As a retired Ranger at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, I’m often asked about Park issues. Recently, the subject has been the Park’s General Management Plan, which is now being revised. (The Park Service is requesting public comments on this by May 14; see www.nps.gov/slbe/parkmgmt/gmphome.htm for details.)
The following is offered for those who might be interested in one former Ranger’s thoughts on the three alternatives that have been offered by the Park Service:
Alternative A (the “Conservation of Natural Resources” Option):
• This alternative includes substantial roadless wilderness areas, much like the way the Park has been managed for many years. As such, it appears to be the best plan for protecting the National Lakeshore and keeping it a great place to enjoy the natural world. (All wilderness areas are fully accessible by non-mechanized means.)
• It’s often noted that one roadway creates noise that impacts a vast area off to its sides. Establishing limits on new roads will help preserve our remaining quiet areas.
• Some have said that wilderness protection is not needed, since “Experience Nature” zoning in the Park is similarly protective. However, wilderness designation provides a legislative mandate to preserve these areas, regardless of political climates, future management personalities, etc.. Establishing designated wilderness represents a commitment for future generations.
• Congratulations to the Park planners for proposing the Sleeping Bear Plateau (not including the Dune Climb area) for wilderness designation! Truly the most significant and fragile feature in the Park, this will ensure its proper protection. This is a major improvement over past plans.
• One aspect of Alternative A that would be unfortunate is the proposed abandonment of the Benzie Corridor portion of the Park. This hill-top route is an extraordinary resource for observing the surrounding glacial landforms and scenery (which have been identified as "fundamental values" of the Park). Once abandoned and developed, it will surely never be available to the public again. As northern Michigan continues to be populated, such places will become increasingly precious. The corridor would make a fantastic route for a hiking trail, and possibly a bike trail. (The Park Service welcomes you to pick & choose features from the various alternatives, so you can make note of portions such as this one if you agree that it is undesirable.)
• There are sound reasons to abandon Tiesma Road (which is an old private road; not a county road), as proposed. Lake Michigan Road and Peterson Road will continue to provide motorized beach access in that area. Workers who monitor the endangered Piping Plovers in the area have noted that Tiesma Road is a bad area for people driving back and letting their dogs off-leash, endangering the nesting birds.
Alternative B (the “Recreational Opportunities” Option):
• This alternative, which would provide for the most development of recreational facilities throughout the Park, would give up much of what is special about this, the only National Park area in lower Michigan—Its opportunities for solitude, exploration and nature study in a relatively wild, pristine environment.
• While some commercial interests advocate developing the Park intensively in order to attract many more visitors, most folks seem to feel that this would ruin the charm of the area.
• A new group camping area is proposed for development adjacent to DH Day Campground, to replace the existing group camp. This would require the sacrifice of a considerable amount of presently unimpacted forest habitat. Although the present group camp may not be especially attractive, during my years working there I was frequently impressed by how many folks like the location. If the Park Service can make an investment to provide a more attractive environment, why not do a little well-designed landscaping (planting of native trees, etc.) around the present group camp (It is an old farm field, after all), rather than destroy the forest in a new area?
• “If you build it, they will come.” The Crystal River, a very fragile stream environment which is already threatened by over-use, is slated under this proposal to have its access upgraded. The Crystal’s charm is in its quietude, naturalness, and wildlife. All those things will be degraded by heavier use. We don’t need another Platte River. What we do need is to be looking into ways to control use of the Crystal from exceeding its carrying capacity. An upgrade to better protect the put-in environment would be great; one to accommodate more people during peak times will cause problems.
• The Crystal River access is also proposed to be moved downstream, below the dam. This would shorten an already short canoe trip. Going around the dam would be no problem if the portage were properly designed, as it could be. Most folks enjoy this sort of thing.
Alternative C (the “Concentrated Use” Option):
• This alternative is described as concentrating visitor use in selected areas, while facilitating more natural conditions in the rest of the Lakeshore. However, it actually appears that Alternative C would facilitate a significant increase in visitor use as well. This is unfortunate, because the description reads somewhat like the “Mama Bear” alternative. Many folks may choose it because it sounds like it's “not too hot” (developed) and “not too cold” (over-protected). Actually, it is much “hotter” than the park we now know and love—which many find to be “just right”.
• There is a large reduction in wilderness from the area that has been managed that way for many years.
• The large “high-use” and “recreation” zones adjoining the Sleeping Bear Dunes area would inevitably result in greater spill-over of environmental impact onto the dunes—the ultimate “fragile environment”.
• Much of the proposed high-use zone near the mouth of the Platte River is already being used--by endangered Piping Plovers, as nesting grounds; and it is habitat for endangered pitcher’s thistle plants.
• “Improved facilities” at DH Day Campground: I wish I had a petoskey stone for every time someone told me, “Never change DH Day!” The people who want paved roads and pull-through sites have many of them at Platte River Campground. “Leave our nice rustic campground just as it is.”
~ Tom Van Zoeren
Burdickville