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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula February 12, 2002 Press release © 2002 The Nature Conservancy

Michigan acquires first half of Keweenaw Tip property

LANSING -- More than 3,000 acres of pristine wild habitat now belongs to the people of Michigan, with 3,275 more acres to come next year, thanks to one of the largest property transactions in the 25-year history of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF). The land will be open to the public for recreational activities, including hunting, fishing and hiking.

This aerial view, looking northeast towards Keweenaw Point, shows the protected Lake Superior shoreline and Schlatter Lake -- part of the acreage that is now the property of the State of Michigan, thanks to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund and The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Acting as broker in purchasing the land from International Paper/ Lake Superior Land Co., TNC, which purchased the land from International Paper in January, transferred more than 3,000 acres of the total 6,275 acres to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Feb. 8. (Photo © 2001 Michael Jordan, courtesy of the Mott Foundation.)

In a ceremony at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Upper Peninsula Field Headquarters in Marquette, representatives of The Nature Conservancy handed over "half a key to the Keweenaw" to DNR officials. Participating in the event were Jim Ekdahl, Michigan DNR Upper Peninsula field deputy; Nancy Douglas, Natural Resources Commission member; Tina Hall, TNC's U.P. director of Conservation Programs; Dave Kluesner, regional public affairs manager for International Paper; and Charlie Eshbach, local conservationist and community member.

"The true beneficiaries here are the people, plants and animals of Michigan," said DNR Director K.L. Cool, who met with  Helen Taylor, state director of The Nature Conservancy-Michigan Chapter and Michigan Natural Resources Commission members on Feb. 7 in Lansing. "The victory today is for all of us, and for future generations."

Jeff Knoop, U.P. director of land protection for the TNC Michigan Chapter, was also present at the Feb. 7 meeting of the Commission in Lansing.

Cool approved the first part of the transaction that will ultimately result in 6,275 acres protected forever and available to the public for recreational activities. The MNRTF provides $12.5 million, covering the sale cost, while The Nature Conservancy-Michigan Chapter will fundraise to cover $250,000 in related interest charges (TNC's total contribution in interest will be about $400,000). The Nature Conservancy acted as a third-party broker in the transaction, buying it from International Paper's Lake Superior Land Company in January, 2002, and holding it until this first reimbursement from the Trust Fund for 3,009.35 acres this year, with the remaining acreage being transferred next year. The second transaction will add 3,265.9 more acres when completed in 2003.

Fish Cove, seen in this photo, and land at the mouth of the Montreal River are among the parcels to be included in the second transaction of 3,265.9 acres to be completed in 2003. ((Photo © 2001 Jeff Knoop of The Nature Conservancy)

Taylor called the transfer of property an historic event for Michigan conservation.

"The tip of the Keweenaw peninsula is truly one of the last great places on Earth, and we're honored to play a role in its protection," Taylor said.

The new parcel includes: 5.5 miles of forested shoreline along Lake Superior, five miles of the Montreal River (a top-ranked trout stream), stunning waterfalls and parts of three sparkling glacial lakes. TNC has long identified this area as a high priority for biodiversity protection because of its unique ecological value. Some of the finest remaining examples of hardwood/boreal forest communities left in the Keweenaw Peninsula are part of this parcel, along with patterned peatlands (a unique wetland system), and cliffs overlooking Lake Superior.

The Natural Resources Trust Fund members voted unanimously in favor of the acquisition, despite heavy competition from more than 220 other proposals. The MNRTF receives its revenue from royalties generated by leasing of oil and gas on state-owned land. Michigan was the first state in the country to start such a fund.

"Michigan Oil And Gas Association members are proud to contribute to the preservation and development of Michigan's natural resources, like the Keweenaw Peninsula, through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund," said Frank L. Mortl, president of the Michigan Oil And Gas Association. 

"It's an especially appealing symmetry that the trust fund is using revenue from non-renewable sources to protect an area once known as the largest single source of copper in the western hemisphere," Taylor said. "Today, the copper mines are mostly gone; but the natural beauty and biodiversity remains, and will continue to remain forever."

The tip of the 60-mile Keweenaw Peninsula juts into Lake Superior so dramatically that its finger-like extension can be seen distinctly from the moon. Geologists date the peninsula to be at least one billion years old, with a unique rugged landscape not seen anywhere else in the Great Lakes ecoregion. The rocks of volcanic origin that comprise the peninsula provide a spectacular diversity of plant and animal life, including more than 900 species of native flora.

The newly protected land links nearly 2,500 acres already owned by the MDNR and 1,500 acres owned by The Nature Conservancy to encompass 14 miles of protected Lake Superior shoreline. Now, more than 10,000 acres will provide habitat for species such as, bald eagles, bear and moose. The Keweenaw is centralized within the Great Lakes flyways, serving as a stopover for thousands of raptors -- including hawks, eagles, falcons and merlins. The area is also a stopover site for migratory shore and songbirds as well as the tawny crescent, a rare butterfly.

"When we began these negotiations last year, much of the land was staked out in small parcels for splitting up and selling," Taylor said. "Not only would this land have been lost for the people of Michigan, but also for the unique diversity of plants and animals living there. Thank goodness we still have it, and that we can enjoy this great place forever."

For more information on the land acquisition and more photos, read the Jan. 4, 2002, article, "IP/LSLC, TNC close on first stage of Keweenaw land sale,"  and the Jan. 3, 2002 article, "First closing on Keweenaw land sale expected Jan. 3."

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