This is Silver Lake Basin. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is considering making the primitive boating access site in Marquette County accessible as a carry-in, carry-out facility. (Journal photo by Justin Marietti)

NEGAUNEE — The consensus of local residents who attended a Wednesday public meeting regarding Silver Lake Basin boating access was to take a middle ground.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources conducted the meeting at Negaunee Township Hall to discuss a proposal to make the primitive access site at the basin, located in Champion Township at the most upstream portion of the Dead River watershed, as a carry-in, carry-out facility.

The state of Michigan acquired the basin’s access site in 2015. Previously, the land surrounding the lake was almost entirely owned by corporate forest interests and a few other non-public-use entities.

In acquiring the site, the DNR said it would maintain it as a primitive access with no infrastructure development. Since that time, the lake has become more popular.

The DNR said concerns have risen over illegal camping, garbage and the threat of invasive species.

George Madison, DNR fisheries manager for Western Lake Superior management, said no formal decisions were to be made on Wednesday.

“We just want to get public input,” he said.

Much of that public input focused on the possible loss of access to boating recreation on a primitive lake.

Silver Lake Basin was the site of a 2003 flood that resulted when a fuse plug in the Silver Lake Dam failed. Subsequently, a fund was established to compensate for losses.

“With those Dead River settlement monies, we’ve been doing a few things,” Madison said. “One, we’re trying to establish a quality bluegill fishery in Marquette County.”

That fishery, as was determined by a 2018 survey, is being established, said Madison, who noted the basin also has “quality-size” northern pike.

Its lake whitefish population, though, is of particular concern.

“Lake whitefish are a fish in peril in the Great Lakes region,” Madison said.

That species feeds on zooplankton, he said, and the DNR is concerned with an invasive species, the spiny water flea, getting into the basin and outcompeting the whitefish for food. In fact, spiny water fleas already have been found in the Hoist Basin.

Illegal camping at a site without available services and the resulting waste also are problems, said Deb Gill, park supervisor at Van Riper State Park, which manages Silver Lake Basin.

“We’re seeing human waste,” Gill said. “We’re seeing a lot of trash and stuff that’s being left there.”

Other issues include having no long-term sustainable funding for maintenance, erosion and poor road conditions.

Gill said options include maintaining the basin as it is; developing a carry-in, carry-out site; and having a fully developed boat launch.

The DNR’s proposal was the second option.

“It would reduce a little bit of environmental impact,” Gill said. “We’re not backing our big trucks back right to the water.”

She said the option would improve vehicle access and parking, with the walking distance not exceeding 100 feet.

A vault toilet and a canoe/kayak slide also would be considered.

Madison acknowledged some people don’t have the ability to carry a boat to and from the site, so the DNR would look at how to accommodate small trailers and boats.

“Personally, what I don’t want to see is the 200-horsepower bass boats in there,” he said.

Concerns raised by audience members included the loss of recreational opportunities, disabled people being unable to access the primitive lake, safety threats to small craft in windy conditions and people littering anyway at the site regardless of actions taken.

Suggestions included putting up no camping signs, installing a gravel boat launch and policing the area.

“Some management has been done, not to the point that we would like to see it,” Gill said.

Douglas Rich, DNR Parks and Recreation Division district supervisor for the western Upper Peninsula, noted the DNR doesn’t regulate control of watercraft. Instead, conservation officers just enforce the rules.

“If you want a watercraft control, no matter what lake it is, that always has to start with the township board,” Rich said.

Madison assured the audience its input would be considered in a future decision.

“We’re taking notes,” Madison said. “We hear your voices.”

Upcoming DNR Fisheries Division meetings that include discussion of the Silver Lake Basin proposal will be:

≤ 6 to 8 p.m. CDT April 14 at Gogebic Community College, E4946 Jackson Road, Ironwood;

≤ 7 to 9 p.m. April 15 at Ishpeming Township Hall, 1575 U.S. 41, Ishpeming Township; and

≤ 7 to 9 p.m. April 16 at Portage District Library, 58 Huron St., Houghton.

Christie Bleck can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250.