The debate of the final 4.2-mile “Segment 9” of the Sleeping Bear Dunes Heritage Trail within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (SBDNL) came to a screeching halt last week in Empire after SBDNL Superintendent Scott Tucker paused the project following consultations with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB).
“The existing design work will serve as a foundation for future planning efforts, with continued collaboration alongside the Grand Traverse Band and project partners. (SBDNL) remains committed to enhancing non-motorized connectivity throughout the Lakeshore and looks forward to continued, strong collaboration in the future,” SBDNL said in a press release.
By pausing current trail design that will lay the groundwork for a possible future project, according to SBDNL Superintendent Scott Tucker.
“The core piece of this Sleeping Bear decision is the inherent responsibility I have as a superintendent of these public and ancestral lands of the GTB and the responsibility that SBDNL has to honor the treaty rights and ancestral knowledge,” Tucker said.
Over the past 10 months, SBDNL has had nearly 15 formal and non-formal meetings with tribal members.
The GTB expressed its opposition for the first time during the 15-year span of the project in August.
GTB cited disruption to wetland ecosystems, tree removal that could “potentially lead to destruction and a loss of biodiversity,” according to a press release. “The proposed (Segment 9) extension encroaches upon areas protected under treaty rights that guarantee our Tribal members the ability to gather resources for subsistence and cultural practices. These rights are foundational to our way of life and are legally protected. Any infringement upon these rights is not only a violation of our treaties but also a direct threat to the cultural heritage and sustenance of our community.”
Julie Clark of Traverse Area Recreation Trails (TART Trails) respects their partners’ decision, despite this not being the outcome they wanted. TART Trails has raised roughly $2 million of the $15 million that was expected to complete this project.
“We remain committed to the community vision of a safe, accessible trail system that connects the community ... We are incredibly proud of the 21 miles of the Heritage Trail and we look forward to continued collaboration with the park, tribal partners and more,” Clark said.
Cleveland Township Supervisor Tim Stein said he’s pleased they paused the project, but is open to another route, which the park and township agreed upon in 2018.
“I think Cleveland Township was very explicit in our decision to go and rescind our support for Segment 9 for many of the same reasons the GTB issued their rejections to the parks service. In addition to that, I personally felt that the cost was exorbitant and spending $4 million a mile was unacceptable,” Stein said.
