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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted Aug. 20, 2004   Text © 2004 Michigan Department of Natural Resources, courtesy Ann Wilson, DNR communications representative, Office of the Press Secretary, Marquette; Gail Voldarski, DNR secretary, Baraga; Friederike Greuer, KPAC secretary; and Ronald Yesney, DNR West U.P. recreation specialist. Photos © 2004 Michele Anderson for Keweenaw Now.

Keweenaw Point Advisory Committee Minutes: Aug. 3, 2004

MARQUETTE -- The Keweenaw Point Advisory Committee (KPAC) will hold its next regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2004, at the Allouez Township Community Center in Allouez. KPAC was assembled to provide recreation and resource management suggestions to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) on the state's recent Keweenaw Tip purchase of 6,275 acres for public access, recreation and conservation. The Committee is expected to submit recommendations to the DNR this September. Meetings are open to the public.

KPAC held two meetings in August. The most recent meeting, held on Aug. 17 in Allouez, was a supplementary meeting the committee found necessary for discussion and approval of recommendations for the DNR. Recommendations on minimum impact zones and timber resource management were approved at the Aug. 17 meeting, while the issues of day use, camping and motorized trails were discussed, with input from the public. The minutes of this meeting will be published here as soon as they are official.

At the Aug. 3 meeting KPAC approved most of the recommendations submitted by the non-motorized trail committee and began discussion of motorized trails, with input from the public. Below are the minutes of the Aug. 3, 2004, KPAC meeting held at the Mohawk School.

Sign-In:

(Committee Members)
Charles Eshbach -- Michigan Nature Association
Warren Suchovsky -- Michigan Timbermen's Association
Jack Lehto -- MUCC ((Michigan United Conservation Clubs)
Dana Richter -- Copper Country Audubon
Don Keith -- Keweenaw County
Lori Hauswirth -- WUPPDR
James Rooks -- Grant Township (standing in for Dick Powers)
Friederike Gast -- UPEC
Don Kauppi -- Keweenaw Tourism Council
Christian Riedel -- MTU 4-Wheelers (standing in for Jason Wyglendowski)
Tina Hall -- The Nature Conservancy (standing in for Jeff Knoop)
Jim Junttila -- Outdoor Writer - CK Sportsmen
Sam Raymond -- Keweenaw Adventure Company
Bill Deephouse -- Trout Unlimited

(Citizen Attendees) - This is a partial list of citizen attendees, not everyone signed in
Sandi Siegmeier
John Parsons 
Ian Gagnon
Sue Haralson -- Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District
Janet Shea -- Eagle Harbor Township
Sandra Palmore -- Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District
Marsha Klein -- Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District
Chuck Brumleve -- South Shore Association
Michele Anderson -- Keweenaw Now
Gina Nicholas
Bonnie Hay

Meeting was called to order at 6:52 p.m. by Ron Yesney (MDNR). Because of the change in meeting location and local elections, Yesney gave additional time for individuals to reach the alternate meeting site.

• Yesney began the meeting by reviewing the recommendations presented so far. It was noted that the road recommendations are now in the final stages. International Paper (IP) was to have a representative (Walt Arnold) attend this meeting, but other commitments forced Mr. Arnold to cancel. IP will be contacted and given dates and time for the next meeting. It is strongly hoped that IP will have a representative attend that meeting.

• Bill introduced the first topic for review, Draft - 8.2.04, Non-motorized Trails. Lori Hauswirth, Charles Eshbach and Sam Raymond gave a review of the updates in the new version. First bulleted item reads the same except for the following addition…This "Hiking/Biking Paths of Keweenaw" partnership would be established by the MDNR to assist them in meeting yearly trail development goals. This kind of cooperative effort has worked well in the development of the North Country Trail. The partnership would prevent budget restrictions from stalling progress.
  

KPAC non-motorized trail committee members Sam Raymond (standing, left) and Lori Hauswirth indicate trail recommendations on DNR map at Aug. 3 KPAC meeting in the Mohawk School. At far right, Marty Nelson, DNR Baraga unit manager, projects a map of the Keweenaw Tip land purchase areas. (Photo © 2004 Michele Anderson)

This map shows part of a proposed hiking (non-motorized) trail (in yellow) that would follow the coast line along the Keweenaw Point and continue inland to Schlatter's Lake (blue area). (Map image © 2004 and courtesy Michigan DNR)

• Bill Deephouse introduced the next topic, Motorized Trails and Roads. Don Kauppi and Christian Riedel gave a summary of the snowmobile trail, ORV and large 4-wheeling needs. Kauppi expressed a desire to create a route to points of interest that would show (showcase) the characteristics of the Keweenaw Point. The current snowmobile trail passes Mt. Bohemia and continues northeast to the Keweenaw Point. Once trail enters the Point property, the recommended trail route would have a main run that would cross the Montreal just south of Copper Lake and continue to the tip and swing north and back around to the Mandan Road. Don recommended 6 spur routes to: Fish Cove, High Rock Bay, East side of Montreal, West sides of the Montreal, Keystone Bay and Keweenaw Point.

Talking points and questions included 1) how the trail would cross the Montreal, 2) if camping is required, 3) what type of signage would be needed, 4) parking areas and needs.

1. A bridge would be needed to cross the Montreal.
2. Camping would not be required for snowmobilers, but would be desirable for the 4-wheelers.
3. Signage is seen as a huge issue. Prefer friendly signing wherever possible.
4. Parking areas would be established some distance away from the shorelines. Nelson pointed out that the terrain will dictate parking and access to specific areas.

During the discussion that ensued, it was suggested that the ATV and snowmobile trail be separate trails. This would make it easier to gain permanent easements. 

Temporary bridge was questioned, is it too flimsy? Temporary bridge is quite sturdy but does not have headers. If, for instance, an easement is withdrawn then the bridge could be removed easily and placed in another location.  

At the Aug. 3 KPAC meeting in the Mohawk School, Don Kauppi, Keweenaw Tourism Council (standing, right) points to potential location for a motorized trail in the Keweenaw Tip area. Standing at left is Christian Riedel of the MTU 4-Wheelers Club. After discussion, the motorized trail issue was tabled until a future meeting.* (Photo by Michele Anderson)

MTU 4-wheeler representative noted that they utilized mostly, but not solely, IP logging roads. Nelson noted that the State already had easements with IP on some of the logging roads off of the Mandan Road.

There were concerns voiced on 1) distance that would be maintained between parking areas and targeted locations, 2) buffers between motorized and non-motorized trails, 3) how motorized or specific vehicles could be kept out of an area, 4) the running of 4-wheelers and ATVs at all hours of the night. Nelson and Yesney indicated a Director's Order could be a tool to limit access to specific areas. Hauswirth suggested that the topic be tabled until Nelson could create an overlay of the proposed snowmobile/ATV trails. Richter noted that some of these proposed motorized trails would cross minimum impact zones that yet need to be established.*

Eshbach made a motion to table this topic until the next meeting, Friederike Gast seconded, motion carried.*

KPAC members observed these tracks of motorized vehicles along the beach at High Rock Bay during their June 12 tour of the Keweenaw Tip area with DNR officials. (June 12, 2004, photo by Michele Anderson)

• The meeting was then opened up to general comments, approximately 18 attendees.
  
  Janet Shea presented a survey that she had conducted during 2003-2004. She had collected approx. 159 surveys. Important area asset themes…. get away, quiet, relaxing, see Lake Superior, natural beauty. Surveys were accepted by Bill Deephouse with the committee's thanks.
  
  Sandra Palmer asked if the committee had considered GPS mapping of the area. Nelson and Yesney indicated this has already been done.
  
  Evan McDonald voiced his concern about serious conflicts that would develop between user groups. He asked that the committee use foresight to head off these conflicts.
  
  Tom Fouts stated Don Kauppi's idea for a trail was a great idea. He felt concentrating motorized vehicles to specific trails would help stop conflicts by creating a place for them to ride. He also stated "…because a road looks like it ends (goes nowhere), it may not end for me." He noted that users will be using areas outside the road system to recreate, i.e. berry picking and brook trout fishing.
  
  Sandi Siegmeier shared her thoughts regarding increased use to the area and more noise. She did not think a bridge should be used to cross the Montreal River; and she said access for motorized vehicles should be limited, especially in sensitive environmental areas, whenever possible.
  
  Chuck Brumleve urged the committee to start conservative and look at the big picture, over a longer period of time. Suggested committee limit use and access to the area in the very beginning, and  increase access after careful consideration as warranted. Individuals do not need to drive to their fishing holes. Requested that the committee not wait for a problem to develop; cannot control a problem after the fact. 
  
  Gina Nicholas supported a measured approach.
  
  Bonnie Hay spoke of her concerns and compared the Keweenaw Point to an urban non-motorized park near her home in Philadelphia. Conflicts between user groups have increased over the years. Expanding population in that area has increased the pressure on the park. She noted erosion as one of the larger problems. Ms. Hay asked the committee to balance needs.
  
  Janet Shea agreed that noise pollution from motorized vehicles is a problem that will only worsen.
  
  Bill Deephouse voiced concern over the progress of the committee. He asked Yesney if an extension could be made. Yesney said the DNR was under a deadline and an extension was probably not possible. Deephouse asked if additional meetings could be scheduled, and Yesney agreed that this was an option.
  
  The committee then came to an agreement on August 17th for the next meeting, 6:30 pm. Location will be Allouez Community Center.
  
  Meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
  
  
  Submitted by: Gail Voldarski

Editor's notes: *KPAC approved Dana Richter's Minimum Impact Zone Recommendations at the Aug. 17 meeting in Allouez. Warren Suchovsky's Forest Management Recommendations were also approved on Aug. 17. However, while members of the public made many comments on motorized trails during discussion of day use areas at the Aug. 17 meeting, time did not allow full discussion of these two topics. Watch for the minutes of the Aug. 17 meeting, coming soon. Anyone who wishes to contact KPAC or the DNR and express concerns or offer input, may do so by addressing written comments to: Keweenaw Point Committee, c/o MDNR, 1990 US 41 South, Marquette, MI 49855. Please include the date and your name, address and telephone number. Your e-mail address is optional. Response forms for this purpose are also available at Fort Wilkins Historic State Park. Keweenaw Now is providing this Michigan Department of Natural Resources information as a public service. See also the July 28, 2004 article, Keweenaw Point Committee tour with DNR leads to recommendations  Read the Minutes of the July 6, 2004, KPAC Meeting. See Minutes of the June 1, 2004, KPAC Meeting. See list of the Keweenaw Point Advisory Committee (KPAC) members. The Minutes of the May 4, 2004, KPAC Meeting, originally posted on the Keweenaw Liberty Library (under Land Use Planning and Zoning), are now available on Keweenaw Now. Read the Minutes of the April 6, 2004, KPAC Meeting Read the Minutes of the Mar. 2, 2004, KPAC Meeting Read the Minutes of the Feb. 3, 2004, KPAC Meeting Read the Minutes of the Jan. 20, 2004, Organizational Meeting of KPAC.