Beneath the Waves - Fall 1999
Newsletter Index
Notes from NOAA
NOAA has moved one step closer to sanctuary designation since the publication of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Management Plan (FEIS/MP) in June.
As noted in the article on this page, the outcome of the October meeting between Governor John Engler and Secretary of Commerce William Daley was very positive. Both officials expressed their commitment to developing a state/federal partnership that safeguards state and local interests while providing resources to protect and interpret the region's collection of underwater cultural resources.
NOAA officials met with the Governor's office in Lansing on November 23, 1999 to discuss options regarding the boundary and name of the sanctuary, staffing arrangements, and funding levels. The Governor's office also proposed the development of an "interlocal agreement" with NOAA as a mechanism for interagency cooperation. This agreement could incorporate the Memorandum of Understanding that NOAA developed in the FEIS/MP. The agencies will continue to discuss these issues with the goal of reaching an agreement by the end of December.
Fall 1999 Index
Governor Engler and Secretary Daley Meet
On October 27, 1999, Governor John Engler met with Secretary of Commerce William Daley in Washington, D.C. Governor Engler requested the meeting to discuss his concerns about the Proposed Sanctuary. Secretary Daley and Governor Engler agreed to work together to try to reach an agreement by the end of the year on the terms of sanctuary designation.
After the meeting, Secretary Daley said, "The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary would be a positive step for preserving an important chapter in America's maritime history. However, the sanctuary will succeed only with the support of the state and the local community. I am confident that by the end of the year we can finally agree on a partnership to manage this national marine sanctuary." Governor Engler noted, "Secretary Daley understood Michigan's determination to protect existing citizen rights to enjoy the waters of Thunder Bay to the same degree that we protect its rich collection of shipwrecks."
Fall 1999 Index
Presque Isle Hosts Underwater Archaeology Workshop
Michigan State University's Department of Park, Recreation & Tourism Resources and the Center for Maritime & Underwater Resource Management recently coordinated a training workshop for divers and history buffs entitled "Avocational Underwater Archaeology and Maritime Historical Research." The workshop was held at Camp Chickagami in Presque Isle, Michigan on October 1-3, 1999.
Workshop sessions focused on maritime historical research, wooden shipbuilding, archaeological theory, and site mapping techniques. In the evenings, participants were treated to special presentations by avocational historians and archaeologists. Among the presenters was Bruce Terrell, marine archaeologist for NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program, who discussed NOAA's management of underwater cultural resources and his experience with avocational groups.
Other presentations were made by John McConnell, an avocational historian and shipwreck diver from Alpena; Michael Spears, an avocational diver, historian, and shipwreck documenter from Dearborn; Scott Peters, collections historian for the Michigan Historical Museum; and Peter Engelbert, an archaeologist with Ontario's Marine Heritage program.
Divers participating in the workshop had the opportunity to practice their new mapping skills underwater - first in a pool, then on a real wreck site. The divers were eligible for Nautical Archaeological Society Level I Certification upon completion of the course. Historians learned about the procedures for nominating shipwrecks and other underwater cultural resources to the National Register of Historic Places.
"The divers who attended the workshop were anxious to find out how they could apply their new skills to protecting Michigan's shipwrecks, said Jessica Pitelka, a NOAA staff member who attended the workshop. "If the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is designated, a volunteer diving program could be established to inventory and document the Sanctuary's underwater cultural resources and encourage low-impact diving on the shipwrecks."
The workshop was sponsored by MSU, NOAA, the Michigan Historical Center, the Marine Heritage program in Ontario's Ministry of Citizenship, Culture & Recreation, ZZ Underwater World, and local divers. Twenty-five people from throughout Michigan participated in the workshop.
Fall 1999 Index
NOAA "Up North"
Over the past few months residents and visitors to Rogers City and Alpena had several opportunities to learn more about the Proposed Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. In July, NOAA staff member Jessica Pitelka gave a presentation and slide show about the Sanctuary at the "old" Presque Isle Lighthouse as part of Presque Isle Township's summer parks program. Jessica discussed the National Marine Sanctuary Program, explained the designation process for Thunder Bay, and shared stories and slides of the shipwrecks in the Thunder Bay region. NOAA would like to thank Judy Kimball of the Presque Isle Township Parks and Recreation Commission for organizing the event.
At the end of July, Jessica displayed the Proposed Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary exhibit at the Nautical City Festival in Rogers City. In October, Jessica also displayed the exhibit at the Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival in Alpena. At both festivals, many local residents and visitors stopped by to look at the photos, ask questions, and pick up materials.
Fall 1999 Index
Underwater Treasure Hunt a Success
In June 1999, the Thunder Bay Divers, Michigan Adventure Diving, and the Alpena Area Convention and Visitors Bureau's Thunder Bay Underwater Preserve Committee sponsored a Treasure Hunt in the Thunder Bay River. Divers searched for numbered floats which were weighted and positioned about a foot above the riverbed. Divers located and turned in many of the floats for prizes, and received commemorative tee-shirts. The event netted approximately $400 which was donated to the Thunder Bay Underwater Preserve Committee for the purpose of buying mooring materials for area shipwrecks. Due to poor visibility in the river, the event will be held elsewhere next year, probably near Rockport.
Fall 1999 Index
Partnership Brings Maritime History to the Public
The Monitor National Marine Sanctuary protects the wreck of the famed Civil War ironclad USS Monitor, best known for its battle with the Confederate ironclad Virginia off of Hampton Roads, Virginia, on March 9, 1862. Since its designation as our nation's first marine sanctuary in 1975, the Monitor has been the subject of intense investigation. Through the use of underwater archaeology and state-of-the-art marine technology, NOAA strives to preserve this significant part of our past for future generations.
The location of the wreck of the Monitor and subsequent research activities have generated artifacts, historical research materials, and scientific data. In 1986, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recognized the importance of this valuable material by designating it the "Monitor Collection" and publicly acknowledging the need for a central repository that could provide proper curation. In March 1987, The Mariners' Museum was selected as Principal Museum for the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary and assumed curatorial responsibility for the Monitor Collection, including artifacts.
The Museum maintains a permanent Monitor exhibit and assists in the development and production of educational products and programs. Since 1991, the Museum and Sanctuary staff have cooperated on production of a paper model of the USS Monitor; publication of Cheesebox, the Sanctuary activities report; and development of a curriculum on the Monitor and the Monitor Sanctuary. The curriculum, designed to include information for a wide variety of audiences, provides information on the history of the Monitor and information on current research efforts at the site. Since most members of the public cannot visit the Monitor, these programs help bring the Monitor to the public.
Fall 1999 Index
Presque Isle Light Station
The New Presque Isle Lighthouse was built in 1870, and is one of three Great Lakes towers built from the same plans. It replaced the smaller 1840 harbor light ("old" Presque Isle Lighthouse). The conical brick tower rises 113 feet and is connected to a keeper's dwelling by a covered walkway. The light's Third Order Fresnel lens was made by Henri LePaute of Paris, and the lamp was lit for the first time at the opening of the 1871 navigation season. In 1890 a fog signal was installed at the light, and in 1905 a second dwelling was built to house personnel who maintained the signal. In 1939 the Bureau of Lighthouses consolidated with the U.S. Coast Guard, so the Coast Guard took over operation of the light. The Coast Guard automated the light in 1970, eliminating the need for a keeper. In 1973 the Coast Guard leased the grounds to Presque Isle Township for a public park, and in 1998 ownership of the lighthouse was transferred to the Township.
Presently the township has a concessionaire running a gift shop in the 1870 dwelling. The grounds are open to the public (May - October), and the tower is open daily for climbing during the summer months. The 1905 keeper's dwelling is presently being restored by the Presque Isle Township Museum Society for use as a museum.
The light still features its original Fresnel lens, but the Coast Guard indicates it is in need of repair and restoration. They would like to see the lens removed, moved to an area for public viewing, and replaced with a modern plastic optic. However, the Township hopes to restore the original lens and allow it to remain in its place at the top of the tower. Steps are currently being taken toward that end. For more information about the lighthouse, please contact:
Les Nichols
Presque Isle Township
Parks Commission
517-595-2653
Fall 1999 Index
Sanctuary Student Summits
Educators have long known that to involve students as problem-solvers is a powerful education tool. Examining issues first-hand and being exposed to models can inspire and motivate students to develop research skills and presentation techniques. These skills are necessary to become active decision-makers-and ultimately, the scientists, resource managers and leaders of tomorrow.
"Sanctuary Summits" are half-day interactive sessions designed to bring high school students and teachers together with ocean experts to discuss the Sustainable Seas Expedition (SSE). It is also a place to discuss and launch student proposals related to SSE. To commemorate "The Year of the Ocean," about 40 high school and middle school classes from areas near the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary participated in a student summit with Dr. Sylvia Earle, National Geographic's Explorer-in-Residence. The purpose of the summit was to foster an inquisitive attitude among young people and give students an opportunity to voice their concerns about the ocean and marine environment. The students who participated in the summit all live in rural areas, Indian reservations, or small towns whose culture and economy depend heavily on the ocean.
"I hope that Summits endure long beyond SSE and become a way we regularly listen and talk to students-as peers-and encourage them to launch research and report their findings. Summits are part of a larger cycle that includes a lot of other educational activities such as teacher training in marine field investigations and student internships in Sanctuary offices. The Summit forms the beginning and the end of the cycle-inspiration from someone like Dr. Earle and the opportunity for students to voice their observations, concerns and conclusions from their own investigations," explained Bob Steelquist, education coordinator for the Olympic Coast NMS.
The SSE is a partnership between the National Geographic Society, the Richard & Rhoda Goldman Fund, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to explore America's national marine sanctuaries. During the expeditions, a variety of tools and technologies are used to carry out research in the Sanctuaries. The project creates baseline data for monitoring in the sanctuaries, and educates the public about the diversity of Sanctuary resources and the importance of protecting these national treasures. To learn more about SSE, visit the website: sustainableseas.noaa.gov
Fall 1999 Index
Lake Huron Web Page
There is a new and exciting web site addressing Lake Huron issues! Michigan Office of the Great Lakes and EPA-Great Lakes National Programs Office have developed a new web site for Lake Huron. To access the site you can go to www.deq.state.mi.us/ogl/huron.html or www.epa.gov/grtlakes/huron.html. The site provides access to information on the Lake Huron Initiative; the Lake Huron Programs, Projects and Research report; Lake Huron Remedial Action Plan updates (both U.S. and Canadian); physical characteristics and bathymetry map; fish community objectives for Lake Huron; Lake Huron fish consumption advisories and other Lake Huron information.
Fall 1999 Index
Staff Notes
There have been a couple of changes with the NOAA staff working on the Proposed Thunder Bay NMS. Karen Brubeck, who has worked on the project for 3 years and has been with the National Marine Sanctuary Program for 6 years, recently moved to the state of Washington with her family. Karen will continue to assist with many aspects of the designation process from her new home-please note her new contact information.
Jessica Pitelka has joined the Thunder Bay team to assist with bringing the Proposed Sanctuary through the designation process. Jessica received a master's degree in resource policy from the University of Michigan in May 1999. She assisted with the Thunder Bay project in the summer of 1998 and rejoined the team in May 1999. Jessica can be reached at 734-741-2228.
Ellen Brody continues to coordinate the project.
Fall 1999 Index
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