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		Points of View May 11, 2003 Guest Column: Text © 2003 Gina Nicholas.** Reprinted with permission from the South Shore Newsletter Winter 2003. Aerial Photos © 2003 Michael Jordan. Reprinted with Permission. Other photos © 2003 Keweenaw Now as indicated.

Help TNC acquire Bete Grise South

By Gina Nicholas

LAC LA BELLE -- The week of March 6, Walt Arnold, director of marketing and sales for Lake Superior Land Co./International Paper, indicated that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued a permit for International Paper (IP) to build a bridge and road to Bete Grise South. With this permit, IP is now making Bete Grise South available for sale.

This aerial photo shows the Lake Superior shoreline at Bete Grise South, with Lac La Belle in the background and the Mendota Canal at right. Lake Superior Land Co./International Paper recently received a permit to build a bridge and access road to the area for potential residential development. However, IP and The Nature Conservancy are now negotiating a possible purchase of 1,100 acres of beach and wetland for habitat protection, education and non-invasive public access. (Photo by Michael Jordan. Reprinted with permission.)

Jeff Knoop, Director of Land Protection for the Michigan Upper Peninsula chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), has been working with Walt Arnold on acquiring Bete Grise South. The targeted property includes Bete Grise South beach and surrounding wetlands, totaling approximately 1,100 acres. The area includes the lands south of the Mendota Canal in Sec. 34 T58N-R29W, all of Sec. 3, all of Sec. 2, 120 acres of Sec. 10, and a large portion of Sec. 11 T57N-R29W.

Said Knoop, "TNC and IP are currently in negotiations and are structuring an agreement that would allow TNC to acquire Bete Grise South over an 18-month time frame."*

Both IP and TNC have obtained appraisals on the designated property and established a purchase price of approx. $1.5 million. Earnest money to cement the deal would be approximately 10%. TNC is trying to raise at least $100,000 as soon as possible in order to provide earnest money for the written purchase agreement with LSLC/IP. This would enable TNC to hold Bete Grise South and obtain funds from other sources for the full purchase price.

This aerial photo shows the wetland and beach at Bete Grise South in relation to the Gay-Lac La Belle Road. According to DEQ documents concerning the permit, "This wetland is one of two of the highest quality Lake Superior wetlands ranked by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, and is the best example of this type of wetland known from Michigan due to its size, diversity, and hydrological intactness." (Photo by Michael Jordan. Reprinted with permission.)

Anyone wishing to contribute to The Nature Conservancy's fund for purchasing Bete Grise South may send donations to:
The Nature Conservancy
Att: Jeff Knoop
125 W. Washington St. - Suite G
Marquette, MI 49855

Please be sure to indicate that the contribution is for Bete Grise South. Contributions are tax-deductible.

Bete Grise South, with its surrounding bog and marsh, is the most pristine and outstanding wetland area of its type in the Great Lakes region. This area provides a rich variety of habitats and is home to wildlife including bald eagles, sand hill crane, bear, wolves and the occasional moose. 

The eagle in the center of this photo was photographed at Bete Grise South, an area rich in wildlife and plant habitat. (File photo courtesy Michigan Department of Environmental Quality)

It is also one of, if not the most, beautiful and scenic beaches in Keweenaw, not to mention a berry picker's dream. TNC acquisition of this property will eliminate the need for a bridge, road and other development. The area will remain open for noninvasive public use, research and education. Maintaining this area in its natural and relatively pristine state will enable wildlife to flourish and will contribute to the overall health of Lake Superior and its watershed.

The pristine Lake Superior beach at Bete Grise South is  known for its "singing sands." (Keweenaw Now file photo.)

Let's do all we can to support TNC in this important acquisition.

* Editor's Notes: At the April 21 public hearing of Gov. Jennifer Granholm's recently appointed Michigan Land Use Leadership Council, held in Marquette, Helen Taylor, director of TNC's Michigan Chapter, told Keweenaw Now, "I'm very hopeful and optimistic that we will be able to work with International Paper to protect this very important example of a Great Lakes Marsh." This article previously appeared in the Winter 2003 issue of the South Shore Newsletter, published by the South Shore Association. We have reprinted it here with permission. For more on the DEQ permit see the Feb. 14, 2003, article "Conservancy seeks funds for Bete Grise South." Read more about The Nature Conservancy and International Paper on their Web sites.

**Guest author Gina Nicholas is resident of Grant Township in Keweenaw County and was a member of Grant Township's and Keweenaw County's land use planning committees in 2001-2002. These committees worked with the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region (WUPPDR) to develop the recently adopted Keweenaw County Land Use Plan. Gina is also a member of the South Shore Association.

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