Michigan NRI Highlights

Land Use

Federal land ownership grew from about 3,194,500 acres in 1982 to 3,274,700 acres in 1997. The 1997 figure accounts for approximately 9 percent of the state's 37,349,200 acres. Non-Federal land and other distributions in 1997 amounted to the following:

•  Forestland - 43 percent
• Pastureland - 6 percent
• Cropland - 23 percent
• Water - 3 percent
• Developed Land - 10 percent
• Other - 6 percent

Land use is not static. It is surprisingly dynamic, with annual shifts in and out of different rural uses. Cropland, forestland, and pastureland experienced net losses in acreage between 1982 and 1997.

Urbanization and Development

Land development and urbanization is a critical issue because it can lead to fragmentation of agricultural and forest land; loss of prime farmland, wildlife habitat and other resources; additional infrastructure cost for communities and regional authorities; and competition for water.

In 16 States, 50 percent or more of the acreage that had been developed since 1982 was developed between 1992 and 1997. The 1982 Michigan figure was 2,725,300 acres. By 1992 that figure reached 3,181,400 acres. Approximately 456,100 acres were developed for this 10 - year period. In the five years between 1992 and 1997, Michigan experienced a conversion of approximately 364,000 acres to development (See Maps button for counties impacted). This resulted in Michigan being ranked 9th among the 50 states in the average annual loss of prime farmland to development.

Erosion

In 1982 Michigan experienced an average annual soil loss of 2.2 tons/acre/year to soil erosion (sheet and rill). By 1992 the figure dropped to 1.9 tons/acre/year. With the successful implementation of the 1985 and 1990 Farm Bills and good stewardship by agricultural producers and private landowners, erosion has leveled off to 1.6 tons/acre/year by this 1997 inventory.

Wetlands

Wetlands are a vital natural resource that provide flood protection and enhance water quality, wildlife habitat, and air quality. Nationally, the 1997 data indicate that an annual average of 101,000 acres of wetland were lost from 1992-97 with almost 69,000 acres gained for an overall net loss of 32,600 acres per year. Development accounted for 49 percent for the losses and agriculturally related uses accounted for 26 percent of the losses. Programs designed to restore or enhance wetlands, such as the Wetland Reserve Program, have resulted in reduced losses. In 1997, Michigan had an estimated 7,069,000 acres of wetlands on non-Federal lands.

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