KEWEENAW ATV CLUB, INC. NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 2 MARCH
2008
NOTE: Volume
1 was titled “Action Items Status – February 2006”
The 2008
riding season is right around the corner.
We hope everyone gets to ride frequently and safely. Mark your calendars now for our SPRING RIDE,
June 7 & 8.
This letter
is to inform all of our valued members about what has been accomplished by the
KATV Club with regard to establishing an ATV trail system from the Portage Lift
Bridge in Hancock, MI to the Keweenaw Point outside of Copper Harbor, MI.
As a
reminder, the KATV Club is a non-profit (501C) Corporation with a constitution
and by-laws. These may be viewed at www.keweenawatvclub.com
Since the
KTAV Club organization, in 2004, it may appear that we have been paying dues
and nothing else has been happening. As
with anything worth waiting for, all of this takes time. We have finally made it into 2nd
gear and we have the clutch in, ready to shift into 3rd gear!
In 2007, the
KATV Club became the sponsor of the Jack Stevens ATV Trail from Hancock (12
miles) to Calumet.
Every
designated DNR ATV trail has to be sponsored by an ATV Club. As sponsors, the club has to maintain the
trail by signing, brushing, grading, repairing bridges, installing culverts, or
whatever it takes to keep the trail up to DNR specifications. In turn, the KATV Club receives a few dollars
per mile from the DNR to ride and inspect the trail system twice a year. This is what we are advertising as our “Spring
and Fall Maintenance Rides”. This is
also an example of where volunteers are needed by the Club.
In the fall
of 2007, the DNR asked the KATV Club to sponsor the 14 mile Freda ATV Trail west
of Houghton. The Club agreed, asking in
return for help acquiring more trails north of the Portage Lift Bridge.
Last month
the Club submitted a proposal for the Marty Nelson ATV Trail. This proposed trail would start at the bridge
in Hancock and go to Dollar Bay, Lake Linden and up to the Northgate Motel in
Calumet. After a few meetings with the
Michigan DNR and Calumet Township, we connected the Marty Nelson ATV Trail to
the Jack Stevens ATV Trail so it could be a loop trail. Final approvals are now pending.
Ever wonder
what happened to trails in the Keweenaw?
After countless meetings with Eric Stier (area manager for GMO Threshold
Timber II LLC) and Ron Yensey (Western Upper Peninsula Recreation Specialist
for the Michigan DNR) we have mapped out a complete route from Calumet to Keweenaw
Point.
GMO has
given the KATV Club clearance through their properties and we are currently
working on obtaining easements through some private properties [not owned by
GMO] on the proposed ATV trail system.
According to Jim Regis, KATV President, “So far, everything is looking
good”.
The Keweenaw
Point Advisory Committee and the KATV Club worked very long and hard to
complete this trail system. It will complete
the connection with the trail system, on State owned land, at the Keweenaw
Point.
The KATV
Club would like to thank all of our members for supporting the Club in getting
where we are today. THANK YOU!
If you
haven’t paid your 2008 dues, please do so now.
It is the only funding we have.
Regular Membership is $20, Family Membership is $30, and a Corporate
Sponsor is $50. We ask each of our
members to recruit new members for 2008!
At this time, we have approximately 58 regular/family members and 22
Corporate Sponsors.
A Calendar
of events is always available on www.keweenawatvclub.com along with the Club constitution,
by-laws, Corporate Sponsor page, and this newsletter.
Future plans
include updating the web site and our SPRING RIDE June 7 & 8. Plan now to join us!
Happy
Trails,
James
Regis, President
Keweenaw
ATV Club