Rockport SRA Map and Facts Sheet 2006.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- RFP-171-180000003329-3
- Issued by
- Roscommon County, Michigan
About this file
This document is a public information map and fact sheet for the Rockport State Recreation Area (SRA) in Alpena Township, Michigan, prepared by the Parks and Recreation Department (PRD) for a public meeting on September 19, 2006. The document details four key site locations: the Rockport Boat Access Site and Alpena Township Park, Rockport Quarry, local sinkholes, and the Besser Natural Area. The site was originally acquired through a legal settlement with Consumer's Energy in 1996 and includes 15 acres with 2,000 feet of Lake Huron shoreline, featuring launch ramps, parking spaces, and recreational amenities.
The sites have diverse historical and ecological significance, including a former limestone quarry operational from 1913 to the 1930s, which now serves as a rock hounding location, and the Besser Natural Area with prehistoric usage, a sunken ship, and habitats for threatened species like piping plovers and various wildlife. The area presents environmental management challenges, including illegal ORV use that has disturbed fragile fen ecosystems and conflicts in beach areas. The sites offer multiple recreational opportunities such as fishing, SCUBA diving, wildlife observation, and long-range shooting, while also presenting potential research opportunities for organizations like NOAA in studying geological formations like sinkholes.
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Text version
Rockport Public Information Meeting Thunder Bay Visitor Center Auditorium, 5:30 – 8:00PM
September 19, 2006
(MAP)
Rockport Road
1 – Rockport Boat Access Site and Alpena Township Park
2 – Rockport Quarry
3 – Sink Holes
4 – Besser Natural Area
(FACTS)
Map # Description
(1) Rockport Boat Access Site & Alpena Township Park
• Acquired as part of legal settlement with Consumer’s Energy in 1996
• Formerly leased from Consumer’s by PRD as a BAS
• 15 acres & 2,000’ Lake Huron shoreline transferred from FMFM to PRD in 2002
• Includes launch ramps, skid piers, vault toilets & 75+ parking spaces
• Provides primary access to Nordemeer fishing grounds – salmon & trout
• Very popular departure point for SCUBA diving
• Includes old shipping dock, use by tribal fishermen & charter service to Middle Island (PRD ownership on Middle Island)
• PRD leased 2 acres to Alpena Township for a Township Park
• Alpena Township received MNRTF Grant for development of park
• Park includes parking spaces, picnic tables, grills, wildflower plantings, interpretive display, benches and historical marker
(2) Rockport Quarry
• Great Lakes Stone & Lime Company of Rockport began operation in 1913 and provided rock for building and paving materials
• Detroit & Mackinac authorized to construct expansion of 12 miles of railroad from Alpena to Rockport to service the Kelley Island Lime & Transport Company in 1920
• Active limestone quarry until 1930’s when operation stopped due to limestone chemical quality problems
• Site used again in 1950’s for construction of abutments for the Mackinac Bridge
• 40+ years of weathering of the quarry floor have exposed collectible fossils
• An ancient sinkhole is located within the quarry
• Quarry is currently used for rock hounding and long-range shooting
Map # Description
(3) Sinkholes
• Form when limestone bedrock is present
• Cavities develop in limestone over geologic time resulting from chemical and mechanical erosion of material
• Dissolving limestone create sinkholes when the bedrock gives way
• Water is present seasonally in these sinkholes
• Wildlife use includes hummingbirds, solitary sandpiper, red-shouldered hawk, waterfowl, and amphibians
• Possibility of future sinkhole research by NOAA in Lake Huron
(4) Besser Natural Area
• Designated Natural Area
• Prehistoric use of site
• Lagoon with sunken ship ‘Cuba’ (part of the ship is out in Lake
Huron)
• Several threatened & endangered species
• Migrating wildlife includes waterfowl, shorebirds, and warblers
• Misuse of site includes illegal ORV use and parties
• Beach area is home to osprey, eagles, and piping plover, as well as rare plants
• Beach area also has ORV/snowmobile conflicts
• Unique fens in area (Fen is a type of wetland fed by alkaline, mineral-rich groundwater and characterized by distinct plants.)
• Illegal ORV use has disturbed fragile fen environment
• Historical homestead and boat slip sites
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .