Keweenaw Land Sale

“I found this post on the Michigan Mountain Bike Association bulletin board. It's from Roger Dyjak, MMBA executive director. BTW, this is important for Michigan hikers/backpackers.

-Keweenaw Land Sale
The Keweenaw Pennisula in the Western UP is a biological and recreational gem in Michigan. I am certain anyone who has visited the Keweenaw will agree. The Lake Superior Land Co., a company of International Paper Corp. is offering to sell 6,300 acres to the State of MI. Over nine miles of Keweenaw shoreline is included. Hundreds of miles of Multi-use Mountain bike trail could be lost if the land is sold to private individuals or companies. The asking price is 12 million dollars. The purchase, through Michigan's Land Trust Fund would place the finest undeveloped shoreline left in MI. into public hands. This area has such magnitude of grandeur, bio-diversity and recreation that it would be a shame to lose it. The proposed sale needs strong support from ALL areas of Michigan. The Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund Board will meet September 12, 2001 to consider this sale. They need your support. Write to their secretary and include the subject line, "Tip of the Keweenaw Land Sale"

Sharon Edgar
Grants Administration,
MDNR
PO box 30425
Lansing, MI. 48909
or email at EDGARSL@state.mi.us”

“I'm in for 8 million, who's gonna pony up the rest? I'll send an email.”

“Send a letter, too, Buddha Bear. It's more effective than e-mail and costs very little.”

“Thanks for the information RL. I'll send a letter. :o)”

“who do i make the cheque out to again?

it might bounce though.. i am a couple bux short.. but my overdraft should cover it.”

“I'm a Michigan Tech alumni, and the weekly alumni newsletter has had a couple discussions on this. I'm trying to find a couple articles about it in the "Daily Mining Gazette" and the MTU alumni newsletter for you all to read. I think most people would like to see the land purchased. I know I'd rather see the Keweenaw perserved, rather than see it destroyed by developers.”

“From a weekly Michigan Tech newsletter:

LAND DEAL HITS SNAG: A state purchase of 6,300 acres at the
tip of the Keweenaw is incomplete, with the parties
wrangling about mineral rights. Lake Superior Land Company,
a subsidiary of International Paper, owns the land and wants
to complete the sale, but retain mineral rights. The state,
through the Natural Resources Trust Fund, has agreed to
purchase the land for $12 million, but wants the mineral
rights, as well. Both groups say they want the deal to work
out.”

“Mineral Rights = subsurface resources

Oil???”

“My wife works for IP,,maybe I can negotiate a discount”

“Yeah, Smiley Girl, I read something about this on the MMBA website. I wonder what's down there. Or maybe nothing's down there and the company is just trying to snag a few more bucks.

It's a bummer, though, because the original proposed sale was much larger than 6,000 acres. That area needs to be preserved. I don't think there is anything else like it in the Michigan mainland.”

“I've often wondered about these mineral rights clauses. I know people who own property and houses where there is a mineral rights clause. I wonder what the legalities would be as far as them regaining land later claiming mineral rights. They could make some money now and then later reclaim valuable property.”

“Sunshine, I don't know the ins and outs, but they can do some nasty things even aboveground with these rights. They could build roads and set up wells. They might even be able to strip mine. But if other state land is any indication, state ownership wouldn't necessarily protect the area. The lower peninsula state forests are pocked with natural gas wells in lots of places. It's a big moneymaker for the state. Anyway...”