County to hold Long Lake parcels while exploring access and conservation options

County Administrator Jesse Osmer briefed the Finance Ways & Means Committee on two parcels attached to Long Lake and recommended the county retain them for now while exploring options with state regulators and conservation partners.

Osmer said the first parcel previously believed to be lakefront is instead wetlands separated from the lake by a rock berm; staff will consult the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) about a possible waiver to release a portion of the property to provide lake access or to use the land for park expansion. The second parcel is about 40 acres, was recently harvested and would not be ready for another harvest for roughly 40 years; it contains a trail system that could interest a conservation group. The parcel was appraised at $120,000.

Administrator Osmer told the committee the county could preserve the trail system through a conservation arrangement, but noted conservation entities do not pay property taxes in Michigan, which affects revenue considerations. He said he will bring the Huron Engineering final report back for further discussion at a future meeting.

No formal decision to sell or dispose of either parcel was made; the committee took the recommendation to hold the parcels and seek EGLE input and potential conservation interest before returning the subject to a future agenda.