NORTHERN MICHIGAN — Ready to break ground this spring on a 15-mile non-motorized trail between Boyne City and Charlevoix, Charlevoix County officials are now studying whether a decision announced last week by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will delay its construction plans.
It was revealed on April 1 that the northern long-eared bat, a species that has been decimated by a fungal disease, has been placed on the federal endangered species list. With populations in Michigan, the move puts restrictions on certain activities that could further harm the bats.
In a news release last week, the
Michigan Department of Natural Resources listed a series of new
regulations that Charlevoix County officials believe may slow — but not
altogether postpone — progress on the trail this year.
"I talked to the engineers (last
week) and they still have to see what this means," said Ross Maxwell,
the county's parks and recreation director. "It looks like we just can't
clear the trees for our trail in June and July. If everything is OK
there, I can see us still building phase one this year."
Maxwell said he's expecting more information this week.
After initially planning to begin
construction on the trail, which will be built in five phases, last
year, the county was dealt a series of delays as it waited final
approval for the project from state officials. A new timeline was set
with construction planned to begin as soon as the weather would allow
this year. But the project was again put on hold over the winter as
federal officials considered whether to put the northern long-eared bat
on the list of endangered species, Maxwell said.
The restrictions announced last
week prohibit cutting and clearing of trees within areas where northern
long-eared bats have their babies and raise them during June and July.
Maxwell said such areas exist all along the trail's path.
The non-motorized trail's
construction will start with a 3.2-mile section in Boyne City on a
portion that passes through Young State Park. The second phase to be
constructed will stretch 3.3 miles originating from the Little Traverse
Wheelway in Charlevoix. A third phase in the Horton Bay area is planned
for construction in 2016 and the final two phases will follow that.
County officials expect grant funding will cover the entire cost for construction of the trail.
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