IRON MOUNTAIN — A proposed land swap that would put 200 acres of state-owned forest in Norway Township into private hands may soon go to a Michigan Department of Natural Resources panel for a recommendation.

The state, which would receive 200 acres in Marquette County’s Well Township in exchange, will benefit because there is better access to the new parcel, said Dan McNamee, Crystal Falls unit manager for the DNR’s Forest Resources Division.

The Dickinson County Board, contacted by McNamee for input, decided this week to raise no objections.

“The state-owned parcel that the applicant has requested in this proposal is surrounded by private ownership and offers no public access and no management access,” McNamee said in a letter to the board.

McNamee has declined to name the applicant, but told The Daily News the individual owns the adjoining property to the south, east and north of the desired state land. The parcel is north of Calumet Mine Road and northeast of Little Crystal Lake with no public road access.

The applicant has, in the past, allowed the DNR to reach the land for timber harvests and other management activities, McNamee said. “We have to ask permission,” he said.

The 200 acres in Wells Township is adjacent to state-owned land to the east. “The offered parcel benefits wildlife habitat, timber management opportunities and recreational opportunities making it desirable to add it to state ownership,” McNamee said.

If there are no objections from Marquette County, the property swap next goes to the DNR’s Land Exchange Review Committee. After preliminary approval, appraisals would be ordered and the final step is an exchange agreement that is subject to a Natural Resources Commission hearing.

At that time, details of the transaction would be posted on the DNR’s business calendar at www.michigan.gov/dnr under “Publications” at least seven days before the NRC meeting.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 26, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.