Notices to Eagle Harbor Township Residents and Taxpayers
Current Township Notices
Have Your Say in the Master Plan Community Survey
The Eagle Harbor Township Planning Commission is beginning the process of preparing a Master Plan, and we need your help. All residents of the Township are invited to participate by completing a community survey.
The Master Plan is a guiding document that will define a broad vision for the community and specific policies, goals, and strategies for how to achieve that vision. The community survey will provide the Planning Commission and Township Board with an understanding of what the community sees as important opportunities and challenges facing Eagle Harbor Township. Your input will be used to shape the plan.
Hard copies of the community survey are available at the Township Office during regular business hours.
KISMA Barberry Trade-Up Day - August 10
Ditch Your Tick-Loving Barberry at Trade-up Days
Got barberry? Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) is an invasive species commonly sold as a landscaping shrub. These shrubs spread from gardens into our forests and provide the perfect habitat for ticks! Its oval, red berries are eaten by birds and other wildlife and dispersed from gardens into wild areas, where they can sprout and then spread from their roots to form vast colonies. Barberry thickets are so dense they outcompete native vegetation, reduce biodiversity and prevent public access.
Don’t allow your property to be a source of these forest invaders. Dig up the barberry plants from your yard (roots and all) and bring them to KISMA’s Barberry Trade-Up Day on August 10 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Eagle Harbor Solid Waste Facility. KISMA will provide free disposal and $10 coupons to use at local participating nurseries to purchase native replacement shrubs (limit 1 coupon per household). oupons can be redeemed at Flowers by Sleeman in Houghton, Kismet Gardens in Baraga, and Designs by Nature U.P. Native Plants in Marquette. All are members of KISMA’s Go Beyond Beauty program and have agreed not to sell Japanese barberry and 13 other invasive garden plants.
Barberry and ticks
Studies have shown that areas with barberry harbor almost 10 times the number of ticks that carry Lyme disease than barberry-free areas. The shrubs provide high humidity habitat, which the ticks need to survive during dry spells, and the shrubs provide shelter for small mammals that transfer the Lyme disease bacteria to the ticks and also spread the barberry seeds.
How to identify barberry
Barberry has sharp spines at the leaf nodes; small, oval leaves; and berries that look like red Tic Tac candies. Due to plant breeding, it comes in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Check out the photos on Woody Invasives of the Great Lakes website.
How to remove barberry
Wear thick gloves. Small plants can be pulled by hand, while larger plants should be dug up. Be sure to remove the entire root system and dispose of any plant material. The more roots you leave behind, the larger the chance of resprouts, so monitor the area and remove any regrowth. For disposal, you can hang shrubs in trees, burn them, or bring them to Barberry Trade-Up Days for free. It is best to remove barberry before berries have developed, but you can collect them on a tarp and bag for landfill or burn them to prevent new seedlings.
Link: https://www.mtu.edu/kisma/native-alternatives/
Contact: kisma.up@gmail.com
Keweenaw County Road Commission - Millage Renewal Information
In 2024 the countywide road millage is on the August Primary ballot. The millage funding allows improvements (primarily paving) on local roads, that are not otherwise eligible for other State/Federal funding. The needs on the local road system far outpace the dollars received to improve them, and this funding helps to offset some of those costs.
Please follow this link for more information about the past and future Road Commission projects in Keweenaw County.https://keweenawcountyonline.org/commissions-rods.php
M-26 Speed Concerns
A few years ago, Township residents gathered to discuss the current speed limits along M-26, generally between Great Sand Bay and the Eagle Harbor Marina Road. However, some think that the entire stretch from Eagle River to Copper Harbor needs to be looked at. Most believe that the standard 55MPH speed limit is excessive. The Township petitioned the State to complete a speed study by the Michigan State Police, which was completed in the fall of 2022. The results of the speed study and the interpretation by the State were that speeds were self-regulating and no change occured.
Please see the attached items to familiarize yourself with what has happened, and if you feel inclined, please reach out to MDOT and express your concerns. Rob Tervo MDOT - tervoR@michigan.gov
Township Office Hours
The Treasurer, Clerk, and Supervisor/Assessor are generally in the office Monday through Friday during normal business hours. If you are in need of service, please call ahead (906-289-4407) and/or schedule an appointment to pay taxes, Notary Public, make copies, etc.
There is also a secure drop box located in front of the building.
Eagle Harbor Township Book Exchange
Eagle Harbor Township Hall
Exchange, Borrow or Donate a book.
Number of books accepted is limited to the size of the bookcase.
Available During Township Office Hours.