Fumee panel entertains ski trail offer
By JIM ANDERSON, News EditorIRON MOUNTAIN - A potential $75,000 donation for cross country skiing at the Fumee Lake Natural Area is a sensitive issue for members of the Fumee Lake Commission.
After hearing citizen concerns Tuesday that skiers might monopolize Fumee in the winter, commission member Dr. Daniel Mitchell said he's hopeful that all users can be accommodated.
"We'd like to see it improved, not monopolized," Mitchell said.
Dave Brule Jr. of Iron Mountain has offered $75,000 to improve skiing at Fumee, including $25,000 for an initial equipment purchase and $10,000 annually for five years to pay grooming costs and develop new trails.
One goal is to allow grooming when only several inches of snow is on the ground. Currently, about a foot is needed.
County Commissioner Frank Smith advised the Fumee panel Tuesday that it should avoid managing the county-owned property "for the exclusive or semi-exclusive use" of skiers.
"A lot of people like to go out there for other purposes," he said.
Robert Moraska of Iron Mountain said there are "too many skiers, entirely" on the Fumee board. Moraska cited a proposed stipulation in the donation requiring that snowshoe trails be marked.
"Snowshoers can use every trail," he said. "We all get to share in it equally."
Mitchell said talks are under way with the Menominee Range Ski Club to see if Brule's donation might better be directed to the club, which could then play a role in keeping Fumee groomed. Maintaining or developing ski trails in other areas has also been suggested, but the ski club currently has a relatively small membership.
"It would be desirable to include Fumee," Mitchell said. "It's the most feasible place to do it."
Trail development at Fumee is a difficult issue that would need county approval, he added.
Fumee board co-chair Robert Roberge acknowledged there are "user conflicts" at Fumee.
A horse-riding event this past weekend, for example, drew at least one written complaint about manure on the trails.
This past winter, no ski grooming took place at Fumee until near the end of January for lack of adequate snow. The Fumee Lake Commission budgets about $2,000 each winter for
grooming, about 22 percent of its current annual budget. A new groomer was acquired in early 2007 through private donations.
Brule's offer, which is also aimed at boosting tourism, requests a plan to make the ski trails self-funding beyond the five-year donation.
The Fumee panel is awaiting further talks with the ski club and Brule before deciding how to proceed. Other members of the commission are Susan Pope, Phyllis Carlson, Lucy Shampo, William Bailey and Stephen Soltis.
In other action Tuesday, Carlson reported that the annual Fumee Lake open house on Oct. 5 drew about 300 to 350 people. A year ago, more than 400 people attended.
"It was still a very good event," Carlson said. Higher fuel prices appeared to limit the number of out-of-town visitors, she noted.
Jim Anderson's e-mail address is janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.
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crandy
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10-19-08 8:33 PM
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At that trail ride I remember someone going back to pick up horse manure and trash... but it could have been done on the private property if the ATV could not go into the trail.... Ok manure is not attractive Point for you walkers.... I guess us horse people are not as offended by it because it is a way of our life....
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KertinIM
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10-16-08 11:40 AM
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What is confusing to me, is that in a region roughly 50 square miles (IM, Kingsford and Aurora), and a cumulative population of 13,000 people that there is only ONE trail available for public access and use. It just seems to me that other areas/options are available, or at least should be. While I do like not having to breath the plumes from 2-stroke motor oil, I am equally not a big fan of (especially during Fall walks) of equine excrement. In that respect, Fumee is would be perfect. While our “Board” is trying to discover methods to drive revenue for the area, their appears to be a no brainer, let’s fully utilize the abundance of natural resources that we already have. Before we start voting to widen sidewalks, that go nowhere…..
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tRANIS
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10-16-08 8:41 AM
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We first moved here two years ago, and after finding out about Fumee Lake my first thought was 'this would be a great x-country ski place'. I would support this in a heartbeat, but I can also see the concerns and they are quite valid. I can also agree that its very easy to 'share the road' so to speak with others anyway. The main trail is wide enough, some of the outer trails though could be widened to make it easier to navigate others. Also, I totally agree that people need to pick up after their animals.
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ChuckW
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10-15-08 7:33 PM
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I ski, but have no problem sharing the trail with Snowshoers and Walkers, there's lots of room. I also like to walk or run out there in the Summer and would like to see the Horse riders clean up after there animals. I've heard of people giving dog walkers a hard time out there. I would rather see dog waste than Horse waste, size does matter.
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goalie712
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10-15-08 7:26 PM
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I would think the creation of new ski trails, would allow for the main trail to be mostly walkers, it is not an ideal ski trail (no hills)
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herewegoagain2
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10-15-08 6:42 PM
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Last I knew there were laws and a court order that prohibited the creation of new trails. And that is good, it will prevent the ruin of the area.
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Malamute
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10-15-08 6:40 PM
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I am all for more trails, but i must say i actually just WALK out there in the winter and the skiers tend to be total jerks. Acting as if they have more right to the park then i do. Pretty annoying.
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goalie712
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10-15-08 6:30 PM
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Does anyone know how I could support the movement to make more trails?
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herewegoagain2
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10-15-08 6:30 PM
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crandy, I enjoy seeing the horses out there (plus bikes, walkers, bird watchers, etc). I agree that manure is biodegradable, but until it does it's kinda messy to step in. Couldn't you horse riders scoop it up and throw it in the woods ? Us walkers would like to enjoy the trail with out having to worry were we step. Thanks
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herewegoagain2
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10-15-08 6:26 PM
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"Self Funding" does that mean paying to use the trails. I already paid for that property. Also the skiers already harrass other users. Just what we need more ski trails and more skiers insisting that no one else use them. And why are the trails being groomed, aren't motorised vehicles prohibited at Fumee? Shouldnt the skiers break thier own trails? I for one will still walk out there in the winter and I'll be d...med if I will pay to use public property. And the next skier that gets in my face and yells at me is apt to get pepper sprayed. I think I agree with the Moraska guy, to many skiers on that board and they are trying to make it into thier own playground. I say if Brule wants to boost tourism then he could do better to give that much money to some group that would groom more trails than just that one. Marquette has lots of trails, not just 1. For that matter just think of how many hunger families you could feed with that much money.
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crandy
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10-15-08 6:15 PM
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I was one of the horse riders on this ride.... there were quite a few horses...... I loved the trail. Most of the trails I have ridden people respect each other using the trail. The trail is a treasure I had not been aware of until I took it by horse... I would not have the physical fitness to ride a bike or walk it.... and I am just so happy that I was able to ride my horse there.... Manure happens.... but it is biodegradeable. It will quickly become dirt and not harm anyone. What a beautiful trail!
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goalie712
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10-15-08 5:19 PM
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So somebody wants to donate 75K and they are not going to let him. Sounds kinda crazy
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