Project Description – Great Lakes/Great Lands Upper Peninsula
Ottawa and Hiawatha National Forests
Tract Names: TPL Prickett Lake (Phase II); TPL Victoria East
Acres: 620 (Prickett Lake); 410 (Victoria East)
Estimated Value: $1,300,000 (Prickett Lake); $1,000,000 (Victoria East)
The Ottawa National Forest proposes to acquire the second phase of the Prickett Lake property (approximately 620 acres) for $1.3 million in FY 2011. The Forest received $1.5 million for the first phase of this acquisition case in FY 2010. This property is located within the boundary of the Ottawa National Forest and a portion of the property is located within the designated corridor of the Sturgeon Wild and Scenic River.
The Forest also proposes to acquire the Victoria East property (approximately 410 acres) for $1.0 million in a single transaction in FY 2011. This property is located within the boundary of the Ottawa National Forest. A portion of the property is located within the designated corridor of the Middle Branch of the Ontonagon Wild and Scenic River.
Acquisition of these properties would further landscape level conservation efforts in this area of the Forest by consolidating federal ownership around Prickett Lake, Victoria East Reservoir, the Sturgeon River, and the Middle Branch of the Ontonagon River. These properties are comprised of significant wetland and riparian areas located in a deciduous northern hardwood forest environment.
The acquisition of the Prickett Lake property, with associated wetland and riparian habitat, would provide significant protection to the Sturgeon River watershed, which drains directly into Lake Superior. Efforts to protect the Sturgeon River watershed contribute to the conservation objectives of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and complement conservation efforts by the State Department of National Resources in the area.
The subject Victoria East property is located within the Ontonagon River watershed, which also drains into Lake Superior. The property contains significant riparian habitat associated with Victoria East reservoir, the Middle Branch of the Ontonagon, and various streams and tributaries. Acquisition of this property would provide significant protection for these riparian areas and, thereby, benefit the watershed and further the objectives of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
The subject properties contain habitat for the endangered Eastern Gray Wolf and the threatened Canadian Lynx. The tracts also provide habitat for sensitive species such as the Wood Turtle and the Bald Eagle, certain state-listed species, and several rare and uncommon plant species. Prickett Lake is upstream to one of the few remaining spawning areas for Lake Sturgeon.
Consolidation of federal ownership around Prickett Lake and the East Victoria Reservoir should help ensure the availability of these riparian corridors for species migration and adaptation resulting from climate change. Acquisition of the properties would also preclude further subdivision and conversion of the parcels to alternative uses. The potential for conversion of these tracts could be relatively high given the scenic views and proximity to surface water recreation opportunities.
Recreational opportunities on the properties include various forms of dispersed recreation and many water-related activities. Acquisition of the tracts would improve access to these areas for recreational and administrative purposes.
Acquisition of the subject properties would increase management efficiency by reducing some costs associated with boundary management and by eliminating the need for future access permits. Acquisition of the tracts would also eliminate any future threat of encroachments caused by development and conversion of the parcels to other uses.
Tract Name: TPL Plum Creek (Stonington, Trout Lake, Whitefish River) (Phase I)
Acres: 2,500
Estimated Value: $2,500,000
The Hiawatha National Forest proposes to acquire various parcels of land from Plum Creek (approximately 2,500 acres) in FY 2011. This proposed acquisition would likely be the first of several phases involving 15,000 to 20,000 acres of Plum Creek lands on the Hiawatha National Forest. The composition of future phases has not yet been finalized.
Acquisition of the subject Plum Creek parcels would significantly consolidate federal ownership in various areas of the Forest and help ensure the protection and conservation of three separate watersheds (two watersheds drain into Lake Michigan and the remaining watershed drains into Lake Huron). The parcels also contain significant wetland habitat (the National Wetlands Inventory designates approximately 48% of the subject acreage as wetlands). The conservation of these watersheds and associated wetland areas would help support the objectives of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
The Plum Creek tracts contain habitat for the endangered Eastern Gray Wolf, the threatened Canadian Lynx, and various sensitive species, including the northern goshawk and the red-shouldered hawk.
The consolidation of federal lands associated with this acquisition case would help protect existing corridors of public land for species affected by climate change. Acquisition of the properties would also preclude further subdivision and conversion of the parcels to alternative uses, such as rural residential uses. This threat of conversion could be significant if these Plum Creek lands are subdivided and divested to separate owners.
Recreational opportunities on the property include various forms of dispersed recreation. The Bay de Noc to Grand Island trail is located near several of the parcels. Opportunities for various types of water-related recreation, such as fishing and canoeing, are available on adjacent federal lands.
Acquisition of the subject property will increase management efficiency by reducing costs associated with boundary management and by eliminating the need for future access permits. Acquisition of the tract will also eliminate any future threat of encroachments caused by development and conversion of the parcel to other uses.
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