Cultural Resources Management Plan

[Keweenaw]

Listening sessions will be held soon in Duluth, Minneapolis, and Houghton regarding the new Cultural Resources Management Plan.

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/ISROcrmp

[johnhens]

Thanks Bob!
I am going to try and go to the East Lansing, MI meeting.

[johnhens]

There should be some general questions of interest posted on the CRMP site, for those who are attending the Public Scoping sessions, in the next few days.

[johnhens]

Questions for consideration and more info about the comment period:
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cf ... ntID=37527

[MikeT]

When I was at the headquarters in Houghton this fall, I eavesdropped on a conversation between Liz Valenzia (sp?) the cultural resources person and someone from MTU who had conducted archiological studies at the park and they were having a discussion about setting up Crystal Cove as a campground designated as a "cutural resource" campground. I have never been there and I am curious what remains there. Sure looks like a nice place for a campground. Anyone have any info??

On a side note, I have been told Crystal Cove has/had a particular type of Greenstone that could be found no where else and they are highly valued.

[johnhens]

When I was at the headquarters in Houghton this fall, I eavesdropped on a conversation between Liz Valenzia (sp?) the cultural resources person and someone from MTU who had conducted archiological studies at the park and they were having a discussion about setting up Crystal Cove as a campground designated as a "cutural resource" campground. I have never been there and I am curious what remains there. Sure looks like a nice place for a campground. Anyone have any info??

On a side note, I have been told Crystal Cove has/had a particular type of Greenstone that could be found no where else and they are highly valued.

There are historic cabins there that fisherman lived in. I know there was a crew from the NPS Cultural Resources Unit there evaluating the cabins for rehab work a few years ago.

[porter]

i visited crystal cove in 06. I remember 2 main buildings. One cabin that is easily twice the size of the "schoolhouse" at chippewa, and a main hall building (which was presumably the gathering place for an old resort business) that was impressive in size. these were full log buildings, intact roofs, intact floors (some parts upheaved) still had furniture in the hall, some sheets over things in the hall like you'd see in a haunted house movie, intact chimneys, the large outdoor porches were rotting away or having shrubs grow through them, but in all, had great potential for a serious restoration. there was another outbuilding that had a pump or generator in it with a bunch! of old very large wet cell batteries. the new park service dock was placed next to the prior dock pilings which had an old flathead engine sitting there, halfway submerged. there were remnants of small outbuildings-cabins or privys or something plus off to the side a good amount of garbage type items, appliances i recall. the harbor it sits in is a gorgeous! little gem and is absolutely the most transparent emerald green i have come across from around the island
its a cool place

[fonixmunkee]

Thanks for these links Bob and John. I'll be attending the Duluth session on the 1st. Anyone else planning to attend any of them?

[Tom]

I'm planning on attending the one this Tuesday, Nov 30th, in Minneapolis. If any other forum members are planning to hit that one, send me PM and we can see about meeting up!

[Tom]

I just returned from the Minneapolis session. Fairly spartanly attended, maybe 20, but I'll note that we're just getting over a little blizzard and the roads were full of blowing snow. It's really just an 'open session' where you can come and meet with park staff, talk about the concept of developing the plan, and then submit your suggestions. They really would appreciate if folks did it online, since then the information is instantly available. (http://parkplanning.nps.gov/ISROcrmp)
There were several folks from the NPS there, including Seth DePasqual who is an archeologist/resource specialist; Liz Valencia, formerly the IR historian, and now in a type of leadership role involving that area; and Phyllis Green, Park Superintendent. There was also a regional NPS staff member there, but I did not have a chance to talk with him. I had a chance to talk with all three, independently, which was great. I expressed my appreciation to Phyllis of her wonderful staff that work on the Isle, and all they do for us.
The Isle Royale Families were well represented, and I had the opportunity to meet Missy McDonald? who's husband is Larry Edwards, of Edward's Island. That's the island you can see from the tip of the Stoll interpretive trail. The family elder is one of three remaining true lease holders on the Island. She told me of the family history and how they've gathered and preserved some of the old family boats from other folks when they've left. Grant Merritt and family (of Merritt island) were also there, and I told him how several on the forum have met him and what wonderful things they say. Last, David Barnum (Of Barnum Island, catching a theme?) came up from Chicago, and is attending this session and the one in Duluth, and perhaps the others. It sounds like there might be a pretty good IR Family turn out in Duluth. I sense there is a little tension between the families and the NPS at present, but I respect that they turned out to provide their opinions and perspectives, just like everyone else has the opportunity to do so. I will say that each of the families I spoke with extended invitations to me that "if you're ever out by us, be sure to stop by" - It's something I love about folks interesting in Isle Royale, everyone has a story to share.

Several of the folks I spoke with had heard of the forum or visited, so I extend a hearty "hello" and encourage you to sign up, and share your wealth of knowledge!

[johnhens]

Tom,
Thanks for the update on the meeting. It will be interesting to hear others impressions from the various locations.

[fonixmunkee]

Just got back from the Duluth meeting as well. There were lots of families with cabins on IR that were there who had obvious concerns.

The Duluth meeting quite the opposite from the Twin Cities meeting...it was very busy, but again, it appeared to be people with "inner circle" knowledge (read: families) that were there. I only ran into one couple who were hikers, or not associated with any organization about the island.

I think it's important to get people like us--who are just regular, disinterested (bad word, I know, but you get my point) "stakeholders"--to the listening sessions put our two cents in so organizations and families don't get the largest chunk of the pie. We all get a say. As I told one of the moderators of the session, it's rare you get to interface with Government and provide input on a plan BEFORE it goes in motion. If you're passionate about Isle Royale, attend these meetings (or go online, too) and provide your feedback. You can shape the future of IR and it's history.

And just to be clear, these sessions are open-forums...there's no presentations. You get to talk to the people responsible for putting together the CRMP and provide your input directly to the source. So read the questions in the thread below that they want you to answer for them, and then go to a session, or put your comments online (or even email them).

I've created a thread to advertise the CRMP listening sessions. You can view it here. It will remain sticked, and be updated with ongoing information about the CRMP.

[johnhens]

fonix,
Thanks for the "TR". Glad that you went and got a chance to talk with the NPS folks.

[johnhens]

I have enjoyed learning of the Islands past residents and the life they lived. Not much is known of the day to day lives of the Indians that lived on IR during the year. Tim Cochrane wrote a book about the Indians who came, I enjoyed reading it. Diaries of an Isle Royale Fisherman amd Diary of an Isle Royale Schoolteacher both give insight into a life long gone. Island Folk is another.

What would you be willing to pay to stay in one of the unused cabins in Tobin Harbor for a week? Experience a lifestyle long gone. No electricity or running water. If it were possible, what would you pay to spend a week on Passage Island and stay at the Light House? Imagine being there in the Storm of late October this year with 25' waves breaking on the shore.
What are your thoughts on the leftover mining equipment found on the Island?

[Midwest Ed]

Are these feedback sessions to be used as a review of the most recent evictions or are they a "done deal?"

Or is this feedback to be used only in "moving forward?"

It's clear the requested feedback is meant to cover more than just the one issue but I was interested in the time line.

~Ed