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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted May 18, 2007 Text © 2007 Keweenaw Now. Editor's Note: This article is reprinted here as a public service for concerned citizens.

UPPCO reservoir development plan: Public comment deadline is May 21, 2007

HANCOCK -- A deadline of May 21, 2007, approaches for public comment on the Upper Peninsula Power Company's (UPPCO's) plans to develop lighted private boat docks and "viewsheds" on six wild hydro-electric reservoirs (i.e., Prickett Dam, Bond Falls, Victoria Falls, Au Train, Cataract, and Boney Falls) in order to enhance the sale-ability of 7200 acres of adjacent forested lands that UPPCO plans to sell to a developer. 

The reservoirs, located in the Upper Peninsula, all have license agreements issued from the Federal Energy Regulatory Agency (FERC) for the generation of hydroelectric power. As part of the mitigation for these license agreements, UPPCO, a subsidiary of Intergrys (formally Wisconsin Public Service Corporation), is required to protect and enhance wildlife habitat, provide for public access and manage the forest for old-growth (at Bond Falls and Victoria Reservoirs). 

Instead, UPPCO is working to add private docks on FERC-regulated water bodies to service large-scale residential development planned on adjacent property it intends to sell to a developer. In most cases, UPPCO-owned land on these reservoirs is surrounded by National Forest and has been protected for many generations. The public agencies that have been involved with the FERC licensing process (National Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources) have been consistently critical of UPPCO's proposed plans outlined in the recently completed Shoreline Management Plans (SMP). In addition to the docks, these SMPs outline plans for trails (to access proposed residential development), lighting on docks, the creation of viewsheds for would-be backlot owners and the removal of stumps to "improve" boating.

Detailed information on this issue, photos and maps are available on the Upper Peninsula Public Access Coalition Web site, UPPAC.com.

These reservoirs are important for migratory and breeding birds, wood turtles, loons, eagles and sturgeon.

Anyone who wishes to protect some of Michigan's largest undeveloped water bodies, as well as old-growth forest, should consider commenting on UPPCO's Shoreline Management Plans. Public comments must be received by May 21. Your letter can be a very simple appeal that conveys your feeling about FERC allowing UPPCO to deviate from the intent of the hydro-license agreements by maintaining private docks on regulated reservoirs for the purpose of making them more attractive to developers. A short letter or email is better than none at all. It is important that UPPCO and FERC hear from all who have an opinion.

Here is an example of a letter that can be sent to Janet Wolfe, UPPCO Communications Manager -- jwolfe@uppco.com before May 21:

I STRONGLY OPPOSE CONSTRUCTION OF DOCKS as proposed by Upper Peninsula Power Company at Prickett, Victoria, Au Train, Cataract, Boney Falls, and Bond Falls sites. Given the complexity of this issue and the limited scope of the Shoreline Management Plan, an Environmental Assessment should be required of UPPCO in this matter.

For more information (including a convenient email fill-in comment form) please visit www.uppac.com or send your comments immediately to:

Janet Wolfe
Communications Manager
UPPCO
PO Box 130
Houghton, MI 49931-0130
Email: jwolfe@uppco.com 

In your comments, reference one or all of the following FERC reservoir project numbers:

Project No.1864 (Bond and Victoria)
Project No. 2402 (Prickett)
Project No.10856 (Au Train)
Project No.10854 (Cataract)
Project No. 2506 (Boney Falls)

Please also consider sending a copy of your letter (optional) directly to FERC at:

Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First St. N.E.
Washington D.C. 20426