INTRODUCTION

The Pigeon River Country is 145 square miles of sparkling streams, clear lakes and wild, beautiful forests and hills. It is large, varying from 6 to 11 miles in width, east to west, and is 19 miles from north to south.

It lies in the northeastern part of Michigan's lower peninsula, quite centrally located between the villages of Gaylord, Indian River, Onaway and Atlanta in northeastern Otsego County and southeastern Cheboygan County. Its western edge is 5 miles east of Interstate-75. It is close to M-68 on the north, M-33 on the east, and M-32 on the south. No major highway traverses it. Those roads which enter it lead to nowhere in particular, seeming to agree with individuals who feel that it is sufficient just to arrive within this pleasant place.

Because of the absence of dwellings, cultivation, commercial enterprises or signs of man's activities, visitors enjoy a feeling of escape from today's fast moving society. There is a flavor of natural wildness and peaceful beauty here, the animals and birds are undisturbed, and people are occasional visitors. Loud, unnatural noises are infrequent and constructed works of man are scarce. True escape is possible here and its therapy is enjoyed by both wildlife and people.

Generally speaking, the Pigeon River Country is quiet, unimposing, forested countryside. One might enter and leave the area without recognizing any outstanding characteristics or features. Its varying forests, gentle hills, lakes and clear streams are not unusual in Michigan.

But the area does have unique qualities.

Ninety percent of it is state forest land for the use of the people. The remainder is in small private recreational retreats or vacant properties. Its size, the extent of its public ownership, and its disconnection from modern "progress", development, crowds, and traffic make it unique as one of the largest remaining blocks of undeveloped land in lower Michigan.

To make the Pigeon River Country even more unique, it is the central range of the only large, truly wild elk herd east of the Mississippi River. Sighting these magnificent animals as a result of chance encounters is a great experience for many. The bugling of the bulls in the fall mating season provides a thrill, as does the unexpected discovery of a harem or band of from several to thirty or more animals.

Grouse, bears, bobcats, woodcock, deer, beaver and many other birds and animals, some of them clinging to remnants of diminishing habitat in Michigan, live here in harmony with their circumstances. The streams provide excellent conditions for healthy populations of native brook trout, and several of its lakes are well-suited to warm water game fish.

In July, 1970, a major oil and gas discovery became the event that triggered actions leading to development of these policies and guidelines for the Pigeon River Country.

The well, officially designated STATE-CHARLTON 1-4, brought industrial activity, men, machinery, and noise. Dust and the smells of raw petroleum and natural gas followed trucks, which began a continuous relay transporting oil over a wide, new road which had replaced a scenic, little-used forest trail. In short succession, three more successful and two unsuccessful wells were drilled in close proximity, adding to the activity and very visible changes which occurred in this formerly wild, quiet area.

Viewing these sudden happenings as a threat of more to come, people who had enjoyed this pleasant place of refuge from all such activities were alarmed to the extent that changes in the Pigeon River Country became frequent topics of conversation in the local area.

The oil well was the trigger, but those who had previously enjoyed their own unhurried pursuits here suddenly realized that at an accelerating pace, changes were occurring and more could be expected. With their attention now focused on the area, people began to recognize that timber harvests, wildlife habitat cutting, recreational developments, and visitors on snowmobiles and motorbikes had all recently increased. New developments, new activities, and greatly increased numbers of people might be expected to alter completely the peace and beauty that were here.

Within two years following the drilling of State-Charlton 1-4, awareness of changes had stimulated interested individuals to action. The most concerned individuals formed an association reflecting their sole purpose of finding means to protect the surrounding area from further change. Personnel of the Department of Natural Resources began to appraise the situation and to make recommendations for the future management of the area.

Within this concern as a cause, a group of people organized as the Pigeon River Country Association, in July, 1972, requested the Natural Resources Commission to designate 127 square miles of land as a "special management area", and to provide protection in the form of a plan to save the values seemingly threatened.

They requested protection against change and over-use, restrictions on vehicular traffic, designation of the main streams as Wild Rivers, and a continuation of management, which they recognized as responsible for having helped to create the conditions which they enjoyed. They asked for official designation and a plan of management for the area as assurance against unexpected and undesirable events.

Both from the Pigeon River Country Association and from interested individuals, messages were received by the Department of Natural Resources regarding protection and management of the Pigeon River Country. A great majority were in full basic agreement with the objectives and requests of the association.

Fisheries and Wildlife biologists of the DNR, sharing the public alarm over impending changes, submitted recommendations designed to protect the high quality trout waters and wildlife habitat found here. Foresters, charged with managing these lands for all uses, began to see not only the threats that others saw, but also the likelihood that some single interest, given special consideration, or with stronger leadership, might harm or encroach upon the rights of another, and that a balanced plan was needed to avoid this.

The Natural Resources Commission fully supported those common views and directed that a study and recommendations be prepared. The area to be included was expanded to 145 square miles. The Forestry Division, as land managers responsible for this area, was assigned the task.

Proceed to Next Section

Return to Table of Contents

Return to Pigeon River Country Association home page

File:Comintr.htm 11/27/2001