Traverse City Record-Eagle

Cheboygan County

June 26, 2008

Public to comment on snowmobile trail

Some residents oppose motorized vehicles on Mullett Lake trail

By SHERI McWHIRTER

INDIAN RIVER -- It's been two winters since state officials opened the West Mullett Lake Trail to snowmobile traffic and they'll soon decide whether to leave it that way.

The 11-mile stretch along the western shoreline of Mullett Lake in Cheboygan County features a 35-mph speed limit and a snowmobile curfew between midnight and 8 a.m. The path initially was meant to remain a quiet trail, but an alternate snowmobile route couldn't be found and state officials chose to open a run that crosses dozens of driveways along Old U.S. 27.

The public will have a chance to comment on the trail and its restrictions at a public meeting between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday at Inland Lakes High School in Indian River. Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials will host.

Officials have not yet decided whether to keep the trail open or change restrictions, but will consider public comments before making a recommendation to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, said Robin Pearson, DNR recreation specialist.

Some residents want the snowmobile trail to remain open and others oppose it, such as Larry Lutz of Topinabee.

"Our home is about 55 feet off the trail and there are some that are closer," he said. "We are not opposed to snowmobiles. However, we have been quite adamant about ... being opposed to any motorized vehicles on the trail, including snowmobiles."

Others think the snowmobile trail is ideal to draw people and revenue into the rural northern Michigan region.

"It became a main corridor for snowmobiling. It connects Indian River to Cheboygan, so locals and tourists were on the trail," said Derek Schittekat, owner of Breakers Bar and Grill in Topinabee.

Heavy snowfall during the recent winter brought snowmobile riders out en force and many stopped to eat a hot meal at his place, he said.

"I think it gave hours to my staff they've never seen that time of year before," Schittekat said, adding that no employees were laid off this year, unlike previous seasons.

Schittekat believes the speed restrictions on the trail are appropriate, but the curfew could be dropped, as does Jeff Comps, owner of Topinabee Market.

"The speed limit is probably a good idea so nobody does anything stupid," Comps said.

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