PRNL Plans to Rehabilitate Little Beaver Lake Road

Date: July 21, 2008
Contact: Jim Northup, 906-387-2607, ext. 202
Contact: Chris Case, 906-387-2607, ext. 209

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Little Beaver Lake Road

NPS photo by Gregg Bruff

(Munising, Mich.) Superintendent Jim Northup announces that Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore proposes to rehabilitate Little Beaver Lake Road in Alger County, Michigan. This 3.45 mile gravel road provides access from Alger County Road H-58 to a small, rustic 8-site, drive-in campground and a small boat launch for access to the adjacent Little Beaver Lake.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Park Service is initiating preparation of an environmental assessment (EA) for this project. The EA will analyze and disclose potential impacts of alternatives for rehabilitating the road.

The road also provides access to trailheads that lead into the lakeshore’s backcountry areas, including the recommended Beaver Basin Wilderness Area. The road pre-dates the establishment of the national lakeshore and was not constructed to currently accepted standards for the volume and type of public use the road receives today. The volume and type of public use has increased since the establishment of the national lakeshore and may increase slightly with the upgrade of County Road H-58.

It is the intent of the national lakeshore to minimize changes to visitor experience and adjacent resources through context-sensitive design. The current character of the road and the visitor driving experience are key considerations when evaluating possible alternatives for road rehabilitation. The proposed work includes improvement to the grade and drainage, such as culvert replacement or installation of new culverts, as well as surface treatment. In addition, the proposal suggests minor improvements to the surface of the Little Beaver Lake Campground Road, the trailhead parking area, and the boat trailer parking area. Proposed road rehabilitation could begin in 2010.

The National Park Service is soliciting input from organizations, agencies, and individuals as part of the scoping process. The purpose of scoping is to identify the range of issues to be addressed in the EA, as well as potential alternatives for the project.

The public is invited to direct concerns or comments regarding this project to Superintendent Northup online at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/piro. Comments may be mailed to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, P.O. Box 40, Munising, MI 49862-0040; telephone [phone], ext. 202.