Norwich Plains
LOCATION: Ottawa National Forest, immediately northeast of Bergland, Michigan
AREA PROPOSED: 8,000 acres
Map of proposed wilderness area. Click here to expand.
Norwich Plains is located in the Ottawa National Forest. The area was identified in the 1986 Forest Plan Roadless Inventory through the RARE II process, but it was not recommended for Wilderness designation in that plan. Timber sales activity and road construction primarily from the early 1980s affected small pieces of Norwich Plains and weakened the appearance and integrity that it needed for Wilderness designation.
Why protect Norwich Plains?
Most of Norwich Plains is a prime candidate for protection since the past 34 years have given it time to revert back to its wild state. Norwich Plains now has roughly 8,000 acres of remote land suitable for a Wilderness designation and has significant potential to become more unique ecologically as its forests mature. Further, designating Norwich Plains could facilitate the expansion of old-growth forest found in the nearby Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park
Topography
The area has a diverse range of habitats, including forest, beaver ponds, meadows, and several miles of trout streams.
Forest and Vegetation
The area consists mostly of second-growth forest mixed with areas of old-growth timber, mainly aspen.
