BAY CITY SRAPhase 1 – General Management Plan

Michigan Department of

Natural Resources & Environment

Location

Base Features

• First Bullet– First indent

• Second indent– Third indent

Area Open to Hunting

Aerial Image

• First Bullet– First indent

• Second indent– Third indent

Park Significance

• Tobico Marsh is a destination for birding…the marsh is home for nesting marsh birds and staging area for migratory waterfowl.

• Tobico Marsh is a National Natural Landmark. It is designated because “it is one of the best fresh water marshes in the north-central United States.”

• Wooded dune and swale complex, oak savannah, and lake plain prairie.

• Bay City SRA plays an important role in the region for recreation, nature appreciation, education and the environment. It is a primary access point to Saginaw Bay. The local community takes ownership of this park due to its proximity to the community, linkage by linear trail to the park, and use of the park for festivals and events throughout the year.

• The Visitor Center…an estimated 20,000 school children visit the park annually.

Management Zones

Enlarged view ofManagement Zone Map Inset

Primitive Zone

Totaling approximately 1,918 acres (80.4%), this designation protects the Tobico Marsh. Only foot traffic is allowed. A significant portion of the Tobico Marsh is a designated refuge and is closed to hunting.

Backcountry Zone

Totaling approximately 69.8 acres (2.9%), this designation applies to the western half of the Tobico Marsh Trail where there is currently a moderate level of low-impact visitor activity.

Natural Resource Recreation Zone

This zone is approximately 220.6 acres (9.2%) of the park and allows improvements to be made that afford more visitor use and accessibility. The east half of the Tobico Marsh Trail falls into this zone designation, which allows for improvements for marsh observation (towers/boardwalks/trail surfacing) and higher visitation.

Developed Recreation Zone

This zone is approximately 159.3 acres (6.7%) of the park and includes the modern and group campgrounds and the day-use beach and picnic facilities.

Visitor Services Zone

This zone is approximately 17.3 acres (0.7%) of the park and includes the developed areas required for park administration and operations. It includes the headquarters, maintenance facilities, and contact stations.

Cultural Landscape Zone (overlay)

This zone identifies known cultural resources within Bay City SRA and encompasses the entire park, or approximately 2,386 acres. It is considered an “overlay” of all other zones in the park.

History Education Zone (overlay)

This zone encompasses the Visitor Center where educational information and interpretive programs are conducted that focus on Saginaw Bay’s natural and cultural resources.

Scenic Zone (overlay)

This zone is established for scenic viewscapes of Tobico Marsh, Tobico Lagoon, and Saginaw Bay.

Planning OverviewMEETINGS

• 6/24/2009 Start-up Meeting• 8/13/2009 Planning Meeting• 11/05/2009 Planning Meeting• 12/10/2009 Stakeholder Input Openhouse• 3/16/2010 Public Input Openhouse

PLAN REVIEWS

• 8/9/2010Statewide Council (for information)• 8/11/2010 RD Management Team• 8/17/2010 SLP Ecoteam• 8/23/2010 MSPAC – Stewardship sub-Committee• 9/7/2010Statewide Council (for action)• (date) MSPAC (Michigan State Parks Advisory Committee)

NOTE: Director Approval needed in September to meet CZM Grant completion date of 9/30/2010.

Questions?

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