its all species, not just oaks. its not a bad idea just very poorly executed. its a irreplaceable loss. there is no excuse to have flooded that forest for so long.
It is a terrible loss. I hope they have a reforestation plan. I think opening Lake Okonoka to the lagoon and/or river was what pushed it over the edge. They were always connected together but just through culvert pipes and not wide open. Especially Lake Okonoka to the river.
Michigan DNR. They manage the park under a long term lease they forced on the city during bankruptcy/emergency management. The press used the city's opposition to the leasing plan to demonstrate how fiscally irresponsible the city was, not taking the "generous state offer" until forced. First thing DNR did was bring out all their lumber guys to size up their prize. It's gotten a little better after Snyder left, but the lack of response to persistent high water levels is just pure incompetence.