EUP REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

LITTLE RAPIDS HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT

Rapids habitat on the St. Marys River has historically been impacted by various forms of development, including dredging, filling, diversion, and urban development. Construction of the causeway across the Little Rapids degraded the rapids and damaged the health of the native fish community.  However, with proper engineering and design, the site can be restored to provide foraging, spawning, and nursery habitat for a wide variety of sport fish as well as other aquatic organisms needed for a healthy river system. Planning for this project was locally initiated over two decades ago with input from local stakeholders guiding restoration efforts.

The big rapids that we associate with the locks and International Bridge were not the only rapids in the river. The “Little Rapids” were located between Sugar Island and what is now Rotary Park in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. These smaller rapids were mostly destroyed when dredging for navigation and construction of the island causeway leading from the Ferry dock greatly reduced the flow in that area. From 1928 until about 1960 there were three cuts, each about thirty feet wide, in the Sugar Island ferry causeway. These openings, which allowed water to flow from the north side to the south side of the causeway, had bridges across them for traffic. The openings were plugged around 1960, replaced by the two culverts, which only allowed for a much-reduced flow.

Based on recommendations following a feasibility study funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Program, the outdated culverts are being replaced with a 600 foot bridge. The increase in water flow will improve 50-70 acres of aquatic habitat.

Project Goals Included:

• Water flow will be restored and this will cause an increased quantity and quality of fish spawning habitat, and habitat for other native plants and animals
• The culverts needed to be replaced, and the new bridge will be safer and more usable than a causeway. A pedestrian walkway included in the bridge design will provide community opportunities for fishing, bird watching, and recreation
• Recreational anglers already spend an estimated $2.5 billion annually in Michigan, with at least $7 million generated annually by fishing on the St. Marys River. The additional fishing opportunities created by this project will generate additional tourism revenue
• This is the final project necessary to address habitat-related Beneficial Use Impairments at the St. Marys River and the last anticipated project for the US side of the Area of Concern This is a crucial step toward its eventual removal from the list of Great Lakes AOCs or “toxic hotspots”

PAST CEDS & REGIONAL PROSPERITY INITIATIVE: ELEVATING THE EASTERN UP

Elevating the Eastern Upper Peninsula is the 2015-2019 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and the 2015-19 Regional Prosperity Initiative plan for the Michigan counties of Chippewa, Luce and Mackinac. This plan is not only a declaration of where those affecting economic development across various fields intend to see the region be by 2019, but it is a living document putting forth the first steps we will take towards a prosperous future.

“Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula will be a region in the world attractive to enterprise, students, tourists, and residents alike: where one can be immersed in a natural setting yet access 21^st-century amenities; and where opportunity prevails through the application of modern techniques, collaboration, and mindful allocation of resources.” 

Development of Elevating the Eastern Upper Peninsula began in late-July of 2014 with a meeting of the Stakeholder Committee where regional assets and needs were identified and focus areas for this plan were established. Six focus areas were deemed priorities for developing this plan: education, economic and workforce development, health care, tourism and natural resources, agriculture and local food systems, and infrastructure. Since then, the Stakeholder Committee met twice more, the Regional Economic Development Advisory Committee—a smaller committee, which has been in place for the development of previous economic development plans—met five times (twice in conjunction with the Stakeholder Committee), and six focus-group meetings were held—one for each focus area.

Ultimately 65 partners worked to implement 24 strategies. Between 2015 and 2019, 92% of the 83 action items saw significant progress or were completely achieved.

This progress was documented annually in the performance reports under “CEDS & RPI DOCUMENTS” below.

EASTERN UP TARGET MARKET ANALYSES

TRANSPORTATION-LOGISTICS STRATEGY

This page currently contains the request for proposals for the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation-Logistics Strategy. As the strategy is developed, EUPRPDC will publish relevant documents, drafts, and plans so that anyone can view and consume the information.

This project was funded by EUPRPDC, the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Final Task 1 Report – TLS Feasibility

Final Task 2 Report – Strategic Actions

Sault Ste. Marie Bi-National Investment District

EUP Forest Industry Market Assessment