Legislators demand accountability after the Michigan DNR announces plans to clear 420 acres of state forest near Gaylord to accommodate solar farms.
Lawmakers Call for DNR Resignations Amid Controversy
Northern Michigan lawmakers are demanding accountability from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) after revelations that the agency plans to clear 420 acres of forest west of Gaylord for solar farm development. State Representatives Ken Borton (R-Gaylord), Mike Hoadley (R-Au Gres), and State Senator Michele Hoitenga (R-Manton) have called for mass firings within the DNR, accusing the department of abandoning its core mission to protect wildlife and natural resources.
“This deforestation will destroy habitats and effectively kill wildlife,” Borton said. “The DNR is choosing to kill wildlife to make room for solar panels. This is absolute proof of their mismanagement.”
DNR’s Controversial Decision Raises Legal and Environmental Concerns
The controversy stems from a report made public on Mlive.com about the DNR’s decision to lease 420 acres—part of a 1,200-acre state-owned parcel in Otsego County—for solar energy projects. Critics argue that this move contradicts the DNR’s mandate to preserve public lands for conservation and recreational purposes.
The proposed deforestation will clear land that serves as a vital habitat for various species, some of which are already under stress from urbanization and climate change. Hoitenga criticized the department for what she termed an “unethical conservation practice.”
“Citizens are held accountable for harming the environment,” Hoitenga said. “It’s time the government held itself to the same standard.”
Solar Farm Development Collides with Michigan’s Climate Goals
The decision to lease the forestland comes in the wake of Michigan’s ambitious Michigan Healthy Climate Plan, which aims for 100% clean energy by 2040. While the plan promotes renewable energy development, critics argue that clear-cutting forests for solar installations undermines its environmental goals.
A study by Harvard University and Chinese researchers highlighted that removing forests for renewable energy projects often leads to a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Forests are essential carbon sinks, absorbing more carbon dioxide than solar farms offset, making their removal counterproductive in the fight against climate change.
Revenue Pressures Drive DNR’s Solar Farm Development Initiative
DNR officials defended the decision as a practical response to declining revenues from hunting and fishing licenses and the pressing need for renewable energy infrastructure. According to Scott Whitcomb, director of the DNR’s public lands office, the proximity of the site to existing high-voltage transmission lines made it a strategic choice.
“We don’t give this land away for free,” Whitcomb said, noting that the lease revenue would support natural resource management. He acknowledged public discontent but argued that the agency had few alternatives to meet infrastructure demands without creating new developments elsewhere.
Broader Impact on Rural Communities and Local Control
The move also spotlights growing tensions between state-level renewable energy mandates and rural communities. The project reflects the broader impact of green energy legislation passed in 2023, which critics say strips local communities of control over wind and solar projects.
Hoadley expressed frustration at the lack of local input. “Rural areas are bearing the brunt of this overreach,” he said. “What good is green energy when we’re destroying forests and wildlife to achieve it?”
Public Hearing and Next Steps
The DNR plans to publish a public notice for competitive bidding on the solar farm development project, with a hearing contingent on public and local government requests. However, public trust in the DNR appears to be waning, and critics have vowed to challenge the decision at every step.
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