Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By P.J. GLISSON
Bessemer — Members of the Bessemer Parks and Recreation Commission agreed last week on a three-year plan to improve the status of the fishing pond in Bluff Valley Park.
“The long range should be to plant some fish and get kids off their computers for an afternoon to catch some fish,” said Russ Maki, the commission member who suggested the idea in a previous meeting.
Toward that end, Maki introduced two local specialists who could provide related advice: Jerry Edde, a retired fisheries biologist for the Ottawa National Forest, and David Rowe, a retired Bessemer middle and high school science teacher.
“If you were to pick two guys who have the most knowledge of the Bluff View Pond, it would be these two guys sitting here,” said Maki, who expressed gratitude for their presence.
“I used that pond for 31 years,” said Rowe, who often took his Bessemer students on expeditions to the pond. “There was always something to do. There was always a question to ask.”
Edde was optimistic that the goal of cleaning the pond in order to stock more fish would pose no undue challenge.
“It’s very do-able,” he said.
Chairwoman Cheryl Olsen outlined the pending three-year project as follows: 1. A general clean-up this summer; 2. Dredging in 2024; and 3. Stocking of fish in 2025.
In emphasizing the importance of enacting steps in proper order, Olsen described dredging as “a big project” and added, “That’s got to be done properly, and that’s got to be done with big machinery that we don’t own.”
Moreover, she added, “You can’t put the fish in when you’ve got a bunch of gunk — they’re going to die.”
Maki also suggested the use of one or more sediment traps, an idea that Edde also supported. “It’s going to be a pretty small operation,” assured Edde of enacting the plan.
Regarding effects on fish from residual sediment after excavation, Rowe said that a related study by Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources showed that fish resulted as “just fine.”
“We should seek grant funding,” said Commission Member Trevor Jackovich.
Rowe said that MDNR funding should be available, and Edde said staff from Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy could help to review the city’s grant application.
Rowe added that grant applicant writers should be careful to include all costs. He also suggested getting the blessing of the Gogebic Conservation District.
Maki said he expects volunteer support, and City Manager Jennifer Adams reminded that the City Council has allotted in its budget an extra $10,000 for the Parks and Recreation Commission for the 2023-2024 fiscal year that starts on July 1.
“I’m sure the council is going to be super helpful to whatever we need,” said Adams.
The city manager also emphasized the need to gather cost projections for the grant application process.
“I find it very exciting,” concluded Rowe in the May 4 meeting. “There is a steady stream of curious students who want science to be real, and this is in our back yard.”
The commission’s next regular meeting will be on June 1 at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers of the Bessemer City Hall.