The Scott Point Tribe of American Aboriginals, a nonprofit group from Gould City dedicated to preserving Native culture and protecting ancient burial grounds, is proposing a partnership with the Mackinac County Road Commission to provide volunteer services where needed. Road commissioners listened to the idea, but were cautious in accepting a partnership during their meeting Tuesday, February 16, and asked the group to get support from Newton Township first.

Commissioners did approve a five-year task force program that outlines future state-funded and federal-funded road projects, and learned they will have to pay the Michigan Department of Transportation $100,000 for the Mackinac Trail project over Carp River.

Gerry Blanchard of the Scott Point organization, offered to perform any services the road commission may need on a volunteer basis. Scott Point members could help pick up trash along Scott Point Road, he said, or could assist the commission in other projects. The association, based in the Gould City area, is interested in starting a project similar to the state's Adopt- A-Highway program, but for county roads. An ancient burial ground lies near the south end of the road.

Partnering with the road commission would help the group obtain a grant. The tribe applied for a road safety grant, Mr. Blanchard said, but their chances of receiving it would have been greater had the request been affiliated with the road commission.

Commissioners Lester Livermore and Tom Doty said they think the county road adoption program is a good idea, but are concerned about the commission's liability.

"I don't want to close the door on them. It's a unique idea," Mr. Doty said.

Mr. Blanchard said he would obtain the necessary insurance and address any other concerns.

"If we knew what the hurdles are, we're confident we can overcome them," he said.

Most organizations wanting to partner with the road commission have a specific focus, Mr. Livermore said. He suggested the Scott Point Tribe develop several project ideas.

Considering Newton Township pays for road projects that include South Gould City Road, the Scott Point group should obtain support from the township first, Manager Dirk Heckman suggested. The commission could continue to deliberate on the partnership once the township supports the idea.

Road Plan

The plan detailing five years of road projects that receive state and federal funding was presented at a public hearing Tuesday, February 2, but several questions arose when township supervisors examined it.

The plan has changed little compared to the draft version. Portage Township Supervisor Donna O'Grady asked where road work would occur in the South Curtis project planned for 2013. The revised draft now defines where it will be.

Moran Township Trustee Mark Spencer was concerned the Charles Moran Road project, slated for 2011 and 2014, should not appear on the list because the road was "sold" to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the money was used for a different project. In the past, MDOT allowed federally funded projects to be sold back to it for 75¢ of every dollar, and the money could be used on a different project. Mr. Spencer contended the Charles Moran Road project should have been moved down the priority list.

Mr. Heckman reported the project already had been bumped down the list, as it should have been completed by 2007. It will remain scheduled for 2011 and 2014.

The plan for road work was published in The St. Ignace News February 11.

Now that the plan has been approved, it will go before the Rural Task Force for final approval. The task force is composed of road commission representatives from Mackinac, Chippewa, and Luce counties as well as the Eastern Upper Peninsula Transportation Authority. It is a federal and state requirement for the task force to review five-year plans that use federal and state money.

MDOT Needs $100,000 for

Mackinac Trail Project

The road commission will receive a bill from MDOT for $100,000 to defray the costs of the Mackinac Trail road project. The project work includes milling off the existing black top of 3.2 miles of the trail and repaving it. It is funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment money, which comes through the USDA.

Contractors working on the project must be paid every two weeks, and MDOT needs the $100,000 to provide that payment, Mr. Heckman said. Because the money does not come from MDOT, the road commission must pay for the $100,000 up front. The commission will be reimbursed for the amount later.