stewardship workdays, where volunteers help remove invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems. It’s a great way to get outside and feel good about doing good! Upcoming workdays are planned at: Warren Dunes State Park (Berrien County), Saturday, April 12 and Saturday, April 19. Bald Mountain Recreation Area (Oakland County), Saturday, April 12. Saugatuck Dunes State Park (Allegan County), Sunday, April 13. Follow the volunteer stewardship calendar for future work dates at state parks.

Inland sport fishing guide license required for guided fishing on inland Michigan

With nearly 11,000 inland lakes and 76,000 miles of rivers and streams, Michigan has a wealth of inland fishing opportunities, and inland fishing guides help anglers enjoy those abundant resources. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds anglers and guides that since March 1, 2024, inland fishing guides operating in the state are required to have an inland sport fishing guide license to take clients on guided trips on inland lakes, rivers or streams.

Great Lakes connecting waters refer to specific bodies of water in Michigan that connect the Great Lakes to each other: the St. Marys River, the St. Clair River (beginning at the Fort Gratiot Light), Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River (beginning at the imaginary line extending due south of the Windmill Point Light, Wayne County, and ending at the imaginary east/west line drawn through the most southernly point of Celeron Island).

Those interested should complete the following steps to apply for an inland sport fishing guide license:

1. Review the requirements and complete the questionnaire. The DNR will review responses to verify license requirements are met. Applicants will be notified via email within five business days with further instructions.
2. Upon receiving notification of DNR approval, buy the license online or on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app.

The resident license fee is $150, and the nonresident license fee is $300. The inland sport fishing guide license is valid for three years after the date it is issued. Captains who possess a valid U.S. Coast Guard-issued captain’s license will receive a license fee waiver.

*Please note that obtaining a license is a two-step process: DNR authorization and license purchase. You must complete the process after you receive approval by purchasing your license on the DNR e-license site or in the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. This is an electronic license only; you will not receive a physical license or stickers.

All licensed inland fishing guides will be listed on the inland sport fishing guide webpage. This list is updated monthly.

License requirements

To be eligible for an inland sport fishing guide license, an applicant must:

• Possess a valid certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation issued by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association and be able to provide a copy of the certification to the DNR upon request.
• Possess a valid, lawfully obtained Michigan driver’s license issued under the Michigan vehicle code, an official state personal identification card or a DNR-issued Sportcard.
• Have not been convicted of a felony or other violation listed within MCL 324.48714a(2)(c) in the last three years.
• Be eligible to purchase a license for the fish species targeted while acting as a sport fishing guide.
• Possess a valid state inland pilot’s license issued by the DNR or a valid captain’s license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, if intending to operate a watercraft while acting as a sport fishing guide. Navigability of waters will determine which license needed.
• Possess, while acting as a sport fishing guide, a basic first aid kit that includes, but is not limited to, all the following: tourniquet, chest seals, compression gauze, CPR mask, trauma shears, sterile eyewash, mylar emergency blanket, bandages, moleskin and tweezers.

Mandatory reporting

All licensed inland sport fishing guides must file an electronic report of their monthly catch activity for all trips that occurred on all waters, except those included in previously required reporting (Great Lakes, Great Lakes connecting waters) and lakes or ponds with a surface area of less than 5 acres. Details about the reporting requirements are available on the inland sport fishing guide webpage. If you have questions regarding submitting monthly catch activity reports or how to obtain an inland sport fishing guide license, contact Kendra Kozlauskos at 231-330-2845 or [email protected].

The reporting requirements for inland sport fishing guides are in addition to the existing requirements for the Great Lakes charter boat program. Great Lakes and Great Lakes connecting waters reporting is also required. Reporting of Great Lakes/connecting waters is limited to boat trips. See the charter boat operator webpage for more information.