All Rights Reserved

A large crowd gathered at the Bay deNoc Community College Heirman Center on Tuesday night to receive information regarding four options offered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources on the establishment of a connecting trail system from Escanaba to Hermansville.

Two of the four options presented would classify the “Hermanaba”, as it has been so named, as a multi-use trail, offering a portion as non-motorized from “J” Road to Highway M69. The difference between the two would only regard placement of the non-motorized section either on the north side or south side segments.

Option one made the multi-use trail contiguous from Escanaba, all the way to Hermansville. Option two would have inverted the plan, putting the non-motorized segment to the north and motorized to the south, which would require ATV/OHV riders to traverse a short portion of “J” Road to re-connect.

Options 3 and 4 would have made the entire span between Escanaba and Hermansville non-motorized, leaving only a short segment as motorized that would then only connect to the current Felch grade.

According to MDNR Trails Specialist Ron Yesney, the preliminary study work on the entire system has been completed. The former railroad grade is whole with several bridge points that would utilize existing structure, requiring only surface planking and safety rail placement.

To make the system a non-motorized trail would require some resurfacing, replacing the current rock base with a more adaptive source, most likely limestone. It is a requirement under the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and is very expensive. According to Yesney, “One other trail in the western UP was made for non-motorized and the cost was over a million dollars for just six miles. The Escanaba to Hermansville grade is approximately 23.76 miles.” The grade itself fits into the 2008 Michigan Rails-to-Trails Master Plan and was acquired through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund at a cost of $550,000.

If the exclusive non-motorized options were supported, they would not allow other uses that include equestrian riding. Those options allowing motorized multi-use will also include all other trail functions such as bicycling, walking/running, equestrian riding and possibly skiing and snowshoeing during the winter.

As a multi-use motorized trail, the Hermanaba will be adopted by user groups who already pay annual license fees for their sport. The clubs from Menominee County - NORMENCO, and Delta County SORVA, provide volunteer man power to maintain the trails systems throughout the year.

One major concern expressed during the last public hearing two years ago was the deposit of garbage along the grade. It had been determined that most if not all of the trash had been brought to the area in full-size vehicles such as four-wheel drive pick-ups and SUV’s.

To address the issue, the MDNR Forest Management Division (FMD) included a restriction on motorized vehicles wider than 62 inches. Special barriers would be installed along the route with lock gates. The only time street legal sized trucks and SUV’s could access the trail would be for maintenance needs or emergencies.

Another concern raised was regarding hunting along the grade.

Some property owners wanted to know if they’d still be allowed to hunt their property that is adjacent to the trail system. Moreover, they wanted some assurance they could still access property they owned on either side of the trail grade.

The answers to both were yes, however additional access routes would be limited to temporary permits for functions such as logging, or replacements of original access points no longer usable. This is part of a federal/state law that obligates the MDNR to protect the long term ability of the grade to convert back to a railroad in the future. It was written as part of the original agreement by the railroads and no one can change it.

One person in attendance expressed frustration she had from someone hunting along the grade.

It appears an unidentified person had discharged a firearm and the bullet went into the home, nearly missing the person testifying.

Public hunting along the Hermanaba would not be allowed as a use in the final recommendation. ATV/OHV is also restricted on public land during the November Firearm Deer Hunting Season, not allowing use from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time.

During the open comment period of the meeting, representatives from SORVA, NORMENCO, the Dickinson County Snowmobile Association and several businesses all expressed support for Option 1.

Steve Masters from the Delta County Tourism and Convention Bureau and the Delta County Chamber of Commerce not only supported Option 1, he expressed commitment of the UP State Fair Authority to open the Fairgrounds as an eastern end trail head. Masters also suggested work is already underway to eventually allow ATV/OHV and snowmobile access to restaurants, service centers and motels in the area for visiting riders.

The open public comment period will continue through May 5, 2011.

Written comments should be sent to: Department of Natural Resources, 6833 Hwy 2, 41 & M35, Gladstone, MI 49837, Attn: Eric W. Thompson, Unit Manager. Comments will also be received electronically at DNR-RTS@michigan.gov.