“Don’t pave Sleeping Bear!”

From Staff Reports

A group of citizens in the Glen Arbor, Michigan, area has recently formed under the banner of “Preserve the Forest” to oppose the asphalt paving of Segment 5, of the Leelanau Heritage Scenic Heritage Route Trailway, a portion of the 27 mile long, multi-use trail, planned for Leelanau and Benzie Counties. According to page 122 of the Trailway Document, 15.63 miles of asphalt paving is proposed for the entire trail.

Segment 5, in the Glen Arbor/Glen Haven areas, is the first to be constructed and was surveyed last month. The current area of concern lies at the base of Alligator Hill, between Stocking Drive and Forest Haven Road, along the M-109 corridor.

Nearly 4 miles in length, the 14 foot wide trail would feature 10’
wide asphalt with two-foot gravel shoulders on either side.

“We are in disagreement with The National Park Service paving a pristine forest, where only a footpath currently exists. A multi-use trail, of 27 miles, does not currently exist in any other National Lakeshore or Seashore and appears to be setting a precedence to create new asphalt mini-roads through Park lands that should remain natural” says spokesperson for the group, Betsy Rigotti.

She further explained, “A small group of us sat down with Dusty Schulz, Superintendent, Tom Ulrich, Deputy Superintendent, and Mike Duwe, Park Planner, last week and posed many questions to them. In reading the Purpose of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, (General Management Plan Summary, page 11) the word “natural” is mentioned three times in this one sentence. When asked, what is natural about asphalt, Tom Ulrich, stated, “Nothing”.

We were told several times, in several different ways, that the Park Service sees this portion of the trail as benefiting all, as it is currently planned.”

Residents, property owners, and area visitors are encouraged to visit the website www.preservetheforest.org to learn more, and find links to the plans, and a petition to halt the paving.