Long Speech
Long Version (originally written in March 2, 04) (this needs updating.... since today is March 7, 06, things change. I would not have expected that I would run for State Representative... yet such a thought can happen. I show this version to you the voters because there is nothing to hide. If elected I would follow similar plans as presented here, yet doing so as a legislators perspective.)
Dear Readers,
Re: Land Fragmentation in the UP: A proposal to restructure and consolidate Upper Peninsula state-fed owned lands into four or more large wilderness park blocks.
Based on my quarter century’s experience with remote land in the UP, I can see that the future will bring increasing wilderness fragmentation and its damaging consequences.
But I have a plan. It’s come to me over time. It’s a plan of long term preservation, an economic and environmental “win-win” for UP and Lower Peninsula residents alike. I (from hereon this refers to anyone of my simlar skill and background... See essay, why me) want permission from the state legislature to re-structure state-owned UP wilderness lands into four or more large blocks of 100,000 to 200,000 acres each (estimated 17 miles x17 miles). I will accomplish this by trading uninteresting existing targeted fragmented State and Fed lands for other lands within the new proposed park boundaries currently held by timber companies.
This land-trading may take many years--whatever, it should commence now. And we need to think big. With legislative approval (where the governor and courts release their influence), via a bill of some sort, the responsibility will rest on my shoulders, and mine only; because I believe in my ability to communicate with the common man to make my vision happen (again, see essay "Why Me")
I would report directly to the legislature as needed, although I would listen on a secondary basis to the Governor, DNR and other underlying bureaucratic entities. However, my primary focus and main energies would be directed towards the people of the UP and the compromises I would make with them, although in no way would I ignore the people of the Lower Peninsula.. My ultimate goal is the creation of these blocks, where final decisions lie with the legislature, to whom I would communicate and answer to..
Essentially, the legislature will contract with me to create the blocks. Should I decide such blocks were ultimately not to the benefit of the UP, then I would withdraw, and the process would stop. Likewise, the legislature could cancel my contract and thereby halt the project.
I have chosen to appeal to the legislature because I believe that they philosophically represent the people the most—not the governor, who in today’s world sways from party to party, nor the courts, because it is not a matter of interpretive law, but of statement. By some measures, both the governor and the courts have lost moral integrity in our society. Hope can only lie with the legislature because they are closest to the people. Now, maybe there is an exception in Governor Granholm and the Michigan Supreme Court-- I can only hope so.
I hope you will read what follows in a spirit of adventurous, “what-if” sort of thinking. As you know, the devil lies in the details, and here they come. One thing to keep in mind ---- don’t think small.
Think of this: Imagine yourself 100 years from now, on some time machine. Imagine now what the land in the UP will look like---will it be divided up, scattered, broken up, just like Lower Michigan is now? People today in Lower Michigan lack a vision of the of the past, what their land was like 200 years ago. So, we are talking about a 300 year time span. We can dream, we can talk. What if 150 years ago certain lands in Lower Michigan had been preserved, undeveloped? Imagine if you could find in Lower Michigan today a 50,000 to 150,000 acre park of virgin timber, streams and lakes between Lansing and Detroit. And yet another one near Grand Rapids. And still another near Mt Pleasant. Gosh. Parks with varying types of towering trees, and unique types of waterfront. Maybe even one near Kalamazoo. How would such land be valued today?
Here’s a quote for you, from a book entitled “Michigan in Four Centuries” by F. Clever Bald, Copyright 1954, page 155. This is what Lower Michigan used to be like fewer than four fifty-year lifetimes ago: “The United States census showed that the population in Michigan in 1830 was 31,640, and in 1840, 221,267, a gain of almost 700 per cent in ten years. Prospective settlers looking for land to purchase had various ideas as to what was the most desirable kind. Some preferred the heavily wooded area, believing that the presence of great trees indicted fertility in the soil. Such land required much labor in clearing before crops could be raised.
Others preferred oak openings, areas in which large trees stood some distance apart, with little undergrowth between them. Travelers described such openings as looking like natural parks. A settler had wood enough for buildings and for fuel, and he let in enough sun for his crops simply by girdling the trees to kill them. Later, as he had time, he cleared the land. The choices spots in Michigan and those which were quickly purchased were the prairies. Scattered especially through the southwestern part of Michigan, these treeless areas were attractive because of their natural beauty, fertility, and comparative eased of cultivation. They were covered with the grass, growing four or five feet high which was excellent pasture for horses and cattle. In spring and early summer, wildflower made spots of color on the prairies and encircling the open plains stood great forest trees like a green-topped stockade.
There was timber enough beyond the edge of the prairie for building and for firewood. The soil was rich and deep, needing only to be plowed before putting in crops. Breaking the tough sod of a prairie however, was difficult. Sometimes six yoke of oxen were required to draw the clumsy bull plow through the matted grass roots. Once the ground was broken, the returns were unusually rewarding. Crops of 50 to 80 bushels of corn or 50 bushels of the wheat to an acre were reported. Largest and best-known was Prairie Ronde, an area of 13,000 acres in Kalamazoo County in this center of the grassy plain stood a large "Island" of timber, and within the "Island" a lake. Settlers and travelers alike praised it as the most beautiful spot in the world.” Readers, you and I both know that Lower Michigan has nothing like this left. Driven by economic expediency, our forefathers gave precious little thought to preservation. But wouldn’t you love to see miles and miles of Lower Michigan’s original white pine forest? Hartwig Pines near Gaylord is clearly insufficient, only a drop in the proverbial bucket of what the Lower Peninsula used to be.
Upper Michigan is something different. Huge, relatively unspoiled “wild” blocks of it can still be set aside, and at nearly no cost to the taxpayers, to be a living legacy for coming generations. This is my message and my quest in a nutshell. But my message, my plan, my statements, include a warning: time grows short, very short.
Hot Button
I have been here nearly 28 years, now, over a quarter century, and I have witnessed the UP land dividing. I will be showing you maps of this division process with later e-mail. You know the term for it: land fragmentation. Is this a “hot button” issue for you in the Lower Peninsula? I believe it will be so here in the not-so-distant future. This is what I am talking about --- Land fragmentation.
Again, land fragmentation will be a hot button in the future. We need to take action now, before the on-going breaking-apart process will forever prevent any meaningful set-aside of large blocks of wilderness land here in the Upper Peninsula. Since nothing is being done about fragmentation up here, I assume our legislators are unaware of it.
Our legislators need accurate information about fragmentation. And I am driven to provide them first-hand testimony and information, to lay my case out before them, to present my restructuring vision as a feasible and worthy endeavor for this state in which I was born and raised, to educate and inspire them, to jar them out of any lethargy, to get them to think about the future which will come willy-nilly, to stimulate debate. Even debate is progress, isn’t it? Even if things don’t go my way--at least I will have raised the consciousness level of the legislators who represent we the people of Michigan, these law-makers who make long-lasting decisions for us and our descendants.
One might think I should find groups with reputation, influence, money-- MUCC, Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, etc. I do not mean to offend, but this is not the way to go, for me. I acknowledge they have immense value for their particular issues, but with all due respect, none are concentrating on wilderness fragmentation. Time is of the essence here, and I must focus on my purpose, not deal with their agendas.
Additionally, I understand the challenges before me, and in my humble opinion these groups are “off base” regarding the issues inherent in so ambitious a project as the land restructuring I envision. The reason: I have found that when one comes down to earth, to the common man, reality is a different place. Most common people do not belong to these activist groups, period. And common people are the ones to connect with, the ones who must be brought into this plan of set-aside wilderness to oppose fragmentation. The special interest environmental groups will come along automatically--I am sure most will support this.
To me, it is a gift that I am offering to the people of Michigan and human beings in general, via our state legislature. This gift, this opportunity, sits right before our eyes, as many things do in life, like a duck at a shooting gallery that pops up only once. I want everyone to see that duck, point it out to them, yell and carry on until I am heard, and not just by the special interest groups.
TRUST IS THE “HOW”
My vision is to rearrange scattered public lands on a mass scale into more solidified blocks. The key here is that from a timberman’s point of view; his disposable land blocks are low in timber value, and he will gladly trade with the state for their superior timber land. And by fortunate coincidence, the timberman’s reject lands possesses high recreational and scenic value. Another important consideration is that the “Yoopers” have grown to distrust the government (state and federal). But I think I can build the trust, that is necessary to work with them (the Yoopers).
Remember, I asked you to think beyond the conventional. This means to venture beyond the bias for the so called “credentialed” elites and academic and governmental “experts.” Why do you think so many Americans fail to vote? Could the answer be related to trust, that important word to which I referred above? Yes it is.
Moreover, the Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy, et al., are in an unrealistic world, as far as many Yoopers are concerned. To the common man they are not to be trusted. It seems as if no one trusts anyone.
My vision is to make a contract, forge an agreement between the Michigan legislature and the Yoopers, where I am but the facilitator/conduit. I’ve brokered enough real estate deals to know how to function as a trustworthy facilitator/conduit, to iron out the problems, to engage in honest communication. I have brought deals to the table, and saved deals, too, with such communication.
You may be thinking that I have too much confidence in myself. Well, I must admit I don’t know if I can make this happen—the animosities and deception between the parties is so strong. Mine will be an on-going struggle of building trust. I must try. A very simple three letter word, “try.” If one does not try, then maybe we ought to lay down in our graves and stay there. (In speaking before you I may sweat like a horse, and shake like a top, and forget my thoughts, but I must try.
To me, it is not a matter of competition as in sports, wherein the more spectacular performance is praised and glorified. Rather, it is the identification of facts and a willingness to look at these facts and find the truths within them. After discovery, then it is a capability to see and understand deeply, with humility. And finally it is to do. All this comes about with truth being the core. Probably, presentation helps, but why cannot people see. I need to rouse my fellow citizens into action, holding to my ideals of honest communication and building trust. Otherwise these parks won’t happen, and the land will become like Lower Michigan. I remember my grandfather in Big Rapids had as his friends the local judge in town and Freddy the local tramp–all under one city limits, one roof, one people.
Such is my life as an example, yet not to gloat or brag. But one must touch all people with honesty, the commoners and others in society, the whole UP society. Here’s another story. When I moved here 28 years ago, I was most impressed with local ways, and one was that a handshake meant something special to these people, one’s word. This is one reason why I moved here. Your hand shake is your word.. I felt that myself, so I felt I belonged. (At least from that standpoint) I am a stickler for honesty, I am said to be too honest at times Honest to a fault? I can be blunt.
More of What and How
To continue: I’ll send later maps of the UP. (I have to work further on these). My intent is to show examples of scattered state ownership of land, fragmentation of a sort. (I hear that the DNR/State, want to sell some of this to help with state debt. Such is short-sighted). I believe many of these scattered ownerships of the state can be traded off to timber companies and subsequently land rearranged, with resultant consolidation into some specific and awesome (wondrous) large blocks of wilderness, uniquely reflective of the UP. Further, private ownership within the blocks can be fairly and justly acquired by offering other quality (and I mean quality) State and Federally owned lands outside the blocks which will have been acquired through my efforts. This can occur because of the greater gain of value of the blocks as a whole. The entire restructuring vision is possible because the DNR has done a good job of managing and creating an asset, a timber asset. Immense timber value exists in these state forests, because unlike the commercial forests, DNR forests have not been subjected to “high-grading” forestry practices, which cut down so many healthy trees, leaving runts and bent ones to reproduce. High-grading is a huge topic, and I’ll have to explain a lot about it later, just like the mining topic.
Anyway, the timber companies would like to have these state lands. Logging is partly the economic pulse of the UP (there is some history that should be told here). The point here is to encourage the timber companies to purchase, not just the timber, but purchase all rights, through trade; where the state ends up with what is beneficial to itself and the environment and tourism. Thus, the state should be in the environment business, not the timber business. I admit the tourism business is a curious question.
This conflict is a big one, and needs some truth seeking. So, I believe, partially, these permanent parks can be created for exchange of the timber (land) which has matured elsewhere throughout the UP. A fascinating topic indeed.
Financing
1. The state and Feds own enough land now through trade for these 4 blocks, as more is not needed.
2. Payment to me or of like kind is minuscule. I even would accept land as payment, partially.
3. Yet another way for functioning is: a fully accountable nonprofit public private corporation. Let the public donate monies to fund my work, while the state and feds still grant the authority or give the lands for these parks. It’s a joint venture, where I (committee) control where any given monies go, whether for land acquisition and/or my minimal fees, (to be discussed , hypothetically).
4. Monies could be raised and used for border area development of some sort around the parks/blocks. These efforts would generally support the human use of the parks. The tax base around the parks would consequently become substantial. Some donating person may like such an avenue for giving, yet some kind of return. That is (also): not being connected to the politics of our government but to some business venture. It could be fish stocking, or more moose introduction, or wolf introduction, or lodge restaurant hotel construction, or snowmobile trail development, or ATV trails and races, or Mountain Bicycle trails, or hiking trails, or bird watching. Whatever, such would be clearly spelled out. If needed or desired., maybe even a train system would be built. Who knows. Again, why think small? Whatever, the development in boarder areas is to be planned carefully, but first the land must be acquired.
5. With larger parks, it will be possible to compete on a world wide basis As it is now, I wonder, we have the Great Lakes, yet we do not follow through. If larger parks were a reality, then Michigan could compete with areas like the Boundary Waters, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Adirondack Mountains, etc.
At present I suspect Michigan competes on a lower level...such a shame to downgrade yourself, to berate yourself, to feel ashamed of who you are. We need to let our light shine. Since manufacturing jobs are leaving our country maybe tourism will one day become a much more important source of income. Imagine all the foreign tourists thirty years from now!
To Continue
A related strange but interesting thought here is: if such a good plan is established, then afterward and only afterwards, some peripheral and fragmented lands could be disposed of by the state and not affect the real estate market here; because the demand would remain high. Conversely, if the State attempts to dump thousands of acres on the market, that market will plunge downwards. Don’t forget, this is my career. But, if again a good plan were developed, these excess funds could be use for general debt problems by the government. Still, and unfortunate thing, because more land are not being made. There is a drawback, and that is growth. Yet, growth/fragmentation will occur no matter what.... But just as some propose “smart growth” for urban areas, I propose that the Upper Peninsula adopt its own version of “smart growth”--- heavy-duty wilderness “zoning”, if you will, to be accomplished before the ongoing fragmentation leaves precious little left to set aside (zone) as wilderness. If only the Lower Peninsula had done so 150 years ago...
Conclusion
Readers, I need the right, I ask for the right, I pray for the right, let me speak before our legislators. Permit me the privilege to explain to them what is happening here. Am I not granted the right to speak before my government? Am I not a United States citizen?
The UP has been trampled on frequently. Give it a chance to shine. Give Michigan a chance to shine. Let me speak. I can do this, yes indeed, if given the chance. And, then the legislators can listen too, or ignore me..... but they will have be given a choice, they will be informed; thus giving them the knowledge to make the choices for which they have been elected. When I was a child growing up in Big Rapids, Michigan, (I camped and played near Cadillac, Petoskey, Manistee, Ludington, Hart, South Haven, Silver Lake. I fished the Au Sable, Pere Marquette and others I’ve forgotten. I canoed the Manistee, the Muskegon and others. I lived and worked in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Ann Arbor. I’ve worked on farms and picked cherries and thrown peaches.) I was exposed to a style or kind of beauty in the lower, but then here in the UP I became immersed in it. It was like my feet got wet in lower Michigan, but here in the UP, I got drenched. There is beauty in both places, but here it is wide open; but further yet, it is still here. So, NOW, I come before the legislators as a witness. I have lived many years in both peninsulas, I have worked for years in the wilderness lands of the UP. I must testify to what I know and what I see and what I hear. Let me compare, listen to my comparison, look into my minds eye, see for your self if I am wrong. These larger blocks will be gone, otherwise.
Power is in the giving, not the taking.. Oh how it is strange.
WHY do this?
What do the Toledo Wars, the Mighty Mac, Westward Ho, and large timber companies have in common? These things all contributed to why the UP still has the capability (or the ability, opportunity, talent, power, and no one else has this) to preserve so much of its land. This preservation opportunity would not be here if not for the above. The Toledo Wars resulted with an unnatural division between Wisconsin and the UP. The absence of the bridge kept growth in Lower Michigan. In Westward Ho there were minimal routes, therefore little growth. The timber companies held on to very large numbers of acres and did not began to divest until the last quarter century, therefore little growth. But now, the bridge is open, roads are getting better throughout Wisconsin, the timber companies cannot afford to hold as much land since we are in a “efficient” society, and lastly there is no longer the slogan, go west young man.
It is funny to me how Westward Ho and others (each restrictive growth characteristic) has made its contribution to isolation. But the real point here is not Westward Ho but (that isolation has created) opportunity.
Westward Ho is so interesting, in that growth flowed right past the UP. It flowed southwest along Lake Erie, the triangle in Canada from Buffalo to Windsor to Sault Ste. Marie. Growth shot up into lower Michigan, but could not cross the Mackinac straights, until the bridge. Then it flowed out from Chicago and north into Wisconsin. Yet Wisconsin would have wanted the UP, but it did not get it. A subtle resentment (or maybe envy) persists: roads between the two states are to this day quite modest by the Michigan standard of mammoth I-75. End result: the Wisconsin people tend to stay in Wisconsin.
I feel obliged to mention here that the mining industry has had and continues to exert a profound influence on the environment (good and bad), development (good and bad), and cultural values (good and bad) here in UP. Mining seems a totally different kind of topic to me, yet clearly here, to be discussed later. Rest assured it has destroyed part of the UP, specifically in the Ontonogon area, what is called White Pine(more research is needed on this). For what I’ve heard, it’s quite a scam. Further its trying to leave its ugly print in the Huron Mt Range, one of our four unique wild areas left. If not the most wilderness area of all.
Meanwhile, time marched on, and a kind of spiritual sea change has partially occurred within the American psyche: an ethic of preservation and land stewardship has sprung up. Unfortunately, as happens in an adolescent, emotional maturity has to play catch up with the new growth.
It’s strange how a preservation ethic can spring up even as population and development press upon more and more of the country. I’ve witnessed much growth in the UP over the past two decades: we have been “found.” The approximate 45 year old bridge is just one factor enabling this development.
As the pressures of development diminish the UP’s historical and geographic isolation, we in Michigan are brought to a cross-roads of decision: impelled by our newly-born preservation ethic we must ask, How much UP wilderness will we save? How much shall be set aside before the pressures to exploit cause permanent fragmentation, that mish-mash land use we are so familiar with in the Lower Peninsula?
Seize the day, that’s the way I see it. Carpe diem....
Another reason to create blocks is: economic development in the total State of Michigan has waned, been less, reduced due to many factors, but the point is; it has reduced. One needs to compete. One cannot just sit, and look pretty and think opportunities will come. From a tourist point of view, the Great Lakes, can be seen from space and can attract worldwide tourists. But we do very little to show them beauty. Scenic wilderness is the number one characteristic that attracts tourist to Upper Michigan as proven by tourism studies. If we have large parks, we then have something to tout, broadcast, that shines, promote, brag about. We bring in more money, the green stuff. To conclude the WHY: It is the convergence of need, opportunity and empathy.
A few centuries ago Michigan was an unknown wilderness, and scouts went out exploring it, and came back to civilization and reported what they found. I’m a scout in a way, coming back to the civilization represented by the legislature, to report on what I’ve found, and plead for action. Am I launching the opening volley in a new struggle over land use in the UP? So be it. It’s time to ponder these matters, to make a decision, because you will not have the decision later, and “this special place in the world will be gone” as a friend says.