Opinion | Is this much smoke — without a fire — a smokescreen?

In the past week, a firestorm has erupted over a possible solar farm on state forest land near Gaylord. I say “possible”, and not “proposed,”  because it is too early in the process to refer to it as a “proposal.” 

A recent news article described the possibility that the Michigan DNR would lease 420 acres near Gaylord as a solar farm. This is not unusual. The DNR leases land for many uses, including oil and gas drilling, pipeline corridors, recreational uses and yes, renewable energy production.

I have worked on state forest issues for over 35 years. In that time, I have disagreed with the DNR frequently. However, I have never seen the DNR make a decision which they did not think was in the best interest of the resource and the state. I find this situation to be the same.

When the DNR leases state lands for various uses, it follows a public input process which includes a public notice, opportunity for public comment, and public meetings. The public notice for this parcel was published Jan. 7. The recent reporting on this project was published before Jan. 7, which has contributed to the public’s confusion about the process. 

Before being offered for lease, parcels of state forest land go through a review process to determine suitability for the potential use, whether solar, oil and gas, or hard rock mining. Most parcels do not meet the siting criteria.

This is normal procedure, and hardly a “secret” process, and yet the reaction to media coverage indicates that the public may think this is a backroom deal designed to keep the public in the dark. There have been calls for mass firings of all employees in the DNR who worked on this issue. Claims from lawmakers have been circulated that “the cat is out of the bag,”  as though there has been some nefarious plot which has been uncovered. Those making calls for mass firings of civil servants that have dedicated their careers to conservation should consider supporting real conservation efforts like Michigan’s groundbreaking 30 x 30 bill, instead of firing civil servants working to protect our public lands and waters. 

In reality, this is a mundane and predictable DNR leasing process, with full transparency and opportunity for public input. There are many reasons that some might oppose this project. Some Michiganders don’t like leasing of state land for commercial use on principle. Some Michiganders might find solar panels ugly, or disagree with established climate science. There are also reasonable grounds to support the project, starting with our need to generate a lot more renewable energy than we currently are. Another argument in support of the project may be that land used for large scale solar installations can be restored relatively easily in the future–unlike land leased for oil and gas drilling, which is irrevocably negatively impacted. As for this location - it is in close proximity to other solar facilities and electricity distribution, and much of it is slated to be clear cut in the near future regardless of whether or not this project goes forward. 

However, outrage over a “secret” DNR process is not a reason to either support or oppose this project. Sierra Club will wait until the possible plans are released, and after we are provided with the full amount of information on the project, we will make our decision and submit input. We have not reached a position in support or opposition yet. We urge others to do the same.

The Sierra Club has never been shy about voicing our concerns when we feel that the DNR is making decisions with which we disagree, especially when we feel that there has been insufficient transparency and public input opportunity.

That is not the case here.