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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula October 10, 2001 Photos (except as noted) and Text © 2001 Michele Anderson

Compromise on Gratiot River easement may increase land for public access

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Page 2: County will still request reappraisal of property to include easement

Stubenrauch said Wednesday that the easement with the potential bridge would have to be attached to the sale, but if the Griffith-Tolksdorf agreement goes through "the easement will vanish." The county still must submit additional information to the state before the Trust Fund grant can be finalized.

"We have to get (the property) reappraised with the easement attached and send it to the DNR (Department of Natural Resources)," Stubenrauch said Wednesday. "Then they'll take whatever action they believe is necessary … If everything happens the way it's supposed to happen -- if the parties do what they said they would do -- then the easement is meaningless. There would be no need for it."

Jim Wood, section manager for the DNR Grants Administration Division in Lansing, said on Oct. 9 (before news of the Griffith-Tolksdorf statement) that his department was still evaluating the situation of the added easement and talking to county officials and IP/LSLC about it.

"We are currently evaluating all the information we can get," Wood said.

Asked if his department would visit the mouth of the Gratiot area to examine the site, he said they would if they decide it's necessary.

In a Sept. 27 letter to Kip Cronk, grants coordinator in the DNR Grants Administration Office, Stubenrauch said the easement would have little or no effect on the county's intended use of the property -- primitive camping, fishing at the mouth -- since these activities would take place on the lake front and would not be affected by the road to the northwest.

Keweenaw County hopes to have a public park here at the mouth of the Gratiot River. Except when water is high, the river can be crossed on foot at this point on the south side of the river. The county intends, with the help of a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant, to improve the road on the south side.

In an Oct. 5 letter replying to Stubenrauch, Cronk said an amended appraisal to include the easement would be necessary. In that letter, Cronk also commented on the potential impact of the easement as follows:

"Keweenaw County has contacted our office and stated that the proposed easement would have 'little or no effect on our intended use of the property.' We would like the county to look into placement options of the easement. Are there any other locations, on the site or off of the site, where the proposed easement could be placed, which would minimize the impact upon the recreation value of the site? Please submit any and all alternative plans for the easement to our office for review."

Cronk asked that the county provide this information by Oct. 31, 2001.

Stubenrauch noted the state has also requested legal information on the cottage still existing at the Mouth of the Gratiot under a lease that has not been renewed. The question of mineral rights could also be an issue if the state decides to make those a condition of the grant, he added.

The $147,000 NAWCA grant, recently awarded to Keweenaw County for the match of the Trust Fund grant, is a separate issue that the board will probably have to vote on at their November meeting. Stubenrauch said he thought the majority of the board, including himself, would vote for it since the county can't really afford to turn down the money.

Said Commissioner Roberts, "There's no reason why we shouldn't (accept the NAWCA grant). If it doesn't work out, we can give the money back."

Stubenrauch explained that NAWCA representatives told him they would approve the grant with the easement in place and then, if the easement resulted in actual construction, they would look at the impact on wetlands and decide whether or not the money would have to be returned.

Commissioner Don Keith said he has "read, re-read and studied in detail" both the Trust Fund and the NAWCA grants and their requirements.

"It is my informed opinion that NAWCA grants are no more restrictive than State of Michigan Trust Fund grants," Keith said. "I have made a pledge to my constituents and to Allouez Township and Keweenaw County taxpayers that I have every intention of accepting these federal dollars for their benefit."

At Tuesday's County Board meeting, after Griffith and Tolksdorf presented their joint statement of a proposed agreement, Keith said, "I would like to shake both of these gentlemen's hands."

The Courthouse audience immediately broke into applause, and all five County Board members then shook hands with Griffith and Tolksdorf and congratulated them.

Keith said he was elated that these two men were working in the best interest of the people of Keweenaw.

"I'm very pleased, and the outlook is very positive right now for a major win for public access and the people of Keweenaw," Keith said.

However, Turnquist noted that turning Section 12 over to public ownership would mean a loss in immediate tax revenue for the county.

"But we're gaining long-term quality of life in Keweenaw County," Keith noted. "We are increasing property values, and WUPPDR (Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development District) the professionals, tell me that what it'll mean is long-term, economic impact to this county to have a recreation area."

Keith noted the tourists he talks to tell him they come up to Keweenaw to get away from the big cities and to see some wildlife, nature and solitude.

"This will serve us well, and we'll recoup those taxes," he said.

Continued Page 3: Trout Unlimited members express concerns about potential easement at Ways and Means meeting

Return to Page 1: Compromise on Gratiot River easement may increase land for public access

Note: Read the full text of the Griffith-Tolksdorf joint statement in our Views section. Read background on the past Griffith-Tolksdorf case and its relationship with the mouth of the Gratiot purchase, discussed at a recent meeting of the North Woods Conservancy.