CALL TO ACTION:
ASK THE DNR TO PERMIT THE MONTREAL FALLS - BARE BLUFF TRAIL ACCESS
2026 is the year to start this project! – ASK THE DNR TO APPROVE THE PERMIT NOW!
MONTREAL FALLS AND BARE BLUFF TRAIL
Access For Everyone:
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New parking/trailhead and trail segments.
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Safe and public route for everyone.
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Maintain and enhance existing hiking trails.
History:
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2021/2022: KORC flagged and GPSed the parking/trailhead and trail segments.
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2022: KORC submitted permit application to the DNR.
Funding:
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KORC is not seeking DNR funding.
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KORC raised funds for Phase I of this project.
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KORC secured pledges for additional funding.
Please Help:
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Write Governor Whitmer
State Representative Markkanen
State Senator Ed McBroom
and DNR executives today. -
Your voice matters!
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Please share and ask others to join us!
Together we can do this! Thank you!
• Sample Letter • Map • Contact Info •
1. Download and personalize the sample letter and map:
2. Please change or delete the red text.
3. Send your letters/emails – BY APRIL 1, 2026.
Please email the following people:
Elected Officials:
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer - ***NOTE: The Governor does not have a public email address. Please submit your letter with attachments at this link: https://somgovweb.state.mi.us/ContactGovernor
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Representative Greg Markkanen - GregMarkkanen@house.mi.gov
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Senator Ed McBroom - SenEMcBroom@senate.michigan.gov
DNR:
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Director Scott Bowen - DNR-Director@Michigan.gov
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Director Scott Whitcomb - whitcombs@michigan.gov
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Deputy Director Shannon Lott - Lotts1@michigan.gov
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Chief Jeff Stampfly - DNR-Forestry@Michigan.gov
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Chief Kristen Kosick - DNR-ParksAndRecreation@Michigan.gov
Letters sent via U.S.P.S. have more impact.
Elected Officials:
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, MI 48909
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Representative Greg Markkanen
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
📧 GregMarkkanen@house.mi.gov
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Senator Ed McBroom
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
📧 SenEMcBroom@senate.michigan.gov
DNR:
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Director Scott Bowen
Department of Natural Resources
Executive Division
P.O. Box 30028
Lansing, MI 48909
📧 DNR-Director@Michigan.gov
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Director Scott Whitcomb
Department of Natural Resources
Office of Public Lands
P.O. Box 30028
Lansing, MI 48909
📧 whitcombs@michigan.gov
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Deputy Director Shannon Lott
Department of Natural Resources
Executive Division
P.O. Box 30028
Lansing, MI 48909
📧 Lotts1@michigan.gov
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Chief Jeff Stampfly
Department of Natural Resources
Forest Resources Division
P.O. Box 30452
Lansing, MI 48909
📧 DNR-Forestry@Michigan.gov
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Chief Kristen Kosick
Department of Natural Resources
Parks and Recreation Division
P.O. Box 30257
Lansing, MI 48909
📧 DNR-ParksAndRecreation@Michigan.gov
Sample letter to copy and paste:
Please personalize the letter by changing or deleting the red text
Director Scott Bowen
Department of Natural Resources
Executive Division
P.O. Box 30028
Lansing, MI 48909
RE: Approve Permit for Montreal River/Bare Bluff Parking and Trailhead
Dear Director Bowen:
The purpose of this letter is to request that the DNR approve KORC’s permit to build a new public parking area and trail segments to allow citizens of Michigan and tourists to visit the beautiful Montreal Falls and Bare Bluff destinations safely and via public trails and roads. A map is enclosed that outlines the project.
Say something about who you are and why you want a safe public hiking route to the Montreal and Bare Bluff. For example:
“My family and I live in Detroit and spend our summer vacations in the Copper Country. We enjoy going to the Montreal River and hiking on State land. We prefer hiking only trails and would like to see the Montreal Trail expanded.”
“I live in Keweenaw County and while my family and I have enjoyed hiking the existing out and back Montreal Trail for generations, we are concerned about trespassing and parking on private property.”
“We need safe public trails just for hikers. The east side of the Montreal River will become a bike trail and this is unsafe, especially for families that like to hike with young children.”
“We love to hike and would enjoy having Montreal Loop trail that includes the beautiful existing trail and adds a new way to enjoy more of the DNR Keweenaw Tip land on foot.”
In 2022, the Keweenaw Outdoor Recreation Coalition (KORC), representing over 1,000 members, submitted a plan and permit application to the DNR to establish permanent public access to the Montreal Falls and Bare Bluff including a parking lot and trailhead. KORC has raised funds for Phase I of this project and has secured pledges for additional funding. The parking area and trailhead would be located on DNR land, and new segments would be added to connect the beautiful existing Montreal Trail on the west side of the river to Bare Bluff, making both trails easily accessible for hikers on public land.
Thank you for your leadership in getting this permit approved.
KORC is not asking for funding, just a permit to build what I, my family, residents and visitors require.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this permit application.
Sincerely,
Your name
Your contact information