Township receives DNR Trust Fund grant during Popeye Run event Cassie Wilson, deputy director for Governor John Engler's State Government Affairs Division, presents a symbolic $255,242  Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant check to Jim Boggio, right, Eagle Harbor Township supervisor. Boggio was instrumental in applying for this funding for the township's purchase of 169 acres near Lake Eliza and Long Lake. The grant enables the township to preserve the natural features of the area and to keep it open to the public for recreation. Wilson  presented the symbolic check during the Popeye Run awards ceremony and breakfast July 7 in Eagle Harbor's Shoreline Restaurant. EAGLE HARBOR ’Äì The 22nd annual Popeye Run on Saturday, July 7, was the occasion of a double celebration for Eagle Harbor Township. Not only did the winners of the 5K and 10K races receive trophies, but one of the runners presented the township with a giant ’Äúcheck’Äù representing a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) grant of $255,242 for the purchase of 169 acres for recreation, public access and preservation of natural features.   Preceding the Popeye Run awards ceremony and breakfast in the Shoreline Restaurant, Cassie Wilson of Lansing and Agate Harbor, deputy director of Governor John Engler's State Government Affairs Division, presented the symbolic check (The real one is on its way) to Eagle Harbor Township Supervisor Jim Boggio on behalf of Governor Engler and the Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund.   Wilson noted she was especially pleased to present the Trust Fund award to the township since she grew up in Eagle Harbor.   ’ÄúIt is a privilege and a pleasure to present this check for $255,242 to Eagle Harbor Township for the purchase of the property near Lake Eliza and Long Lake to preserve the character of the area for generations to come, to protect the natural features and to keep it open to the public,’Äù Wilson said.   Boggio said the township purchased the land from Lake Superior Land Company, now a subsidiary of International Paper.   ’ÄúThey (LSLC/IP) were extremely cooperative in making this property available to Eagle Harbor Township,’Äù Boggio added.   The property, which the township will run as a public recreational area, includes a big part of the township’Äôs cross-country ski trail, he noted. Residents can also use the land for hiking, hunting, snowmobiling and other outdoor activities. Besides pines and hardwoods, the area includes wetland and marshland, which provide habitat for a variety of wildlife ’Äì deer, wolves, fisher martens, bobcats, coyotes and foxes.    The township applied for the grant two years ago. Shortly after the Trust Fund Board recommended the Eagle Harbor Township project for state legislature approval, a January 2000 article in The Daily Mining Gazette quoted Boggio as crediting Jim Rooks of Copper Harbor, who conducts eco-tours in the area, for his help in obtaining this grant.   The article notes Rooks explained the ecology of the area and the need to protect its flora and fauna to the DNR. According to Rooks, the area extends from the edge of Lake Eliza west through the dunes and to the edge of The Marshes behind Great Sand Bay. Formerly the coastline of the Keweenaw, this area is now a dunes and wetland that includes cultural prehistory as well as logging and mining history. Rooks said Native Americans considered the area a sanctuary from their wars.   The purchased property is located to the west and north of Lake Eliza. The other side of the lake is being developed.   The MNRTF grants are supported by annual revenues from the development of state-owned oil and gas resources.   Cassie Wilson accepts her trophy for second place in the Women's 5K race during the Popeye Run awards ceremony and breakfast July 7 in Eagle Harbor's Shoreline Restaurant. Cassie Wilson, her husband Robert Wilson and their son Aaron Wilson, 10, all participated in the Popeye Run. During Saturday’Äôs awards ceremony, Cassie received a trophy for second place in the Women’Äôs 5K race. Her time was 24:01, just a half-minute after first-place winner Mabel Harri's 23:31. Aaron received a trophy for third place in the Men’Äôs 5K run. His time was 22:41, just seconds after the adult winners ’Äì second-place winner Brad King, with a time of 22:09 and first-place winner Tim Dombrowski, a split second ahead of King with 22:08.   Editor’Äôs Note: Click here for other results and photos of the race.                                                                         ’Äì Michele Anderson                                                                          July 8, 2001