Rockport SRA Map and Facts Sheet 2006.pdf
PDF 415 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- RFP 171 180000003329 3
- Issued by
- Presque Isle County, Michigan
About this file
This is a public information document regarding the Rockport State Recreation Area (SRA) prepared for a public meeting held on September 19, 2006, at the Thunder Bay Visitor Center Auditorium. The document presents a map and factual overview of four primary sites within the Rockport area managed by the Parks and Recreation Division (PRD). The Rockport Boat Access Site and Alpena Township Park comprises 15 acres and 2,000 feet of Lake Huron shoreline acquired through a legal settlement with Consumer's Energy in 1996, transferred to PRD in 2002, and includes launch ramps, skid piers, vault toilets, and parking for 75+ vehicles. The Rockport Quarry, operational from 1913 through the 1930s and again in the 1950s for the Mackinac Bridge construction, currently serves recreational purposes including rock hounding and contains exposed fossils and an ancient sinkhole. The document also identifies seasonal sinkholes formed by limestone erosion that support wildlife habitat and the Besser Natural Area, a designated natural area containing a sunken ship, threatened and endangered species, and unique fen wetlands.
The document addresses site management challenges and environmental concerns including illegal off-road vehicle (ORV) and snowmobile use that has disturbed fragile fen environments and caused misuse at the Besser Natural Area. The Alpena Township Park development was supported by a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Grant and includes parking, picnic facilities, interpretive displays, and historical markers. The area supports significant recreational access to fishing grounds and serves as a departure point for SCUBA diving and charter services to Middle Island. Wildlife utilization includes osprey, eagles, piping plover, waterfowl, shorebirds, and migratory species, with potential future sinkhole research identified by NOAA in Lake Huron.
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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
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