HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST KARST SURVEY PROJECT

The Michigan Karst Conservancy (MKC), an Institutional member of the NSS, signed in May a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Hiawatha National Forest (HNF) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, to coordinate a survey of karst features in the Forest by volunteers. The Forest recently completed a landscape analysis of their Niagara Escarpment Land-Type-Association (LTA), a 63,000 acre portion of HNF underlain entirely by Silurian carbonate rocks of the Niagaran series. The area was, however, subject to Wisconsin glaciation, with the result that there are no known caves, but a number of disappearing streams and springs, and much limestone/dolomite pavement.

The MOU provides that MKC will form a Hiawatha Forest Projects Committee (HFPC) composed of representatives of interested Michigan caving, nature and geology groups, chaired by a Coordinator chosen by MKC, currently Rane Curl. Individuals may participate by associating themselves with one of the groups represented on the committee. Hiawatha National Forest has appointed a Forest Karst Program Manager, Lance Lindwall (the Forest geologist) with whom the committee will work.

The current members of the HFPC are MKC and the Michigan Interlakes Grotto (MIG) of the National Speleological Society.

The survey will document not only karst features and caves but also biological, cultural, paleontological and related features of scientific as well as scenic value in the study area.

While volunteers will conduct the survey, Hiawatha National Forest will support the effort by providing their current data about karst features and will furnish maps and survey tools, and training, and other resources, depending upon availability of funding and staffing within the Forest. They will also coordinate activities involving endangered, threatened or sensitive species. The Forest and MKC jointly have the responsibility of reviewing the capabilities of potential survey team members and agreeing to their participation.

The first training workshop for introducing volunteers to the organization and management of Hiawatha National Forest and to this project was held on Sunday, 21 September, at the St.Ignace Ranger Station of Hiawatha National Forest (1948 W. US-2). Teams were formed to begin surveys of selected portions of the Forest east of East Lake Road.

Interested individuals and groups should contact Rane Curl in order to participate and for further information (c/o MKC, 2805 Gladstone Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104-6432; mkc@cyberspace.org).