This chapter describes those resources or activities that could immediately be affected by implementation of the proposal or any other alternative. Listed below are resources that either do not exist in the Lakeshore or would not be impacted by the alternatives. The table at the end of this chapter summarizes the occurrence of major issues of concern within each cultural landscape.

Since the alternatives presented in this document will have no impacts on the following resources, they have been dismissed from further consideration.

Wild and Scenic Rivers

There are no Wild and Scenic Rivers or rivers listed on the nationwide inventory that would be affected by any alternative in this plan.

Energy Requirements and Conservation Potential

Whenever possible, historic structures would be used to accommodate operational uses such as seasonal housing, storage, offices and interpretation.

Submerged Cultural Resources

There are no submerged cultural resources within the area to be affected by this plan.

Environmental Justice Policy (Executive Order 12898)

This order requires federal agencies to incorporate environmental justice into their missions by identifying and addressing disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their programs and policies on minorities and low income populations and communities. The alternatives would have no such adverse affects.

Sacred Sites (Executive Order 13007)

There are no known sacred sites in the Lakeshore.

Indian Trust Resources (ECM 95-2)

There are no known Indian Trust Resources in the Lakeshore.

SPECIAL DESIGNATIONS

1979 General Management Plan Zones

The 1979 General Management Plan (GMP) identified four management zones to help guide future management of the Lakeshore (see map in Appendix 5). A development zone would include major facilities needed to serve management and visitor needs. An historic zone would preserve, protect, and interpret cultural resources and their settings. Natural zones were divided into three subzones: An outstanding natural feature subzone (for public appreciation and interpretation of geological and ecological features possessing unusual intrinsic values or uniqueness), a natural environment subzone (to provide for environmentally compatible recreational activities that do not affect the conservation of natural resources), and a potential wilderness subzone (to preserve undeveloped areas of primitive character and influence). An agricultural management subzone was identified as a special use zone to pertuate a managed landscape to enhance the aesthetic setting. A process to update the 1979 GMP has just begun. This two-year process will identify issues in the Lakeshore and develop alternative strategies for addressing them. The public will be afforded the opportunity to review and comment at various stages in this process.

Recommended Wilderness

Lands have been evaluated for wilderness potential in accordance with Section 6c of the Lakeshore Enabling Act (PL 91-479). The 1981 Revised Wilderness Recommendation identified approximately 31,000 acres (12,546 hectares) of land in five separate areas that are considered to be suitable for wilderness designation (see map in Appendix 5). These areas have been designated as potential wilderness subzones of the natural zone in the Lakeshore's management zoning scheme (in the 1979 GMP). The 1979 GMP states, and the Congress has reaffirmed in Public Law 97-361, that these lands will be managed to retain their wilderness characteristics "until Congress determines otherwise."

NPS Management Policies state that historic features that are primary attractions for visitors will not be included in wilderness but wilderness will often contain historic features. The Wilderness Act states that wilderness designation will not lower the standards of protection provided for an area by its park authorization or any other act of Congress such as the Preservation of Historic Sites Act. New NPS guidelines for wilderness management state " NPS managers are responsible for maintaining an affirmative cultural resource management program in wilderness. The cultural resource management task in wilderness is the same as elsewhere but these sites must additionally be treated in a manner that preserves other wilderness resources and character."

Four cultural landscapes lie entirely or partially in recommended wilderness: Boekeloo, Tweedle/Treat, North Manitou Island Village, and Port Oneida. Refer to these landscape packages in Appendix 3 for more detailed information.

Managed Open Fields

The 1990 Open Field Management Plan (OFMP) implements the GMP direction to maintain certain fields within the Lakeshore to display agricultural settings, for wildlife habitat, and to show examples of significant geologic features that otherwise would be concealed by forest cover. The plan identifies mowing, hand cutting, and fire as possible methods to maintain the open fields. It prescribes only mowing and hand cutting due to the lack of information on impacts of prescribed fire upon natural resources and possible conflicts with adjacent landowners. Fire is, however, a potential tool. Currently fields are mowed on a five-year cycle, or as necessary. Mowing is accomplished after August 15th to protect ground nesting birds and other wildlife.

Criteria for inclusion in the open field management program include former agricultural use and pastoral setting of the field, wildlife values, location and opportunity for public use, field size, and maintenance difficulty. Twelve fields totaling 600 acres are presently included in the program (see map in Appendix 5). This plan will be revised and updated to conform to decisions reached in this HPMP.

Two cultural landscapes presently have fields in the open field management program: Tweedle/Treat and Port Oneida. Refer to these landscape packages in Appendix 3 for more detailed information.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Air Quality

The Lakeshore is designated a Class II air quality area under the Clean Air Act (PL 101-549). This act requires all federal agencies to meet all federal, state, and local air pollution control requirements. The Lakeshore maintains an air quality monitoring station through an agreement with Indiana University. This station principally monitors for the presence of persistent toxics.

Vegetation

The temperate climate, varied land forms shaped by glaciers and soil types provide the base for the great variety of plant communities in the Lakeshore.

The dunes plant association contains vegetation adjusted to full sunlight, dry conditions, strong winds, and low nutrients. These plants are often pioneer species, the first plants found on land between Lake Michigan and the more heavily vegetated inland sites.
Other less hardy plants replace these pioneers when conditions become more stable. The dune vegetation includes Marram grass, sea rocket, beach pea, Pitcher's thistle (a threatened species), dune lily, blue harebell, wormwood, hoary puccoon, and wind anemone. These plants add bright colors of yellow, orange, blue and pink to the dunes. They are often heath-like plants with mechanisms for preserving water such as succulent or furry leaves. Sand cherry, creeping juniper, bearberry, buffalo berry are part of this plant community.

A conifer zone behind the dunes contains red pine, white pine, jack pine, common juniper, aspen, twinflower, fringed polygala, little bluestem, Canada wild rye, evening primrose, blueberry, trailing arbutus, and fringed gentian.

The Lakeshore contains an excellent example of a beech/maple forest. This extensive forest covers the morainal hills and valleys of the park where not disturbed by farming. Dominant trees are sugar maple and beech, with a mix of white ash, red oak, black cherry, basswood, hemlock and yellow birch. The dense shade created by the nearly complete forest canopy limits the vegetation of the understory except for the profusion of spring wildflowers that flourish before the trees leaf-out. There are great displays of trillium with Jack-in-the-pulpit and bouquets of hepatica, bloodroot, trout lilies, carpets of spring beauties, violets, Canada mayflowers and Dutchman's breeches. In the fall, the fantastic leaf color of these hardwood forests is the delight of area residents and Lakeshore visitors.

Meadows

The open fields of the Lakeshore offer the greatest variety of flora. The Lakeshore is maintaining mid-high grasslands in selected abandoned farm fields for wildlife use and visitor access. This vegetation management enhances the rural scene, wildlife variety and visitor experience. Some of the flowers of the field are black-eyed Susan, St. John's-wort, butter and eggs, milkweed, bergamot, pussy toes, pearly everlasting, cow vetch, and several goldenrods. Some of the grasses are little bluestem, Canada wild rye, timothy, June grass and orchard grass.

Marshes

Wet sunlit edges of lakes and streams and inter-dunal swales host Joe-Pye weed, blue iris, sweet gale, meadow rue, marsh marigold, jewelweed, cardinal flower, marsh cinquefoil, and several goldenrods.

Cedar swamps and forests

Lowlands along creeks and lake edges contain white cedar as a dominate species with balsam fir and sometimes yellow birch and tamarack. The damp, shady understory contains goldthread, Jack-in-the- pulpit, rattlesnake plantain, green orchid, clintonia, and Canada dogwood.

Cedars grow best on upland sites where they are found at dune edges such as Sleeping Bear Point and remnants of cedar forests make up the ghost forests on the dunes. The best example is the ancient white cedar forest on South Manitou Island where the largest northern white cedars in the nation are found. Here are also found balsam fir, mountain maple, striped maple, white ash, red trillium, nodding trillium, Jack-in-the-pulpit, northern Holly fern, yellow ladies slippers and ram's head orchids.

Threatened and Endangered Vegetation

Two federally-listed species, the endangered Michigan monkey flower (Minimulus glabratus var. Michiganensis) and the threatened Pitcher's thistle (Cirsium pitcheri) are found in the Lakeshore. Pitcher's thistle is the only federally-listed species found in a cultural landscape, inhabiting the beach area in the North Manitou Island Village.

Wildlife

The Lakeshore, with its wide variety of habitat, vegetation types, and land forms, offers an opportunity for visitors to experience a rich wildlife resource that can be readily seen. Habitats vary from the Lake Michigan coastline and high dunes, through transitions of oak/pine savannas, to mature beech/maple hardwood forests, lakes, streams, bogs, and grassland meadows. The Lakeshore provides relatively undisturbed habitats, free from agriculture and grazing, major developments, off-road vehicles, biocides and other disturbances. Consequently, many wildlife species reside in the Lakeshore and fairly represent all but the largest carnivores. Some animals are gone or nearly gone such as the lake sturgeon, passenger pigeon, pine marten, fisher, gray wolf, mountain lion, lynx, and moose. Black bear are seldom seen in the Lakeshore.

Some animals new to the Lakeshore environment, such as mute swan, opossum, white-tailed deer in some locations, sea salmon, sea lamprey, alewife and gypsy moth, are now present due to the direct result of human actions.

The presence of river otter, mink, red fox, coyote, badger, flying squirrels, several frog and other amphibian species and many species of birds indicate good wildlife habitat. Hunting and fishing are permitted under State of Michigan hunting regulations.

Mammals

Beaver, river otter, and mink are found in the lakes and streams of the Lakeshore. The open fields are home for the eastern mole, deer mice, and meadow voles and animals that feed on them such as red fox and badger. The forested resources provide habitat for fossorial animals like the woodchuck and animals dependent on nuts and tree cavities such as southern flying squirrels, fox squirrels, gray squirrels (including the black phase), porcupines, white footed mice, and eastern chipmunks. The little brown myotis and big brown bat are also forest dwellers alongside streams and lakes. The shorttail shrew lives in the deep woods as well as low, damp, swampy areas.

Birds

The diversified natural environment within the Lakeshore from beaches, dunes, wetlands, forests, and the meadows of former farmlands provide habitat for many birds. The Lakeshore has 160 species of nesting birds, more than any other area in the National Park System (Wauer 1999). Lakeshore beaches are some of the most important breeding areas for many shorebirds, especially the endangered piping plover. The pine and shrub areas behind the beaches are some of the best areas in Michigan for the prairie warbler, a Michigan threatened species. Abandoned farm fields are critical nesting areas for grassland nesting birds that are in decline nationally such as upland sandpipers, savannah sparrows, grasshopper sparrows, vesper sparrows, and bobolinks. Sandhill cranes also use these fields as well as woodcock, snipe, kingbirds, loggerhead shrike and northern harriers. The wetlands, rivers and lakes are home for common loons, herons, kingfishers, and many species of waterfowl. Bald eagles nest in the swamps and lake edges. Forests are home for oven birds, veerys, indigo buntings, thrushes, and goshawks. Snowbirds with us all winter include chickadees, nuthatches, brown creepers, pileated and other woodpeckers, and several species of owls. The Lakeshore is also noted for more than 250 bird species sighted (160 nesting species), including the many species of birds that rest there along their migration routes such as the tundra swan, ruddy turnstones, semipalmated plovers, and many warbler species

Fish

With over 60 miles (96 km) of Lake Michigan shoreline and adjacent waters, four river systems, 20 inland lakes and ponds including those on two islands, springs, and wetlands, the Lakeshore has a diverse fish resource consisting of 76 known species. Some fish such as the lake sturgeon and lake herring are rarely seen and are on the Michigan List of Threatened Species.

Common native fish are the lake trout, lake whitefish, yellow perch, blunt nose minnow, and white sucker of Lake Michigan and small mouth bass, rock bass, northern pike, brook trout, Johnny darter, and common shiner of the lakes and streams. Green sunfish are found in Lake Manitou and no other lake in the region.

There are ten species of exotic fish in the Lakeshore of great economic impact; the alewife and sea lamprey introduced accidentally, have altered and reduced the native fish populations; the others, such as coho salmon, rainbow and brown trout, and smelt, have also impacted the native fish composition and abundance but have added to the significant sports fishery.

Insects

An interesting array of insects inhabit the Lakeshore because of the multitude of varying habitats. Ant lions, tiger beetles, dragon flies, butterflies, honey bees, backswimmers, diving beetles, whirligigs, fall canker worms, eastern tent caterpillars, black flies,
mosquitoes, deer flies, and stable flies are representative of the many insects. A recent exotic invader causing significant harm is the gypsy moth.

Threatened and Endangered Wildlife

Two federally-listed species, the endangered piping plover (Charadrius melodus) and the threatened bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are found in the Lakeshore. Piping plovers have been observed on the beach in the North Manitou Island Village landscape and could possibly nest there in the future. Bald eagles nest adjacent to the Port Oneida landscape and are frequently observed. The spotted turtle, a state threatened species, Blanchard cricket frog, a state special concern species, and the upland sandpiper, rare but not listed, have also been found in Port Oneida.

Water Resources

Surface Water

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has over 60 miles (96 km) of Lake Michigan shoreline, seven major watersheds, four stream corridors and twenty inland lakes. Each lake's unique ecological diversity plays an important role in the Lakeshore's ecological system. The Biological Resource Division of the U.S. Geological Survey is collecting important baseline information about the water quality, chemistry, and biological communities of the inland lakes. This information will help determine the current status of the lakes. It will also help create a long-term study of lakes, ponds and streams, to track changes in water quality, and the ecological communities of our aquatic resources. By monitoring and tracking the chemical and biological indicators of our water, decisions can be made about the impacts on the Lakeshore's aquatic environment.

Surface drainage watersheds in the Sleeping Bear Dunes region were formed by glacial processes. Each watershed reflects a distinct area of lakes, streams, runoff patterns, groundwater storage, and water movement. This is an important hydrologic characteristic because development in one watershed will not necessarily affect water quantity and quality in another. The surface waters of Benzie and Leelanau counties drain into Lake Michigan. Drainage basins within Sleeping Bear Dunes include the following major watersheds: Crystal Lake watershed that drains Round Lake, The Platte River watershed which drains most of Benzie county and a smallarea in Leelanau county. The Glen Lake watershed which lies within the upper end of the Crystal River watershed. Shalda Creek and North Bar lake each have their own separate watershed.

Surface waters are found in the following cultural landscapes: Boekeloo (Lake Michigan, ponds), Bufka/Kropp/Eitzen (pond), North Manitou Island Village (Lake Michigan), and Port Oneida (Lake Michigan, Narada Lake, and several intermittent streams).

Groundwater

The availability of groundwater is variable, with the depth to groundwater directly related to land surface elevations. Groundwater depths in the embayment areas within 1,000 feet (305 m) of Lake Michigan are four feet (1.2 m) or less, and they increase to 100 feet (30 m) or more further inland. The surface glacial deposits of Sleeping Bear Dunes that contain significant quantities of sand and gravel yield large supplies of ground water, while those containing large amounts of clay and silt are poor retainers of ground water.

Floodplains

The 100-year floodplain level of Lake Michigan is 179.45 meters above mean sea level according the International Great Lakes Datum, or 179.82 meters above mean sea level according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The 500-year floodplain level at the Lakeshore is 179.73 meters above mean sea level according the International Great Lakes Datum, or 180.10 meters above mean sea level according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Floodplains are found along the Lake Michigan shoreline in the North Manitou Island Village and Port Oneida cultural landscapes.

Wetlands

Wetlands contain a complex group of habitats that represent zones of transition between land and water habitats. Wetlands play an important role in ensuring water quality by controlling water runoff and soil erosion, and by filtering surface water as it percolates into to the ground. It also provides habitat for native flora and fauna. The majority of the wetlands within the Lakeshore are located along the ancient Lake Michigan beachheads. These wetlands includes large permanent interdunal ponds, small fens, marshes, swamps, and bogs.

Wetlands are found in the following cultural landscapes: Boekeloo, Ken-Tuck-U-Inn, North Manitou Island Village, and Port Oneida.

Geology

Sleeping Bear Dunes is a series of huge piles of sand and rock debris deposited by continental glaciers during the Ice Age. Thousands of years of water and wind erosion smoothed out the headlands and filled in recessed bays. Many of the small lakes found within the park boundaries were once part of the ancient Lake Michigan. This process of erosion supports the creation of sand dunes. Many dunes have been stabilized and covered with plants and forests. There are still many acres of active dunes found along the beaches and the bluffs that produce an ever changing landscape. Swamps and wetlands are found throughout the park interspersed between the dunes and lakes.

Two cultural landscapes include prime geological features; a ridge-swale complex in Boekeloo and a glacial channel in Tweedle/Treat.

Soils

The soils in the park are generally sandy, well drained, and very susceptible to erosion by strong offshore winds, especially in areas where vegetation has been removed. Soils have been analyzed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), formerly the Soil Conservation Service. For general planning, soil types of similar surface texture, particle size, slope, and drainage characteristics have been grouped into soil associations. These associations allow areas of the Lakeshore to be compared and the land uses these areas are most suited for to be identified.

Prime and Unique Farmlands

Prime farmland (see map in Appendix 5), according to the NRCS, is land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops, and is also available for these uses (the land could be cropland, pastureland, rangeland, forest land, other land, but not urban built-up land or water). It has the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to economically produce sustained high yields of crops when treated and managed.

Unique farmland (see map in Appendix 5), according to the NRCS, is land other than prime farmland that is used for the production of specific high value food and fiber crops. It has the special combination of soil quality, location, growing season, and moisture supply needed to economically produce sustained high quality and/or high yields of a specific crop such as tree nuts, cranberries, fruit, and vegetables.

Prime farmlands are in the Port Oneida cultural landscape, and prime and unique farmlands are in the Bufka/Kropp/Eitzen and Tweedle/Treat cultural landscapes. The Lakeshore contains 969 acres (392 hectares) of prime and 5,938 acres (2,403 hectares) of unique farmlands.

It is unknown how many acres/hectares of prime or unique farmlands could be converetd to non-agricultural uses as a result of any of the alternatives. No federal lands within the Lakeshore are presently used for agriculture. The Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA; PL 97-98, 7 USC 4201) requires that the Lakeshore consult with the NCRS under regulations found at 7 CFR 658. The NCRS has been consulted and will receive a copy of this draft plan/EIS.

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Archeological Overview

The Lakeshore contains over 300 known archeological sites. The Lakeshore's prehistoric sites are generally small temporary camps from the Archaic and Woodland periods. No villages, graves or other settlements have been found. Sites are frequently near water and are often in areas preferred by campers and hikers and other recreational users. Lakeshore use and development is a possible threat for many of these sites and conscientious planning is essential. For example, one of the largest sites is located in the new Platte River picnic area. Campers used this area for years without knowing of the prehistoric site. The site was discovered during a pre-construction archeological survey. Part of the site was excavated for research purposes and the new facilities were designed around the remaining site.

There has not been a comprehensive archeological survey of the Lakeshore. The Lakeshore's size makes this a nearly impossible task. Several construction related surveys have been completed as well as a systematic survey of areas on the mainland with a high probability of archeological sites. It is from this work the most of the known sites have been identified.

While evidence for Paleo-Indians has been found near the Lakeshore, no sites from this time period have been found in the Lakeshore although these people most likely used Lakeshore lands. Finds from the Archaic Period include a copper awl from North Manitou Island. While these were local people, they traded within a wide geographic area. Farming and pottery marked the Woodland Period with an emphasis on fishing in the area to the north of the Lakeshore and farming to the south.

Evidence indicates that the Lakeshore has been used periodically by prehistoric people for at least 3000 years. The Odawa and Ojibway, two American Indian tribes of the western Great Lakes, continued a pattern of seasonal use in more recent times. These tribes visited the area in hunt, fish and collect maple sap. Their familiarity with the area gave rise to legends about its natural features; the most famous of these is the story of the Sleeping Bear. Several sites are from these more recent prehistoric inhabitants.

None of the cultural landscapes in this plan has been surveyed for archeological sites. Because most of these lands have been disturbed by agricultural activity, there is a low probability that an undamaged prehistoric site will be located. However, historic archeological sites associated with settlers' cabins and farms, as well as native Americans' cabins and long houses, are very likely. Because there are few historic records about the activities and events on these early farms, these historic archeological site are of critical significance to our knowledge of this resource. Sites might include the foundations of structures, trash dumps, privy sites, and other evidence of daily life.

To protect these unknown archeological sites, it will be necessary to survey around structures and fields before any ground disturbance work begins, and to monitor the areas during construction. The Lakeshore has requested funds to conduct an archeological survey around the historic structures that will be available for preservation and rehabilitation. Until this survey can be funded, surveys will be completed on a case by case basis as the need arises. Staff from the NPS Midwest Archeological Center will perform this work with the assistance with the Lakeshore's paraprofessional archeologists.

Ethnographic Overview

Native American and other ethnic groups may have had lifestyle traditions that are closely associated with Lakeshore resources. Such continuing use is often essential to the survival of the family, community, regional cultural systems including economic and religious life. NPS policy states that the parks will undertake programs to safeguard cultural and natural resources while reflecting informed concern for the contemporary peoples and cultures traditionally associated with them.

The ethnographic resources of the Lakeshore are not well known. The University of Arizona is conducting a study of Traditional Ojibway Resources of the Western Great Lakes. From this investigation a better understanding of traditional and contemporary uses of Lakeshore resources by native Americans will be obtained. A review of the draft report indicates that resources traditionally used by the native Americans are natural environments such as forest, rivers and sand dunes and hilltops. The fields were probably forested during prehistoric time.

Traditional uses of Lakeshore resources by ethnic groups may not be limited to native Americans. Descendents of the European settlers that located within the Lakeshore might also be considered ethnic groups traditionally associated with Lakeshore resources. These close associations might be with their place of birth or their family's graves, location of their church or even their home. Beyond these obvious associations, other less tangible associations may exist such as a location for annual family events or locations that provide the group with a strong sense of place. Additional research is needed to document these Euro-American ethnographic groups and their associations with Lakeshore resources. However, enough information exists to suggest that several of the cultural landscapes included in this plan are likely to be ethnographic resources as well as historic resources.

Identification of groups and sites of ethnographic associations will suggest opportunities for consultation, partnerships, education, and preservation. By maintaining the integrity of these ethnographic resources the NPS helps maintain the nation's diverse physical, natural and cultural heritage.

Historical Overview

All of these properties are described in more detail in Appendix 3 and Appendix 4.

Farm-related National Register Properties

Port Oneida Historic Agricultural Landscape: This district has the greatest number of historic structures and the largest area. Port Oneida has a "State " level of significance on the National Register. Port Oneida is significant as a historic agricultural landscape that has a high level of integrity of farmstead structures and landscape features with few modern intrusions. The area represents the farm landscape of Northern European settlers in the upper mid-west region. The farm structures are skillfully crafted and are typical of the architectural style of the region and era.

An essential part of the historic resource at Port Oneida is the land and the natural and manmade features upon it. These include such items as old fields, orchards, roads, cemeteries, structures, vistas, forests and wetlands. These individual elements combine to create the complete historic scene. While many parks have a restored historic farm, only a handful throughout the country have a historic farm landscape of the size and integrity of Port Oneida. There is no comparable site in public ownership in the mid-west.

The National Register nomination for the Port Oneida Rural Historic District contains 23 farmsteads, with 14 buildings and structures, and five sites. Of the 23 farmsteads, seven are private, six are federally-owned with use and occupancy retention rights for a few more years, and ten are federally-owned with no outstanding reservations.

In addition to its historic importance, Port Oneida has great value as a natural, scenic and recreational resource. The historic landscape is also an excellent location for educational programs of many types.

Tweedle /Treat Farm Landscape: The Tweedle farmstead is located south of Empire. Its level of significance is undetermined. The structures are in good condition. The modest farm contains an array of specialized agricultural structures, which demonstrate a progressive attitude toward agricultural improvement. The Tweedle School is sited at one corner of the landscape near the Pelky barn. The Tweedle/Crouch house is used for seasonal employee housing and the barns are used for storage. The fields are being maintained in part for their historic value and in part to provide wildlife habitat and to show the bed and banks of a massive ancient river that carried water from the melting glaciers. The Treat Farm is located at the base of Old Baldy Dune in an area that is proposed as wilderness. A one kilometer lane leads through the hardwood forest to the open field of the farmstead. It is a striking setting and conveys a strong impression of the frontier farms that once existed throughout the mid-west. The barns and sheds
are in poor condition but the house is sound, as is the root cellar and dome shaped concrete garage. The level of significant of the Tweedle/Treat farm landscape has not yet been determined. Most of its significance is derived from the setting and landscape elements. The structures are not being used. This landscape also contains the Manning farm, which is privately owned.

Bufka/Kropp/ Eitzen Farm Landscape: Four farms adjacent to Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, on M-22 near Good Harbor Bay, combine to form a small rural historic district. These include the two Kropp farms, the Eitzen farm and the Bufka farm. The church and its cemetery form the hub of the district. Important structures are missing from the Kropp farms and the landscape features are not as pronounced as in other Lakeshore districts. The district is locally significant.

The Bufka farmstead, on the west-side of M-22, is an excellent example of a well-preserved complete farmstead. The farm has always been in the Bufka family and the original cabin is still present. The site is architecturally significant because of the type, style, number and condition of the farm structures. The Bufka family has a reservation of use and occupancy until 2004. The Bufka farm is individually eligible for the National Register. The level of significance is undetermined.

Shalda Log Cabin: This is a small log cabin built in the late 1850's or early 1860's located at Shalda Corners (M-22 and 669). The cabin is built of hand hewn squared timbers. The exact history of this structure is unknown but it was built by one of the Bohemian families that settled North Unity and Shalda Corners. The cabin is one of the few pioneer cabins remaining in Leelanau, Benzie and Grand Traverse Counties and may be the second oldest structure in the Lakeshore. The cabin's level of significance has not been determined. The cabin is unused and is in fair but deteriorating condition.

Manitou Island Association Historic District: Throughout its post-settlement history, large tracts of North Manitou Island were owned by single landowners or partners who attempted farming as a corporate enterprise. The Manitou Island Association (MIA) was the last group to farm the island. Many of the structures that they used for their corporate farm business still exist in the village area. The MIA sawmill is the last remaining steam powered original sawmill in the state and is particularly significant for a state where logging is such an important part of its history. Most of the structures built by the MIA have a distinctive design style. The district is significant at the state level. The Lakeshore is using many of the main structures for storage or maintenance purposes.

Esch Farmhouse: The Esch farmhouse, located south of Empire near State Highway M-22, is the only high style Victorian house in the Lakeshore. The structure is two-story with gable roofs and bay windows on the first and second floor. It is of local significance and of low integrity. The remaining structures on the site are less than 50 years old and do not contribute to the significance of the site. A lack of historical features prevent the cultural landscape from being determined eligible for the National Register.

Theodore Beck Farm: This South Manitou Island farmhouse is two stories high with a small cellar and many additions. It is in fair condition. A shed is located behind the house and is also in fair condition. The associated barn and honeymoon cottage are ruins. The structures are in recommended wilderness with no cultural landscape.

Henry and Maggie Haas Farmhouse and Shed Ruin: This South Manitou Island farmhouse is 1-1/2 stories with a basement, gable roof, and shiplap siding. The structure is in poor condition and the associated shed is a ruin. The structures are located in the recommended wilderness with no cultural landscape.

Recreation-related Historic Properties

Ken-Tuck-U-Inn: The structure is located on M-22 near Crystal Lake. Bertie Bancroft lived in Aral on the family farm, the first village structure. When the town died following the logging era, tourism was growing in importance. Mr. Bancroft built the house in 1925 and moved his family from the deserted town. Bertie and his wife Julia operated the inn for 25 years, which catered to the new automobile travelers. They raised much of the food served at the inn onsite. Several area farmers operated their homes as restaurants or inns in the same manner. The Ken-Tuck-U-Inn reflects how the local population adapted to the new tourist industry. The Ken-Tuck-U-Inn is also the last chapter of the story of Aral. The structure is vacant.

Boekeloo Lodge: The log cabin located on Boekeloo Road at the south end of the Lakeshore was built about the turn of the century as a home for a family that farmed, hunted and fished for subsistence. By the 1940's the Boekeloo family had purchased the cabin for recreational use. The Boekeloo family has used the cabin since that time. The cabin is under use and occupancy retention until 2005.

North Manitou Village: In 1987 the NPS, with public involvement, prepared a Development Concept Plan (DCP) for North Manitou Island. Except for the village area, all of the island was to be managed as a wilderness. Subsequent to the plan approval, the National Register status of all the structures in the village has changed. The Life-Saving Service Station, which had been evaluated at a state level of significance, has been formally designated as a National Historic Landmark, the highest level of recognition. The Manitou Island Association agricultural related structures and Cottage Row have been determined eligible for the National Register. Because of the prospective changes in National Register status, the DCP will be revisited. The section of the North Manitou Island DCP that addresses the village will be reconsidered as part of this plan. Further consideration needs to be given to a boundary revision of the proposed wilderness for North Manitou Island.

Cottage Row: In 1893, Carrie Blossom and her husband and several friends vacationed on North Manitou Island near her family's new home. Before the end of their stay arrangements were made to build cottages. The first cottage to be built was the Monte Carlo house. The next four structures were constructed in 1894 with the same basic floor plan, believed to have been derived from the Monte Carlo floor plan. These four cottages were constructed with materials from the Manufacturer's Building of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, Colombian Exposition. The last structure to be built was the Katie Shepherd Hotel in 1895. This two-story structure was built for Mrs. William Shepherd and her daughter Katherine in the style of their former home in New Orleans.

The cottages are representative of the summer homes that developed along the shores of the Great Lakes during the last decade of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century. The cottages are located in the North Manitou Island wilderness area just outside the present village historic district. The structures on Cottage Row have not had their significance officially determined. However, the priority team has recommended them for national significance.

VISITOR SERVICES

Platte River/Manitou District

The Platte River/Manitou District includes that portion of the Lakeshore south of the town of Empire and North and South Manitou Islands. The Platte River District Ranger Station and the Platte River Campground are located near the south end of the district. The offices are near picnic areas, public beaches, canoe retail services, several hiking trails and many popular fishing areas. The campground offers a range of options from full hook ups for recreation vehicles (sewer, water, electric) to walk-in rustic sites. Evening programs are offered nightly from mid-June through Labor Day. Visitors can also register for camping at the White Pine Backcountry Camping Area which is located along one of several trails within the district.

Along the Platte River the Platte River Picnic Area offers a place for picnics, access to launch canoes and kayaks, a fish cleaning station and restrooms. There are several areas along the river that offer easy access to the water. Wayside exhibits can be found at many of these access areas that inform visitors about the park and area history. There are also many county roads that allow access to Lake Michigan beaches within the Platte River District.

South Manitou Island is one of two islands within the Lakeshore. A concessioner provides ferry service to the island daily through the summer and limited trips for May, September, and October. The South Manitou Island Ranger Station is housed in the a former Coast Guard Station. The island also includes a visitor center, housed in the old post office, that offers exhibits telling of the island's human and natural history. Camping is permitted at three locations on the island. Backcountry permits are required
and are available at the Ranger Station. A concessioner provides guided motor tours around the island. The NPS provides tours of the lighthouse tower found on the island. Many miles of hiking trails through a variety of terrain offers varied hiking conditions for campers and day-use visitors.

North Manitou Island is managed as a wilderness with the exception of an 11 hectare (27 acre) area around the village. The ferry service, provided by a concessioner, runs five days a week in July and August and a limited schedule for the months of May, June, September, October, and November. No day use ferry service is provided. Camping is allowed on the island and minimum impact techniques must be practiced. The island includes many signs of people that have lived there, including family cemeteries, houses and outbuildings, and an historic U. S. Lifesaving Station.

Leelanau District

The Leelanau District is found in the northern part of the Lakeshore. There are two small towns located near the Leelanau District, the Village of Empire in the south end of the district and the community of Glen Arbor located eight miles (12 km) north of Empire. Both communities offer visitors restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores and specialty shops, as well as post offices and banking facilities.

Also located in the Leelanau District are the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and the Dune Climb. The scenic drive accesses panoramic views of the sand dunes and the surrounding area. The Dune Climb allows the visitors an opportunity to experience the sand dunes first hand with a climb to the top of the dunes and several trails through the sand.

A historic life-saving station serves as the Maritime Museum and offers insight into the lives of the surfmen that lived there. A series of exhibits are found in the quarters displaying the lives of the life-saving crew, and the history of shipping in the Great Lakes. The historic town of Glen Haven and the Port Oneida Historic Farm District also offer clues to the turn of the century life in the area. The D. H. Day Campground, located west of Glen Arbor, offers a rustic setting with limited facilities.

Lakeshore Visitor Center and Headquarters

The Visitor Center and Lakeshore headquarters are housed within the same structure in the Village of Empire. Visitors may obtain information about the Lakeshore and the surrounding area, pay user fees and register for backcountry permits. The Visitor Center offers a slide show about the Lakeshore and interpretive exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the area. These exhibits include human history, the ecology of the Lakeshore, and the artist-in-residence works.

VISITOR USE

Official visitor counts were initiated in 1976 and 760,615 estimated visits were recorded that year. In 1985 and 1986, a survey of visitors was conducted throughout the Lakeshore and a new formula for estimating the number of visits was developed. A significant increase in the estimated number of visitors was noted when this new system was initiated. Annual visitation has been fairly constant during the ten-year period, 1989-1998, as shown in the following tables.

Eighty-three percent of Michigan's pleasure travel market come from residents of the states of Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Over 85% of the pleasure trips to the three-county area, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Benzie counties, begin in Michigan. A pleasure trip is defined as a trip over fifty miles from home for enjoyment. This three-county area receives 7.7% of all of Michigan's pleasure trips, with Grand Traverse County getting the biggest share at 6.1% and ranking second in the state. Leelanau and Benzie counties rank 37th and 43rd respectively. The estimated pleasure trip nights to Grand Traverse County were 5,714,000 in 1996, while Leelanau County had 926,000 and Benzie County had 538,000 during the same year.

The most common reasons for these pleasure trips were for vacations and to visit friends or relatives. Half of the trips were in summer. Fall and winter were nearly equal with 21%, while spring is the slow season with only 8% of the yearly total.

While in the area, 80% engaged in recreational shopping, 78% pleasure driving, 68% visiting a small town, 64% dining at a unique restaurant, 54% visiting other attractions, 35% visiting historic sites, 30% attending a festival or event, and 19% visiting a museum.

Heritage tourism is a major tourist market. Nearly 54 million adults, or 27% of the U.S. population took a trip of at least fifty miles last year to visit a historic site or museum. While not the primary reason for travel for most, visits to historic sites are viewed as a recreational opportunity during their stay at a tourism destination.

CONCESSIONS/COMMERCIAL SERVICES

There are three concessioners operating under contracts with Sleeping Bear Dunes N.L.
The contracts are for one or two year periods while the National Park Service develops new regulations to implement the new concessions law contained in the National Park Service Omnibus Bill of 1998.

Passenger ferry service to North and South Manitou Islands. This ferry service is based outside of the National Lakeshore, at Leland, Michigan, and is basically a family operation.

Firewood sales in both the DH Day and Platte River campgrounds. This is a family operation.

Snack and beverage vending at the Dune Climb, operated by the Michigan
Commission for the Blind.

The concessions provide services that are deemed necessary by the National Park Service for the visitors. The National Park Service prefers to have private businesses outside of the Lakeshore to provide visitor services.

Incidental Business Permits (IBPs) permit and regulate groups that bring people to the National Lakeshore and utilize the Lakeshore for their business. The business activity must start and end outside of the Lakeshore. The National Park Service can issue IBPs only for those activities that are authorized and appropriate for a particular park. At the Lakeshore, the IBPs are issued for a two year period. Until new regulations are drafted, once an IBP is issued for a business, the Lakeshore may not limit the number of IBPs for additional businesses. The National Park Service does not regulate the prices charged by the business, but may require standards or regulate use of the park resources.

Currently there are 19 Incidental Business Permittees who utilize the National Lakeshore for the following activities:

Environmental education programs
Camping and recreational programs
Canoe and kayak livery
SCUBA diving
Hiking and vehicle tours
Charter fishing

One Incidental Business Permittee operates on private land within Port Oneida. Camp Leelanau/Kohahna conducts educational and recreational programs within the Lakeshore.

SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

Regional Characteristics

The affected economic region includes three counties in northwest lower Michigan: Benzie, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau.

The lumber era in the late 19th century and the early part of the 20th century brought a large number of people to the area. When the area was logged off, many people moved on; those that stayed farmed the land. Cherry and other fruit farming became a staple of the economy. Agriculture still plays an important role in the area. Industry has also become important in some areas. Tourism began soon after the logging era, catering to sportsmen who came by boat. Tourism has expanded since then and is firmly established as a significant part of the economy.

Population

Michigan has nearly 9.5 million people living in 83 counties. Leelanau County had a 1990 population of 16,527, which in a 1998 Census Bureau estimate had increased nearly 16% to 19,142. Similarly, Benzie County's 1990 population of 12,200 increased over 20% to a 1998 population of 14,678 and Grand Traverse County's 1990 population of 64,273 increased over 15% to a 1998 population of 74,134. The estimated 1998 population of the three-county area in 1998 was 107,954. The population of the ten-county northwest region increased almost 15% between 1990 and 1998.

Income, Employment, and Poverty

In 1994 the national average per capita income was $21,696. Michigan ranked 19th ($22,192). Census data for 1990 indicates a Benzie County per capita income of $10,415; Leelanau County, $13,307; and Grand Traverse County, $13,289.

The 1990 United States averages for unemployment were 6.4% and for poverty were 13.1%. The 1990 Michigan averages for unemployment and poverty were 8.2% and 13.1%, respectively. The table below compares unemployment and poverty percentages for Michigan and the three counties with the U. S. averages:

Source: Census of Population and Housing, 1990.

The major employment sectors in the three-county area are retail trade, manufacture of durable goods, construction, health services, and educational services.

Due to the heavy emphasis on recreation and tourism, there is a strong seasonal aspect to the local economy. More people are employed during the summer tourist season because of the influx of seasonal residents and vacationers. The area's economy is heavily tied to the vacation traveler. Hiking, canoeing, fishing, camping, golfing, and sight-seeing are all popular. Fall color tours are promoted and winter sports, such as downhill and cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are popular in the off season.

Visitor Services

Local chambers of commerce and visitor bureaus promote the area as a tourist destination. Accommodations, food, automobile services, medical services, etc. are available throughout the area.

PARK OPERATIONS

Organization and Program Areas

The superintendent is responsible for the overall operation and management of the Lakeshore. The lakeshore is organized into four divisions: Administration, Maintenance, Interpretation, and Ranger Activities and Resources Management.

The Administration Division is headed by the Administrative Officer. The division is responsible for personnel management, payroll, procurement, contracting, budget and finance, property management, mail and files, telephone systems and the operation and maintenance of the lakeshore's information management (computers).

The Maintenance Division is headed by the Facility Manager. The division is responsible for the operation and maintenance of all Lakeshore facilities and equipment, including structures, boats, utility systems (water, power, sewer, and solid waste), employee housing, trails, campgrounds, docks, and radio equipment systems. This division is responsible for implementating cultural resources projects and providing cyclic maintenance. The Lakeshore's Historic Architect is in this division.

The Interpretation Division is headed by the Chief of Interpretation. The division is responsible for visitor services (operation of the Empire Visitor Center) including walks, talks, evening programs, maritime museum operations, historic demonstrations, campfire programs, snowshoe hikes and school group presentations. The division also manages and supervises the Fee Collection program that collects campground and user fees for the Lakeshore and the "Volunteer-in-Parks" (VIP) program.

The Ranger Activities and Resources Management Division is headed by the Chief Ranger. The division is responsible for program areas that include natural resource management (wildland and natural fire management, inventory and monitoring programs, research, wilderness management, and geographic information systems), emergency services (search, rescue, emergency medical services), SCUBA diving program, law enforcement, and concession management.

Base funded staffing at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in 1999 included 29 permanent full-time employees, one term employee, 11 Subject to Furlough employees who work at least six months a year and 72 seasonal employees who worked on an average of four months for the year. Although the Lakeshore's approved Full Time Equivalency (FTE) is 68.77, available base funding will only support 50.1 FTE. The FY99 budget was $2,780,000.

Additionally, the Lakeshore receives monies yearly from special projects funds and the fee program.

Last Updated: 07DEC1999
Http://www.nps.gov/slbe/hp_ch3.htm
Author: T.M.Baker