Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By IAN MINIELLY
Bessemer — A public hearing next Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the Gogebic County District Courtroom in Bessemer will address a five-year recreation plan.
According to Jerald Wuorenmaa, executive director of the Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Regional Commission, most communities keep them up to date so they stay eligible for Department of Natural Resources grants.
Gogebic County Forestry Director Greg Ryskey oversees Little Girl’s Point, the Lake Gogebic campground, McDonald Dam Lake and recreation area, Powers Road multi-use trails, the Mosinee Grade game enhanced site, Ketola Grade hunter walking trail, and the Harris Creek hunting trail.
According to the proposed new five-year plan, new restrooms, additional campsites and boat launch improvements are being considered for grant proposals while the county plan adds Copper Peak and the Iron Belle Trail so additional grants can be requested to upgrade Copper Peak and expand the reach of the trail.
Wuorenmaa said there are two methods to achieve public input before submitting the completed document.
The first method was accomplished when a survey was sent to the community and around 150 responses were received. From those responses, the plan may be adjusted and then a public hearing is held so people can see the plan, make comments and suggestions, and then the WUPPDRC has until the end of February to turn it in.
