Rockport SRA Phase-3 5-Year Implementation Plan 2016.pdf

5-Year Implementation Plan – Rockport State Recreation Area 2

INTRODUCTION

A General Management Plan (GMP) is developed through a series of planning steps.

Each step builds upon the previous, focusing on the mission of the Parks & Recreation Division (PRD), and the specific Purpose and Significance of the park. The Phase 1 plan for Rockport State Recreation Area, identifying the purpose and significance of the park and 20-year management zones, was approved in October 2008. The Phase 2 plan, consisting of 10-year action goals, was approved in October 2010. Planning for Rockport State Recreation Area was undertaken in conjunction with Negwegon State Park and Thompson’s Harbor State Park. Together, these plans were developed with guidance from the Negwegon Rockport Thompson’s Harbor Advisory Committee (NRTH). (Note that in 2013 the Phase 1 and Phase 2 plans were combined into a single complete GMP for all new projects).

It is required that Management Plans are reviewed on a 5 year schedule, beginning from the date of approval of the Phase 2 Plan (or the complete GMP). In December 2014, PRD staff reviewed the Phase 1 and Phase 2 plans and confirmed that no conditions have changed that would require amendment of the approved plans. Upon completion of this review, 5-year implementation goals are identified to form Phase 3, otherwise known as the 5-year Implementation Plan.

The intent of the 5-year Implementation Plan is to guide park management on specific projects and the development of annual work plans. It is a supplement to the Phase 1 and Phase 2 plans, which should, continuously be referenced.

Planning Team

DNR Staff Division Title Name

PRD Management Plan Administrator Debbie Jensen PRD Planning Analyst Matt Lincoln

PRD Unit Supervisor (Rockport & Thompsons Harbor) Blake Gingrich

PRD Unit Supervisor (Negwegon) Eric Ostrander PRD District Supervisor Rich Hill PRD Regional Planner Keith Cheli PRD Stewardship Ecologist Glenn Palmgren

In developing the 5-year Implementation Plan, the long range action goals were first reviewed with the planning team to identify goals that have completed during the 5 year period since the Phase 2 plan was approved. These goals were completed with help from NRTH, friends groups and other local partners.

Next, all long range action goals were re-evaluated to identify specific projects that can realistically be completed within the next 5 years. These projects reflect the realities of available funds, staff capabilities and partnership opportunities. Long range action goals that had “ongoing” target dates were not included in the 5-year actions unless specific actions tied to these goals were identified. Goals that had target dates identified

5-Year Implementation Plan – Rockport State Recreation Area 3 greater than 5 years were also not included unless the goal could realistically be accomplished within 5 years.

After identifying action goals to be included in the 5-year Implementation Plan, these were modified and/or expanded as appropriate into multiple actions to identify specific projects related to these goals.

The actions listed in the plan focus on those items where the Unit Supervisor has primary responsibility. Other actions, for example, those identified as Stewardship for the primary responsibility, were not included unless it was important for these goals to be completed within the next 5 years. It is the responsibility of the Unit Supervisor to communicate with the responsible position to ensure that these goals are accomplished.

Target Fiscal Year Completion Dates, Estimated Project Costs, and Potential Funding Sources were also included for each action identified. Also included in this plan are checklists for the park manager’s use as a tool in maintaining the GMP and the 5-year Implementation Plan.

Since Rockport became a State Recreation Area in 2012, there have been a number of factors affecting progress. First, administrative changes have resulted in staff turn-over at the regional, district and local level. Second, the lack of a local office/ base for staff hinders management on the ground. Despite these factors, a number of Goals have been accomplished as listed below.

COMPLETED ACTION GOALS

Action Goal Description of Completed Tasks

Transfer administration of Rockport from FRD to PRD.

Develop and conduct public info session(s) on what the change means (use NAC)

This occurred shortly after the General Management Plan was approved.

Prepare a Director’s Order to close entire park to snowmobile use (with review of appropriate user group)

A Director’s Order is in place to close the Primitive Zone to snowmobile use. All Developed and Natural Resource Recreation Zones, including the old railroad grade corridor remain open to seasonal snowmobile trail use.

Prepare a Director’s Order to open this park to hunting (under PRD) then maintain park open to hunting

No Director’s Order was needed to complete this goal.

When the land was transferred to PRD, it was dedicated as a state recreation area, which automatically opened the site to hunting.

Prepare an Emergency Plan

This was completed, reviewed and updated annually.

5-Year Implementation Plan – Rockport State Recreation Area 4

Conduct / Update Natural Features Inventory

Natural communities were evaluated and updated through a contract with Michigan Natural Features Inventory in 2013.

Encourage formation of a Rockport Friends Group

The Rockport Friends Group has been formed.

Develop appropriate interpretive messages for both natural and cultural resources.

Three interpretive signs were installed in coordination with local partners. The bat hibernaculum was also improved to increase visitor safety and protect the bats.

Fossil Collecting and Education/Interpretation of Geology

Use permit established with local tour guide for tours at the park.

Control invasive species Non-native phragmites was mapped and treated in 2014.

Harbor improvements Dredged harbor and fixed tribal wall.

Establish ecotourism opportunities

Commercial Operating Agreement has been established with a concessionaire to provide boat transportation from Rockport for scuba diving and access to the island.

Identify opportunities for backcountry camping and other opportunities for overnight accommodations

A location for backcountry camping has been identified and components of that site have been discussed.

Identify trail opportunities for a variety of trail users (e.g.

snowmobile, ski, equestrian, hiking and biking).

Snowmobile corridor has been identified and laid out.

Collection of GPS data has begun for existing trails for consideration of a dedicated trail network.

Improve diver access to Lake Huron

Stairway into water has been renovated for easier diver access.

Abbreviations used:

PRD Parks and Recreation Division FRD Forest Resources Division (formerly Forest Management Division) NAC NRTH Advisory Committee NRTH Negwegon State Park, Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson’s

Harbor State Park

ROCKPORT STATE RECREATION AREA

5-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN DRAFT

5-Year Implementation Plan - Rockport State Recreation Area 5

Target FY Completion

Date Action Zone Project Team Member Responsible Project

Position Estimated

Project Cost Potential Funding

Source

Assess feasibility of the Besser Bell building for reuse as a NRTH visitor center or other park use.

Developed Recreation

Field Planner, Unit Supervisor

Unit Supervisor $0

Work with Alpena Township on long-term plans for incorporating Alpena Township park use in the overall operation in this zone.

Developed Recreation

Grants Management, Unit Supervisor, Land Manager, District Supervisor

Unit Supervisor $0

Identify Trail Opportunities:

- Continue to map existing trails and inventory

- Assess existing trails for appropriate use

General Field Planner, Unit Supervisor, Stewardship

Unit Supervisor $0

Land acquisition within the park boundary

- Send letter to land owners located within the dedicated boundary to inform them that we would be interested should they ever wish to sell

- Specifically approach Besser Bell property owners

General Unit Supervisor, Land Manager

Unit Supervisor $0

Develop opportunities for backcountry camping

- Develop 2 backcountry campsites that have been previously identified.

Natural Resources Recreation

Field Planner, Unit Supervisor

Field Planner $5,500 District Small Projects

5-Year Implementation Plan - Rockport State Recreation Area 6

Target FY Completion

Date Action Zone Project Team Member Responsible Project

Position Estimated

Project Cost Potential Funding

Source

Land acquisition within the park boundary

- Define and mark current park boundaries utilizing GPS data

- Resolve boundary conflicts adjacent to Besser Bell property

General Unit Supervisor, Land Manager

Unit Supervisor $7,500 Park Discretionary

Budget

Develop a Wildfire Plan (annual review per policy)

General Stewardship, Unit Supervisor Unit Supervisor $0

Improve parking at Besser Natural Area:

- Define parking area

- Improve gravel surface and signage

- Remove toilet and place new toilet outside of natural area

Primitive Unit Supervisor, Field Planner Field Planner $12,500

Local Partners, District Small Projects

Trail Opportunities:

- Designate trails as appropriate General

Field Planner, Unit Supervisor, Stewardship Unit Supervisor $3,200

Friends of Rockport, District Small Projects

Develop specific interpretation and education opportunities with Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (TBNMS)

General Unit Supervisor, Marketing & Outreach, TBNMS

Unit Supervisor $0

Finalize and develop marketing campaign for "Dark Sky" designation

General Unit Supervisor, Marketing & Outreach Unit Supervisor $0

5-Year Implementation Plan - Rockport State Recreation Area 7

Target FY Completion

Date Action Zone Project Team Member Responsible Project

Position Estimated

Project Cost Potential Funding

Source

Seek funding for 'Site Development Plan'.

(Estimated at $75,000)

General

Unit Supervisor, District Supervisor, Grants Coordinator, Local Partners

Unit Supervisor $0

2016 Identify and develop strategy for gravel piles. General

Unit Supervisor, Stewardship, District Supervisor, Field Planner

Unit Supervisor $0

2017 Develop Stewardship Plan General Stewardship, Unit Supervisor Unit Supervisor $0

Education/Interpretation of geology including sink-holes, karst and karst river valley, old beach cobble line, etc

Natural Resources Recreation and

Developed Recreation

Field Planner, Stewardship, Unit Supervisor, DNR

Geologists

Marketing & Outreach $0

Develop brochures, maps and other marketing materials for NRTH based on natural and historic resources found within the park.

General Marketing & Outreach, Unit Supervisor Unit Supervisor $2,000

Park Descretionary Budget

5-Year Implementation Plan - Rockport State Recreation Area 8

Target FY Completion

Date Action Zone Project Team Member Responsible Project

Position Estimated

Project Cost Potential Funding

Source

Develop a master ‘Site Development Plan’ for the park:

- Develop a cultural resources inventory

- Develop a geological resources inventory

- Assess feasibility for campground or other overnight accomodations

- Improve diver access to sinkholes

- Identify the feasibility of a safe shooting range at the park

- Assess pier for recreation and safety improvements

- Improve access for fishing

- Integrate trails into plan

- Assess feasibility for a visitor center

General

Field Planner, Stewardship Ecologist, Stewardship Cultural

Specialist, District Supervisor, Unit

Supervisor

Field Planner $75,000

NEMCOG,

CZM,

PRD Capital Outlay, Partnership Match

Program

Develop Interpretive Plan:

- Identify opportunities for interpretation of quarry operations

- Identify resources for off-site interpretation of the natural area

- Identify opportunities for cultural resource interpretation

Natural Resources Recreation and

Developed Recreation

Marketing & Outreach, Unit Supervisor, Stewardship Unit Supervisor $20,000

Stewardship, Marketing & Outreach, Historical Center

Develop safe access to (and into) sink-hole(s) where appropriate and feasible

Natural Resources Recreation

Unit Supervisor, Field Planner

Field Planner $35,000 PRD Capital Outlay

5-Year Implementation Plan – Rockport State Recreation Area 9

Annual Work Plan

Review accomplishments to date.

Develop tasks and expectations for staff working on each project identified in the 5 year

Implementation.

Submit WIP’s as necessary.

Ongoing Plan Review

Keep a log of potential changes to the plan when they arise. This log will come in handy when it comes time to update the plan.

These changes may be justified by a number of different factors including completed projects, public comments, user group conflicts, emerging recreation opportunities, changes in land management practices, etc.

One way to log these changes is to mark‐up your copy of the Management Plan.

Review zoning map and mark up any changes to the park boundary that may be necessary in your copy of the Management Plan

Identify and label potential zoning for any new parcels acquired in your copy of the Management Plan.

Review Long‐Range Action Goals, strike the projects that have been completed and note the date of completion.

Follow‐up with lead DNR staff on progress for action items not assigned to Park manager/supervisor.

Add potential new action goals to your copy of the Management Plan as they arise.