PORTAGE TOWNSHIP - The effort to raise funds for conservation easements on the Pilgrim River watershed has brought in $52,000 of the $200,000 expected to be needed for the easement.
The Pilgrim River Watershed Project consists of Copper Country Trout Unlimited, the Keweenaw Land Trust, Partners in Forestry, Copper Country Audubon, Northwoods Alliance, Keweenaw Trails Alliance and the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District.
The purpose of the watershed project is to purchase the conservation easement from the Wisconsin-based Hovel family, who own the 1,360 acres under consideration. The Hovels have the property in the Michigan Commercial Forest program and plan to harvest trees there.
"The property will remain a working forest using sustainable methods," said Bill Leder, CCTU board member and CCWP finance committee chairman.
Leder said the conservation easement will allow public access to the Hovel property for fishing, hiking, bicycling and hunting, among other activities.
The $50,000 raised for the easement so far will be used on an upstream 360-acre portion near Superior and Onkalos Corner roads near Baltic, Leder said.
"We're a little more than a fourth of the way (to the $200,000 goal)," he said.
Leder said the fundraising effort is going well.
"We're making good progress," he said. "We've actually gotten over 160 donations."
Of those 160 donations, Leder said 100 were from local donors.
Its possible conservation easements may be sought from other adjoining property owners, but that isn't certain, Leder said.
"We've only had very preliminary discussions," he said.
Leder said all money raised for the easement is kept locally in Superior National Bank.
Money raised will be for the easements only, and will not be used for administration, Leder said.
"This money is dedicated," he said.
There is a misconception by some people that easements can be forced on property owners, Leder said. Properties with easements also stay on tax rolls.
There is no timeline to get all the funding needed for the easement, Leder said.
"We all view it as a marathon, not a sprint," he said.
For more information about the Pilgrim River Watershed Project, go online to pilgrimriverwatershed.org.