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Natural Resources
Event: April 30, 2013 - May 1, 2013
Changing Forests in a New Climate: What Might A Forest Manager Do?
Sponsored by the Michigan Society of American Foresters and the Canadian Institute of Forestry, Central Ontario Section
Location: Lake Superior State University, Cisler Center - Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan
A changing climate means that forests in our region will be faced with different growing conditions. Which factors are already changing? How might those trends continue? What changes may occur in our forests and the products and services that forests provide? What might forest managers consider to adapt to these changes? How does good forestry complement this need for adaptation? A growing network of scientists and forest managers are working on answers to these questions. Come join us to learn what some of them have to say. Doing includes learning, thinking, considering, adjusting, adapting, observing, and other actions.
Registration: $US 90 for members, $US105 for non-members - deadline 22 April
For more information click HERE or visit the MSAF website calendar:
http://michigansaf.org/Calendar/calendar.htm.
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Infrastructure
Casperson wants trust fund money used for harbors
By John Pepin - The Mining Journal
MARQUETTE - State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, said he will propose a state Constitutional change that would allow the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board to grant money for harbor dredging and other improvements, including infrastructure upgrades at state parks.
The measure is expected to be controversial and would require approval from Michigan voters.
On Nov. 6, 1984, Michigan residents voted in favor of Proposal B, which amended the state Constitution and created the trust fund. The constitutional amendment required that oil, gas and other mineral lease and royalty payments be placed into the trust fund, with proceeds used to acquire and develop public recreation lands.
That action has strictly dictated where the money goes and protects its diversion to the state's general or other funds.
"People get all on edge when we talk about using the money from the trust fund that is in the natural resource realm," Casperson said. "But our approach isn't to take it out of the natural resource realm, we're asking that the people would consider broadening what you can spend it on in the natural resources."
Casperson said he has approached state officials about the idea, including the directors of the trust fund and Michigan Department of Natural Resources. more->
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Health Care
Manistique wins $25,000 for health efforts
By Jason Raiche - Daily Press
MANISTIQUE - The city of Manistique has won a $25,000 cash prize for its efforts on improving the health of its residents.
Manistique is one of six inaugural winners of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Roadmaps to Health Prize, which honors outstanding community partnerships across the United States that help their residents live healthier lives. The city was selected from more than 160 applicants, with the other five winning communities including: Santa Cruz County, Calif., New Orleans, La., Cambridge, Mass., Fall River, Mass., and Minneapolis, Minn.
The city of Manistique was honored during an event Wednesday at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in Princeton, N.J. In addition, a local celebration is planned for May 15, in conjunction with the opening day of the Manistique Farmers' Market. more->
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Natural Resources
DEQ issues final mining permit to Orvana
Move signals state approval for western U.P. project
The DEQ has sent Orvana Corporation a draft of the final permit the company will need to begin its Copperwood mine north of Wakefield in Gogebic County.
Company and state officials still must put final signatures to the Wetlands, Inland Lakes and Streams permit, but this is the last major permit needed for Orvana to construct this mine. The permit is not final until it has been signed by Orvana and counter signed by the DEQ.
In response to comments from the public, Native American tribes, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and DEQ, Orvana made numerous improvements to the original proposal submitted January 2012, including:
- Utilizing natural channel design (versus ditches) for channels diverting existing streams around the proposed tailings basin. The new design incorporates wetland creation in the floodplain of the new stream channels.
- Raising the height of the tailings basin to reduce its footprint.
- Modifications of facilities to slightly reduce wetland impacts.
- Adding two preservation tracts totaling 810 acres to the wetland mitigation plan.
- Improving the stream mitigation plan by creating 13,700 feet of natural stream channel and replacing a culvert on Two Mile Creek that is blocking brook trout passage on a tributary to the Wild and Scenic Cisco Branch of the Ontonagon River. In addition, eight undersized culverts will be replaced with bridges.
The new application was public-noticed and sent to the EPA for review Nov. 28, 2012. After review of comments received on the application from the public, tribes and EPA -- on this as well as the previous application for this project - DEQ required additional stream mitigation, modifications to the wetland mitigation plan and long term management plans for all mitigation sites. The EPA worked closely with the DEQ and did not object to issuance of this permit.
DEQ also amended Orvana's mining (Part 632) permit to address concerns expressed during the review of the wetlands, inland lakes and streams application. The modification requires:
- Restrictions on the final mine plan to require elimination of planned subsidence.
- Conditions that require Orvana to monitor for and correct problems in the unlikely event of significant unplanned subsidence, leakage of contaminated water from the mine after closure or erosion downstream of the stream diversion to Lehigh Creek.
- Provision to ensure that the final grade on the tailings basin cap appropriately distributes water to receiving streams.
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Business Growth and Development
Marquette Charter Township Report
2001 through 2012 (12 year) Economic Impact to the Region
State Equalized Value (SEV) of Marquette Charter Township:
2001 SEV of $121,677,710
2012 SEV of $262,155,300
Economic growth benefit to the region of $140,477,590
In addition to smaller retail and service businesses, Township has developed 26 new commercial businesses of 20 or more jobs; resulting in 1,945 new jobs added to the region; including:
- Wal Mart, 380 new jobs
- Target, 350 new jobs
- Kohls, 112 new jobs
- Lowe's, 120 new jobs
- Menards, 150 new jobs
- Best Buy, 150 new jobs
- Gander Mountain, 27 new jobs
- Michaels, 29 new jobs
- Pier One, 12 new jobs
- Country Inn and Suites, 35 new jobs
- Buffalo Wild Wings, 70 new jobs
- Applebees, 75 new jobs
- Culvers, 50 new jobs
- Red Lobster, 80 new jobs
- Perkins, 50 new jobs
- Bath and Body Works, 22 new jobs
- GFS (Gordon Food Service), 21 new jobs
- Hudsons, 50 new jobs
- Range Communications, 45 new jobs
- SCI, 60 new jobs
- Starbucks, 20 new jobs
- Taco Bell, 37 new jobs
- T.J. Maxx, 25 new jobs
- Pet Smart, 25 new jobs
- Arby's, 20 new jobs
Residential dwellings have increased by 315 units.
Township employs 17 staff and provides all traditional government services to residents and visitors; and water and wastewater utilities, solid waste collection and disposal, fire protection, law enforcement protection, codes enforcement, planning, and zoning with a balanced budget.
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| Greetings!
Please take a moment to review these updates from the UPWard Initiative.
Thanks to the many UPWard members along with others that have provided content for these updates. If you have information you would like to share with the group, please email it to me. Holly Peoples
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Infrastructure
On January 31, 2013 the Western UP Workforce Development board (WDB) held a meeting in Hancock Michigan at the Copper Country Intermediate School District (CCISD) Headquarters. The meeting was the first of many that will be held by the WDB using video conferencing.
Sites were connected via bridging technology provided by Northern Michigan University (NMU) in cooperation with the CCISD and the Gogebic -Ontonagon ISD. The following is a summary of those in attendance and the cost savings realized as a result of the use of video conferencing to "Do business smarter in Michigan".
Attendees from the Workforce Development Agency State of Michigan (WDA-SOM) included Mr. Gary Clark and four of his staff members. If they had travelled together to the UP, the cost for mileage alone would have exceeded $560 and approximately 20 hours on the road, additional lodging and per diem costs as well as staff time.
Upper Peninsula locations and attendees included:
Gogebic County attendees were Dan Siirila, WDB member, Jim Oliver, County Commissioner, Leroy Kangas, County Commissioner and Juliane Giackino, County Administrator. Savings provided by utilizing technology for these individuals included a 220 mile round trip to Hancock with an approximate drive time of 3.5 to 4 hours and mileage costs of approximately $125, approximate per diem costs of $65 for a conservative total of $190.
Iron County attendees were Bob Black, WDB member, Carl Lind, County Commissioner, Jim Brennan, WDB member and Sue Clish, County Administrator. Their savings included travel from Iron River or Crystal Falls with a minimum of 170 miles round trip with 3 - 3.5 hours in travel time, mileage costs of $95 if one car was utilized and per diem of approximately $65. This adds up to a total savings of at least $265.
Ontonagon attendees included John Pelkola, County Commissioner, Carl Nykanen, WDB member, and Bruce Mayle, Superintendent of Gogebic Ontonagon ISD. Savings for this group included travel from Bergland to Hancock, a round trip of approximately 150 miles with drive time of 3 hours. Mileage costs of $85 and per diem of $65. Total cost savings of $150.
In summary, for one meeting utilizing video conferencing technology, the deferred costs savings for the UP alone is at least $600. Keeping in mind that this dollar amount does not include the value of time saved by cutting down on drive time. We must remember also that each individual driver has the opportunity to claim mileage costs and that required travel greatly increases absenteeism by members of boards and committees.
We must continue to work hard to increase the utilization of available technologies to keep our volunteer members engaged and to decrease the costs to our taxpayers for this engagement.
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Natural Resources
UP Food Exchange Website Goes Live!
Be sure to check out the brand new U.P. Food Exchange website at www.upfoodexchange.com. And while you are there...
- Visit the website and tell your friends to sign up for The Plowshare newsletter! To sign up, go to www.upfoodexchange.com and click "Our Newsletter" on the banner at the top.
- Endorse the U.P. Food Exchange and the Michigan Good Food Charter! Select "Endorse Local Food" under "About Us" on the home page banner.
- Sign up to be a member on the community forum. Share information about land, equipment & supplies, and connect to other people around local food in your region!
Western Food Hub Update
In only a few short months, the Western UP (WUP) Food Hub has quickly developed into an active group of community members dedicated to strengthening the region's local food system. On January 15, 2013, over 60 attendees gathered for the WUP's inaugural meeting to discuss opportunities, barriers and resources to local food production & distribution. Attendees represented a diverse group of stakeholders including producers, consumers, institutions, community groups, and city governments.
This inspiring meeting was followed by a public presentation by food systems expert Ken Meter on February 14 at Michigan Tech University. His talk, entitled "The Value of Local Food Systems: How local food systems are revitalizing economies and communities" drew in over 80 guests and sparked an engaging discussion about food production in the UP.
Outreach to Ontonagon and Iron Counties is an important next step, with planning meetings in Bruce Crossing and Crystal Falls drawing restaurant owners, cattle ranchers, educators, and market gardeners. Additionally, the Steering Committee for the WUP began meeting in February, and all 3 sub-committees: Policy, Education & Access, and Distribution & Capacity have meetings scheduled for March. Each group will identify priorities and plan for short-term (this growing season), 2-year and 5-year projects.
To stay informed on WUP news and events, please visit the WUP Facebook page at http://facebook.com/westernupfoodhub or join the WUP listserv by emailing sympa@mtu.edu with "subscribe westernupfoodhub-L Your Name" in the subject.
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Higher Education
MTEC SmartZone Earns Keweenaw Spark Plug Award for 'Growth'
HOUGHTON, Michigan (February 25, 2013) -- MTEC SmartZone, a high-tech business incubator in Houghton, Michigan, contributed significantly to the economic vibrancy of the local business community in 2012, creating over 50 jobs. For that reason, they received a Keweenaw Spark Plug Award for "Growth."
Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce, Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA), and co-host MTEC SmartZone, sponsored the annual Keweenaw Spark Plug Awards to recognize area businesses for extraordinary successes in 2012. Businesses were nominated by Chamber and KEDA members.
KEDA board member Dave Olsson presented MTEC SmartZone CEO Marilyn Clark with the growth award, calling MTEC SmartZone "a fuse of energy for this community."
"I am really excited about leading an organization that creates growth opportunities for other companies and entrepreneurs in our community," Clark says. "I grew up here, and it's important to me that the Keweenaw remains vibrant. MTEC SmartZone strives to be a global organization that embraces the talent and intellect of people who live here, and that's what we do."
Clark shared an inspirational story about her life growing up on a dairy farm in Chassell. Her father, a "necessity entrepreneur," relied heavily on data and numbers to make a successful living for their family.
"My father was a data-driven dairy farmer. At MTEC SmartZone, we help businesses to be data-driven in terms of their business decisions," she says. "We can't take credit for any of our tenants' successes, but we can provide the services that help them grow."
MTEC SmartZone created a total of 52 jobs in 2012 and attracted Fortune 500 companies Dematic and CONTROLTEC, who opened remote offices in Houghton. Among other key accomplishments, MTEC SmartZone created an Entrepreneurial Training Center, with over six active companies whose founders are learning how to take a business concept and bring it to market.
For more information about MTEC SmartZone, click HERE or call (906) 487-7000.
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Tourism
Big bucks
Report: Pictured Rocks generates $25 M in economic activity
By John Pepin - The Mining Journal
MUNISING - A new National Park Service report showed Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore created nearly $25 million in economic benefit to the local economy in 2011.
The report is available online and shows the impact of parks across the country in creating a $30 billion impact, supporting 252,000 jobs.
"Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a wonderful place to learn about America's story," Pictured Rocks superintendent Jim Northup said. "We attract visitors from across the U.S. and around the world who come here to experience the park and then spend time and money enjoying the services provided by our neighboring communities and getting to know this amazing part of the country."
The figures for Pictured Rocks, which stretches more than 40 miles along the Lake Superior shoreline between Munising and Grand Marais, indicated 561,104 visitors were at the park in 2011. Those visitors spent $24.9 million in communities surrounding the park, supporting 363 jobs in the local area.
Park officials said in a news release the information on Pictured Rocks is part of a wider peer-reviewed spending analysis of national park visitors across the country conducted by Michigan State University for the National Park Service.
For 2011, that report shows $13 billion of direct spending by 279 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park.
Park officials said most visitor spending supports jobs in lodging, food and beverage service (63 percent) followed by recreation and entertainment (17 percent), other retail (11 percent), transportation and fuel (7 percent) and wholesale and manufacturing (2 percent).
"The National Park Service is proud to have been entrusted with the care of America's most treasured places and delighted that the visitors we welcome generate significant contributions to the local, state and national economy," Northup said.
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Click HERE for more about the UPWard Initiative.
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