EUPCAC April 2018 Division Reports
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Eastern Upper Peninsula Citizen Advisory Council DNR Division Reports Date of Production: December 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. December 3 Snowmobile Advisory Workgroup, 10am (virtual) (contact TBD) December 10 Natural Resources Commission Meeting (virtual) (call 517-284-6237 to attend) December 16 Eastern UP Citizens’ Advisory Council Meeting (virtual) (call 906-226-1331 to attend) January 7 Western UP Citizens’ Advisory Council Meeting (virtual) (call 906-226-1331 to attend) January 14 Natural Resources Commission Meeting (virtual) (call 517-284-6237 to attend) January 21 2021 Aquatic Resources Meeting, 10am (Location TBD) (call 906-353-6651 to attend) February 11 Natural Resources Commission Meeting (virtual) (call 517-284-6237 to attend) Recent DNR Press Releases For full details, go to: http://www.michigan.gov/dnrpressroom ▪ Showcasing the DNR: Coming Home (12/3/20) ▪ December hunting and trapping opportunities (12/3/20) ▪ Natural Resources Trust Fund Board recommends $37.8 million to boost outdoor recreation (12/3/20) ▪ New Clean Boats, Clean Waters grant available for outreach activities (12/2/20) ▪ State park volunteer opportunities, Happy Little Virtual 5K (12/2/20) ▪ Time to check trees for hemlock woolly adelgid (12/1/20) ▪ Winter Zoom scenes, ruffed grouse and woodcock seasons and #ADA30 (11/30/20) ▪ Showcasing the DNR: Thanksgiving turkey recipes, tips from the DNR (11/25/20) ▪ DNR approves nearly $2 million in Recreation Passport grants 11/24/20) ▪ DNR recommends $5.4 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants (11/24/20) ▪ December public meetings, plus commission/council vacancies (11/24/20) ▪ Turkey on the table, #OptOutside, forest-inspired crafts (11/23/20) ▪ Showcasing the DNR: The art and magic of being there (11/19/20) ▪ Days River Pathway in Delta County to remain closed temporarily during logging operations (11/17/20) ▪ DNR reports licensing system is online; hunters must carry licenses when afield (11/16/20) ▪ Bovine TB samples, new heritage trail, oak wilt pruning info (11/16/20) ▪ MDARD urges continued vigilance after dead spotted lanternfly cases identified in Michigan (11/16/20) Page 1 of 26 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] December UP Field Deputy Update – Stacy Haughey Dec. 3, 2020 Contact: Jon Mayes, 517-284-5954 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund board recommends $37.8 million to boost outdoor recreation The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board recommended Wednesday to the Michigan Legislature that 76 recreation development projects and land acquisitions totaling $37,789,600 be funded in 2021. The board this year considered a total of 136 applications seeking over $60 million in funding. In a competitive process, all eligible applications were evaluated based on scoring criteria approved by the Trust Fund board. “Easy access to the beauty of Michigan’s natural places and open spaces during a challenging, uncertain year has been a source of comfort and connection for residents across our state, and the Trust Fund is a major part of making those opportunities available,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “Whether you’re enjoying a trail or park close to home or exploring the deep forest, outdoor recreation resources like these are big contributors to each community’s quality of life and unique appeal.” The Trust Fund board recommends funding to both state and local agencies for development projects and land acquisitions that will further access to public outdoor recreation. This year, the board recommended $27,289,600 for acquisition grants and $10,500,000 for development grants. There were 26 acquisition grants awarded to local units of government for a total of $20,805,400, while four acquisition grants went to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for projects totaling $6,484,200. The Trust Fund board also recommended a total of $9,300,000 in 42 development grants be awarded to local units of government while four DNR projects garnered a total of $1,200,000. “This year’s grant recommendations represent a broad range of land acquisition and outdoor development projects that will make a real difference,” said DNR Director Dan Eichinger. “With the results of Proposal 1 this fall, it’s clear that Michigan’s residents support this program and its continued investment in projects that speak to the recreational needs of communities across our state.” The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund is a restricted fund that was established in 1976 to provide funding for public acquisition of lands for resource protection and outdoor recreation, as well as for public outdoor recreation development projects. It is funded through interest and earnings on funds derived from the revenues of state-owned oil, gas and minerals. Over the past 44 years, the Trust Fund has granted more than $1.2 billion to state and local units of government to develop and improve recreation opportunities in Michigan. “Under the challenges of gathering with friends and family this year, outdoor spaces and public recreation played a major component in people’s lives,” said Trust Fund board chair Bill Rustem. “This program’s ability to continue to acquire and develop parks and green spaces is more important now than ever to ensure that every Michigander has access to the state’s natural resources.” The Trust Fund board's recommendations will go to the Michigan Legislature for review as part of the appropriations process. Upon approval, the Legislature forwards a bill to the governor for her signature. A list of the final recommendations made by the Trust Fund board is available at Michigan.gov/MNRTF. A list of the recommendations for UP communities, see below. Page 2 of 26 2020 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Recommendations (Anticipated approval in early 2021) 2020 Development Project Upper Peninsula Recommendations Project County Applicant Project Title Grant Award Houghton DNR - Wildlife Sturgeon River Sloughs Bridge Development Initiative $300,000 Division Gogebic City of Ironwood Norrie Park Renovation and Montreal River Water Trail $111,300 Mackinac Portage Township Portage Creek Fishing Access $50,000 Mackinac Portage Township Shoepac Creek Fishing Access $50,000 Marquette City of Negaunee Jackson Mine Park Playground Development $125,700 Marquette City of Marquette Mattson Lower Harbor Park - Inclusive Playground $300,000 Marquette DNR - Parks and Little Presque Isle Trail Development and Renovation $300,000 Recreation Division 2020 Acquisition Project Upper Peninsula Recommendations Project County Applicant Project Title Grant Award Chippewa Whitefish Township Expansion of Saturn Memorial Township Park $185,000 Delta DNR - Forest Lake Michigan Dune & Swale Complex $2,600,000 Resources Division Dickinson Waucedah Township Sturgeon River Scenic Park Acquisition Project $2,129,000 Gogebic Gogebic County Gogebic County Forest Expansion $3,182,200 Ontonagon Ontonagon Township Ontonagon Township Lake Superior Sandy Beach $100,000 Acquisition Dec. 9, 2020 Contact: Mariah Leuschen-Lonergan (Forest Service), (406) 548-1174 or Paul Gaberdiel (DNR), (906) 293-5131, Ext. 4045 New $1 million Doty Bridge project on Coalwood Grade completed in Alger County, connecting communities and miles of multi-use trails The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Hiawatha National Forest and Michigan Department of Natural Resources, with help from the Michigan Department of Transportation, officially reopened the Coalwood Grade (Trail No. 8) Friday, Dec. 4, 2020 with the new Doty Bridge in place. The new 130-foot bridge over the North Branch of Stutts Creek replaces a temporary bridge in place since 2000 over a former railroad trestle. The grade is known as a major destination point, experiencing up to 2,000 visitors on a typical winter weekend. The completion of the bridge marks the largest project that the Hiawatha National Forest and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have worked on together. Page 3 of 26 “It is extremely satisfying to see the new Doty Bridge installed. It could not have been done without funding from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources,” said Greg Gardner, Hiawatha National Forest engineer. “They were champions for this project. I’m proud that the Forest Service was involved in such a rewarding effort, that will benefit so many users.” Michigan Department of Natural Resources staffers started seeking funding in 2015 when Paul Gaberdiel, DNR eastern Upper Peninsula trails specialist, came on board. The $1 million in Recreation Trail Project funding required for the project was derived from federal gas-tax revenue. “The bridge serves as a major link for snowmobile and off-road vehicle trails between many communities, providing a huge economic impact. This trail and bridge not only benefit the area communities, but the trail users needing access to amenities; including food, gas, lodging and repair facilities,” Gaberdiel said. The federal-state-private party collaboration made sense. “This project is a great example of how multiple agencies and private companies can collaborate successfully on a project. The focus was on public service and everyone involved came together for a common outcome. We are optimistic about the future of this interagency collaboration,” said Cid Morgan, Hiawatha National Forest Supervisor. The Snowmobile and ORV Association of Alger County (SORVA) maintains ORV Trail C and Snowmobile Trail No.