Eastern Upper Peninsula Citizen Advisory Council DNR Division Reports Date of Production: August 2020 This documentation is provided by Michigan DNR staff as supplemental information to the Eastern UPCAC members.
DNR Public Meetings For virtual or conference call meeting information, please go to the DNR website at: www.michigan.gov/DNRMeetings and click on the appropriate meeting and/or agenda for instructions. August 13 Natural Resources Commission Meeting, Virtual August 16 State Forest Virtual Comment Period begins for Sault Ste. Marie Forest Management Unit (ends 9/15/20) (Provide comments online through the MI State Forest Map or by contacting a unit manager.) August 18 State Forest Virtual Comment Period begins for Gwinn Forest Management Unit (ends 9/17/20) (Provide comments online through the MI State Forest Map or by contacting a unit manager.) August 20 Eastern UP Citizens’ Advisory Council Meeting, Virtual, 6:00pm August 20 2021 Deer Regulations Virtual Open House, 6:00-8:00pm (contact Stacy for info) August 21 2021 Deer Regulations Virtual Open House, 10:00am-12:00pm (contact Stacy for info) Sept 1 State Forest Virtual Comment Period begins for Shingleton Forest Management Unit (ends 10/1/20) (Provide comments online through the MI State Forest Map or by contacting a unit manager.) Sept 6 State Forest Virtual Comment Period begins for Crystal Falls Forest Management Unit (ends 10/6/20) (Provide comments online through the MI State Forest Map or by contacting a unit manager.) Sept 10 Natural Resources Commission Meeting, Virtual Sept 15 State Forest Virtual Comment Period begins for Newberry Forest Management Unit (ends 10/15/20) (Provide comments online through the MI State Forest Map or by contacting a unit manager.) Sept 17 Western UP Citizens’ Advisory Council Meeting, Virtual, 5:30pm Central Sept 21 State Forest Virtual Comment Period begins for Escanaba Forest Management Unit (ends 10/21/20) (Provide comments online through the MI State Forest Map or by contacting a unit manager.)
U.P. State Park, State Sponsored & Other Area Notable Activities *Please check with the state park before attending activity for any scheduling changes.* August 18 Michigan Iron Industry Museum: UP as the 51st State (Part of our Tuesday afternoon lecture series - streaming on Facebook Live) August 18 Tahquamenon Falls State Park – NWTF Intro to Turkey Hunting Clinic August 20 Van Riper State Park – NWTF Intro to Turkey Hunting Clinic August 22 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park- NWTF Intro to Turkey Hunting Clinic August 25 Michigan Iron Industry Museum: UP Inventors (Part of our Tuesday afternoon lecture series - streaming on Facebook Live) Sept 11-12 Van Riper State Park – Harvest Festival (Modified-Check Park for Details) Sept 11-12 Baraga State Park - Harvest Festival-Campers Only (Modified-Check Park for Details) Sept 11-12 Bewabic State Park - Harvest Festival-Campers Only (Modified-Check Park for Details) Sept 18-19 Van Riper State Park – Harvest Festival (Modified-Check Park for Details) Sept 18-19 Brimley State Park – Harvest Festival (Modified-Check Park for Details) Sept 20-27 Michigan Trails Week
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Sept 25-26 Van Riper State Park – Harvest Festival (Modified-Check Park for Details) Sept 25-26 Brimley State Park – Harvest Festival (Modified-Check Park for Details)
Recent DNR Press Releases For full details, go to: http://www.michigan.gov/dnrpressroom ▪ Cougar update, virtual NRC meeting, tree check reminder (8/12/20) ▪ Weigh in on 2021 deer regulations during virtual open houses Aug. 20-21 (8/11/20) ▪ West Nile virus survey in ruffed grouse shows strong survival rates (8/10/20) ▪ ORV riders asked to use extra caution on trail route on Drummond Island in Chippewa County (8/7/20) ▪ Showcasing the DNR: High water impacts continue across Michigan (8/6/20) ▪ Michigan Mass Timber Summit goes virtual; reset for three fall sessions (8/5/20) ▪ Forest roads, #ADA30, water safety and fishing harvest registration (8/5/20) ▪ August hunting and trapping opportunities (8/4/20) ▪ Check trees in August for signs of the Asian longhorned beetle (8/3/20) ▪ Whitmer approves $28 million in Natural Resources Trust Fund grants (8/3/20) ▪ ORV trail section closed temporarily in Keweenaw County (7/31/20) ▪ State park volunteer opportunities, input on public lands (7/31/20) ▪ Showcasing the DNR: Tracking fish movements with acoustic telemetry (7/30/20) ▪ Off-duty conservation officer saves swimmer from Lake Superior (7/30/20) ▪ Michigan wolf surveys show stable, healthy population (7/27/20) ▪ ORV route reopened between Hancock and Dollar Bay in Houghton County (7/27/20)
Grant Contacts For grant information, to go: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-58225---,00.html
Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant Merrie Carlock, 517-284-5931, [email protected] Recreation Passport Grant Merrie Carlock, 517-284-5931, [email protected] Aquatic Habitat Grant Kelly Parker, 517-284-5957, [email protected] Michigan Invasive Species Grant Kammy Frayre, 517-284-5970, [email protected] Wildlife Habitat Grant Kelly Parker, 517-284-5957, [email protected] U.P. Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Grant Bill Scullon, 906-563-9247, [email protected]
July/August UP Field Deputy Update – Stacy Haughey
Aug. 3, 2020 Gov. Whitmer approves $28 million in outdoor recreation development and acquisition grants Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday signed legislation creating more opportunities for quality outdoor recreation by authorizing $28.7 million in Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grants. "Over the past months as Michigan continues to combat COVID-19, we've seen just how important having access to public land, developed parks, trails and outdoor recreation is for all Michiganders," said Gov. Whitmer. "In communities throughout the state, the Natural Resources Trust Fund grant program provides essential opportunities for people to continue to get outside and recreate safely." Senate Bill 145, sponsored by Sen. Jon Bumstead, approves funding for 78 recreation development projects and land purchases recommended by the board. It is now Public Act 145 of 2020.
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The Trust Fund board recommends funding to both state and local agencies for development projects and land acquisitions that will increase the quality and quantity of public outdoor recreation opportunities. This round of grant funding reflects continued support of: • Acquisitions of high-quality, unique wildlife and fishery habitat for conservation and public access. • Trail systems, specifically those – like the Dragon Trail in Newaygo and Mecosta counties – that have broad regional and statewide impact. • An extensive range of development projects that expand opportunities across Michigan for outdoor recreation, including development of urban parks and playscapes, sports field enhancements and river access. This year the board recommended nearly $17.2 million in acquisition grants and $11.5 million in recreation development grants: • Of the $17.2 million recommended to fund acquisition projects, $8.1 million would be awarded to local units of government, while the remaining $9.1 million would be awarded to the Department of Natural Resources for diverse projects such as the May Creek Greenway Path in the city of Detroit and a new public fishing access site on the St. Joseph River Water Trail in Berrien County. • Of the $11.5 million recommended to fund development grants, $9.6 million would support 51 local government projects and $1.9 million would support nine DNR projects, including new shooting ranges in Roscommon and Barry counties and pathway improvements on Belle Isle in Detroit. Collectively, the $28.7 million of Trust Fund grants is matched with nearly $20.7 million of additional funding for a total of nearly $49.4 million being invested in land acquisition and development projects across the state. “Michigan places a high value on quality, outdoor recreation opportunities,” said DNR Director Dan Eichinger. “Trust Fund grants have leveraged additional dollars from local government partners to expand outdoor recreation throughout the state and ensure conservation of Michigan’s unmatched natural resources.” The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund is a restricted fund that was established in 1976 to provide funding for public acquisition of land for resource protection and outdoor recreation, as well as for public outdoor recreation development projects. It is funded through interest earned on funds derived from the development of publicly owned minerals, primarily oil and gas, and can only be used for public outdoor recreation. Over the past 40 years, the Trust Fund has granted more than $1 billion to local units of government and the DNR to develop and improve public outdoor recreation opportunities in Michigan. The Trust Fund board's recommendations go to the Michigan Legislature for review as part of the appropriation process. The Legislature then forwards a bill to the governor for approval. Descriptions of the development projects and acquisition projects approved by Gov. Whitmer are available at Michigan.gov/MNRTF (U.P. Specific see below).
2019 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Acquisition Project Recommendations - Upper Peninsula Specific ▪ Gogebic County – City of Ironwood, Southern Beltline Trail Acquisition - $14,800 Acquisition of up to 5 acres of land and/or easement including railroad grade for an in-town trail route through the City of Ironwood. The project will connect Norrie Park, located in southwest side with the western neighborhoods near the Wisconsin border on the Montreal River. This will complete the Beltline Trail route through Ironwood near the terminus of the Iron Belle Trail, the statewide bike and hike trail system, originating in Detroit at Belle Isle Park. ▪ Houghton County – Calumet Charter Township, Acquisition of land at the Swedetown Recreation Area - $66,000 Acquisition of 30 acres at Calumet Township's 1900-acre Swedetown Recreation Area. Two parcels will be acquired; one 20-acre and one 10-acre parcel. One parcel is wooded with excellent terrain that is used for cross-country ski trails while the other parcel will provide an excellent spectator and parking area for the popular Great Bear Chase ski marathon event. Swedetown is a valued community asset for year-round non-motorized recreation that benefit local residents and attracts many tourists to the area. This acquisition will secure important features and provide new opportunities to enhance recreation at Swedetown. The rolling wooded recreation area offers year-round trails for all ages and abilities. In summer and fall Swedetown Recreation Area has more than 25 miles of trails for hiking, trail running and mountain biking. In winter, the Township grooms over 35 kilometers of cross-country ski trails which are a major attraction in the region.
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2019 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Development Project Recommendations - Upper Peninsula Specific ▪ Alger County – Munising Township, McQuisten Park Boardwalk Renovation - $49,000 Development project to replace segments of the McQuisten Park floating boardwalk in Munising Township. The popular boardwalk features a complete loop system which encircles Cox Pond and adjacent wetlands. The hike is a popular location for viewing birds and wildlife. Flood damage and years of use have destroyed part of the route, preventing the public from enjoying the natural resources. The new boardwalk will reconnect the trail system, allowing park visitors to hike the circumference of the ponds again. ▪ Baraga County – Village of Baraga, Keweenaw Bay Non-Motorized Pathway - Baraga to State Park - $300,000 Development project to construct a portion of the Keweenaw Bay Non-Motorized Pathway, a regional trail which will eventually connect the communities of Baraga, L'Anse and Zeba. The 1.2-mile segment will link to existing pathway to complete a two-and-a-half-mile route connecting Baraga State Park to the Village of Baraga, the Baraga Marina and the Sand Point Lighthouse. A portion of the 10-foot wide pathway will feature boardwalk overlooking Lake Superior. The project is also supported by a Transportation Alternatives Program Grant through the Michigan Department of Transportation and a grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. ▪ Chippewa County – City of Sault Ste Marie, Alford Park Enhancement Project - $300,000 Development project for Alford Park in Sault Ste. Marie on the St. Mary's River. Enhancements for the park will include new parking, pedestrian pathways, riverside boardwalks, lighting, and amenities such as bike racks, picnic tables, benches, and native landscaping. These improvements will complement the proposed Center for Freshwater Research and Education which is being developed in conjunction with Lake Superior State University. The improvements will create a unique recreational environment for the region. ▪ Delta County – UP State Fair Campground Improvement - $300,000 Development project for accessible bathhouses at two new campgrounds which have recently been constructed at the 144-acre UP State Fairground property. The campground, which has 140 campsites, will be open to the public all season and provide modern camping facilities for visitors to Escanaba and Delta County. The campground will be available to cyclists and hikers of the Iron Belle Trail which is located on US-41 directly adjacent to the fairgrounds. ▪ Dickinson County – Breen Township, Stromberg Park Campground Renovation - $103,600 Development project to renovate the campground at Stromberg Park in Breen Township. The 110-acre park, recently transferred from Dickinson County, will see renovations to make the park more attractive and accessible to campers. Campers enjoy the lakeside location on the Sturgeon River's Hardwood Impoundment for swimming and fishing or for access to ORV trails to explore the region. Improvements include fifteen new campsites with fire pits, picnic tables and electric service, as well as better parking, walkways and dump station. Some campsites will be fully accessible for persons with disabilities. ▪ Gogebic County – City of Ironwood, Curry Park Campground Improvements 2 - $38,100 A development project in the City of Ironwood to renovate campsites at Curry Park. The renovation will replace the old, under-equipped electric service for 10 existing campsites, upgrade inadequate electric pedestals, rebuild gravel pads for the sites and install landscape screening and ADA-compliant picnic tables. ▪ Marquette County – Forsyth Township, Gwinn Ball Field Restroom - $49,900 Development project to install new restrooms at the Gwinn Ball Fields in Forsyth Township. The new restroom will feature two ADA-compliant restrooms which will be open year-round. They will serve both summer park visitors, when the ball fields and ATV routes are in regular use, and winter, for an ice oval track and the snowmobiles which traverse the region. The building will also provide space for a future concession for the park. The project will include development of a paved parking area, benches and walkways adjacent to the building. ▪ Marquette County – DNR, Harlow Lake Fishing Platform Replacement - $50,000 The Harlow Lake Fishing Pier located in the Little Presque Isle Recreation Area is an overlook platform that offers the only ADA access to fishing on Harlow Lake in Marquette County. The existing platform has outlived its useful life due to Michigan's harsh winters and frequent use. The proposed project will replace the old platform with a new structure of the same size and location using universal-design principles. In addition to the platform, the existing aggregate pathway, parking lot and signage is also planned to be upgraded to meet ADA standards.
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▪ Marquette County – DNR, Van Riper State Park - River Trail Overlook Rehabilitation - $50,000 Development to repair an existing 200' section of trail. The Overlook Trail is a 1.5-mile-long trail loop which climbs abruptly 160' in elevation to several scenic overlooks. The scenic overlooks provide vistas of the Peshekee River, Lake Michigamme, and Van Riper State Park. The trail also provides visitors with a family-friendly trail hike that introduces them to the rugged landscape. The trail climbs a rocky escarpment and due to the popularity of the trail and steep terrain, the trail has experienced significant surface erosion along this segment. The renovation would include replacement of wood crib supported stairs, hand railing and ADA compliant aggregate surface improvements. ▪ Ontonagon County – DNR, West UP Shooting Facility - Porcupine Mountains - $300,000 Development to improve and expand an existing shooting range operated by the Lake Superior Sportsman's Club on DNR managed public land. The project will include the replacement of an existing clubhouse that doesn't have indoor plumbing or functioning HVAC, with a new clubhouse and indoor range that will improve opportunities for hunter safety courses, workshops and promoting entry into target shooting and hunting. The project will also include driveway, parking lot, pathways, and installation of supporting utility infrastructure (electric, water, sewer, propane).
Western UPCAC Update
Western UP Citizen’s Advisory Council Meeting met on July 22nd via Zoom lead by new Chair Jim Lorenson. Agenda highlights: • Division Reports • Proposed Marquette County Shooting Range Update • CWD Update • UP Habitat Workgroup Update • Keweenaw Point Advisory Committee Recommendations Overview from 2006 • 2020 UP Deer Regulations Update • NRC Membership • COVID-19 Impact Update • Subcommittee Reports: Fisheries, Forestry, Trails/Rec/Law, Wildlife
The next WUPCAC meeting will be held September 17, 2020 virtually via Zoom.
August NRC Meeting Summary – John Pepin, Deputy Public Information Officer
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission met in an online conference format today (8/13/20).
Action: The commission voted unanimously to approve a resolution clarifying the panel’s June intent in passing a white- tailed deer hunting regulation change within Wildlife Conservation Order Amendment No. 6 of 2020.
The order included a directive that prohibits the taking of antlerless deer on a deer license, combination regular license or deer combination license in DMUs in which the Snow Data Accumulation System shows a snow depth of 12 inches or more for at least 100 nonconsecutive days during the previous open deer hunting season.
The DNR said the provision was not enforceable because it did not specify a period certain to trigger the conditions contained in the directive (i.e. winter months that correspond with the previous open deer hunting season).
The clarification states this as the time period between October and May that corresponds with the previous open deer hunting season.
For example, if the snow accumulation data indicates that a location’s snow depth is measured at 12 inches or greater for at least 100 days, between the months of October and May, the Deer Management Unit corresponding with that location shall not be open for the taking of antlerless deer on a deer license, deer combination regular license, or deer combination restricted license during the bow and arrow only hunting season for the following open deer hunting season.
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With its intent clarified on the record, the NRC plans to revisit the measure during a future phase of deer regulation change discussions to formally adopt this provision with regulatory authority.
The commission took no additional action.
NRC Committee of the Whole
Director Dan Eichinger introduced Seth Herbst, DNR aquatic species and regulatory affairs unit manager, to discuss four fisheries order recommendations available for action by the commission in September. One additional recommendation detailed falls under the director’s order authority.
These order topics included special hook size fishing regulations, designated trout streams, bow, spear and crossbow fishing regulations, spawning closures and state-licensed commercial fishing.
Fisheries Order 202.21 Special Hook Size Fishing Regulations governs special hook regulations on select waters to protect susceptible fish during spawning migrations. Fisheries Division is proposing a modification to an existing provision for the Bear River in Emmet County to clarify the downstream boundary of the regulation. The Bear River flows into an area with a marina and breakwall before entering Lake Michigan. Anglers and law enforcement personnel have indicated that the area is confusing because of the design layout. Therefore, adding a more specific landmark “foot bridge north of Lake Street,” to the downstream boundary description will help clarify the boundary better for everyone.
Fisheries Order 210.21 Designated Trout Streams governs designated trout streams in Michigan. The DNR Fisheries Division recommends adding one stream to the Order and removing one stream from the Order. Carter Creek in Roscommon County has recently been surveyed where a thriving brook trout population has been documented. Adding Carter Creek to the Order will result in greater protection of brook trout by placing it into Type 1 trout fishing regulations. This will place a fishing and possession season from the last Saturday in April through September 30. The closed season will protect brook trout when they are most vulnerable during spawning season. Wright Creek in Oscoda County has been recommended for removal since the habitat is not suitable for trout. Several fisheries surveys have failed to document any trout and temperature data indicates that this is a warmwater stream which will not support trout. Removing Wright Creek will result in defaulting to general statewide fishing regulations open all year to fishing.
Fisheries Order 219.21 Bow, Spear and Crossbow Fishing Regulations governs fishing regulations for bow, spear, and crossbows. A change is proposed for this Order regarding the removal of North Manistique (Round) Lake in Luce County. The spearing prohibition was implemented on this lake when muskellunge stocking was initiated in the early 2000s. Managers were concerned that juvenile muskellunge and northern pike could be misidentified by spearing anglers to the detriment of the muskellunge stocking program. Fall fingerling muskellunge were stocked in 2004, 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2016. Managers have recently been evaluating the stocking program in North Manistique (Round) Lake to determine how effective the muskellunge stocking program has been at developing a valued muskellunge fishery. There have been no reports from anglers of muskellunge sighted or caught. A robust fisheries survey was conducted in 2019 targeting muskellunge which failed to capture any. As a result of the findings, fisheries management efforts for North Manistique (Round) Lake will no longer focus on muskellunge. The removal of this water from the Order will result in opening the lake to northern pike and muskellunge spearing through the ice from Dec. 1 through March 15.
Fisheries Order 204.20A Spawning Closures establishes spawning closures on specific waters to protect fishery resources during spawning migrations. The Department recommends adding two new spawning closures and removing one spawning closure from the Order.
1. Add – Benzie County: Betsie River Homestead Dam closed to fishing from August 1 – November 15 within 300 feet of the lamprey barrier and fish passage facility (T25N, R15W, S2). The Betsie River Homestead Dam area in Benzie County has been identified as a location where migrating salmon are vulnerable to unlawful angling activities. There is currently a spawning closure at the same location within 100 feet of the lamprey barrier and fish passage facility all year. However, fisheries and law enforcement staff have identified that the location creates a pinch point during the fall salmon spawning migration. This is creating an issue because there are large numbers of fish at times in a small area which is no longer a fair chase angling opportunity. As a result, this has become an area rampant with unlawful fishing activities. The addition of the spawning closure will allow for the greater protection of the vulnerable fishery resources during the time when protection is needed the most. Land Use Order of the Director 4 of 2020, was presented at the July 16, 2020 NRC meeting which recommended a closure to camping at the Homestead Dam location because of the large number of people congregating in this area during the fall spawning run that resulted in shoreline erosion and littering concerns.
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2. Add – Antrim and Kalkaska Counties: Torch River closed to fishing from May 1 – June 15 from Torch River starting at the Crystal Beach Road Bridge downstream to Lake Skegemog including Rapid River up to Aarwood Road Bridge. The Torch River in Antrim and Kalkaska Counties between Torch Lake and Lake Skegemog has been an area where highly valued native Great Lakes strain muskellunge have been known to spawn. The Torch River is an important muskellunge spawning area and these large fish are easy to see in the crystal-clear waters during spawning season. Unfortunately, the Torch River has been a place where anglers have been seen harassing and trying to snag the fish when these fish are spawning in the shallow waters. Local law enforcement staff and local anglers have reported this problem for several years and spawning muskellunge have been observed with lure scars on them from the harassment. In order to protect this highly valued fishery the Department recommends adding a spawning closure in the Torch River.
3. Remove – Cheboygan County: Douglas Lake pike marsh. The Douglas Lake pike marsh in Cheboygan County has not been in operation for years and there are no future plans to operate the pike marsh; therefore, the Department has decided that the spawning closure is no longer warranted. The removal will get rid of an unnecessary regulation.
Director’s Order Authority:
Fisheries Order 243.40 State-Licensed Commercial Fishing is used to address issues impacting management of the state-licensed commercial fishery for the better protection, preservation, maintenance, and harvesting of the fish. This Order has been renewed annually for the past four years and requires renewal again in 2020. This Order is recommended for renewal without change. Under the authority of Section 46702 of 1994 PA 451, the effective date of any Order issued by the Department under this part shall not be less than 30 days from and after the date of its issuance and requires notification by first class mail to all persons licensed under part 473. Therefore, it is recommended that this Order shall take effect Nov. 16, 2020 and shall remain effective through Nov. 15, 2021.
An August legislative report is below
The next meeting of the NRC is scheduled for Sept. 10. An announcement will be made on the format of the meeting in the coming weeks.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
John Pepin Deputy Public Information Officer
August 2020 Legislative Updates – Craig Brunet, Legislative & Legal Affairs Office
HB 5551 (H-3) – Decriminalize Improper Display of a Snowmobile Registration Decal or Trail Permit – Rep. Alexander This bill would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of 1994, to make the improper display of a snowmobile registration decal or trail permit sticker to be guilty of a state civil infraction and may be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than $150.00. • The bill was passed by the House of Representatives and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. • The Administration supports this legislation.
HB 5684 (H-3) – Decriminalize Certain Snowmobile Penalties – Rep. Cherry The bill would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of 1994, to decriminalize specific snowmobile penalties in this state such as, failure to display registration, affixing wrong registration, affixing registration improperly, lost or mutilated registration, and snowmobiling along the highway. The bill would reduce the offense to a state civil infraction subject to a civil fine of not more than $150.00. • The bill was passed by the House of Representatives and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. • The Administration supports this legislation.
HB 5687 – Decriminalize Failure to Exhibit Safety Certificate – Rep. LaFave The bill would decriminalize failure to exhibit safety certificate for a motorboat, making it a civil infraction instead of a misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $150.00.
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• The bill was passed by the House of Representatives and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. • The Administration supports this legislation.
HB 5689 (H-1) – Decriminalize Operation of a Snowmobile Without Safety Certification – Rep. LaFave The bill would decriminalize failure to present a snowmobile safety certificate to any peace officers upon demand from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction with a fine of up to $150.00. • The bill was passed by the House of Representatives and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. • The Administration supports this legislation.
HB 5697 (H-1)– Modify Penalties for Violations of Certain Hunting Provisions – Rep. Howell The bill would decriminalize the following hunting provisions from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction with a fine of note more than $150.00: failure to attach individual's name, driver license number, or sportcard number to a ground blind; failure to attach individual's name, driver license number, or sportcard number to a tree stand, scaffold, or raised platform; and supplemental feeding of deer. • The bill was passed by the House of Representatives and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. • The Administration supports this legislation.
HB 5692 – Decriminalize Safety Standards for Snowmobiles – Rep. Markkanen The bill would decriminalize failure to have safety standards for snowmobile product certification from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction with a fine of up to $150.00. The bill also decriminalizes operating a snowmobile without a crash helmet from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction with a fine of up to $150.00. • The bill was passed by the House of Representatives and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. • The Administration supports this legislation.
HB 5693 – Decriminalize Off-Road Vehicles Improperly Crossing Street – Rep. LaFave The bill would decriminalize improperly crossing a street or road in an off-road vehicle from misdemeanor to a civil infraction with a fine of up to $150.00. • The bill was passed by the House of Representatives and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. • The Administration supports this legislation.
HB 5694 (H-1) – Modify Penalties for Certain Hunting and Fishing Licensing Violations – Rep. S. Johnson The bill would decriminalize failure to carry your hunting or fishing license to a civil infraction with a fine of not more than $150.00. • The bill was passed by the House of Representatives and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. • The Administration supports this legislation.
HB 5695 (H-1) – Modify Certain Penalties for Certain Fishing Violations – Rep. Mueller The bill would modify the following fishing violations to a civil infraction with a fine of not more than $150.00: fails to attach the individual's name and address to tip-ups in violation of section 48703(2); or fishes with more than the authorized number of lines in violation of section 48703(1). • The bill was passed by the House of Representatives and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety. • The Administration supports this legislation.
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SB 145 (H-3) – Provide Appropriations from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund – Sen. Bumstead This bill contains the recommendations made by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board for Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant awards for Fiscal Year 2020. The appropriation totals almost $28.7 million in project funding from the trust fund. • The bill was passed by the Senate and the House and awaits the signature of the Governor. • The Administration supports this legislation.
SB 799 – Reconveyance of Property in Gogebic County – Sen. McBroom The bill would authorize the Department of Natural Resources to accept a transfer of property from the Gogebic County Road Commission in Gogebic County and then to transfer that property to Watersmeet Township. The parcel currently is owned by the Gogebic County Road Commission, which received ownership of the parcel from the DNR under the land conveyance authorized by Public Act 183 of 1988. The bill would require Watersmeet Township to use the parcel as a township park. • The bill was passed by the Senate, passed out of the House Committee on Appropriations, and awaits a vote on the House floor. • The Administration supports this legislation.
If you would like to learn more about these and other bills, you can access the Michigan Legislature website at www.legislature.mi.gov.
Division Updates
Follow-up to Questions from June EUPCAC Meeting 1. Park Signage related to Pandemic (asked by Al Garavaglia): Mr. Garavaglia asked for generic information similar to what state parks might use to post on signage in his township park related to the pandemic. Response: Mr. Eric Cowing, Parks & Recreation Supervisor for the East UP provided several samples to Mr. Garavaglia.
2. Licensing System Updates due to Multiple Logins (asked by AJ Downey): Mr. Downey asked if there was system update being planned for the licensing system as he and other agents have experienced downtime due to the need for multiple logins. Response: Ms. Michelle Zellar, Facilities & Operations Division, reported the issue to the licensing staff for further review.
EUP Wildlife Division: Brian Roell, Wildlife Biologist-Marquette ▪ Customer Service Centers and Field Office Closures: Offices remain closed to the public currently. Plans are being developed to reopen them safely however, no timeline has been given for reopening the office. In the meantime, wildlife staff members are continuing to widen their scope of field work and response, while still tele-working from home for normal office activities. This has been a gradual process as the State of Michigan continues to open following the Governor’s Safe Start Plan safety procedures are in place to ensure staff and public safety for these activities. ▪ Field work: Wildlife staff across the region are working with existing supplies to complete priority habitat projects. Governor’s directives currently prohibit spending on new materials and supplies. Staff are preparing hunter walking trails, GEMS, mowing food plots and planting some areas. They are focused on ensuring safe public access to outdoor recreation areas. ▪ Wolf Population: Every other year the DNR Wildlife and U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services staff conduct the minimum winter wolf population survey. The survey was conducted from December through March, before wolves had produced pups, when the population is at its lowest point in the annual cycle. The survey helps us monitor wolf distribution and abundance, answer research questions and evaluate progress toward state and federal recovery goals. This year’s survey estimate found there was a minimum of 695 wolves found among 143 packs across the Upper Peninsula. Over the past decade, Michigan’s minimum population estimate has hovered between 600 and 700 wolves, which is indicative of a stabilizing population.
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▪ Waterfowl Banding: − Geese: Despite work restrictions UP staff members were able to place bands on 233 Canada Geese in three different locations. We banded 53 geese in Marquette, 65 in Escanaba and with help from KBIC 115 birds were banded in Baraga. − Ducks: Banding of ducks across the UP is just starting this week with traps being placed and pre-baiting beginning. ▪ Deer Regulations: − Antlerless: The biggest change approved by the NRC for the UP was to reinstate the antlerless option during archery season. However, several amendments were added to this regulation change. Antlerless deer shall not be taken on a deer license, or deer combination license in the following DMU’s in the Western UP (127, 066, 027, 131, 042, 036 and 031). Antlerless deer shall not be taken on a deer license, or deer combination license in any DMU which has at least 100 nonconsecutive days of 12 inches or more snow in the previous open deer hunting season. Wildlife staff are analyzing the current Snow Data Accumulation System to determine which DMU’s if any will be open this upcoming season to the antlerless option during archery season. − DMU 122: The small western portion of DMU 122 (east of M-95) that was outside the CWD core area designation had the antler point restriction removed to be consistent with the rest of DMU 122. − Muzzleloader: The season dates for muzzleloaders have been changed by the NRC so they are the same across the state. The season will now run December 4th through the 13th statewide. − Youth and Apprentice Hunters: The antler-point restrictions on the deer license and combination deer license have been removed by the NRC for all youth hunters (16 and under) and apprentice hunters in all hunting seasons. − Antlerless license purchase limit: A statewide change was approved by the NRC to set a season purchase limit of up to 10 antlerless deer licenses. Antlerless licenses can still only be used in the appropriate legal DMU. This rule change only affects the maximum number of licenses an individual can buy annually statewide. − Baiting for hunters with disabilities: The NRC removed the single-bite bait regulation to allow hunters with disabilities to use any legal type of bait during the Liberty and Independence hunts. − Hearing impaired hunters: The NRC is now allowing a deaf person to qualify to participate in the Liberty and Independence hunts. ▪ Disease Sample: The current UP plan is to accept CWD Core Surveillance samples from Nov 2nd – Dec 4th. We will be offering very limited “Hunter Service Testing” for Dickinson County only from Nov 15 – 18 only. All other “Hunter Service Testing” will be referred to private labs. Details on how hunters can submit samples to private labs will be available soon. ▪ Deer Check: We are planning for several scenarios and intend to be adaptable. However, we do know that deer check will be greatly reduced and may only be available at Customer Service Centers and limited field locations. Tentative plans have most Service Centers only open from November 15th to 18th and expanded dates in Escanaba and Norway for CWD surveillance.
Eastern UP Fisheries Division – Cory Kovacs, Lake Superior Management Unit Unit Update ▪ Field staff has been able to complete a few surveys after returning to the field in some limited capacity. Lake surveys have been conducted on Chris Brown Lake and Dutch Fred Lake. Stream surveys have been conducted on Sullivan Creek, Two Hearted River, and Little Two Hearted River. More sampling to be conducted in August, primarily on streams. ▪ Field staff has conducted summer limnological profiles on many area lakes investigating temperature and dissolved oxygen regimes. This is part of the Division’s effort to understand more about impacts on inland waters from increasing atmospheric temperatures over time. ▪ Staff participated in the Forest Resources Division pre-review for the EUP Forest Management Units. ▪ Lake trout fishing in Lake Superior has been outstanding. Many limits of fish being caught and high catch rates across all ports. Many 15-20 inch lake trout being reported which is highly encouraging for new recruits to the fishery and
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future stock. Because Lake Superior was so cold for so long, fish were scattered throughout the watercolumn making them more accessible in the nearshore areas in water depths less than 60 feet. ▪ As part of a 10 year study beginning in 2021, all splake stocked in Lake Superior will be fin clipped. Objectives of the study are to measure splake harvest ratios (return-to-creel); measure dispersal and home range of splake; measure variations in key fisheries metrics (harvest ratios, harvest, size composition) by year and location. Staff will be marking splake near the end of August at the Marquette State Fish Hatchery. ▪ Managers have received a multitude of phone calls from the public regarding remote fishing locations across the Upper Peninsula. Most callers have indicated they are seeking locations in the Upper Peninsula since they cannot cross the Canadian border to fish in northern Ontario. ▪ As of August 7, a total of 15 muskellunge harvested thus far for 20/21 fishing season. This is slightly ahead of the pace for the 19/20 fishing season. As of August 7, one lake sturgeon has been harvested. The season opened for lake sturgeon harvest on July 16. See page 15 in the Fishing Guide for details regarding locations for fishing and possession seasons for lake sturgeon.
UP Hatchery Unit Updates by Jan VanAmberg at Marquette & Thompson State Fish Hatcheries Thompson State Fish Hatchery ▪ Fish Culture − No fish on-site due to cancellation of egg takes this spring so no local updates but staff have been busy assisting with various maintenance projects. − Matt and Nick spent a week down on the Black River assisting Research Section with juvenile Lake Sturgeon surveys. − The culture crew will be assisting Research Section weekly in the month of August and September with nearshore fish community surveys along the north shore of Lake Michigan and Bay’s de Noc. ▪ Maintenance − Progress on the capital outlay project is very tangible lately. Progress since the last update include: • All of the ½ acre ponds have internal kettle structures complete or nearly complete. All the ponds have at least some concrete poured for the kettles. Most ponds are close to final grade with pond lining planned to start before the end of the month. • Progress on the coolwater building is also progressing with much of the plumbing, mechanical and electrical roughed in. • Electrical work at the coldwater facility is progressing with much of the electrical equipment on-site and one of two panels installed. Backup generator is ordered. • Discussions are on-going with the engineers and the outside feeder manufacturer regarding the most efficient way to install the feeder system to ensure the best feed distribution. − Entire staff is assisting maintenance in installing the fall protection systems on our planting units. As of 8/10 ten of 16 trucks are complete. They are averaging better than a truck a day saving nearly $22,000 in labor costs. − The water supply pipe feeding the degassing tower for the deep wells broke during the rearing cycle and required down time to repair. The temporary patch was made permanent. All staff assisted. − Culture staff are taking advantage of the extended down time in the raceways buy removing all the dam boards, selecting ones for repair or replacement and grinding all the keyways smooth. An experiment with a poured concrete dam board will be attempted on one raceway this summer/fall. − Plans are being discussed for a whole-facility disinfection this fall. − Purchase order in place to buy all the building materials to replace all the doors and siding on the seven-stall storage building. Staff with provide the labor to install as time allows. Marquette State Fish Hatchery ▪ Fish Culture − With being short one staff and temporary layoff days only the basic daily work is getting done. All the lots are healthy at this time. − Plans are progressing to receive the Arctic Grayling from Oden sometime in September. Current plans are to keep them inside on protected well water until sometime in 2021.
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▪ Maintenance − New dam boards were cut for the broodstock raceways. − Sand removal for the Cherry Creek channel behind broodstock building is on-going. − 50% design submittal for the Cherry Creek bank stabilization project (DTMB- Major Maintenance) was complete. Preliminary construction cost estimates are $1.2 million. − Staff fabricated new hangers for settling basin pumping equipment which turned the annual clean-out, which is normally a full day project with the entire crew, into a three-hour effort. − Bi-annual UV bulb replacement was competed for the broodstock UV system.
Finance & Operations: Michelle Zellar, Eastern UP ▪ We are continuing to operate under the DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PLAN approved by the Office of the State Employer, which continues to be primarily teleworking. ▪ Temporary lay-off days ended as of July 25, 2020, so staff are now back to working normally assigned schedules. ▪ Customer Service staff continue to do an excellent job ensuring constituents are getting their internal and external needs met. ▪ Division-wide meetings are being scheduled, and budget talks for the next fiscal year are being conducted amongst executives. Tough decisions are expected to be made. ▪ If you would like a copy of the most current license sales information presented at the July NRC meeting, please let Kristi know.
August 2020 8/1 – Crow re-opens (open dates are 8/1 – 9/30 and 2/1 – 3/31) 8/1 – Deadline for Fall Turkey applications 8/1 – May apply for Reserved Waterfowl hunts 8/1 – Hook & Lure size/weight restrictions begin on all streams (through 5/31, see p. 11) 8/10 – May place bear blinds in Zone 1 and may place bear baits in Zone 1 8/15 – Deadline for Antlerless Deer applications (also Reserved Deer Hunts) 8/?? – Fall Turkey Drawing results posted on website 8/17 – May place bear blinds in Zone 2 (see Bear Digest for baiting dates) 8/?? - Leftover Turkey Licenses on sale (for unsuccessful applicants, others on 9/??) 8/28 – Deadline to apply for Reserved Waterfowl
September 2020 9/1 – Goose, Teal, Snipe, Rail seasons open (see digest for periods and bag limits) 9/1 – May place tree stands, ladders, steps, and Type 3 deer blinds on State land 9/1 – Elk Hunt #1 opens (see Elk Digest for all hunt period dates) 9/5 – Sturgeon opens on the Boundary Waters (closes 9/30) 9/?? – Drawing Results for Antlerless Deer posted on Web site 9/?? – Leftover and OTC Antlerless licenses on sale at 10:00 am 9/9 – Bear hunting begins in the U.P. 9/13 – Bear hunting opens in Lower Peninsula units (9/14 with dogs) 9/12 and 9/13 – Liberty Hunt for deer, see pgs. 27 and 30 9/15 – Small Game Opener (Rabbit, Hare, Ruffed Grouse, Fox/Gray/Black Squirrel) 9/15 – Fall Turkey season opens (through 11/14) 9/15 – Turtle seasons close (Snappers and Softshells) 9/15 – Can place bait for Deer (except in closed counties, see pg. 44-51) 9/19 and 9/20 – Early Antlerless Firearm Deer season (see digest for areas) 9/19 & 9/20 – Youth Waterfowl Hunt 9/19 – Woodcock opener 9/21 – LP Bear firearm seasons end (Note: closes 9/19 for bait hunters) 9/26 – Duck Hunting opens in the North Zone
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9/30 – Crow season closes; Sturgeon closes on Lk. St. Clair, St. Clair R., and Boundary Waters. 9/30 – Trout Season closes on most inland streams 9/30 – Snowmobile Licenses expire
Forest Resources Division: Tom Seablom, Acting Eastern UP Supervisor ▪ Timber Sales − 15 sales offered, 14 sales sold and 1 with no bids (low ground, low volume sale). Most sales have had several bidders and prices well over minimum. − Upland pine and hardwood sales are drawing most interest due to existing markets. − Harvesting activity is ongoing, but at a moderate pace for this time of year. Some of the slowdown is possibly due to bark slippage restrictions, available workforce and uncertain markets. − All staff have been involved in preparing annual timber sales and much work has been accomplished thus far. ▪ Forest Inventory − Fieldwork is complete or nearly complete for the 2022 planning year. − 2 out of 3 Unit pre-reviews have been completed for the 2022 YOE in the past couple weeks. The final Unit pre- review is in two weeks. The Sault Unit’s compartment packets will be posted by August 16, with Shingleton posting on September 1. Comments will be taken online through Mi State Forest web app, instead of an in- person Open House. Comment periods generally run for one month. ▪ Cultivation − Trenching/site prep for pine • Trenching has been completed on 447 acres in the Newberry Unit, and 30 acres on the Sault Unit. • Trenching is currently occurring on the Shingleton Unit − Scarification/site prep for pine • Holli Forest Products has completed 208 acres, roughly 1/3 of the scarification acres on their contract. They are currently working in the Pretty Lakes area on the Newberry Unit. • DNR staff have completed 20 acres of scarification in the Shingleton Unit, currently still working on the Unit. − Roller Chopping: Roller Chopping is complete on 124 acres on the Thompson Plains in the Shingleton Unit. − MWR • Contractor (Wetland and Wildlife Solutions) has begun spraying the research sites in the EUP as of 7/31/2020. Spraying should be completed within the next couple weeks. • DNR personnel will follow these treatments with scarification of the sites a minimum of 2 weeks following the spraying treatments • DNR staff will be completing the scarification on the larger MWR sites within the next 2 weeks. ▪ Fire − No fire activity in the EUP in the past couple months. − Fire staff have been assisting land management personnel with timber sale prep activities, and also assisting the surveyor as needed. ▪ Road and Bridge − Road project funding was released to start engineering for the Batty Doe Lake Road bridge project. The bridge is currently load limited to 6 tons per axle. − There have been some road issue complaints (high water issues, grading needed, etc) but no additional money has been approved. ▪ Facilities − All current facility projects (1 in Newberry) are currently postponed due to the Governor’s Discretionary Spending Directive. ▪ Land Use: Shingleton Unit is working on an invasive species permit for Alger Conservation District. ▪ Forest Health − Annual forest health survey and monitoring activities are in progress. Due to covid restrictions, limited aerial survey flights were not approved until late July, too late to observe the typical U.P. defoliation events.
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• Reports and ground-based observations from the east U.P. suggest patchy moderate spruce budworm defoliation of fir and spruce, fairly widespread larch casebearer activity on tamarack with good growth of healthy needles this summer, and some isolated areas of jack pine budworm defoliation. Forest tent caterpillar populations crashed in most locations across the east U.P. with very little defoliation this year. • Young pine, especially jack pine, was badly damaged in several areas by last winter’s ice storm and extensive dieback or mortality has been observed due to breakage and Diplodia infection. Pine-pine gall rust and eastern pine weevil damage has been extensive in a few stands. • Redheaded pine sawfly is active in some young jack pine stands in northern Luce County. ▪ Commercial Forest − This year’s public hearings for Commercial Forest listing applications will be by teleconference and not in person. Information on how to call in will be published in local newspapers at a later date along with a description of properties being applied for CF listing. The hearings for the EUP are scheduled for September. ▪ Research: Nothing to report. ▪ Training: Staff have used telework time to complete on-line training, including Microsoft Teams which has aided staff in staying connected and running remote meetings. ▪ Vacancies: At least 4 positions are on hold in the EUP due to the Governor’s hiring freeze. ▪ Other − Offices are still not open and staff will continue to telework as needed. − The 10 temporary layoff days (one per week) between May 18 and July 24 are now complete and staff is back to working full time. − Sault Unit is working on some small ORV restoration projects across the Unit. − Newberry Unit is working on hazard tree removal on ski trails (Canada Lakes and Paradise).
Law Enforcement Division (LED): Lt. Skip Hagy, Eastern District 2 Law Supervisor Officers across the District have been keeping very busy with a higher than normal amount of people recreating across the UP, likely due to Covid-related issues of people both working remotely and being out of work. Below are some of the events officers have been involved in. District 2 Biweekly Report 7-13-2020 ▪ CO Robert Freeborn was on patrol when he observed a dirt bike riding a wheelie on a state highway. As CO Freeborn went by the dirt bike, the operator kept looking back over his shoulder. CO Freeborn turned his patrol vehicle around and an enforcement stop was made on the bike. A citation was issued for operating on a state highway. Several hours later CO Freeborn responded to a report of a dirt bike accident in the City of Manistique. Upon arrival CO Freeborn immediately recognized the subject as the same subject that he wrote a citation for riding a wheelie on a state highway. MSP handled the investigation. ▪ CO Robert Freeborn was just launching his boat when he heard a call for an available unit for an AED incident. CO Freeborn was the closest officer in the area and responded to the scene. Upon arrival CO Freeborn located an unresponsive subject who was not breathing. CO Freeborn immediately hooked up his AED to the subject and ran it through the checks. After the AED advised no shock, EMS arrived on scene and took over. Upon further analysis by EMS, it was determined the subject was already deceased. ▪ While working a busy 4th of July, COs Robert Freeborn and Mike Evink patrolled the water checking salmon fisherman. Over a hundred boats were checked and overall compliance was good. The COs did issue 2 citations for fishing with more than 3 lines. ▪ While on routine patrol, CO Robert Freeborn observed a vehicle travel at a high rate of speed and pass CO Mike Evink who was behind him and then pass CO Freeborn nearly causing a head on collision with an oncoming car. A traffic stop was made on the vehicle and the driver was issued a citation for violating the basic speed law. ▪ CO Robert Freeborn assisted the local city police department with a drunk/disorderly subject at a local grocery store. The suspect was advised he was no longer welcome at the store and was given a ride home by the local transit. ▪ CO Chris Lynch successfully served a multiple count arrest warrant without incident on a subject who has shot at geese with a .22 cal rifle on multiple occasions hitting some of them. The suspect is facing charges related to illegally taking waterfowl, discharging a firearm within the safety zone of several houses, and reckless discharge of a firearm. ▪ CO Chris Lynch successfully served a multiple count arrest warrant without incident on a subject who was involved with two others in illegally taking deer last year during the rifle season. The suspect is facing charges for taking deer without a license, taking deer with the use of an artificial light, taking deer from a motor vehicle, taking deer outside of legal shooting hours, and shinning with a weapon in possession. ▪ CO Chris Lynch was on patrol when a call for an overturned kayak came out. The kayaker entered a portion of the river with rapids and came across debris blocking the river, got stuck in the debris, and ultimately overturned. The kayaker lost his kayak and was stuck in the rapids with his partner. One of them was able to call 911 and while units were responding, the kayakers were able to get onto a little island that was in the river. CO Lynch loaded a canoe and Cpl. Mike Hammill loaded an ORV and responded to the scene. The COs assisted in locating the
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stranded kayakers. The kayakers were ultimately located and though shaken up, were ok with just minor injuries. Paramedics were standing by on scene to check them out. ▪ CO Chris Lynch was on ORV patrol on the trail and when he came across an unlicensed ORV. A traffic stop was conducted, and the operator received a citation for failing to license his ORV. ▪ CO Chris Lynch had loaded up his boat when two ORV’s came in the boat launch riding double, unlicensed, and no helmets. CO Lynch ordered them to stop and both ORV’s fled. CO Lynch left to drop off his boat and would just attempt to locate the ORVs later. 4 different times he observed the ORV’s, activated his lights and they fled. CO Lynch still had his boat and just parked and took video of the suspects eluding getting their faces clearly on video. CO Lynch went and dropped his boat off and went back to the area. CO Lynch observed one of the ORVS and activated his emergency lights and siren and a pursuit ensued. The suspects turned onto a trail and CO Lynch terminated the pursuit. CO Lynch knew where the trail came out and waiting at the end of the trail for the suspects was a sheriff deputy. The deputy had his body camera and a dash cam activated, ordered the suspects to stop, and the suspects eluded. The pursuit continued with the deputy and after ample evidence was obtained the pursuit was terminated. Michigan State Police also assisted with the incident. The investigation to identify the suspects continues. Several felony arrest warrants will be sought for the 4 suspects for the incident. ▪ While patrolling the AuTrain River, COs Andrea Dani and Mark Zitnik accompanied by Federal Forest Officer Dave Tembreull observed a group of five kayakers without Personal Floatation Devices. The group came to shore to meet the officers and present identification. Several of the subjects had difficulty walking to the officers, falling off balance. Officers observed open containers of alcoholic beverages in several of the kayaks. Every kayaker in the group was under the legal age to possess alcohol, and when a Preliminary Breath Test was offered, test results indicating all five kayakers had been drinking. Officers ended the kayakers float and stayed with the group until the PBT results of the kayaker that was supposed to be the designated driver read .000%. All five kayakers were issued a citation for Minor in Possession of Alcohol, and each received a warning for no Personal Floatation Device. ▪ While patrolling Lake Superior, COs Andrea Dani and Mark Zitnik observed a man fishing in Murray’s Bay. The angler was in a Zodiak with a motor, and no registration. Upon contact, officers learned that the angler had caught several fish, but was not sure of what they were. The subject then reeled in a small splake that he lost as he was bringing it into the boat. As the subject held up his stringer, officers observed two undersized splake, the smallest of which fell off the stringer. Officers measured the remaining fish to be 13.5” long, 1.5” short of the minimum size. The angler stated he thought the fish was a Lake Trout. Officers informed the subject that Lake Trout also had to be at least 15” long. The subject was issued a citation for possession of undersized splake. ▪ While responding to a car v. deer accident near the Buckhorn Resort, CO Andrea Dani was stopped by a group of ORVs requesting to report an accident. The ORVs involved were already on a trailer at the Buckhorn Restaurant. According to both drivers and witnesses, the leader of the group, on a four-wheeler, stopped at an intersection to wait. Due to dry conditions, a large amount of dust formed behind him, combined with speed, his follower in a side-by-side to not be able to see his four-wheeler until just before contact. The following ORV was able to slightly swerve left, avoiding a full impact, but collided with the four-wheeler enough to cause the side-by-side to flip multiple times across the intersection. No injuries were reported in the crash. ▪ CO Steve Butzin was on patrol on the Escanaba River when he encountered several individuals using worms on an area closed to live bait. In addition to the two using live bait in a prohibited area one subject did not have a fishing license and the other had a warrant out of Delta County for home invasion in the first degree. A citation was issued for fishing without a license and for possessing live bait in a closed area. The subject with the warrant had to be advised and released due to COVID-19 guidelines at the county jail. ▪ While patrolling Little Bay de Noc over the 4th of July holiday weekend, COs Steve Butzin and Chris Lynch encountered several violations. These violations included individuals fishing without licenses, operating watercraft without navigation lights, and failing to have a PFD while in a watercraft. Several citations were issued. While out on the bay CO’s assisted the Michigan, State Police in responding to a domestic in progress at a local resort near the water. One of the parties involved was an individual who CO Butzin responded to a week prior as she was reported as a lost kayaker. ▪ CO Steve Butzin and Sgt Jerry Fitzgibbon patrolled several small lakes on the Delta and Alger county line. COs encountered several violations including several individuals without PFD’s and individuals pulling water skiers without a spotter, several citations were issued. ▪ COs Andrea Dani and Mark Zitnik patrolled Lake Superior shoreline in Alger county on July 4th. The COs made over 60 contacts, most of which were in good compliance to water safety regulations this holiday. They did write 2 citations for operating greater than slow no wake speed less than 200 feet from Great Lakes shoreline. ▪ CO Mark Zitnik was on M-28 patrolling his way to Munising when he observed a side-by-side operating on the highway, which then pulled into the Brownstone Inn restaurant. The CO conducted a traffic stop and asked the operator of the ORV why he was driving down the busy highway. The driver replied, “The ORV trail to the restaurant is too rough” and he noted he was in a hurry to eat the mushroom soup, the driver was issued a citation for operating an ORV on a highway. ▪ CO Mark Zitnik was dispatched to an incident report of a side-by-side submerged in water on an ORV trail. Upon arrival, CO Zitnik found the vehicle was submerged in water with the 3 occupants (mother and two young children) soaked and standing in the bed of the vehicle. The CO waded out to it and assisted the 8 and 5-year-old children back to the vehicle to stay warm. The tow company arrived to pull the disabled vehicle out of the water and with the help of the CO, were able to get the ORV out of the water. Everyone was safe. ▪ CO Mike Olesen received a tip that an individual was attempting to give away what they believed to be loosestrife an invasive plant. CO Olesen contacted the party that had the plant listed and informed them that their actions were illegal. The owners were unaware of the exact species of the plant they were attempting to get rid of, just compared pictures. The plants that were listed as loosestrife were properly disposed of and the individuals were educated on how destructive this plant can be. ▪ CO Cole VanOosten was on marine patrol of the Lower Millecoquins River when he observed a fishing pole leaning up against a chair and the fishing line and bobber in the water. CO VanOosten was unable to locate anyone in the immediate area. CO VanOosten finally found the owner of the fishing pole who stated he had gone for an approximately ½ mile walk and the pole had been like that for approximately 20 minutes. A citation was issued to the individual for fishing with lines not in immediate control. ▪ COs Justin Vinson and Cole VanOosten were on 4th of July Marine Patrol when they observed two Personal Watercrafts (PWC’s) with 2 occupants on each machine driving recklessly and swerving towards other boats and swimmers in the water. Contact was made and a citation
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was issued to both operators for careless operation of PWC’s and warnings were issued for operating PWC’s at greater than no wake within 100’ of a dock, within 100’ of another boat, and for operating an unregistered watercraft. ▪ COs Colton Gelinas and Cole VanOosten were on marine patrol of South Manistique Lake prior to the July 4th firework show when they observed a pontoon operating after sunset without navigation lights. A stop was initiated, and it was determined that there was only one working light on the boat. Upon contact officers observed a large number of alcoholic containers throughout the boat and it was determined that the operator had been drinking. Standardized Field Sobriety tests were conducted, and it was determined that the operator of the boat was operating under illegal levels of intoxicants. The driver of the vessel was arrested and lodged in the Mackinac County Jail. ▪ COs Colton Gelinas and Cole VanOosten were on marine patrol of South Manistique Lake prior to the July 4th firework show when they observed four individuals fishing. Contact was made and it was determined that they did not have a type 4 throwable PFD and an individual on the boat did not have her fishing license with her but stated that she had bought one. A check on the radio determined that the fisherwoman has not bought a license since 2015. After confronting the woman on this she stated that after she thought about it, she remembered that maybe she had not bought a license this year. A citation was issued for fishing without a license and a warning was issued for fail to provide a type 4 PFD. ▪ COs Justin Vinson and Cole VanOosten were on 4th of July Marine Patrol when they observed a pontoon towing a young child on a tube without an observer present. Contact was made and it was determined that the vessel also did not have MC numbers displayed. A citation was issued for towing without an observer and a warning was issued for failure to display registration numbers. ▪ COs Justin Vinson and Cole VanOosten were on 4th of July Marine Patrol when they observed a pontoon without registration numbers or registration decal displayed. The COs made contact and it was determined that none of the 4 adults on board had personal flotation devices. A citation was issued for failure to provide PFD’s. ▪ COs Todd Sumbera, Cole Vanoosten, Justin Vinson, Colton Gelinas and Sgt. Calvin Smith had a dedicated marine patrol in Les Cheneaux Islands participating in Operation Dry Water. The COs encountered many boaters and people that were vacationing in this area for the July 4th weekend. During the patrol numerous citations were issued for safety violations including no life jackets, careless operation of PWC and failing to have an observer while having a person in tow. During the patrol COs Todd Sumbera and Cole VanOosten observed a boat that was displaying an expired registration. A stop was made on the vessel and an investigation determined the operator was two times over the legal alcohol limit. The operator of the boat was lodged in the Mackinac County jail. To conclude the evening, COs monitored the Cedarville Fireworks making sure all in attendance were doing so in a safe manner.
District 2 Biweekly Report 7-27-2020 ▪ COs Michael Evink and Robert Freeborn responded to Dodge Lake in Schoolcraft county. The call was about a truck, trailer and boat that rolled in the lake and were completely submerged. Once on-scene it was clear that all people were safe, and the vehicle was deep enough that the newly formed Schoolcraft County dive team was called to safely hook the truck to the tow truck to be removed. ▪ CO Mike Evink was working on paperwork at the Manistique Marina when he noticed a golf cart signaling for assistance. CO Evink went to check on the situation and observed a male on the ground. CO Evink requested EMS personal and assisted until the individual was turned over to EMS. The individual had been stung by multiple bees while attempting to use the local take a book – leave a book program. ▪ CO Michael Evink was conducting a PWC patrol on Indian Lake when observed a PWC whose operator did not have a life jacket on. CO Evink made contact and the operator was apologetic and knew he was supposed to wear one. He was issued a ticket for operating a PWC without a PFD. ▪ CO Andrea Dani assisted in the search for a potentially injured/suicidal male along the Pictured Rocks shoreline. Alger County Sheriff’s Department received a call indicating a man was sawing off his leg on the Pictured Rocks beach. The call was then dropped due to poor cell coverage. Several beaches are located along the Pictured Rocks shoreline between Munising and Grand Marais and thousands of tourists visit the beaches every day. Alger County Sheriff’s Deputies, National Park Law Enforcement, and CO Dani coordinated their search efforts by checking different beaches. Dispatch then received information providing a vehicle description. The subject was located by a National Park officer and determined to be unharmed. ▪ CO Andrea Dani received a call from Alger County Dispatch regarding an unruly crowd on the beach at AuTrain Lake Campground. Upon arriving to the scene, the complainant advised of a verbal altercation between his wife and a group on the beach that refused to leash their dogs. CO Dani contacted the group, which only had one dog on site, that was leashed. The other dog owner left after the conversation with the complainant’s wife to pick up a leash for the dog. No violations were present. ▪ CO Andrea Dani and Federal Forest Officer David Tembreull performed a marine patrol of the AuTrain River. Two citations were issued for failure to provide a Personal Floatation Device in a kayak. It is estimated that approximately 1,000 people made the float that day, with at least one kayak rental company in AuTrain selling out of kayaks. ▪ CO Robert Freeborn assisted MSP in a motorcycle PI where a motorcyclist struck a wolf. The motorcyclist lost control and left the roadway and skidded into the ditch. The motorcyclist sustained injuries and was transported by EMS to the local hospital. The wolf was killed in the accident and was turned over to wildlife division. ▪ CO Robert Freeborn assisted MSP in locating missing children who left on a walk several hours earlier on a Lake Michigan beach and had not returned. CO Freeborn and MSP began looking for the kids and shortly after they returned home. ▪ While checking an ORV trail, CO Robert Freeborn observed a 4 wheeler riding on the trail with 2 subjects riding on a single person ORV. Both subjects did not have helmet on as well. CO Freeborn contacted the subjects who stated they were just going swimming in the river. CO Freeborn advised the subjects of the laws on ORV and issued a citation for operating an ORV without a helmet. ▪ CO Freeborn received a TX from a camp owner in northern Schoolcraft County. The camp owner advised that he had several wireless trail cams out and 2 of them went offline and asked if he could check on the cameras and camp, fearing trespassers and potential theft. CO Freeborn located a couple of the cameras but was unable to locate the other 2. After reviewing footage on the working cameras and looking around in the sand, CO Freeborn determined that a bear was the culprit in the camera theft due to the hair left on the working cameras and close up pictures of a black bear. The camp owner was relieved it wasn’t human activity.
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▪ COs Robert Freeborn and Michel Evink assisted MSP in a dirt bike PI. The rider had struck a tree in the trail and possibly lost conscious and broke a few ribs. The rider was able to make it out to the trail head where he was checked out by EMS. The rider refused treatment at a hospital and went back to riding for the day. ▪ CO Steve Butzin served an arrest warrant on an individual from an incident that occurred a few months ago. The individual was found to be in possession of several smallmouth bass out of season, the individual also tried to dump the fish into a river once he saw CO Butzin. CO Butzin was forced to remove the individual and the fish from the river. The subject is being arraigned at the 94th District Court in Delta County. ▪ CO Steve Butzin encountered several ORV violations while on routine patrol. These violations included individuals operating without ORV permits, operating on the highway, and careless operation. Several citations for these violations were issued. ▪ COs Chris Lynch and Steve Butzin were on ORV patrol when they observed an ORV operating on a public highway. A traffic stop was conducted and contact with the occupants was made. The driver was determined to have a suspended driver’s license. A citation was issued. ▪ CO Todd Sumbera was conducting a marine patrol when he contacted a couple of fishermen. One individual immediately set down his fishing rod, stating that he did not think he had a fishing license. DNR dispatch confirmed this and a citation was issued for fishing without a license. ▪ CO Mike Olesen was on patrol in Chippewa County when an ORV was observed operating down a Michigan highway. A traffic stop was conducted, and contact was made with the operator and passenger of the ORV. CO Olesen cited the driver of the ORV for operating an ORV on a state highway. The driver was then escorted back to the ORV trail and given proper directions to get to their destination. ▪ CO Mike Olesen patrolled the lower Saint Mary’s River. During the patrol CO Olesen came in contact with a fisherman from Canada that was currently in Michigan waters. CO Olesen informed the fisherman of his location and that due to the current closed border between Michigan and Canada that he would have to return to Canadian waters. ▪ CO Cole VanOosten checked several fishermen on the local lakes in Luce County. During one of the checks CO VanOosten observed two smallmouth bass that looked well short of the legal-size limit of 14 inches. After measuring the fish that were both short by over two inches the fisherman was issued a citation for possessing an undersized smallmouth bass.
District 2 Biweekly Report 8-10-2020 ▪ CO Mark Zitnik observed a father and son fishing on the backside of McKeever lake late one evening. The CO waited for the anglers to arrive at the boat launch before checking them. Once at the launch CO Zitnik asked to see the fathers fishing license. The father went into the boat to grab his wallet assuring he had purchased one. A moment later he informed the CO that his mother had brought him to the store, and he forgot his wallet, so he did not buy a fishing license. The man was issued a citation for fish no license. ▪ COs Andrea Dani and Mark Zitnik worked a group ORV patrol on Lake Superior from their patrol boat, focusing on illegal use of ORV’s along the beach. The COs were working in conjunction with COs Cole VanOosten and Justin Vinson who were on their ORV’s and responding to any ORV issues that were observed from the lake. In total for the patrol 7 citations were issued. 6 of which were from a group of 12 side by sides that COs observed from their vessel, operating on the Lake Superior Shoreline. ▪ COs Steve Butzin and Chris Lynch were patrolling the Marquette and Delta County line. COs encountered several fishermen, when one of the anglers saw the COs he dropped his fishing pole and began to look the other direction. Further investigation found that the angler did not have a valid fishing license and had an outstanding warrant for contempt of court on a domestic violence charge in Marquette County. The angler was issued a citation for fishing without a license and arrested on his outstanding warrant. ▪ COs Steve Butzin and Chris Lynch were on patrol in the Brampton area when CO Butzin heard several ORVs coming from behind them. CO Butzin stepped out of his patrol vehicle and observed two dirt bikes without ORV permits frantically trying to turn around in the trail. CO Butzin waved his hands and told them to stop. The individuals continued to drive away. COs followed the two briefly with lights and siren activated before one stopped at a residence up the road, the other operator continued. Further investigation found that the individual that stopped, had stopped at the other operator’s residence. The two operators were juveniles. A guardian was contacted at the residence and was instructed to go find his child that continued to drive away. Several minutes later the guardian returned with the operator. The operator that continued despite being signaled by the COs emergency lights and sirens thought it was funny and laughed about the situation. He was issued two citations into probate court for operating an ORV without a permit, and careless operation of a motor vehicle which carries three points on a driver’s license which the operator will soon have. The other operator was given several warnings. ▪ COs Andrea Dani and Mark Zitnik were on patrol in Wetmore when officers observed a side-by-side traveling east-bound on M-28. The ORV crossed through the intersection of M-28 and H-13, notably one of the busiest intersections in the county, and continued east-bound. Officers conducted a traffic stop, and a citation was issued for operating an ORV on a highway. ▪ COs Andrea Dani and Mike Evink responded to a call regarding a fox stranded on a sandy spot on the east side of Grand Island. It appears the fox had fallen off of the rock cliff above and landed on the sandy portion below. The rock face was too high and steep for the fox to go back up, and too far from a lower elevation shoreline for the fox to swim to. Officers were able to catch the young fox with a catch pole and kept him secured for transportation. The fox did not appear to be injured and was released back on to Grand Island in a more easily accessible location. ▪ CO Michael Evink conducted a marine patrol of Lake Michigan. The first Salmon boat CO Evink encountered was using too many lines. CO Evink issued a ticket for fishing with too many lines. ▪ CO Todd Sumbera was conducting a marine patrol when he observed an individual fishing with five lines in the water. CO Sumbera contacted the individual and informed him that the legal number of allowed lines is three. The fishermen stated that he usually runs four lines when he fishes. A citation was issued for fishing with more than three lines. ▪ CO Todd Sumbera was patrolling the North side of Drummond Island just West of Harbor Island when he spotted an overturned personal watercraft (PWC) with two individuals hanging onto the side. CO Sumbera arrived on scene stating that he is here to help, the 64-year-old individual stated that his friend does not know how to swim. CO Sumbera noticed that the younger individual was panicking and very exhausted, stating “Thank God” when the CO arrived. ▪ CO Sumbera was able to help turn the PWC right side up, it was full of water and unable to be operated. CO Sumbera used the swim ladder on his patrol boat to help the individuals aboard. When on board the younger man dropped to the floor in the front of the boat stating he has no energy left. He also stated that he had drank “gallons of water and felt like he was going to puke.” The gentlemen stated that due to the
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high winds and rough water when they put the PWC in reverse it swamped them extremely fast. The operator stated that he had never operated a PWC. Battling the wind and waves, CO Sumbera got the men safely aboard and secured the PWC to his patrol vessel with a rear tow line. CO Sumbera asked the men how long they had been overturned, they stated at least 10 minutes. CO Sumbera safely returned the men and PWC to Yacht Haven on Drummond Island. Both men were wearing torn and improperly fitting life vests, CO Sumbera notified them to get some well maintained and proper fitting life vests before their next venture. When departing the men thanked CO Sumbera for rescuing them from the water. ▪ COs Mike Olesen and Todd Sumbera patrolled the Saint Mary’s River from Sault Saint Marie. During the patrol, an individual was spotted attempting to snag salmon. Contact was made with the individual and it was determined that he was a tribal member snagging without proper licensing. The individual was cited into tribal court and the snagging equipment was turned over to tribal law enforcement. ▪ CO Mike Olesen performed an ORV patrol of Western Chippewa County. During the patrol, many ORV riders were contacted. One operator was given a verbal warning for improper display of ORV licenses. ▪ COs Justin Vinson, Cole Vanoosten, Andrea Dani, and Mark Zitnik, along with Luce County Sheriff, and Alger County Sheriff Departments Deputies, conducted a joint patrol along the Lake Superior Shoreline focusing on coastal zone management and illegal ORV activity. The patrol resulted in several contacts being made, along with several citations being issued for violations such as open intoxicants in an ORV, driving without a seat belt, creating erosive conditions, operating an ORV in a closed area, and operating an ORV when license revoked. ▪ COs Justin Vinson and Cole VanOosten responded to several camping related complaints, in southwest Mackinac County. The two officers discovered several groups disperse camping without camping permits and staying longer than 15 days. Citations were issued for camping without posting a camp card. ▪ COs Justin Vinson and Cole Vanoosten responded to a conflict at The Mouth of The Two Hearted campground in northern Luce County. After interviewing both parties staking claim to a campsite, it was determined both parties committed violations in attempts to obtain the campsite. Both parties received warnings and advised that if campground rules could not be followed, they would be removed from the campground. ▪ COs Justin Vinson and Cole VanOosten were on ORV patrol when they observed two side-by-sides exit off M-28 and proceed to drag race down a dirt county road. The two machines took up the whole road and one of the operators was operating against the flow of traffic for over a mile. A traffic stop was initiated, and a citation was issued for careless operation and warnings were issued for operating on a state highway. ▪ COs Todd Sumbera and Cole VanOosten were on ORV patrol when they observed a side-by-side operate in a careless manor and nobody on board was wearing seatbelts. A traffic stop was initiated, and it was found that both occupants had open containers of alcohol on board. SFST’s were administered to ensure the operator was fit to drive and citations were issued for open intoxicants and warnings were given for not wearing seatbelts. ▪ CO Cole VanOosten swore to and served two felony warrants and one misdemeanor warrant for three suspects involved in the illegal cutting and sale of timber off state land. The total estimated value of the theft totaled over $2800 with a total restitution sought totaling approximately $10,500.
Marketing & Outreach Division: Jon Spieles, Statewide Interpretive Manager Following are highlights of our work over the last couple months: ▪ DNR education staff are in the middle of another huge summer at our ten visitor centers in State Parks and Fish Hatcheries across the state. The outdoor recreation surge has impacted all of our operations at a time when we are running with no seasonal employee help. We are limiting hours and have eliminated all campground programming. ▪ We ran three Bear Hunting Workshops on weekends through the end of July for a limited group of participants. The programs were full, run outside exclusively and with masks and distancing practices in place. The 24th Annual Saginaw Bay Waterfowl Festival, Black Iron Days at Hartwick Pines and U.P. State Fair in Escanaba and many other great events have been shelved in 2020. ▪ The the 12th annual DNR Academy of Natural Resources has also been cancelled for 2020 at both the RAM Center and the UP program we run every year at the Ford Center near Baraga. We are already planning the 2021 edition of both. ▪ Online license sales remain up with a 145% increase over last year with numbers for hunting and fishing continue to pace ahead of last year. Total unique fishing customers are up 9.3%. The increase continues uneven distribution across our angler age groups. Those that are 65 years old or older are down 2.8% while those age 17-24 are up 22%. ▪ Total unique hunting customers are up 25%. The same age group trends are found in the hunting customers. ▪ Nonresident fish customers are down 6 percent while nonresident hunt customers are up 17%. ▪ Total lodging reservations are down 16.7% through the month of June but demand currently is very strong. ▪ The SOS Rec passport revenue is down 1.8 percent through the month of June. ▪ ORV reporting data for July is not yet available. In June ORV License sales were up 17.6% and trail use up 24.7%.
Parks & Recreation Division: Eric Cowing, Eastern UP Supervisor Brimley State Park/Detour Harbor/Lime Island ▪ Detour Village BAS break wall project construction is scheduled to begin in September 2020.
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▪ Lime Island Harbor upgrade project: Recently approved to move forward to 100% Design. ▪ Brimley State Park received money from Stewardship to replace a cracked beam in the Picnic Shelter (delayed due to COVID-19). ▪ Lime Island RA received money from Stewardship to develop a cultural resource management plan (delayed due to COVID-19). ▪ Lime Island RA received money from Stewardship to assess/stabilize/interpret the kilns on the island (delayed due to COVID-19). ▪ Algonquin Pathway received money from Trails Section to replace the poles and lights on the cross-country ski trail lighted loop (delayed due to COVID-19). ▪ Lime Island AST project was awarded to a consultant for planning/design (delayed due to COVID-19). ▪ Brimley seasonal ranger vacancy- conducted interviews for a second time and waiting for HR approval to offer. ▪ Lime Island seasonal ranger vacancy- received candidates. Currently screening applicants. ▪ Both units not fully staffed with summer worker position. ▪ Lime Island Harbor wooden crib docks didn’t make it through winter ice and high water and were not usable this summer. Limited broadside mooring is available on the coal dock. ▪ The Lime Island Schoolhouse and Superintendents residence have not been given the go ahead to open to the public due to COVID-19. They may remain closed. ▪ DeTour Harbor installed 6-8 longer spuds on floating dock structure due to high water. ▪ It has been very challenging to operate/maintain facilities (especially off-site locations) due to staff shortages and COVID restrictions.
Fayette Historic State Park ▪ Townsite: General reactionary maintenance to window sashes, doors, locks, etc. Working with Professionals & PRD/MHC team to address fire suppression/prevention (on hold). Removed remainder of rotted support beams in Machine Shop floor in preparation for new floor. Was able to get new support beams and flooring prior to the shutdown, hoping to begin installation Fall/early winter ▪ Park: Covid-19 is a different state of affairs and we are in reactionary mode to most issues. Capacitors on grinder/lift pumps at campground Toilet/Shower building were in process of burning out. Was able to limp along for 24 hours manually turning on one pump to empty pit. Repair was made by Rasmussan Electric and we are back in business. Portage Bay State Campground: Opened a week late after needing to replace hand pump. Has been busier this year than we have ever seen. Two summer employees short for season. MHC only able to hire one interpreter this season. ▪ All events cancelled. ▪ Campground has been almost, if not full every night since opening on June 22. ▪ Covid-19 changed all plans and actions!
Indian Lake State Park & Palms Book State Park ▪ Indian lake state park is moving forward with the new well. Abandonment of old well and drilling of new well has taken place. Waiting on bacteria tests and chlorinization of system but should be back up and running by August 21st. ▪ Palms book canopy replacement also is moving forward, expected to be complete by this fall. ▪ New vault toilet installed at Laughing Whitefish Falls to replace one that failed. ▪ South Gemini now has a cement pad around new well. ▪ Unit Supervisor vacant due to retirement. ▪ Short 4 summer staff all summer. ▪ Summer staff leaving early due to colleges starting early this year. ▪ Indian Lake State Park has been operating as a semi-modern campground all season with no modern restrooms or showers. ▪ Indian Lake State Park is nearly filling on weekends even as semi-modern. ▪ Rustic campgrounds have seen increased use all summer.
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Muskallonge Lake State Park ▪ West Toilet/shower building re-model. Women’s bathroom is in the process of upgrades including new sinks, stalls, paint and flooring. This project is being completed by Ranger staff. ▪ Difficulty hiring summer staff and have run a few short all season. With colleges returning early, down to 4 summer employees. ▪ Campgrounds have been busy and full most of the summer.
Straits State Park/Mackinac Island/Father Marquette ▪ Capital projects for both Mackinac Island State Harbor and Straits State Park are on hold. ▪ Father Marquette capital project has been given the approval to move forward. ▪ Starting to lose summer staff making operations difficult. ▪ Mackinac Island Harbor has not had electricity available to boaters this summer. It is a fixed dock system and water levels are 4 inches above the all-time high. Electrical conduits are submerged in water and unsafe to energize.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park & Newberry Field Office ▪ Lower Falls Boat Concession/Island redevelopment project: (delayed due to COVID-19). ▪ Lower Falls Concession Store Remodel/Replacement project: (delayed due to COVID-19). ▪ Lower Falls Road Seep project: Norris Contracting will be repairing the LF Road in September 2020. ▪ Whitefish Point Harbor Redevelopment study: Nearing completion. ▪ 3 vacant Seasonal Ranger positions have been filled at Tahquamenon Falls. ▪ 1 seasonal Ranger vacancy at Newberry FO has also been filled. ▪ The Newberry Field Office Supervisor position remains vacant, pending Civil Service clarification (delayed due to hiring freeze). ▪ Many social distancing complaints to handle this summer. ▪ Rustic campgrounds and dispersed camping have been extremely busy this summer.
Parks & Recreation Division-Eastern UP Trails: Paul Gaberdiel-Eastern UP Trail Specialist ▪ Rail-Trail Projects − Engineering is in process to replace 2-3’ culverts on St. Ignace to Trout Lake Grade and 3 bridges on Trail 8 west of Seney. − Haywire 50th Anniversary Bicycle event will be August 22, 2020. ▪ Snowmobile Trail Updates: Grant applications for 2021 are due to field contacts July 1. ▪ ORV Trail Updates − Spring Maintenance has begun, many trails are done, still a lot of work to do. Some sponsors have had trails heavily impacted by the winter storms. − High water is impacting trails where we have never had water before. − Lots of ORV traffic since Memorial Day weekend. ▪ Equestrian Trail Projects: Haywire Grade 50th Anniversary event for Equestrians has been rescheduled for September 19th. ▪ Pathway Projects − Some volunteers have been working on trail maintenance. − Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance is taking the lead on getting the Governor’s proclamation for Trails Week signed, it is still in draft form. − Working on EGLE permit for Blind Sucker Board walk replacement ▪ Event/Use Permits − Polaris did some videoing in the Munising area for area promotions. “Destination Polaris” promotes various areas around the country, as well as their products. − Event permits are being looked at closely to meet certain criteria. ▪ General − Trails Week will be September 20-27, 2020.
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− Working with grant sponsors to get some approved projects going. − COVID-19 has had a huge impact on trail maintenance and use. Some larger projects may not get completed this year. Trail use has been crazy busy, all aspects of recreation have been crazy busy. The weekdays have been like normal weekends and weekends have been off the charts. − It is challenging with all the ways restrictions apply to getting projects done.
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