NORTHERN MICHIGAN – Seney National Wildlife Refuge was fortunate enough to be one of the recipients of the Great American Outdoor Act Funds. These funds will allow the Refuge to complete much needed work on several refuge structures. Funding will go to four big projects:
- New combined Visitor and Headquarters building;
- Marshland Wildlife Drive and Fishing Loop Bridge and Water Control Structure Repairs;
- Show Pool Site Rehabilitation and Improvements; and,
- Pine Ridge Nature Trail Improvement Project.
The largest portion of the project affects the current visitor center, office, and the campus surrounding these buildings. As part of this process, the old visitor center was demolished this winter and construction of a new visitor center/headquarters, will begin. The process of hiring contractors is underway.
Work continues on the water control structures and the bridge. Proposed changes for the show pool shelter were published for public comment. Planning on all aspects continues!
With the demotion of the old visitor center, the Refuge adapted other existing facilities to temporarily house the visitor center and headquarters offices. The temporary Visitors Center, located on River Road about six miles south of the main Refuge entrance, was open all summer Tuesday through Saturday. The Marshland Wildlife Drive and Fishing Loop will continue to be closed but all other trails will be open including the Driggs River Road and Robinson Road access area. Canoeing and kayaking the Manistique River will take visitors through the refuge and the Whitefish Point Unit remains open. The trails can be used all winter as always.
Project details and updates can be found on the website ( click here) www.fws.gov/refuge/seney
