HOUGHTON - The effort to create a management plan for the Pilgrim River watershed got a boost at Tuesday night's Houghton County Board of Commissioners meeting.
The board voted Tuesday in support of the Houghton-Keweenaw Conservation District's application for funding the plan through a grant from the Michigan Coastal Management Program.
Evan McDonald, director of the Keweenaw Land Trust, said groups involved include Copper Country Trout Unlimited, the KLT, Keweenaw Trails Alliance, the Copper Country Audubon Society and several departments from Michigan Technological University.
The watershed includes about 10,000 acres, with a main recreational corridor of about 15 miles, McDonald said.
John Pekkala, Houghton County's drain inspector, is interested in participating in the management plan through tackling the issue of erosion, McDonald said.
Board Chairman Paul Luoma relayed a concern from a constituent that he would no longer be able to ride his four-wheeler on the land.
McDonald said the plan wouldn't affect that.
"This is not a regulatory path," he said. "This is an information path."
Gina Nichols said developing a management plan could help bring more money into the area. She compared it to a similar plan in Keweenaw County that helped bring in millions of federal dollars to help remediate stamp sands. There are places along the watershed where bridges and other things could be improved, she said.
McDonald said he wants to encourage public participation.
"We're looking for maximum participation, let the citizens be heard and influence the process," he said.
In other action, the board:
heard from Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance Executive Director Phil Musser on the Revolving Loan Fund. A $50,000 loan to LaSalle Tech Group is expected to go to closing next week. An October loan to Kenton Woodworks, which was required to create four jobs, has already created six.
"We're looking for good projects that can create jobs," he said.
Musser said there has also been an greater interest in learning about economic development, as evidenced by crowds at KEDA meetings. Crowds for the past four months have been between 70 and 90 people, requiring a move from the Lakeshore Center to the Finnish-American Heritage Center.
approved a $1,000 contribution to the U.P. State Fair. Commissioner Scott Ala voted against the contribution on the grounds that it was fiscally irresponsible given the county's financial situation.
approved travel requests for Ron Ekdahl of the Houghton County Building Department, Sue Gassittie of the Houghton County Probate Court, Treasurer Kathleen Beattie and Equalization Director John Partanen.
passed a resolution celebrating 50 years of service from the Copper Country League of Women Voters.
approved a resolution imposing the 2010 summer property tax levy.
approved appropriations of $28,125 to the Western U.P. Substance Abuse Services Coordinating Agency, $21,640.80 for the Western U.P. District Health Department and $2,866.50 for the Western U.P. Planning & Development Regional Committee.
Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com.