Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Part of the former U.S. Air Force radar base on Houghton Township’s Mount Horace Greeley. The former complex is served by two water wells located on private property to which Keweenaw County holds an easement.

EAGLE RIVER — Two water wells and pump houses on Gratiot Lake Drive in Houghton Township were the subject of a letter to Keweenaw County Board Chairman Don Piche, dated Feb. 6, 2018. The wells had served the former U.S. Air Force base on Mt. Horace Greeley, and were installed over 60 years ago, the letter states, and have not seen active operation or maintenance in many years.

One well is located on property owned by Carol Lizzadro, and the other is on property owned by Lizzadro Farms, Inc.

Of concern to the Lizzadros is the condition of the buildings as a matter of public safety, the letter states, and also the condition of the wells and casings, and their potential impact on groundwater, having been in the ground for more than six decades.

The letter goes on to state that the properties on which the buildings and pumps are located are the subject of two deed easements granted by former property owners, the Petermann family, to the U.S. Government. Subsequently the base, the wells, and the pump houses were deeded by the government to Keweenaw County, and the Lizzadros believe the buildings and wells have been abandoned by the county, and either the county is to remove the buildings and cap the wells, or the Lizzadros will do it.

“What they are trying to say,” Piche said, “is that we abandoned that property and they want to obviously take the property back and they want to get rid of the well heads and the buildings.”

Piche said the county is not willing allow that, because those wells are the water source for Mt. Horace Greeley. He discussed the matter with Chuck Miller, county attorney, recently, who said what the county needs to do is have a well-drilling company inspect the wells and the heads, and also have someone inspect the pump houses and any other buildings within the easement.

“I fully agree with you in keeping our interests in mind, and keeping those well heads,” board member Del Rajala said.

While the buildings and the wells have not been paid attention, they certainly have not been abandoned, Rajala said.

Board member Jim Vivian said if there is an issue with the buildings, the county should look at having them repaired. Vivian volunteered to have the wells and buildings inspected, and will offer his report at the April Board meeting.

The board voted unanimously to retain the easements at this time