×

Forest Service proposes Nahma multi-use trail

RAPID RIVER — The USDA Forest Service, Rapid River/Manistique Ranger District has proposed authorizing construction of the Nahma & Northern Grade Multi-Use Trail in Delta County. The trail would be approximately 15 miles east of Rapid River, south of US 2, extending Snowmobile Trail No. 411 south from Nahma Junction to the Village of Nahma. Currently, snowmobile and OHV (Off-Highway Vehicles, ATVs) users drive on or along the shoulder of County Road 497 or along an unauthorized, user-created trail through wetlands and streams within the powerline corridor.

Three miles of trail on National Forest System (NFS) land would be primarily on the old Nahma and Northern Grade Railroad within the existing power line corridor permitted to the Alger-Delta Cooperative Electric Association. The Nahma community decided not to route the last stretch of the trail along County Road 497 into Nahma to address landowner concerns. Instead, the trail would use County Road L-13 (NFS Road 8263) and County Road 499 to access Nahma instead. The total trail would add 3.7 miles of trail to the state designated/groomed snowmobile trail system, and it would be open in the summer to OHVs and non-motorized uses, such as horse riding, hiking, and bicycling.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, through their grant program, funded part of the environmental analysis and agreed to help Nahma Township secure additional grant dollars for implementation.

The purpose of the proposal is to connect the Village of Nahma to thousands of miles of National Forest Service roads and trails open to OHVs and other users. Developing the trail would also prevent natural resource damage by placing bridges, culverts, and other mitigations as needed. Parking would be available on the north and south ends of the trail, along with interpretive and directional signage along the trail.

This proposal with maps is available at the website https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=44158 and additional information can be obtained at the following contacts.

This is the only opportunity to weigh in on this proposal. Project specific written or verbal comments must be received by March 15. Send to Becky Cain, west zone recreation planner, Nahma Multi-Use Trail, at 400 E. Munising Ave, Munising, MI, 49862; or FAX 906-387-2070; phone (906) 387-2512.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today