Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition
Hot Issues
Click on the links below to view articles of interest on environmental issues affecting the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Celebrate the U.P.! - March 2010
UPPCO Land Sales May Put Former U.P. Recreation Areas Off-Limits - Updated April 2008
Metallic Sulfide Mining Update - April 2008
See UPEC HOME page for current events!
Past Issues & Events Highlighted in 2009:
|
|
Saturday, March 29th, 2009: UPEC sponsored CELEBRATE THE UP ! with a number of key speakers and group booths in 3 different locations at 3 corners, Marquette. |
Celebrate the U.P.!
Saturday, March 28th, 2009
Join the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition in a FREE celebration of what’s great about the U.P.
A full day of speakers at the three corners where Ridge and Front Sts. intersect in downtown Marquette, MI.
Mining Expert, Jack Parker, to Speak on
Proposed Kennecott Project, July 22, 7 pm
Jack Parker is a mining industry icon and rock mechanics expert and
will be discussing Kennecott's proposed Eagle mine project on the
Yellow Dog Plains. The event will be held at the Powell Township
School Gymnasium in Big Bay and is sponsored by the Concerned
Citizens of Big Bay.
+++
May 6 & 7, 2009:
UPEC co-sponsored a "Sustainable
Keweenaw" event in Hancock,
MI.
Two representatives from Wisconsin's /Alliance for
Sustainability/ spoke to 60 people at a public meeting about their
community's experiences building eco-communities. The speakers
also addressed a breakfast meeting of government and business
leaders about the benefits of considering sustainability in
municipal and business decisions. The discussions resulted in
interest groups being formed to work on improving school food and
energy-efficient municipal lighting throughout the Keweenaw
peninsula. A steering committee of community leaders is being
formed to encourage other actions in the region.
National Trails Day is June 6th!
PLEASE get out there and
help improve or build trails in your area! Contact local trail
organizations and ask what you can do. Make this an annual
project for you and your family or organization.
Some local trails:
- North Country Trail, Peter Wolf Chapter (Western UP)
- North Country Trail, NCTHC (Central UP)
- North Country Trail, Grand Marais Chapter, UP
- North Country Trail, HSS, (Eastern UP)
- Noquemanon Trail Network: in Marquette County
- Pictured Rock National Park Trails need volunteers
-
Keweenaw Trails:
Silent Sport Network in Western UP
ALSO, check your local State & National Parks Trails
-
Come Paddle With Save the Wild UP
"Paddle Independence" will take place Saturday, June 6 on beautiful Lake Independence in Big Bay. Please paddle with us if you can, but if graduations and weddings are keeping you on the road, you can join us in the fundraising effort. Log onto http://www.savethewildup.org/
-
The public is invited to a presentation on
invasive plants of the Ottawa National Forest.
When: Tuesday, June 9, 8:30 AM central time.
Where: Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center in Watersmeet, Michigan. At the intersection of US 2 and US 45.
What: Slide show and live samples of invasive plants that are harming natural areas in the Northwoods. Invasive plants to be covered include garlic mustard, Japanese barberry, exotic honeysuckle, exotic buckthorn, purple loosestrife, Eurasian water-milfoil, European swamp thistle, and lesser-known new invaders such as garden valerian and wild chervil. The emphasis will be terrestrial plants.
After the presentation everyone is invited to come on a field tour of some invasive plant infestations in Gogebic County. You will need to arrange for your own transportation, however.
Please come, learn how to identify the worst of the invasive plants, and start reporting new infestations!
Ian Shackleford, Botanist
Ottawa National Forest
E 6248 US 2, Ironwood, MI 49938
(906) 932-1330 ext. 331, ishackleford@fs.fed.us
Celebrate Lake Superior Day
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Lake
Superior Day was started in the early 1990s to highlight the
importance of this great water body to the basin’s environment
and economy. The Lake Superior Binational Forum promotes this
basin-wide event to highlight the special connections people have to
this unique water body.
This year the theme “Let’s Go Fly a Kite!” symbolizes clean energy
sources such as wind power. Organize your group or family to fly a
kite at your favorite beach or park on July 19.
Click here
for more information and downloadable materials about flying a kite
on Lake Superior Day.
+++
On Lake Superior
Day, July 19th, a walk supporting the removal of the barrels of
waste and also protesting such dumping will take place
in Ontonagon. Everyone is invited to join
the march and to write to Michigan’s Congressional delegation about the
issue.
Our Drinking Water may be at Risk!
+++
North Woods Native Plant Society
LAKE MCDONALD AQUATIC PLANTS (near Bessemer, MI)
Sunday, July 19
paddle your canoe or kayak with Sue Trull, botanist with the Ottawa
National Forest
Details to follow Monday.
| Michigan Green Chemistry Awards Program : | ||||
The Michigan Green Chemistry Awards Program is a program
established by the Michigan Department of Environmental
Quality to recognize innovations in green chemistry.
Entries due by July 15, 2009
to the State of Michigan:
|
+++
North Woods Native Plant Society sponsors:
WILDFLOWERS AND HISTORY AT OLD
VICTORIA
9:30 am (eastern) Saturday, July 25
Cost $10 for the Old Victoria portion of the tour
This trip with Ian Shackleford, will combine a guided tour of Old
Victoria (Ontonagon County) with an exploration of the native
wildflowers throughout the settlement area. There are some special
microclimates we will explore. Old Victoria is a copper mine ghost
town, built in 1899, abandoned in 1921, and restored in the 1970s.
The site features several hand-hewn log cabins from the mining era,
complete with antique furniture from the era. The tour will be
hosted jointly by the North Woods Native Plant Society and The
Society for the Restoration of Old Victoria. Participants will learn
about both local wildflowers and local history.
The tour will begin at the cabins at Old Victoria, then hike along
the North Country Trail to an overlook above Victoria Reservoir, and
finally visit the ruins of the Victoria mine site. Total hiking
distance is approximately three miles. Cost is $10 for adults, with
all proceeds helping support the non-profit Society for the
Restoration of Old Victoria. Children ages 6-12 are $5, age 5 and
under free. The tour will last approximately three hours. The tour
will be led by Patty Pattison, Director of the Old Victoria Heritage
Site. Ian Shackleford, Botanist with the Ottawa National Forest,
will help identify the local wildflowers.
DIRECTIONS: Old Victoria is located 30 minutes south of Ontonagon,
MI and 30 minutes north of Bruce Crossing, MI. Take US-45 to
Rockland, Michigan, then turn west on the Victoria Dam Road.
WHAT TO BRING: Hiking boots, water, and lunch. The trail is steep
and uneven in places. Optional items include insect repellant and
camera. For more information, or for car pool options from Ironwood,
please call Ian Shackleford at 906-932-1330 extension 331.
The North Woods Native Plant Society is a group of professional and
amateur botanists interested in learning about and preserving the
native plants and ecosystems of the western U.P. and northern
Wisconsin. We plan free field trips to special places every summer.
The trips are open to folks at all levels of botanical knowledge.
Feel free to forward this message to anyone you think may be
interested. We email details of each trip 10 - 14 days before the
trip. If you wish to be added to or removed from this list, please
notify Sherry Zoars at nwnpsociety@gmail.com/ <mailto:nwnpsociety@gmail.com>
The Society for the Restoration of Old Victoria offers tours daily
during the summer. The July 25 tour is the same, but with the added
discussion of the local wildflowers. The Visitor Center is open
daily through Labor Day, 11 AM to 5 PM eastern time. For more
information on Old Victoria, please visit <http://www.oldvictoria.net/>,
or call 906-886-2617.
**
Join the Rally for Clean Energy Jobs!
More dirty coal-fired power plants will jeopardize Michigan's clean
energy future. Join the rally to keep new coal plants out of
Michigan and turn around our economy.
Wednesday, July
29th 12pm
Check out businesses and organizations
working for a clean energy future in Michigan
1:30pm Music
2:30pm
Speakers talk about why Michigan is at a energy
crossroads and why it's critical that we decide
to invest in clean energy, not dirty coal
4pm More Music
Lansing Capitol Steps & Lawn
For more info, visit www.cleanenergynowmi.org
Or call (248) 549-6213 or (517) 484-2372
**
AUGUST 2009:
Fun on the Plains:
Protect the Earth Gathering is set for
August 1-2 in Marquette and on the Yellow
Dog Plains. Workshops, food, speakers, music, dance, movie, ceremony drum ceremony and walk to Eagle
Rock on the Yellow Dog Plains.
yellowdogsummer.wordpress.com
+++
Great Lakes Walk, Paddle and Roll
Fundraising Event, August 22
Join Save the Wild UP,
Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve and Freshwater
Future in a Great Lakes Walk, Paddle, and Roll Fundraising
event, which culminates with a 20-mile off road mountain biking
adventure 10am on Saturday, August 22 in Big
Bay, near Marquette. All funds raised will be used to support
environmental outreach and educational activities and similar
efforts around the Great Lakes region.
Aug 22
North Woods Native Plant
Society at Esrey Park, Keweenaw (Eagle Harbor, MI)- Colleen Matula, Joan Chadde
Aug 29 -
North Woods Native Plant Society at MI Botanical Club
mini-foray at Univ. of Mich. Biological Station (Pellston, MI)
9-4 Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 29 & 30. _Gratiot Lake Conservancy workshop on Aquatic plants and invasives_. http://www.mlswa.org/Gratiot-Lake-1508/AquaticPlantWrkshp09.htm
-
+++
Sierra Club Photo Contest Celebrates the Yellow Dog Watershed!
The Central Upper Peninsula Group of the Sierra Club is sponsoring a photo contest to celebrate the beauty of the Yellow Dog River Watershed. Do you have favorite photographs of the area? Enter them in the contest for a chance to win prizes and help make everyone aware how special this area is. Enter by August 28, 2009
For Information Click Here
September 2009:
Friday, September 11; The Lake
Superior
Binational Forum invites you to a Public Meeting and Input
Session
“Managing Lake Superior’s Parks and Protected Areas”
Friday, September 11, 2009 Community Center in Grand Marais,
Michigan 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Who Should Attend?
The input session is intended for local elected officials, local
government leaders, area business owners and operators, church
leaders, recreational groups, and residents who enjoy parks and
protected areas, and who want to give input about important
environmental concerns in the eastern Upper Peninsula.
Registration: This event is free and open to the public without need
to register.
The Binational Forum holds four meetings a year in host communities
around the basin to hear comments about issues related to Lake
Superior. This meeting will focus on issues related to environmental
and economic impacts on state and federal parks and protected areas.
Speakers from several Upper Peninsula parks and protected areas will
describe challenges that are affecting the health of the parks
including climate change, invasive species, and user impacts. Join
Gregg Bruff from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Jim Ozenberger
with the Hiawatha National Forest, and managers with The Nature
Conservancy to learn what’s threatening the lakeshore, regional
forests, and private rural lands in the region and what the public
users of these lands cans do to reduce threats.
Time for public comments about other topics related to the land and
waters of Lake Superior will also be scheduled, and public comments
are welcomed.
Questions?
The Forum’s U.S. Coordinator can be reached at (715) 682-1489;
lradke@northland.edu
For more information about the Binational Forum please visit
www.superiorforum.org
The Lake Superior Binational Forum is a citizen stakeholder group of
U.S. and Canadian volunteers who work together to provide input to
governments about lakewide management and to educate basin residents
about ways to protect and restore the basin’s natural resources.
The Forum is located in the United States at Northland College in
Ashland, WI, and funded in the U.S. by a grant from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes National Program
Office. The Canadian Forum office is at EcoSuperior in Thunder Bay,
Ontario, and funded by Environment Canada.
***
Sun. Sep 13 -
North Woods Native Plant Society at _Limestone Mtn_ near Baraga, MI - Ian Shackleford, Sue Trull,
***
Sat Sept 19, Michigan Coastal Cleanup
The
North Woods Conservancy (NWC) is the coordinator for Baraga,
Houghton, and Keweenaw Counties. Contact Jane or John Griffith 906
337-0782 / northwoodsconservancy@hughes.net
What: The Michigan Coastal Cleanup, part of an international effort
to pick up trash on beaches around the world.
When: The official date is Saturday September 19 from 9 am to noon,
but Beach Captains can choose any date and time for their particular
site.
Where: Beaches around the Keweenaw Peninsula (Baraga, Houghton, and
Keweenaw Counties), including Lake Superior and inland lakes and
rivers.
How: Join a group at an already-adopted beach, or become the Beach
Captain for a beach that is special to you.
The idea is simple: pick up trash at local beaches, and record the
amounts and types of each trash item so garbage sources can be
identified and hopefully terminated – this is how the bottle bill
was passed. It’s a good reason to stretch your legs, enjoy the
beautiful fall weather, and see some gorgeous coastal scenery.
You can sign up by contacting the NWC (see above) or by stopping at
the Ahmeek Streetcar Station (4 miles north of Calumet on US 41; 4-8
pm weekdays and 10 am to 9 pm weekends). A master map, bags, gloves,
aerial site maps, and data forms are available at the Streetcar
Station.
***
Sept 26 - North Woods Native Plant
Society at Public Lands Day - near Marenisco, MI
Sept 28, 6:00 South Road Meeting
Ask questions and offer comments about Kennecott’s proposed “south
road” from the not-yet-permitted Eagle Project to the Humboldt Mill,
Monday, September 28, 6:00 at the Ishpeming Township Hall.
Full Press Release
October 2009:
October 19th, 2009 The Marquette Road Commission will accept written comments up to their October 19 meeting on the 4 miles of improvement to the county road that Kennecott is offering to pay for so they will have an all season road leading to their proposed new mine site. For more info on this issue, see Full Press Release
The address for written
comments:
Mr. Darryll L. Sundberg, Chair
Marquette County Road Commission
1610 N. Second Street
Ishpeming, MI 49849
October 16-18, 2009, in
Marquette: Nature Mapping Program training:
The Nature Mapping Program, developed by the University of
Washington, is a program designed to empower citizens and
organizations to gather useful information regarding the biota in
their communities. This information is incorporated into a central
database which can be used at any level to inform the public, assess
biodiversity, design research programs, stimulate community
involvement, direct conservation planning, etc.. Examples of how
groups have used the Nature Mapping Program include schoolchildren
documenting the diversity of stream macroinvertebrates for science
class projects, neighborhood groups participating in bird counts, or
non-profit organizations inventorying the flora and fauna of
landholdings for program development or biodiversity assessments.
The benefit is that is can be used for a variety of your own
projects, and is easy to use.
Additional information can be found at the Nature Mapping website:
http://depts.washington.edu/natmap/
Please contact them if you have any additional questions about the
upcoming training, or to register. The cost for registration is only
$25, and includes 3 days of training and lunches. phone (906)
273-0387, or you can contact the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve
office at (906) 345-9223.
October 22-23, 2009 Smart, Green and Clean:
21st Century Water Management in the Great Lakes
A Clean
Water Network Regional Caucus
Co-sponsored by Citizens Campaign for the Environment
Hyatt Regency Buffalo; Buffalo, New York Registration is $65 and
includes all caucus materials, continental breakfast on both days,
and a lunch and an evening reception on the 22nd. A draft agenda is
posted on our website.
To register, fill out the
registration form on the CWN website.
For more information, please contact Jennifer Peters at 202-547-4208
or jenniferpeters@cwn.org
November 2009:
November 5th and 6th: Premier of the Wild and
Scenic Environmental Film Festival! This two night event will take
place in Jamrich 103 on the campus of NMU. The Yellow Dog Watershed
Preserve, Downwind Sports, and Students Acting to Save MI's Water
are glad to be able to bring this exciting event to Marquette, one
of 100 venues nationwide to participate. Doors open at 6pm and show
starts at 6:30pm. Tickets are available in advance at Downwind
Sports or at the door.
Visit
www.yellowdogwatershed.org for more info!
FOLK
Annual Meeting!
November 12, 2009:
FOLK, Friends of the Land of Keweenaw, will hold their Annual
General Membership meeting Thursday, Nov 12th, in the Community Room
of the Portage Lake District Library on the waterfront in downtown
Houghton.
6:00 pm Filmmaker George Desort* will speak on the topic:
Expectations of Thresholds with question and answer period to
follow.
7-8 pm FOLK General Membership meeting. Annual report and the year
in review will be presented by the board. The MiWater Ballot
Initiative will also be discussed, including what we can ALL do to
help get it on the November, 2010 ballot.
Refreshments will be served.
*George Desort, Chassell, is an independent filmmaker who recently
released his film Fortunate Wilderness about the wolf and moose
study of Isle Royale.
Trailer from the film can viewed here.
Tuesday, November 17; a program titled "The
Poetry and Practicalities of Hiking Michigan's Upper Peninsula"
presented by Eric Hansen -- author of Hiking Michigan's Upper
Peninsula -- A Guide to the Greatest Hiking Adventures in the U.P.
Eric Hansen will present a slide tour of
the Upper Peninsula’s best hikes and offer his thoughts on the land,
its compelling themes and its almost mythic place in the imagination
of people throughout the Midwest. Eric hiked over nine hundred miles
in researching his book. He found miles of quiet Lake Superior
shoreline, thumping waterfalls and sparkling cascades, and high rock
balconies with knock-your-socks-off views that stretch 50 miles and
more. Hansen will cover hidden gems like Shining Cloud Falls and the
fabled Falls of the Yellow Dog as well as scenic viewpoints like the
Trap Hill’s Norwich Bluff and the Tip of the Keweenaw’s Bare Bluff.
You can find a radio interview featuring Eric commenting on the UP
here: http://www.wuwm.com/programs/lake_effect/view_at10.php?articleid=57
(drag audio bar to 17 minute, 50 second mark for Hansen’s segment).
No membership is required to attend. Newcomers are welcome to this
family-friendly, public event, which begins at 7:30 pm at the lovely
Matthaei Botanical Gardens (map here - directions below).
After the presentation, you are invited to stay for refreshments and
to mingle with friendly people who share your interest in nature.
You can learn about local Sierra Club activities like hiking,
backpacking, skiing, Inner City Outings and our conservation
projects.
Save the
Wild UP Annual Social/Fundraiser
Thursday, NOVEMBER 12th at the UpFront & Company
Speakers, Food, Music, Silent Auction
Kennecott Humboldt Mill Public Hearing
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will hold a
consolidated public hearing on the Kennecott Humboldt Mill Project
at Westwood High School Auditorium, 300 Westwood Dr., Ishpeming, MI
49849, on December 1, 2009, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Full Information for Humboldt Meeting
Public Informational Meeting
Monday, November 30
Marquette Room, University Center (south entrance near hospital)
5:30 – General Coalition Meeting
6:30 – Humboldt (Public Hearing) Informational Meeting – Bring your
questions/comments on the permit.
TAKE ACTION!
A recent press release from the desk of Sen. Mike Prusi, along with
several Upper Peninsula Democrats, blasts the MiWater committee
ballot proposal that aims at protecting Michigan’s water resources.
Respond to your representatives… Email, call, write, let them know
where the U.P. stands.
TAKE ACTION:
Save The Wild U.P.
December 2009:
DNR has invited UPEC to send a rep to their Dec. 8 meeting at the
Munising-Wetmore Area Super 8 Motel from 6:30p.m -to 8p.m. They have
developed a list of wildlife species to focus their habitat
management efforts on state lands. Comments can also be submitted in
writing.
MEC: Annual Member Meeting Friday, December 11, beginning at 8:30 am. The meeting will take place at the Bengel Wildlife Center in Bath and the quarterly board meeting will begin at 3:00 pm, immediately following adjournment of the member meeting. Our meeting lunchtime speaker is Bruce Rasher, Transition Manager for the merger of the MDNR and the DEQ. The majority of the morning and afternoon sessions will focus on building a "Vision of Michigan 2060." The MEC Staff has put together a "draft" vision that will be presented for your input and discussion. Your participation is necessary for a more complete picture and unified vision to help guide our program areas, goals and policy objectives.
December 15: Applications for the UPEC 2009 Environmental Education grant due!
A few Issues previous to 2009:
Wildfire Destroys Oren Krumm Shelter on North Country Trail - May 2007
Wolf Study Comments - January 2006