Camp Cooks Integrated Resource Management (Camp Cooks Project)

Update

U.S. Forest Service Press Release: 

National Forest Initiates Trails Working Group

Release Date: Feb 10, 2017

Gladstone, MI — The Forest Service wants your input. If you are a trail user/enthusiast who would like to help identify opportunities to improve connectivity, sustainability, and the user experience across the Hiawatha National Forest trails system, this is your chance. Hiawatha National Forest invites you to attend a Comprehensive Trail Plan Meeting.

With your support the Forest Service is proposing to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the forest trails system through facilitation of a Trails Working Group (TWG) on each forest zone. The TWG will be made up of representatives from each activity group, as well as the Forest Service and other partners.

There will be two upcoming meetings, one for each zone, to identify a representative (and one alternative) from each activity group to serve on the TWG. These representatives will be responsible for coordinating with their respective trail activity group to develop proposed updates to the forest trails system, and to present those proposals to other members of the TWG for consideration. Collectively, the TWG will develop a mutually agreeable Comprehensive Trails Plan that supports the needs of all forest trail users. This plan will help forest leadership make informed decisions about future investment in the forest trails system.

The dates and locations of these meetings are as follows:

  • Tuesday, February 28, 2017, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
    Rudyard Township Hall, 18725 S. Mackinac Trail, Rudyard, MI 49870
  • Monday, March 6, 2017, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
    Mathias Township Community Building, E 2997 State Highway M-67, Trenary, MI 49891

We invite you to attend the meeting(s) and be prepared to:

  • Receive an update on the Forest Service’s plan to conduct a comprehensive trails analysis of all forest trail systems.
  • Designate one primary representative (and one alternate) to solicit input from your trail activity community, develop proposals for proposed changes to the trails system, and present your trail proposals to the TWG for discussion and inclusion in a comprehensive recommendation.
  • And if you’d like to serve as a representative, bring your calendars and come prepared to schedule future TWG meetings as needed from March, 2017, through December, 2017.

Please RSVP no later than one week prior to the meeting you wish to attend; contact Paul Holeva by telephone at 906-428-5889 or by email at pholeva@fs.fed.us.

February 7, 2017 – Nahma & Northern Multi-use Trail Update for Nahma Township Residents. If you haven’t already, you should receive in the mail the scoping document from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) which is the official start of the NEPA process for our trail. Please review this carefully, and provide any feedback you have to the USFS. www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=44158

In addition Township Supervisor Herb Pomeroy has been working with CUPPAD and the MDNR on grant opportunities for the trail. The MDNR Recreation Passport Grant is due April 1. Updates will be given at regularly scheduled Township board meetings. In the meantime if you have questions please reach out to Charley MacIntosh or John Schwab.

October 28, 2016 – Cid Morgan, Hiawatha US Forest Supervisor announced that the US Forest Service is removing Trails from the Camp Cooks Integrated Resource Project. In January they will form a working group for trails with various stakeholders to sit down and figure out how to build concentric loops and connect trails, motorized and non motorized, called Hiawatha Collaborative Group. The US Forest Service contact for the Hiawatha Collaborative Group is Nancy Roseman out of the Gladstone office and if people are interested in getting updates on this group they should let Nancy know at nroseman@fs.fed.us, 906-428-5859.

The other portions of the Camp Cooks Integrated Resource Management Project will continue to move forward through the NEPA process. This would include prescribed fire burns, private land access and timber sales among others. JoAnne Sanfillipo will continue to be the contact for Camp Cooks. at jmsanfilippo@fs.fed.us, 906-428-5829

Cid Morgan confirmed she will make the decision on which trails and roads will stay open. And confirmed that public input can be accepted at anytime.

The Camp Cooks Task Force will continue to provide updates at Nahma Township Board meetings. For more information on the task force, please contact John Schwab at schwabie@mac.com.

About the Project