Friday, April 29, 2016

MI DNR seeks input on draft management plans for eastern U.P. state parks

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will host open houses next month to gather public input on new draft general management plans for Tahquamenon Falls State Park and Muskallonge Lake State Park, both located in the eastern Upper Peninsula.

People are invited to share opinions and ideas for the future of Tahquamenon Falls State Park at a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Whitefish Township Community Center, 7052 N. M-123 in Paradise. Tahquamenon Falls State Park encompasses close to 50,000 acres of primarily undeveloped woodlands and wetlands. The centerpiece of the park is the Tahquamenon River with the spectacular Upper and Lower Falls. In addition to offering scenic views of the falls, the park provides opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, kayaking/canoeing and snowmobiling.

The meeting for Muskallonge Lake State Park will take placeThursday, May 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the LMAS District Health Department, 14150 Hamilton Lake Road (County Road 428) in Newberry. Muskallonge Lake State Park is situated between the shores of Lake Superior and Muskallonge Lake, 28 miles northwest of Newberry in an area well known for its forests, lakes and streams. The 217-acre park was the former site of Deer Park, a lumbering town in the late 1880s and a Coast Guard lifesaving station. Currently, the park provides modern camping facilities, a boat launch and access to a swimming beach, picnic facilities, a portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail/Iron Belle Trail and the Lake Superior shoreline.Sunset at Muskallonge Lake State Park

The general management plans for each park define a long-range (10-20 years) planning and management strategy that will assist the DNR Parks and Recreation Division in meeting its responsibilities to protect and preserve the sites' natural and cultural resources and to provide access to land- and water-based public recreation and educational opportunities. Links to the draft plans can be found atwww.clearzoning.com/clearzoning-clients/tahquamenon-falls-state-park/ and www.clearzoning.com/clearzoning-clients/muskallonge-lake-state-park/.

Each meeting will begin with a short presentation of the draft plan. Members of the public are welcome to attend at any time during the two-hour period to review the planning material, provide comments and talk to DNR staff members. Comments also can be made until May 27 via email to Debbie Jensen at jensend1@michigan.gov. Additional information on the DNR's general management plan process is available at www.michigan.gov/parkmanagementplans.

For more information about the public meetings or the general management plans, contact DNR park management plan administrator Debbie Jensen at 517-284-6105 (TTY/TDD711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired) or via email atjensenD1@michigan.gov. Persons with disabilities who need accommodations for the meetings should contact Jensen at least five business days before the meeting.

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Contact: Debbie Jensen, 517-284-6105