As reported by the Gaylord Herald-Times, a new addition of 160 acres along the Pigeon River could be acquired by the DNR for addition to the Pigeon River Country Forest. After originally withholding their required approval under a new state law, the Otsego County Board of Commissioners approved the acquisition after learning that other newer state laws guarantee Payments in Lieu of Taxes that the state must pay to local governments on public land.
Read this Chris Engle article for more details: http://www.petoskeynews.com/gaylord/news/pnr-pigeon-river-forest-may-grow-by-240-acres-20130326,0,5902434.story (NOTE: The author contacted us to let us know that after the story was published, a private offer was accepted for the 80-acre Bryce Tract off Sparr Road near the southern forest. The 160-acre Skiba Tract, along the Pigeon River near the Song of the Morning Ranch, is still on the table.)