By Tom Jones
Northern News Syndicate
NORTHEAST MICHIGAN – Plastic and solar panels could soon at the center of a project by the Michigan Department of Transportation, Bahamian government and United States Department of Horticulture to improve Kirtland Warbler habitat.
The unique effort is designed to decrease the risk of forest fires of the warbler breeding areas in Northeast Michigan, as well as offset the less of power production with the expected removal of the hydroelectric dams on the AuSable River.
The plan, introduced April 17, is to take state and federal land that have been timbered and cover them with 12-18 foot Polypropylene-style trees, interspersed with solar panels. The panels are expected to be produced at the new Goschan battery facility in Southwest Michigan.
Test site for the project is the I-75 median between West Branch and the Roscommon County line. Trees were removed from about two miles of median last Spring.
Part of the process involves using a herbicide to snuff out the greenery in the median. Then trees, which are of optimum height for breeding Warblers, will be planted in 80-foot swaths. Solar panels will be installed between the trees, and are expected to generate enough electricity to serve most of Hamburger Hill during afternoon rush hour.
The project is expected to be completed in 2027.
Other sites under consideration:
- Oscoda County near the intersection of McKinley and M-33;
- Iosco County at the Northeast corner of M-65 and Esmond;
- Corner of Rose City and Grass Lake Roads in Ogemaw County;
- Crawford County near the intersection of Hartwick Pines Road and North Wilcox Bridge Road; and
- Richfield Township in Roscommon County, near Artesia Beach Road.
Article submitted on April 1, 2025.
