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A letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |   |
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July 12, 2001 Mr. Craig Czarnecki United States Fish and Wildlife Service East Lansing Field Office 2651 Coolidge Road, Suite 101 East Lansing, Michigan 48823 Dear Mr. Czarnecki: The purpose of this letter is to outline the key concerns of the Leelanau Historical Society as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service contracts to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for South Fox Island. Since its founding in 1957, the Leelanau Historical Society has worked to safeguard the cultural resources of Leelanau County, of which South Fox Island is a critical part, for this and future generations. In accord with its mission, the Society is primarily concerned with the fate of the cultural resources of the island. This letter is written in the belief that a comprehensive EIS will result in intelligent decisions and responsible actions regarding the irreplaceable resources of the island. Cultural resources is used here in the broadest sense to identify tangible manifestations of historical and cultural processes, such as the South Fox Island light station and adjacent structures, as well as to signify aspects of the environment that may be used in culturally significant ways. In this formulation, cultural resources extend beyond the historical or archaeological to include locations and natural resources that are essential to the continuation of contemporary local traditions and cultures. Cultural resources reflect and, in turn, create, the knowledge and values of the people who make and/or use them; they are important to understanding who we have been and who we are. With this definition in mind, the Leelanau Historical Societyıs concerns are two-fold. The first concern regards the structures on the islandıs southern tip, including the original lighthouse built in 1867, the brick lighthouse keeperıs quarters constructed in 1910, the new light tower built in 1934, and adjacent outbuildings. Together, these structures and surrounding grounds qualify as an historic cultural landscape as defined by the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service. The entire lighthouse complex should be reviewed for its architectural, historical, and cultural significance. The second concern entails the traditional cultural properties and ethnographic landscapes of the island. These properties and landscapes, as defined by the United States Department of the Interior, may include locations associated with the traditional beliefs and customs of a Native American group about its cultural history, as well as a variety of natural and cultural resources, such as small plant communities, animals, subsistence and ceremonial grounds, that associated people deem important for the maintenance of tradition and perpetuation of their cultures. Accordingly, the importance of such cultural resources on South Fox Island to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and other groups should be established and documented. The myriad cultural resources of South Fox Island are as critical as the islandıs unparalleled natural resources. They must be given close consideration by trained professionals as part of a comprehensive EIS. In the estimation of the Leelanau Historical Society, a complete EIS will clearly identify, thoroughly document, and honestly evaluate the spectrum of cultural resources of the island, including historic properties as well as resources essential to contemporary local cultures. The Society will remain watchful as the EIS unfolds. When the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is completed in the ensuing months, the Society requests a copy for review. Sincerely, R. Mark Livengood, Ph.D. Director CC: Ms. Elyse LaForest, National Park Service Senator Carl Levin Senator Debbie Stabenow Congressman Bart Stupak Mr. Logan Hardie, Leelanau Historical Society Mr. Jim Lively, Michigan Land Use Institute Mr. Brian Upton, The Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians | |||
