Pictured Rocks Get Wilder

Yesterday, the US Senate overcame procedural hurdles to allow a vote ona bill that would designate 11 million acres of federal land in 9 states as wilderness. That includes 11,000 acres in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising, specifically the Beaver Basin area, which has periodically been proposed for increased tourist development. In the early 90s the USPS was examining proposals to build a paved road through the area. There was much local support for the project, but opposition primarily from visitors and environmental advocates from outside the region--a typical split of opinion on these matters. The proposal was tabled then. Now, it or anything similar to it will be off the table.

Also of note, the bill would ease federal acquisition of land to extend the North Country Trail, and increase appropriations for development of the Keweenaw national historic park.

The Senate and the House still need to approve the bill itself, but the chances for passage look good. From FTR's standpoint, this is a good deal all around for lovers of Michigan's outdoors.