06/27/2006

Editorial

State bows to politicians, snowmobilers about route

Lost in the general jubilation over a state decision to allow snowmobiles on a 12-mile stretch of former railroad grade that runs along Mullet Lake are two things:

• One, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund board broke its word — as in promised one thing and did another — and got cheered for it.

Some people call it lying.

• Two, a number of area politicians who have been busily patting themselves on the back over legislation blocking eminent domain "takings" lobbied long and hard to have the state reverse itself. In the process a lot of Mullet Lake homes likely lost much of their financial worth and certainly their joyful seclusion and quiet. All because the government chose one user over another, just as it does in eminent domain cases.

The whole thing stinks. It's further proof, as if we need it, that there is no power greater than political self promotion. If a few folks find their little slice of heaven along Mullet Lake turned into a roaring, snowmobile freeway in the process, that's tough.

Back in 1998 the railroad grade, which passes within a few feet of many homes and the lake, was purchased by the state with Michigan Natural Resources Trust dollars.

But the sale was based on a stipulation that the old railroad grade forever remain a quiet, non-motorized recreational trail. The DNR agreed there were safety and noise concerns and stuck to the designation — and its promise.

Northern Michigan politicians and business interests had no such compunctions, however.

Earlier this year Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire, wrote a letter to Gov. Jennifer Granholm urging her to break the state's word. Sens. Jason Allen, R-Traverse City, and Tony Stamas, R-Midland, signed on.

"We're hoping she can put pressure on (the DNR) to make a decision," an Elsenheimer staffer said.

She apparently caved, as did the Trust Fund board.

A support group has already scrapped plans to pave the trail for bikers and walkers because snowmobiles will tear it up. All uses, apparently, now bow to the snowmobile.

A snowmobile route linking Gaylord and Cheboygan has been the Holy Grail of up north snowmobile interests for years upon years. The state has looked for alternatives but kept running up against geography and a promise — the Pigeon River State Forest on one side, the Mullet Lake stipulation on the other.

Snowmobile and Cheboygan business interests say the Gaylord-Cheboygan link will spur lots of economic activity in Cheboygan and be a boon to snowmobilers.

The fact that the state broke its word and a few people got run over in the process apparently matters not a bit.