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

A day before the Griffith-Tolksdorf announcement, at the county commissioners' Ways and Means meeting on Monday, Oct. 8, the two were still arguing about the access question, while the commissioners listened to public comments on the proposed easement and bridge. Members of the Copper Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited (CCCTU), who have planted coaster brook trout in the Gratiot River since 1999, gave testimonies as to impacts a potential easement could have on the health of the trout stream. CCCTU also has raised $35,000 among their members nationally to contribute to the match for the Trust Fund grant.

Bill Deephouse, now president of the Copper Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited (CCCTU), prepares coaster brook trout for planting in the Gratiot River. In cooperation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, CCCTU members planted coaster brook trout in the Gratiot River in September, 1999, and September, 2000. (Photo courtesy Pete Van Dusen, CCCTU member)

"The issue is the long-term impact," said Ray Weglarz, CCCTU board member and former president. "It's not just the time that our group has spent raising money …"It's been well documented that the main cause of sedimentation and degradation of trout streams isn't logging and mining. It's the road building. Even when you're very careful, you still get sediment deposits and erosion and problems like that."

Weglarz also said Trout Unlimited members are concerned that developments from the easement could endanger their future funding for coaster brook trout habitat and research.

At the Oct. 8 Keweenaw County Commissioners' Ways and Means meeting, Chuck Brumleve, geologist and Grant Township Land Use Planning Committee chair, standing, outlines aesthetic and economic objections to the proposed easement and bridge at the mouth of the Gratiot. Copper Country Trout Unlimited members who spoke at the meeting include, beginning fifth from left in front row, President Bill Deephouse, Ray Weglarz and John Parsons, and, far right in green shirt, Jim Junttila.

Jim Junttila, CCCTU Board member, said it wouldn't matter how far upstream the road or bridge building takes place, since everything comes downstream, and degradation of the stream becomes the byproduct.

Said CCCTU Member John Parsons, "The reason I'm here, and what concerns me the most, is that we have been working on this project for a long time. It just seems very deceitful to me the way (the easement) came on at the last moment … It just doesn't seem right to me."

Stubenrauch praised CCCTU for their efforts to plant trout in the stream and to raise money for the Trust Fund match.

"You folks went out and really worked on this," he said.

Gina Nicholas, who owns land in Grant Township and stock in International Paper, spoke at Monday's Ways and Means meeting about an easement for electricity she had requested from IP/LSLC for her property near Smith Fisheries. She said the company denied the request, stating in a letter that the reason was the easement provided no benefit to them.

"If they can slip an easement in at the last minute in this transaction, they can do it anytime," Nicholas said.

At the Oct. 8 Ways and Means meeting Gina Nicholas, member of the Grant Township Land Use Planning Committee and International Paper stockholder, speaks about an easement for electricity IP denied her for her home near Smith Fisheries.

Something happened after that Monday night meeting.

Tuesday afternoon conversation leads to proposed agreement

"He (Tolksdorf) said ‘Let's talk,'" John Griffith said on Tuesday.

After a discussion Tuesday afternoon, Griffith and Tolksdorf came to the County Board meeting on Tuesday night with the announcement that they had reached a compromise.

As Griffith has said, the details still need to be worked out and money still needs to be raised to purchase the Section 12 properties for public ownership.

Commissioner Roberts said he believed John Griffith, who was instrumental in obtaining the NAWCA grant, could raise that money for Section 12.

"Knowing him, he'll come up with (the money)," Roberts said with a smile.

CCCTU President Bill Deephouse was smiling, too, after Tuesday's meeting.

"This is wonderful!" Deephouse said of the Griffith-Tolksdorf proposed agreement.

Tolksdorf himself admitted to being a fisherman and a hunter. He noted his appreciation for CCCTU's work.

"I was really happy with their efforts and what they're trying to accomplish to improve fishing at the Gratiot River," he said on Wednesday.

Concerning his compromise with Griffith, Tolksdorf said, "It's been a long road, and I'm looking forward to the conclusion. I was glad we were able to agree."

Charlie Eshbach of Public Access Keweenaw, who has been involved with the Trust Fund grant for the potential state purchase of about 6,000 acres at the Keweenaw Tip, said he hoped local residents would continue to foster the spirit seen at Tuesday's meeting and give their support to efforts by state officials to acquire land for public ownership.

"I'd like to encourage everybody to continue with this spirit of compromise," Eshbach said. "It's not a time … to say negative things."

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

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.