BURT LAKE TRAIL ALLIANCE MEETING
August 14, 2009
The Burt Lake Trail Alliance Committee met at the Mullett Township Hall on August 14, 2009. Fifteen people attended from Mullett Township, Emmet County, Cheboygan County and Burt Township.
Steve Schnell, Cheboygan County Community Development Director, opened the meeting with introductions. Steve stated one purpose of this meeting is to discuss how to connect the Burt Lake Trail with the trail on Highway 31 in Emmet County and the North Central State Trail in Cheboygan County.
BURT TOWNSHIP PLAN
Gary Street gave an update of the Burt Lake Trail Committee.
Map: The map shows the possible route of the trail, showing the options for connecting to the other trails. Brutus road to Brutus; Hardwood road to Sand road to Highway 31; or going further north on Douglas Lake Road to Highway 31.
Partnership: Burt Lake Trail has strong support from both Mullett Township and TOMTC.
Publicity:
1. Five hundred pamphlets have been printed and passed out. The pamphlet will soon be revised and reprinted.
2. Articles of the trail are being printed in the Burt Lake Preservation Association newspaper.
3. A logo contest to develop a logo is being held and the winner will be awarded a gift certificate from a bicycle shop in the area.
4. Burt Township website has information and updates about the trail. The website is www.burttownship.org.
Grants: Have applied for
- Kodak grant, a conservation fund, allowing up to $2,500 for engineering studies.
- National Park Service. Will provide consultation in developing a trail.
Support Letters
Support Letters have been received from many organizations.
Financial Support
Financial Support has been received from Burt Township, Mullett Township, BLPA, The Citizen National Bank, Straits Area Foundation and individuals.
Preliminary Engineering Firms
Three engineering firms were considered and C2AE was awarded the contract.
Schedule
A flow chart was shown of the schedule of work to be done. The preliminary engineering study will be completed by October. The route of the trail will be decided and the easements can then be obtained. April 1, 2010 is the goal to get the application to the DNR for funding.
Trail Ride
The TOMTC Burt Lake Trail ride is August 22 at 9 a.m from Topinabee to Brutus following the route of the proposed trail.
ROUTE OPTIONS
Mullet Township
Dennis Dombroski spoke about improvements in Topinabee. Overviews of changes to be made were shown. Proposals are for the park in town to be improved, parking will be angled, a fireplace pit to be constructed. This area will be a trail head for the proposed trail. Mullett Township officials feel the improvements described will also enhance the existing North Central Trail, as well as the Burt Lake Trail.
The most logical connector to the Burt Trail would be Mullet-Burt Road to the Mail Route road and into town. The bridge on the Mail Route road presents a problem as it is on a curve and the sunlight causes a safety issue. The alternative is Mullet-Burt to Extension Road. Sunlight is an issue on this road also. There are two crossing of the freeway to consider that need to be worked out.
Emmet County
Tammy Doernenburg of Emmet County met with the Emmet County Planning Commission. Maple River Township has reservations about the trail on the Brutus road because of the condition of the road. However, it could be used as a future connector.
REVIEW OF NEXT STEPS
Steve Schnell said Cheboygan, Mackinac City and the TOMTC have received a grant to help pull the trailside communities together. A study will be made of the success of other trails. The meetings will start in September and Steve will send out mailings.
Gary Street suggests everyone to keep supporting Emmet County’s part of the trail.
All agreed the road commission need to be informed of trail plans. The Cheboygan County Road Commission is supporting the trail, and sees no major concerns at this time.
A meeting is needed to help with connectors and this will depend on the Burt Lake Trail engineering study.
Jim Conboy handed out a map of Michigan Trails and brochures of the North Central State Trail. This trail has a Friends Committee to oversee segments and do light maintenance. Signage is a big issue and is needed to direct riders. This is being worked on.
NEXT MEETING
November 6, 2009, 9 a.m. at the Burt Township Hall.
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
Joyce Hutto |