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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted Nov. 2, 2003 Text © 2003 Michele Anderson and Hunters Point Web site. Reprinted with permission. Photos © 2003 and courtesy Karen Karl, as indicated. Reprinted with permission. File photo of Rich Jamsen by Michele Anderson.

Grant Township seeks to acquire Hunters Point

COPPER HARBOR -- After a land sale last year for a new residential development at the west end of Copper Harbor, Keweenaw residents and visitors expressed concern at the possible loss of one of their favorite hiking spots -- Hunters Point, a narrow peninsula on the west side of the harbor, adjacent to the development. Not only does this finger of land shelter Copper Harbor from Lake Superior storms and provide anchorage for boaters, but its natural features include interesting rock formations, a variety of plants and wildflowers and migratory birds.

Pebble beach and conglomerate rock at Hunters Point on Lake Superior. (Photo courtesy Karen Karl. Reprinted with permission.)

The development received approval when the Grant Township Utility Board, with the permission of the Township Board, agreed to let the developers hook up to the Copper Harbor sewer system.

Now Grant Township is raising funds to purchase Hunters Point from the developer, who has signed a letter agreeing to sell the parcel to the township if they can raise the funds. At present the price is about $725,000, of which the township must raise $195,000 to be eligible for a matching grant through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF).

"The purchase would assure that 8.9 acres and 4,700 ft of shoreline would remain open for public access," notes Richard Powers, Grant Township supervisor.

Hunter's Point was visited by the Trust Fund Grant Coordinator in August 2003 and two of the MNRTF Trustees in September.

"Favorable comments were received from all of them, and we have high hopes of being awarded a grant at their December meeting," Powers said recently, noting the Township has raised approximately $115,000, leaving around $81,000 left to go toward the grant requirement.

"We have had over 400 individual donations and collected over 5,000 signatures of support, which have been forwarded to the Chairman of the MNRTF along with copies of supporting email letters," Powers added.

Hunters Point, viewed from Copper Harbor. (Photo courtesy Karen Karl. Reprinted with permission.)

Rich Jamsen, Copper Harbor business owner, said the fundraising has brought in several large donations.

"We've been gaining every day," Jamsen noted.

The natural features of Hunters Point provide something for everyone in every season. In the spring, thousands of migratory birds use Hunters Point as a stopover in their yearly travels north.

Jim Rooks, Copper Harbor naturalist, says the numbers of  birds and animals on Hunters Point  fluctuate with migration and the changing seasons.

"Even though the forest is changing on Hunters Point, the requisite brushy habitat is not dwindling," Rooks notes. "Early spring brings a dramatic bird migration to the Keweenaw Peninsula's north shore in an area between Agate Harbor to the west and Horseshoe Harbor to the east, a distance of approximately 12 miles."

Rock hounds and geologists find the conglomerate rock formations of interest while hikers enjoy the shoreline of Lake Superior and wildflowers along the hiking trail. Winter visitors can snowshoe or ski from the harbor out to the Lake Superior side of Hunters Point and observe the lake's ice and snow sculptures

Rich Jamsen, Copper Harbor business owner, starts out for a ski along the Hunters Point trail, pausing in front of the trail sign he made. Jamsen said he hopes Hunters Point can be preserved for public access. (File photo by Michele Anderson)

Tax-deductible donations may be sent to the Grant Township Hunters Point Project, P.O. Box 76, Copper Harbor, MI 49918.

Letters of support are needed to demonstrate public support for the Hunters Point purchase. They may be sent to the above address or e-mailed to grantsuper@pasty.com.

Visit the Hunters Point Web site for more photos, maps and a virtual hike on Hunters Point, as well as Jim Rooks' naturalist's description of the area.

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