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Jane Griffith, John Griffith, Petitioners Vs. Township Of Allouez, Respondent · 25-002713-TT

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Page 1

RECEIVED 

SEP 2 8 2003 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

DIRECTOR 

Jane Griffith, John Griffith, 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

Petitioners, 

\% 

MTT Docket No. 25-002713 

Allouez Township, 

Presiding Judge 

Respondent. 

Patricia L. Halm 

ORDER OF PARTIAL DISMISSAL 

ORDER PLACING PETITIONER IN DEFAULT 

The Tribunal has considered the file in this case and finds that Petitioners filed this 

severed petition on August 4, 2025, disputing the true cash and taxable values of 18 

property parcels. 

Four of the 18 parcels (Parcel Nos. 42-101-06-104-000, 42-101-06- 

301-001, 42-101-07-202-002, and 42-102-12-304-001) were not listed in Petitioners’ 

Motion to Amend Subsequent Tax Year, filed in Docket No. 24-003277 on July 3, 2025. 

The Tribunal has no authority over the parcels because they were not included in the 

July 3, 2025 motion and because the severed petition was not filed by the statutory filing 

deadline of July 31, 2025." The Tribunal also has no equitable authority to waive or 

disregard a statutory filing deadline, and as a result, 

it has no authority to grant 

Petitioners the relief requested.? 

The Tribunal further finds that the petition is not properly pending. 

Specifically, 

Petitioners used the multi-parcel answer form attachments and not the muilti-parcel 

petition form attachments to list the 14 properly pending parcels in this appeal. 

Therefore, 

IT IS ORDERED that this case is PARTIALLY DISMISSED with respect to Parcel Nos. 

42-101-06-104-000, 42-101-06-301-001, 42-101-07-202-002, and 42-102-12-304-001. 

The appeal shall continue for the remaining 14 parcels. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Petitioners are PLACED IN DEFAULT. 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Petitioners shall cure the default by filing an amended

Page 2

MTT Docket No. 25-002713 

Page 2 of 2 

Failure to comply with this order shall result in Petitioners being required to file a motion 

to set aside the default (with appropriate motion fee). 

) 

1h 

Entered: September 

3, 2025 

By 

alicena 

of Mala 

bw 

PROOF OF SERVICE 

| certify that a copy of the foregoing was sent on the entry date indicated above to the 

parties or their attorneys or authorized representatives, if any, utilizing either the mailing 

or email addresses on file, as provided by those parties, attorneys, or authorized 

representatives. 

By: Tribunal Clerk

Page 3

oo 

finondid Sep.lli2ns 

3 ws 

Sop. 

Ovelar 

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

DIRECTOR 

Jane Griffith and John Griffith 

, 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

Petitioner(s) 

Vv 

MTT Docket No.26-002713 

Aliouez Township 

, 

Respondent(s) 

a A 

ENTIRE TRIBUNAL PROPERTY TAX a 

Property Parcel No: see attached multi parcel forms 

4 

ar 

(If more than one parcel is at Issue, attach a completed TY Parcel Petition 

Form addressing all other parcels at Issue.) 

2. 

The property identified above is X__real ___personal. 

3. 

If more than one parcel of real property is under appeal, are the properties 

contiguous? X__ Yes ___No. 

(If no, separate Petitions are required for each non- 

contiguous parcel.) 

4. 

Are all of the parcels of personal property located on a parcel of real property 

under appeal? 

__ Yes ___ No. 

(If no, separate Petitions are required for each 

parcel of personal property not located on a parce! of real property under 

appeal.) 

5. 

If parcels of personal property are under appeal, when were the personai 

property statements filed by parcel number (attach additional page if necessary): 

NA 

6. 

The property Identified above Is classified as 402 Residential 

7. 

If the assessment or assessments at issue were protested, the protest was made 

to Respondent's x__ 

March 

July __ December Board of Review.

Page 4

MTT Docket No. 25-002713 

Page 2 of 4 

8. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

If a protest was required and no protest was made, list the separate and specific 

facts upon which Petitioner relies to invoke the Tribunal's authority over the 

assessment or assessments at issue {attach additional page if necessary): 

NA 

If the appeal was not submitted by the deadline for the filing of an appeal for the 

classification or classifications of the properties at issue (i.e., May 31 or July 31 

of the tax year involved), list the separate and specific facts upon which 

Petitioner relies fo invoke the Tribunals authority over the assessment or 

assessments at issue (attach additional page if necessary): 

Per the July 14, 2025 Order re MTT Docket No. 24-003277, this 2025 Petition 

has been assigned Docket No. 25-002753 and is due within 21 days after Order 

(due August 4, 2025). Severed Petition 

, Ayo dud 

A [lG |28 Pe] 

Oven” - 

The property or properties at issue are located in Keweenaw 

County. The 

. 

property or properties’ address Is: 

1920 Tanskanen Road, Allouez, MI 49805 

This is a main entry point to the 20-parcel 1,915-acre Conservation Easement 

property of which 8-parcels are being appealed in 2025. 

= yes 

The assessment or assessments at issue were established by the (applicable 

local governmental unit): Allouez Township 

Petitioner's legal residence or principal office address Is: 

Jane and John Griffith 

PO Box 47 

Calumet, Mi 49913 

This appeal involves issues relating to the {check all that are applicable): 

X 

the property or properties’ true cash and taxable values 

the property or properties’ taxable value only 

If the property or properties’ taxable value Is af issue, is there a 

dispute as to the value of an addition orloss? ___ Yes __ No 

uniformity of the property or properties’ assessment 

the property or the properties’ exemption from ad valorem taxation 

under MCL __

Page 5

MTT Docket No. 25-002713 

Page 3 of 4 

15. 

If more than the current tax year is being appealed, list the separate and specific 

facts upon which Petitioner relies to invoke the Tribunal's authority over the prior 

tax year or years (attach additional page If necessary): 

see additional information 

16. 

The values for the property identified above as established by Respondent's 

Board of Review are: 

Tax Year 

True Cash Value 

Assessed Value 

Taxable Value 

see attached 

17. 

Petitioner contends that the values for the property identified above are: 

Tax Year 

True Cash Value 

State Equalized Value 

Taxable Value 

lsee attached 

18. 

The values in dispute for the property identified above are: 

Tax Year 

True Cash Value 

State Equalized Value 

Taxable Value 

see attached 

19. 

Petitioner requests the following relief (attach additional page if necessary): 

Reduce 2023 True Cash Value (TCV) on 20 parcels due to emplacement of 

Conservation Easement in Nov 2022 and establish new CE-reduced TCV and 

resulting Assessed Value (AV) 

gnd Taxable Value (TV) for 2023, with 2024 

and 2025 

| 

values based on 2023. 

i readied 

Ao 

\S 

| iv? veal < 

| W 20.8 

20. 

List the separate and specific facts upon which Petitioner relies to support the

Page 6

MTT Docket No. 26-002713 

Page 4 of 4 

Signature of petition Authorized 

epresentaiv Gores 

Ces Cc. 

i 

Auth 

(anh 

Printed Name of Petitioner's Authorized Represertati 

, If 

hone, Petitioner: 

Jane C Griffith 

John T Griffith 

Email Address: john.keweenawfarm@gmail.com 

Mailing Address: 

Jane and John Griffith 

PQ Box 47 

Calumet 

Ml. 4991 

Telephone Number; 306 370-3494 

Date: Augustareees Arne rd 

ff Seotermboe, 1G 201.8 

\

Page 7

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

DIRECTOR 

Jane and John Griffith 

, 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

Petitioner, 

v 

MTT Docket No. 25-002718 

Allouez Township 

Respondent. 

MULTIPLE PARCEL PETITION FORM 1 OF 2__ 

1. 

The classification of the property identified herein as established by 

Respondent's Board of Review is: 

Tax Year 

Parcel Number 

Real/Personal 

Classification 

2025 

42-102-01-100-500 

Real 

402 

2025 

42-101-06-360-000 

Real 

402 

2025 

42-101-06-303-000 

Real 

402 

2025 

42-102-12-204-001 

Real 

402 

2025 

42-102-07-100-000 

Real 

402 

2. 

The values for the property identified herein as established by Respondent's 

Board of Review are: 

Tax Year | Parcel Number 

| True Cash Value 

| Assessed Value 

| Taxable Value 

2025 

42-102-01-100-500 

[$1,680,780 

$840,390 

$48,685 

2025 

42-101-06-350-000 

{$390,000 

$195,000 

$47,802 

2025 

42-101-06-303-000 

|$60,000 

$30,000 

$20,402 

2025 

42-102-12-204-001 

[$160,000 

$80,000 

$686,137 

2025 

42-102-07-100-000 

[$146,750 

$73,375 

$72,916

Page 8

MTT Docket No. 25-002713 

Page 2 of 2 

3. 

Petitioner contends that the values for the property identified herein are: 

Tax Year | Parcel Number | True Cash Value | State Equalized Value | Taxable Value 

2025 

42-102-01-100-500 

$53,476 

$26,739 

$26,739 

2025 

42-101-06-350-000 

{$22,750 

$11,375 

$11,375 

2025 

42-101-06-303-000 [$15,600 

$7,800 

$7,800 

2025 

42-102-12-204-001 

{$54,720 

$27,360 

$27,360 

2025 

42-102-07-100-000 

$34,854 

$17,427 

$17,427 

4. 

The values in disput oe for the property identifled herein are: 

Tax Year | Parcel Number | True Cash Value | State Equalized Value | Taxable Value 

2025 

42-102-01-100-500 [$1,627,302 

$813,651 

$21,945 

2025 

42-101-06-350-000 

|$367,250 

$183,625 

$36,527 

2026 

42-101-06-303-000 {$44,400 

$22,200 

$12,602 

2025 

42-102-12-204-001 

{$105,280 

$52,640 

$38,777 

2025 

42-102-07-100-000 

[$111,897 

$55,948 

$55,489

Page 9

Rr 

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

MARLON I. BROWN, DPA 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

DIRECTOR 

Jane and John Griffith 

, 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

Petitioner, 

v 

. 

MTT Docket No. 26-002718 

Allouez Township 

| 

Respondent. 

MULTIPLE PARCEL PETITION FORM 2__ OF 2__ 

1. The classtfication of the property Identified herein as established by 

Respondent's Board of Review Is: 

Tax Year 

Parcel Number 

Real/Personal 

Classification 

2025 

42-102-12-404-000 

Real 

402 

2025 

42-101-08-304-000 

Real 

402 

2025 

42-102-13-100-002 

Real 

402 

2025 

42-101-08-400-001 

Real 

402 

2025 

42-101-08-400-000 

Real 

402 

2025 

42-101-05-800-001 

Real 

402 

2025 

42-102-13-100-001 

Rea! 

402 

2028 

42-102-13-300-001 

Real 

402 

2025 

42-102-14-204-002 

Real 

402 

2. The values for the property Identified herein as established by Respondent's 

Board of Review are: 

Tax Year 

| Parcel Number 

| True Cash Value 

| Assessed Value 

| Taxable Value 

2025 

42-102-12-404-000 

{$683,000 

$46,500 

$46,400 

2025 

42-101-08-304-000 

[$60,000 

$30,000 

$21,109 

2025 

42-102-18-100-002 

{$86,000 

$43,000 

$41,396 

2026 

42-101-08-400-001 _ 1$60,000 

$30,000 

$20,104 

2025 

42-101-08-400-000 

[$120,000 

$60,000 

$68,767 

2025 

42-101-05-300-001 

[$120,000 

$60,000 

$58,767 

2025 

42-102-18-100-001 

[$160,000 

$80,000 

$78,356

Page 10

MTT Docket No. 25-002713 

Page 2 of 2 

3. 

Petitioner contends that the values for the property identified herein are: 

Tax Year | Parcel-Number | True Cash Value | State Equalized Value | Taxable Value 

2025 

42-102-12-404-000 

{$34,206 

$17,148 

$17,148 

2025 

42-101-06-304-000 

[$15,600 

$7,800 

$7,800 

2025 

42-102-13-100-002 {$30,592 

$15,206 

$15,206 

2025 

42-101-08-400-001 

[$14,474 

$7,237 

$7,237 

2025 

42-101-06-400-000 

($42,312 

$21,156 

$21,156 

2025 

42-101-05-300-001 

{$47,104 

$23,507 

$23,507 

2026 

42-102-13-100-001 

{$62,684 

$31,342 

$31,342 

2025 

42-102-13-300-001 

$19,712 

$9,856 

$9,856 

2025 

42-102-14-204-002 $2,964 

$1,482 

$1,482 

4. 

The values in dispute for the property identified herein are: 

Tax Year | Parcel Number | True Cash Value | State Equalized Vaiue | Taxable Value 

2025 

42-102-12-404-000 [$58,704 

$29,352 

$29,260 

2025 

42-101-06-304-000 

{$44,400 

$22,200 

$13,309 

2025 

42-102-13-100-002 [$55,408 

$27,704 

$26,100 

2025 

42-101-06-400-001 

{$45,526 

$22,763 

$12,867 

2025 

42-101-06-400-000 

[$77,688 

$38,844 

$37,611 

2025 

42-101-05-300-001 

[$72,988 

$36,493 

$35,260 

2025 

42-102-13-100-001 

{$97,315 

$48,658 

$47,014 

2025 

42-102-13-300-001 

{$686,288 

$33,144 

$29,569 

2025 

42-102-14-204-002 

{$9,036 

$4,518 

$4,446

Page 11

Anordeol Sep, \b 2025 

Docket 25-002713 — SEVERED PETITION 

Petitioners: Jane Griffith and John Griffith 

Respondent: Allouez Twp 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Item 15. Twenty (20) parcels were appealed in 2023, of which 4 were settled via Consent 

Judgment (23-002895}. Prior to the 2023 Consent Judgment, the same twenty (20) parcels 

were appealed in 2024, of which 6 were recently settled (for 2024 only) via Consent Judgement 

(24-003277). 

Per the September 3, 2025 Order, fourteen (14) parcels are being appealed in 2025 via this 

Amended Severed Petition. 

The CE was emplaced on November 7, 2022; ali True Cash Value (TCV), Assessed Value (AV), and 

Taxable Value (TV) adjustments should have been set in the first After-CE tax year (2023), with 

2024 and 2025 values based on the 2023 baseline. 

Item 20. Additional Information 

1. 

Keweenaw Lakeshore Forest Recorded Conservation Easement (CE). Refer to this 

document for details of the severe and perpetual prohibitions on splits, development, 

and most use, 

All development rights and most use rights have been conveyed to the 

qualified non-profit and are no longer owned by the Petitioners. 

a. 

Attachment 1; 2022 Recorded CE 

b. 

Attachment 2: 20 parcels legal description and totals. 

These are the split, development, and use rights conveyed by the Petitioners to the qualified 

conservation organization: 

1) No subdivision or splits. This alone, without any other restrictions, reduces the After 

value of KLF by up to 50% simply due to the difference between small parcel sales (Before, 

136 separate 0.45ac to 40ac lots) versus bulk sales (After, a single bulk lot of 1,915 acres with

Page 12

3) No Commercial, Institutional, or Industrial activities, Further reduction in After 

value. The KLF CE could have reserved a site for a large hotel or resort, logging or 

agricultural rights, commercial activity such as guided tours or campgrounds or a factory, 

educational or other institutional uses such as a camp or campus, or industrial uses, but all 

such activities are prohibited in perpetuity. 

4) No logging or even alteration of vegetation. Further reduction in After value. The KLF 

CE could have allowed commercial logging per the highest independent certification 

standards, but all logging and tree or limb removal is prohibited in perpetuity (except for 

dangerous or diseased or infested trees, trees fallen across roads, or as part of habitat stand 

improvement). 

5) No disturbance or alteration to the land. Further reduction in After value. The KLF CE 

could have allowed portal-entry deep mining or sand and gravel or other surface mining, but 

all such activities are prohibited in perpetuity (excepting for maintenance of existing roads 

using an existing gravel pit). 

6) No mining or oil and gas extraction. Further reduction in After value. The KLF CE could 

have allowed oil and gas extraction, but all such activities are prohibited in perpetuity. 

7) No waste disposal. Further reduction in After value. The KLF CE could have allowed a 

composting site or even a landfill, but all such activities are prohibited in perpetuity (except 

for ansite disposal of personal composted waste). 

8) No disturbance or diversion of water courses or groundwater. Further reduction in 

After value. The KLF CE could have allowed pumping and sale of water for agricultural use or 

bottling drinking water, instead all such activities are prohibited in perpetuity (except for 

temporary irrigation for habitat improvement and native plant propagation). 

9) No off road vehicles or ATVs, Further reduction in After value. The KLF CE could have 

allowed development of an ORV/ATV park or trails; instead all such activities are prohibited 

in perpetuity (except for use on the limited number of existing roads and trails, for limited 

purposes). 

10) No livestock. Further reduction in After value. The KLF CE could have allowed grazing or 

raising or housing of poultry or horses, or commercial aquaculture, or similar, instead all such 

activities are prohibited in perpetuity. 

11) No signs and billboards. Further reduction in After value. The KLF CE could have

Page 13

12) No hunting or trapping, no harvesting of animals. Further reduction in After value. 

The KLF CE could have allowed development of an exclusive rustic hunting camp (increasing 

the after value without impacting many of the other Conservation Values and Purposes), 

instead hunting and trapping are prohibited in perpetuity (excepting the right to remove 

white tailed deer for forest recovery purposes, and the right to trap and release unharmed 

birds or other animals for research purposes). 

13) No public access. Further reduction in After value. The KLF CE could have allowed paid 

or other public access, but it is prohibited to protect habitats and species, especially nesting 

and denning sites. Any activity involving the public not specifically prohibited above is 

therefore also prohibited in perpetuity. 

14) Prohibition on doing anything else that is inconsistent with the Conservation 

Purposes or is detrimental to the Conservation Values. Further reduction in After value, 

The Griffiths retained all rights and responsibilities of ownership not conveyed, which can be 

summed up as: the right to exclude others (it remains private property), the right to sell it (in 

one large un-split piece, with the CE binding upon any successors in title and remaining 

capped), the right to passively recreate on the property (in ways that do not impact the 

Conservation Values), and the responsibility/ obligation to defend the Conservation Values 

from impact. All development and possibly remunerative actions and activities are 

prohibited in perpetuity. 

2. 

Before-CE, the highest and best use of KLF was residential development. Petitioners had 

full rights of splits and development and could have sold 136 Lake Superior, riverfront, 

interior lakefront, and interior forest lots. 

a. 

Attachment 3: KLF includes 5895’ of Lake Superior shoreline, 4,400" of 

developable shoreline on Turtle Lake and other inland ponds, and 7,882’ of 

Gratiot River frontage — highly desirable, high development pressure. 

b. 

Attachment 4: KLF had 264 available splits. When overlayed with Zoning 136 lots 

could have been marketed yielding as estimate $13.2 million in gross 2022 sales. 

c. 

Attachment 5: Keweenaw County Zoning map (KLF is mostly Resort Residential). 

d. 

Attachment 6: Data showing the hot real estate market of 2022 — prices up, 

number of sales up, days on market down. 

3. 

After-CE, the highest and best use of KLF is passive enjoyment of nature. 

a. 

Attachment 7. The State Tax Commission issued guidance to Township Assessors

Page 14

b. 

Attachment 8. Comparable CE Appraisal. No directly comparable parcels exist 

{2,000 acres with no splits and no development in perpetuity). An appraisal was 

done in 2006 showing a 99% decrease in value to this shorefront parcel. The 

VALUES are not useful, but the PERCENTAGE DECREASE is applicable to the 2 KLF 

shorefront parcels. 

4, 

Visual Representation of the Before and After Condition. 

a. 

Attachment 9: The BEFORE condition (development map). 

b. 

Attachment 10: The AFTER condition (aerial photo with KLF outline). 

5. 

Based on the attributes of each of the 20 parcels, the TCVs should have been 

reduced in 2023 After-CE, with those parcels with the most development 

value and pressure reduced the most as follows: Lake Superior shoreline 

95%, Interior Lake and River frontage 75%, Interior Forest with Some Water 

Features 64%, and Interior Forest with No Water Features 60%. These are 

the percent decreases proposed by Petitioners in this Petition. A further 

decrease due to changing KLF from 20 tax parcels (average size 95.75 acres, 

r=5-316) to one single large unsplittable 1,915-acre bulk parcel is 

warranted. 

--end--

Page 15

Arvordid Sep 

(© 2005 

Attachment 1. Keweenaw Lakeshore Forest (KLF) Deed of Conservation Easement (CE). 

see separate 24 page attachment 

this space intentionally left blank

Page 16

Attachment 2. KLF CE list of parcels, acreages, lake and river frontage. 

Name 

Year 

: Acres 

| Water Frontage 

Legal Description 

Tax ID 

Acquired 

Lake 

: 

River 

SOUTH BEACH 

1991 

95.5 

4,470 

57-33 Sec 1: entire fract'l. section | 42-102-01-100-500 

57-32 Sec 6: Gov lot 3 

NORTH 

BEACH 

1991 

40.9 

1,425 

42-101-06-350-000 

HB 

’ 

(fr. W1/2 of NW 1/4) 

42-101-06-104-000 

-3 

3 

H 

TURTLE LAKE 

1998 

147 

2,400 

oe ow i PASAY 

42-101-06-301-001 

’ 

42-101-06-303-000 

42-101-06-400-001 

160 

- 

6: 

RED PINE RIDGE 

2006 

57-32 Sec 6: SE 1/4 

42-101-06-400-000 

BEAVER LODGE 

2005 

120 

57-32 Sec 5: SW 1/4 EXC NE 1/4 

| 42-101-05-300-001 

57-33Sec12: 

S 1/2 of $ 1/2 of 

42-102-12-404-000 

FERN CREEK 

2016 

130 

SW 1/4; SW 1/4 of SW 1/4 of SE 

42-102-12-304-001 

1/4; 

E1/20fW1/20of E 1/2 

KINGFISHER POND | 

2004 

160 

700 

57-33 Sec 12: E1/2 of E 1/2 

42-102-12-204-001 

SANDHILL CRANE & 

2008 

186.7 

| 1300 

57-32 Sec 6: SE 1/4 of SW 1/4; 

| 42-101-07-100-000 

OTTER POND 

57-33 Sec 7: NW 1/4 

42-101-06-304-000 

SUGAR MAPLE 

57-32 Sec 7: 

W 1/2 of NE 1/4; SW 

992 

306.2 

-101-07-401-001 

WOODS 

u 

1/4; W 1/2 of SE 1/4. 

42-101-07-401-00 

SEVEN MILE CREEK | 

1997 

160 

57-32 Sec 8: NW 1/4 

42-101-08-100-000 

GRATIOTRIVER 

| 

240 

57-33 Sec 13: NW 1/4; 

42-102-13-100-001 

PLATEAU 

N 1/2 of SE 1/4. 

42-102-13-100-002 

CEDAR WOODS 

2022 

80 

57-32 Sec 7: E1/2 of NE 1/4 

42-101-07-202-002 

57-33 Sec 13: All that part of the 

SW 1/4 lying Northeasterly of the 

centerline of the Gratiot River 

AND 57-33 Sec 14: All that part of | 42-102-13-300-001 

GRATIOT RIVER 

20. 

89 

7,882 

18 

’ 

the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 and the | 42-102-14-204-002 

NE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 lying 

Northeasterly of the centerline of 

the Gratiot River. 

TOTALS 

1915 

10,295: 

7,882 

acres 

: 

feet 

feet 

Note that most parcels were acquired 25-30 years ago, the Lake Superior parcels 34 years ago

Page 17

Attachment 3. Map of KLF showing water features including 5,895’ of Lake Superior 

shoreline. 

American Bittern Pond 

Otter Pond 

Sandhill Crane pond 34 

Kingfisher Pond 

Ee 

lL cd 

> & 

SA 

/ 

“~ Sandhill Crane Creek 

PE Kingfisher Creek 

Fern Creek 

5 

Lower Falls 

A

Page 18

Attachment 4. KLF available splits and marketable lots per 2022 splits, zoning and values. 

KLF Allowable Splits (without platting) 

10-120ac 

 120+ac 

20+ acres 

No new 

Parcel 

1per10ac 1perl0ac 

_ 1 bonus 

driveway 

+3 

+1 per 40 

= 1 bonus 

South Beach 95 

12 

1 

1 

North Beach 41 

7 

1 

1 

Turtle Lake 147 

17 

1 

1 

Red Pine Ridge 160 

20 

1 

1 

Beaver Lodge 120 

15 

1 

1 

Fern Creek 130 

16 

1 

1 

Kfish Pond 160 

20 

1 

1 

SH Crane Pond 187 

22 

1 

1 

Sugar Maple 306 

37 

1 

1 

7 Mile Creek 160 

20 

1 

1 

Gratiot Riv Plat 240 

30 

1 

1 

Cedar Woods 80 

11 

1 

1 

Gratiot River 89 

11 

1 

1 

subtotal 

Far 

YT 

o197 

13 

13 

Available Splits 

264 

KLF Development Plan Per Zoning and Available Splits 

Lake Lot 

Riverfront 

5-20ac 

 40ac 

Zoning 

Parcel 

Superior 

Inland 

Lot 

Lot 

Lot 

South Beach 95 

14 

RR 

North Beach 41 

8 

RR 

Turtle Lake 147 

12 

6 

RR 

Red Pine Ridge 160 

8 

RR 

Beaver Lodge 120 

3 

TR 

Fern Creek 130 

6 

RR 

Kfish Pond 160 

4 

RR 

SH Crane Pond 187 

2 

6 

RR 

Sugar Maple 306 

20 

AG 

7 Mile Creek 160 

8 

AG 

Gratiot Riv Plat 240 

24 

AG 

Cedar Woods 80 

2 

AG 

Gratiot River 83 

13 

RR/AG 

total lots each type? 

22 

© 

14 

© 

13 

° 

78 

7 

9 

Total Lots Marketed 

136

Page 19

Attachment 5. 

[| single-Family Residential District= R-1A 

YH single-Family Residential District = R-18 

| Two-Family & Multi-Family Residential District = R-2 

[777] country Estate = CE 

© Resort Residential 

= RRA 

Y/ Resort Residential = RRB 

Jif Resort Residential 

= RR C 

[| Resort Service 

=RS 1 

WH, Rosont Service 

=RS 2 

[| Agricultural = AG 

[0] Business = B1 

| Limited Manufacturing = M1 

[0 General Manufacturing = M2 

KLF CE 2022 Keweenaw County Zoning Map. 

The bulk of KLF including all of the shoreline portion and 

Turtle Lake is zoned Resort Residential (RR-B). RR-B 

allows for lakeshore and riverfront lots 80 or more feet 

wide, and AG and Timber allow for 5-acre to 40-acre 

parcels. Conforming to the zoning, available splits (over 

250), and topography, KLF could be developed into 136 

lakeshore, riverfront, and 5-40 acre interior lots, with 

estimated gross sales of $13,212,000. 

Note: There's an error in this map — the former State 

Forest land shown as dark green in 1) Section 6 (the square 

south of Seven Mile Point and Turtle Lake) should be RR-B,

Page 20

Attachment 6. KLF CE Development Pressure: Keweenaw Median Price, Days on Market, 

and Vacant Land sales 2017-2022. 

Year 

#Sales 

| DOM 

Price 

| Price/SF 

2017 

223 

83 

$78,000 

$50 

2018 

220 

79 

$77,500 

$54 

2019 

210 

66.5 

| $80,000 

$55 

2020 

274 

81 

$94,000 

$66 

2021 

302 

51 

$120,250 

$77 

2022, thru Nov 7 

193 

9 

$145,000 

$85 

home prices nearly doubled 

Median 

DOM 

Median Price 

days on Market decreased by 89% 

Number of sales 

of vacant 

and 

<=40 acres, 

Keweenaw County 

number of sales of vacant land parcels under 40 acres more than doubled

Page 21

Attachement 7. March 2006 State Tax Commission guidance to township assessors 

regarding CE valuations. Items 1,2, and 3 were not done. 

ve 

- 

855 Rov. 1:00) 

ARE 

ia 

py 

vert 

STATE OF MICRIOAN 

JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM 

DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY 

JAY B_ RISING 

GOVERNOR 

LANSING 

STATE TREASURER 

DATE: 

March 22, 2006 

TO: 

Assessors 

Equalization Directors 

FROM: 

State Tax Commission (STC) 

RE: 

Conservation Easements 

The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance on proper assessment practice for lands under 

conservation easement. 

Michigan 

statuies recognize conservation casements 

as voluntary 

restrictions 

that 

a landowner may 

put 

on property. 

MCL 324.2140 defines conservation 

easements as: 

(a) “Conservation easement” means an interest in land that provides limitation on the 

use of land or a body of waler or requires or prohibits certain acts on or wilh respect 

to the land or body of water, whether or not the interest 

is stated 

in the form of a 

Testriction, easement, covenant, or condition in 

a deed, will, or other instrument 

executed by or on behalf of the owner of the land or body of water of in an order of 

taking, which interest is appropriate to retaining or maintaining the land or body of 

water, including improvements on the Jand or body of water, predominantly in its 

natural, scenic, or open condition, or in an agricultural, farming, open space, or forest 

use, or similar use or condition. 

These easements are very common in Michigan. 

These easements must be recorded with the 

register of deeds, run with the land, and may be done “in the form of restriction, easement, 

covenant, or condition in a deed, will, or other instrument.” 

Under Michigan 

law, these casements may 

be granted 

to 

“a govemmental 

entity 

or © 

a 

charitable or education association, corporation, trust or other legal enlity.” 

Most common in 

Michigan 

is private landowners putting conservation casements on their property 

to restrict 

development in perpetuity. 

These easements are often donated or sold to charitable land trusts 

for long-term enforcement and management. 

Assessment of property containing valid easements must recognize that development restrictions 

affect valuation. 

The Michigan Tax Tribunal 

in Indian Garden Group 

v. Resort Township 

(1995) employs the “Before- After” methodology for their decision.

Page 22

Attachment 4. (continued) 

Conservation Easements 

March 22, 2006 

Page 2 

‘The before value (BV) represents the true cash value of the property without the easement and 

the after value (AV) represents the true cash value of the property after the granting of the 

easement and the highest and best use of the property under the easement. 

‘The Tribunal gives the following guidance: 

1. 

The appraiser should “examine the conservation casement document, and enumerate 

the 

easement property rights which have been granted.” 

2. 

Based on the property rights granted, the appraiser should look to market data, which 

reflect the similar Joss of property rights or utility. 

3. 

The after value is determined by either: 

ay 

Applying the percentage of loss to the before value, or 

b) 

Subtracting the doHar amount from the before value. 

The after value 

is 

not 

an exemption; 

rather, can 

be determined on 

a year-to-year basis, 

incorporating new evidence and market data. 

Assessors should 

be employing 

the Before-After methodology 

on lands with conservation 

easements.

Page 23

Attachment 8. CE appraisal showing 99% reduction in After value for directly comparable 

lakeshore adjacent to KLF, The PERCENT DECREASE is pertinent; the 

VALUES are moot. 

of attached a narrative appraisal of the above referenced property. 

The purpose of this 

sal is ro provide you with an estimate of the value of the Conservation Easement to be 

er the 31.9 1-acre North Woods Conservancy property in Allover Township, Keewanaw 

Michigan, The function of the appraisal is to assist the landowner in documenting © 

Federal officials the value of the donated rights for grant audit purposes. 

Ihe report was prepared 1o meet the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraiser Practice 

PAP and the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions, and is subject © 

pions and limiting conditions found in this docement. The appraisal is based on the 

1s inspected on May 10, 2007 without consideration of title, encroachments or tax 

trapact value. 

T have no financial interest in the property and my fee is not 

on the analysis and conclusions found in the accompanying report, it bs my opinjon that as 

7. the market value of the conservation casement is $840,000 

{ Generdd Appraiser 

sab Avsovistes 

Vasshoo 

Apprabal Asscaiofes 2080 

Vast Grand River, Suite 

8, Fad Passing, MUASSEE 

Page 

J

Page 24

Attachment 8. (continued) 

Date of Valuation: 

May 

10, 2007 

Date of Report: 

ee 

_ 

May 

10, 2007 

Cost Approach: 

n 

Considered But Not Used 

Income Approach: 

. 

: 

Considered But Not Used 

Direct Sales Comparison Approach 

without Restrictions: 

BN 

$847,000.00 

Direct Sales Comparison Approach 

with Restrictions: 

56,400.00 

Indicated Value of the Farmland Development 

Rights Easement: 

S840.000 Rounded 

Yankee 

Appraisal Associates 2840 Fast Grand River, Suite 

8, Fast 

Lansing, MEISE 

Pas 

BEFORE Value 

$847,000 

AFTER Value 

$6,400 

Value of CE 

$840,000 

Percent After Value 

99% 

Reduction Due to CE

Page 25

Attachment 9. KLF BEFORE CONDITION -- Development Map of 136 no-plat lots. 

CONCEPTUAL 

DEVELOPMENT PLAN 

¢ 

PREPARED FOR: 

SECTIONS 

5, 

6, 

7 & 

8 

TOWNSHIP 57 NORTH, RANGE 32 WEST 

SECTIONS 

1, 

12, 

& 

13 

TOWNSHIP 57 NORTH, RANGE 33 WEST 

ALLOUEZ TOWNSHIP, KEWEENAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN 

RPRI60-8 

, 

RPRI60-5 

| 

20-5 

ar 

! 

THA 

ples 

seaso-2 | | Ty 

$|/% | lscrrers 

pi) 

FYE 

RjRi50-5 

bi420-2 

L120 

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RPRI60-3 

! 

ScP187:5 

7 

sceraz-4 

i 

— 

ETN 

SH305-20 

cwao-2 

{sucrso-1 

scr197-2 | 

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AN 

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CWBG-5 

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SHI06-16 

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i 

GRPZ40- 1 

LEGEND 

i. 

GRA24O~14 

rT chnrs 

SECTION CORMER OR QUARTER CORNER 

GRP240-21 | CRP240-13 

EXISTING ACCESS ROAD 

+} 

carza0-22 | GRP240-12 

PROPOSED ACCESS ROAD 

GRP240-23 | GRP240-11 

RIVER OR STREAM 

1 

ckr240-24 | 

orrzao-10 

WOVAS 

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ry

Page 26

Attachment 10. KLF AFTER CONDITION - No splits, no structures, all but passive use 

(enjoyment of nature) prohibited in perpetuity. 

There is an error in the outline - the little “tongue” sticking down in the middle is not included.

Page 27

N 

KEWEENAW COUNTY. 

Real Estate 

AHH 

20220800 

Ra 

Transfer Tax 

20220800 

y 

STATE OF 

“XN 

November 09, 2022 1:03 PM 

bi M ICHIGAN 

(al 

CGC: 

$3,025.00 

Julie A. Carlson 

Fees: $30.00 

ee 

eRe 

Ge 

520,625.00 

Register of Deeds 

November 09, 2022 

20220800 

KEWEENAW COUNTY 

Pages: 24 

GRANT OF PROTECTIVE CONSERVATION EASEMENT 

The Grantors, JOHN T, GRIFFITH a/k/a JOHN GRIFFITH a/k/a JOUN THOMAS GRIFFITH 

and JANE C. GRIFFITH a/k/n JANE CAROLYN GRIFFITH a/k/a JANE GRIFFITH as husband 

and wife of PO Box 47, Calumet, Michigan 49913, convey and warrant to the Grantee, 

SUPERIOR WATERSHED PARTNERSHIP, a Michigan non-profit corporation, of 9 Peter White 

Drive, Marquette, Michigan 49855, in a bargain sale for the sum of Two Million Seven Hundred 

Fifty Thousand and no/100 Dollars ($2,750,000.00), the following described premises situated in 

the Township of Alfouez, County of Keweenaw and State of Michigan: 

See attached EXHIBIT A - legal descriptions 

subject to, and benefiting from, all terms, conditions, restrictions and reservations contained in this 

GRANT OF PROTECTIVE CONSERVATION EASEMENT. 

Grantors and Grantee agree: 

Date: 

November 7, 2022 

Owner: 

Jane C. Griffith and John T. Griffith, wife and husband 

22670 State Highway M203 

PO Box 47 

Calumet, MI 49913 

Conservancy: 

Superior Watershed Partership and Land Conservancy 

9 Peter White Drive 

Presque Isle Park 

Marquette, M1 49855 

Property: 

The property legally described on attached Exhibit A. 

The property is known as Keweenaw Lakeshore Forest (KLF). 

Conveyance: 

Owner conveys and warrants to Conservancy a perpetual Conservation 

Easement over the Property. The scope of this Conservation Basement is 

as set forth in this agreement. 

Consideration: 

This conveyance is in the form of a bargain sale from Owner to 

Conservancy and the consideration for this conveyance is $2,750,000. 

Easement: 

This Conservation Easement,

Page 28

NREPA: 

‘The Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, MCL 

324.101 et seq. 

11. REPRESENTATIONS 

1. 

OWNER. Owner is commilted to preserving the Conservation Values of the Property. 

Owner is committed to restricting the use of the Property to activities consistent with the 

Purposes and preservation of the Conservation Values. 

2, 

CONSERVANCY. Conservancy: 

A. 

B. 

Is a qualified holder of this Conservation Easement committed to preserving the 

Conservation Values of the Property and upholding the terms of this Easement, 

Is a tax-exempt, nonprofit Michigan corporation qualified under Internal Revenue 

Code 501(c)(3) and 170(h)(3) and NREPA Part 21 Subpart 11, Conservation and 

Historic Preservation Easement, MCL 324.2140 et seq., 

Has the resources to enforce this Easement, 

Protects natural habitats of fish, wildlife, plants, and the ecosystems that support 

them, and 

Preserves open spaces, including farms and forests, where such preservation is for 

the scenic enjoyment of the general public or pursuant to clearly delineated 

governmental conservation policies and where such preservation will yield a 

significant public benefit. 

I. OWNER AND CONSERVANCY 

AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING: 

1. 

PURPOSES. The Purposes of this Conservation Easement ate to forever conserve the 

Property for the following conservation purposes: 

A. 

B. 

To protect and preserve in perpetuity a relatively natural habitat or 

ecosystem, of fish, wildlife, or plants, or similar ccosystem, 

To preserve in perpetuity open space that will yield a significant public benefit for 

the scenic enjoyment of the general public. 

To protect and preserve in perpetuity water quality, wetlands, and riparian values. 

To protect and enhance in perpetuity native habitat and specics abundance and 

diversity, especially breeding, nesting, denning, loafing, and resting habitat’ sites,

Page 29

These purposes are referred to as the “Purposes” of this Easement. 

CONSERVATION VALUES. 

The Property possesses natural, ccological, biological, scientific, scenic, and open space 

values of prominent importance to Owner, Conservancy, and the public. These values are 

referred to as the “Conservation Values” in this Easement. Certain Conservation Values 

may have relevance to more than one Purpose even though only listed once. The 

Conservation Values of this Easement include the following; 

A. 

The Property contains significant natural habitat in which fish, wildlife, plants or 

the ecosystems which supporl them thrive in a natural state, as demonstrated by: 

1) 

2) 

3) 

4 

5) 

The Property provides vital corridor wetlands and upland wildlife habitats 

which serve as a connection for wildlife movement and create a natural 

“greenway” within the large acreage of the Property and between contiguous 

County Park and NGO lands fo the west and south and State Forest and NGO 

lands fo the east and north together comprising 7,782 acres of protected 

lands. 

The Property is noteworthy for its location on the Keweenaw Peninsula, 

large size (1,915 acres), Lake Superior shoreline (5,895), Gratiot River 

frontage (7,882), acres of wetland (623, including 563 acres of nationally 

declining wetland), and the abundance and diversity of flora and fauna 

including endangered, threatened, rare, and sensitive species. 

Wetlands, as described in NREPA Part 303, Wetland Protection, MCL 

324.3030! et seq., identified as important natural resources for the people 

of the State of Michigan, are present on the Property. 

Habitats that support endangered, threatened, rare, and sensitive species 

of animal, fish, plants, or fungi: Volcanic Bedrock Lakeshore (MI high 

conservation value), Bedrock Glade, Bedrock Nearshore Aquatic 

System, Palustrinc Emergent and Palustrine Forested Coastal Wetlands 

(Nationally declining), Ridge-Swale System, Riverine (8.2 miles of 

riparian), Turtle Lake Wetland Complex, Scrub-Shrub/Marsh/Open 

Water Wetlands, Upland Forest with a unique ecotonal mix of boreal 

forest and deciduous tree species. 

Several endangered, threatened, rare, and sensitive species have been 

observed and are supported on the Property, including Federally 

Endangered (1 species), Federally Protected (1 species), Michigan 

Endangered (I species), Michigan Threatened (5 species), Michigan

Page 30

6) 

7 

8) 

9 

10) 

11) 

12) 

13) 

14) 

Venture, Partners in Flight), state (MNEL, TNC), and local (CC 

Audubon, KLF Forest Stewardship Plans, KNA GRWLSCCA) 

conservation plans. 

The Property contains geological and natural features which represent high 

quality examples of terrestrial or aquatic communities such as 1.1 billion 

year old basaltic bedrock and cobble lakeshore including headlands, islands, 

and forest outcrops (Lakeshore Traps Lava); the Turtle Lake Wetland 

Complex and Watershed; Fern Creek; Northern White Cedar Old Growth, 

Shelterwood Management Area/ Young Forest; Pure Sugar Maple Woods; 

Ancient Lake Superior Beach Bluff: Gratiot River Plateau; Gratiot River 

Slope; and the Gratiot River including the Lower Falls. 

The Property contains sustainable habitat for biodiverse vegetation, birds 

fish, amphibians and terrestrial animals. The Owner has documented the 

presence of al least 45 species of native mammals, 122 species of native 

birds, and 19 species of native reptiles and amphibians on the Property. 

+ 

The Property contains a diversity of plant and animal life in an unusually 

broad range of habitats for a property of its size. 

The Property is characteristic of Boreal Hardwood Transition Forest 

North Woods Ecotone and the Superior Mineral Range Ecoregion. Its 

dominant vegetation is broadleaf forest mixed with boreal forest 

interspersed with emergent and forested wetland habitats. These plant 

communities are in a relatively natural and undisturbed condition and 

support the full range of wildlife species found in these habitat types. 

The Property contains natural wetland areas that provide habitat for 

aquatic invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, and aquatic and/or 

emergent vegetation. 

Valued native forest land exists on the Property, which includes diverse 

native specics, trees of many age classes and structural diversity, 

including a multi-story canopy, standing dead trees and downed logs. 

The Property provides important natural land within the watershed of 

Turtle Lake, Ferm Creek, and the Gratiot River. 

Protection of the Property in its natural and open space condition helps to 

ensure the quality and quantity of water resources for Lake Superior and 

the lakes, ponds, rivers and crecks on the Property.

Page 31

15) 

16) 

17) 

18) 

19) 

The Property has a significant amount of undeveloped frontage on the 

banks/shore of the Gratiot River, a State-designated trout stream in 

Michigan. 

Sections of the Property are situated on hillsides with slopes greater than 

20% that are adjacent to or in close proximity Lake Superior and the 

Gratiot River and the vegetated slopes would be highly susceptible to 

erosion damage and accelerated stormwater runoff that could adversely 

affect water quality if the trees or other vegetation were removed. 

The Property is contiguous with and provides critical linkage to the 

following conserved properties which similarly preserve the existing 

natural habitat and together create an even larger and more significant 

conservation area: MNA Black Creek Prescrve (242 acres), Keweenaw 

County Gratiot River Natural Park (100 acres), KNA Gratiot River North 

(205 acres), KNA Gratiot River South (226 acres), KNA Gratiot River Falls 

(320 acres), KNA Conglomerate Falls (281 acres), KNA Hills Creek (1,220 

acres), KNA Dore Woods (80 acres), KNA Seven Mile Point {32 acres), 

KNA Seven Mile Bay (10 acres), KNA Merganser Pond (400 acres), KNA 

Merganser Pond North (80 acres), Copper County State Forest (565 acres), 

Oak Ridge Sanctuary (16 acres). 

This Easement protects a natural area which contributes to the ecological 

viability of a local, state, or national park, nature preserve, wildlife refuge, 

wilderness area, or similar conservation area (see Item 17). 

Preservation of the Property enables Owner to integrate the Conservation 

Values with other neighboring lands. 

The Property provides open space for the scenic enjoyment of the general public 

and will yield a significant public benefit through: 

1) 

2) 

3) 

A scenic landscape and natural character that would be impaired by 

large-scale development of the Property. 

A scenic panorama visible to the public from publicly accessible sites, 

including from Lake Superior, Gratiot River County Park, several 

KNA (Keweenaw Natural Areas) public-access properties, and the 

nearby highlands along the central “spine” of the Keweenaw Peninsula 

from which a panorama of the property is visible, which would be 

adversely affected by modifications of the natural habitat, 

Prominent visibility to the public from a national audience, which will

Page 32

4 

5) 

6) 

Biological integrity of other land in the vicinity of the Property has 

been modified by intense lakeshore and riverfront residential 

development and forest fragmentation and that trend is expected to 

continue if not accelerate, 

There is a reasonable possibility that Conservancy may acquire other 

valuable property rights on nearby or adjacent properties to expand 

the Conservation Values preserved by this Conservation Easement. 

The Property is desirable for substantial residential development because 

of is size, location, and orientation and in the absence of this 

Conservation Easement the Property would be developed in a manner 

that would destroy the Conservation Values. 

The Property is preserved pursuant to clearly delineated federal, state, and local 

conservation policies and its preservation yields a significant public benefit. The 

following legislation, regulations, and policy statements identify relevant public 

policies: 

1) 

2) 

3) 

4 

5) 

6) 

The State of Michigan has recognized the imporlance of protecting 

our natural resources as delineated in the Michigan Constitution: 

The conservation and development of the natural resources of the state 

are hereby declared to be of paramount public concern in the interest of 

the health, safety, and general welfare of the people. The legislature 

shall provide for the protection of the air, water, and other natural 

resources of the state from pollution, impairment, and destruction. 

(1963 Constitution, Article IV, Section 52) 

NREPA Part 21 Subpart 11, Conservation and Historic 

Preservation Easement, MCL 324.2140 ct seq.; 

NREPA Part 355, Biological Diversity Conservation, MCL 324.35501 

et seq. (Legislative Findings MCL 324.35502); 

NREPA Tart 303, Wetland Protection, MCL 324.30301 et 

seq. (Legislative Findings MCL 324.30302); 

Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, 33 USC 1251-1387 (§1251 Goals 

& Policy; §1344 Wetlands permitting, also known as “Section 404” of 

the Clean Water Act); 

Coastal Zone Management Act, 16 USC 145] et seq. (§§1451, 

1452 Congressional Findings and P

Page 33

8) 

9 

10) 

11) 

12) 

13) 

14) 

15) 

16) 

17) 

18) 

19) 

20) 

NREPA Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams, MCL 324.30101 ct seq.; 

NREPA Part 325, Great Lakes Submerged Lands, MCL 324.32501 et seq.; 

NREPA Part 361, Farmland and Open Space Preservation, 

MCL 324.3610] et seq.; 

NREPA Paris 91 and 93, Soil Conservation, Erosion, and Sedimentation 

Control, MCL 324.9101 et seq.; 324.9301 et seq, (Legislative Policy 

MCL 324.9302); 

The Michigan State Extension/ Michigan Natural Features Inventory 

governmental agency has endorsed the proposed scenic view of the 

Property under a landscape inventory, pursuant to a review process; 

The Michigan State Extension/ Michigan Natural Features Inventory office 

has recognized the importance of the Property as an ecological and scenic 

resource, by designating this and other land as “high priority for 

acquisition {fee title or Conservation Easement)”; 

Endangered Species Act of 1973, Public Law 93-205, as amended; 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetland Inventory (NWI); 

U.S Fish and Wildlife Service National Coastal Wetlands Conservation 

Act (NCWC); 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Birds of Conservation Concern, Bird 

Conservation Region 12: BCC (BCR 12); 

North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCAY); Upper 

Mississippi /Great Lakes Region Joint Venture (UM/GL IV) 1) 

Summary of Waterfowl} and Waterbird Habitat Conservation, 2) 

Shorebird Habitat Conservation Strategy, 3) Landbird Habitat 

Conservation Strategy, and 4) UM/GL. JV, Michigan BCR 12 

Assessment Summary; 

Pariners in Flight, Bird Conservation Plan, The Boreal Hardwood 

Transition (Bird Conservation Region 12 - U., S. Portion); 

Keweenaw Natural Areas Gratiot River Watershed and Lake Superior 

Coastal Conservation Area Plan (GRWLSCCA).

Page 34

BASELINE DOCUMENTATION. Specific Conservation Values of the Property have 

been documented in a natural resource inventory certified and signed by both Owner and 

Conservancy (hereinafter "Baseline Documentation Report" regardless of specific 

name(s) on inventory(ies) ). The Baseline Documentation Report, incorporated herein by 

reference, consists of maps, a depiction of all existing human-made modifications, 

prominent vegetation features, identification of flora and fauna, land use history, distinct 

natural features, and photographs of the Property. The parties agree that the Baseline 

Documentation Report is an accurate representation of the Property at the time of 

exceution of this Conservation Easement. Conservancy may use the Baseline 

Documentation Report to enforce this Conservation Easement but is not limited to the 

Baseline Documentation Report to show a change in conditions. Any characterization of 

this Easement in the Baseline Documentation Report shall not be interpreted so as to 

alter, amend, limit, or otherwise modify this Easciment; the terms of this Easement shall 

control in the event of any alleged or actual conflict or inconsistency between the terms 

of this Easement and the Baseline Documentation Report, 

OWNER PERMITTED AND PROHIBITED USES. Owner retains all ownership 

rights not expressly restricted by this Conservation Easement but any activity on or use 

of the Property that is inconsistent with the Purposes or detrimental to the Conservation 

Values is expressly prohibited. Explicitly retained rights and explicitly prohibited 

activities and uses include the following, without limitation, with respect to the 

Property: 

A. 

Right to Convey and Transfer Notices. Owner retains the right to sell, 

mortgage, bequeath, donate, or otherwise convey the Property subject to the 

terms of this Conservation Easement. Each subsequent Owner will be bound by 

this Easement. At least 30 days prior to transfer of any of Owner's rights in the 

Property, Owner or Owner's representative shall give a) the proposed transferee 

of the Property a true, accurate, recorded and complete copy of this Easement, 

and b) the Conservancy written notice of the proposed transfer including the full 

name(s) and address(es) of the prospective transferec(s). Owner at all times shall 

provide Conservancy with up-to-date contact information including mailing 

address, telephone number, and any email address regularly checked. 

B. 

Subdivision. The following are prohibited: The legal or de facto subdivision of 

the Property, including any subdivision, short subdivision, platting, binding site 

plan, testamentary division, creation of a site condominium or other submission 

of the Property to a condominium form of ownership, or other process by which 

the Property is divided into fots or in which title to different portions of Property 

are held by different owners. 

C. 

Industrial, Institutional and Commercial Activities. All industrial, 

institutional and comme

Page 35

D. 

Structures and Construction. The placement or construction of any human- 

made modifications, including structures, buildings, fences, roads, and parking 

lots is prohibited except as follows: 

By] 

Right to Maintain and Replace Structures Existing as of Execution of 

this Easement, Owner retains the right to maintain, renovate, and 

replace the roads and flow control structures existing as of the execution 

of this Easement in substantially the same location and size as 

documented in Baseline Documentation Report. Any replacement or 

expansion may not substantially alter the character or function of the road 

or flow contro! structure. Prior to beginning renovation or replacement of 

the structure(s) existing as of execution of this Easement, Owner will 

provide a written plan to Conservancy for Conservancy’s review and 

approval; such approval may be withheld only upon a reasonable 

determination by Conservancy that the action as proposed would be 

inconsistent with the Purpose and terms of this Easement. 

Vegetation Management. Any alteration, including pruning, trimming, cutting 

down, using herbicides, or otherwise causing the destruction or removal of 

trees or other vegetation, whether living or dead, in whole or in pati, is 

prohibited, except as follows: 

1B 

2) 

Right to Manage Dangerous, Nonnative or Diseased Trees or 

Vegetation. Pruning, trimming, and removing trees or other vegetation 

is permitted only under the following conditions: 

a. 

To respond to, minimize, and/or eliminate real danger to a 

structure or humans in frequently used arcas due to a structural or 

health defect of a tree as documented by a registered forester or 

other natural resource specialist and as approved by 

Conservancy. 

b. 

To respond to, minimize, and/or eliminate a threat of 

infestation posed by diseased vegetation as documented bya 

registered forester or other natural resource specialist and as 

approved by Conservancy. 

c. 

To respond to, minimize, and/or eliminate threats from invasive 

or non-native plant species. 

Right to Facilitate Maintenance and Construction. Reasonable 

pruning, trimming, or removing trees or other vegetation is permitted to 

facilitate the maintenance, repair, replacement or construction of an

Page 36

3) 

Right to Use and Cut Downed Trees for Firewood. Owner retains the 

right to cut and use trees that are downed as a result of natural occurrence 

for personal use as firewood without a management plan, provided that 

said use retains adequate woody debris on the forest floor for habitat and 

soil productivity purposes. This right does not include any removal of 

live or standing dead trees. 

4) 

Right to Conduct Planned Forest and Habitat Management. Any 

removal of live or standing dead trees for purposes nol addressed above 

is considered forest management and is subject to requirements of a 

mutually agreed upon forest management plan, and Owner shall provide 

Conservancy with 60 days prior notice of any tree removal or harvest, in 

accordance with Sec. 7 below. 

Disturbance/Alteration of Land, Disturbance, alteration, and mining of the 

sutface of the Property, including the excavation, removal, quarrying, filling, 

storing, or relocation of soil, sand, gravel, aggregate, rock, stone, cobble, agate, 

mineral, Yooperlite, ore, mari, limestone, gypsum, salt, coal, clay, peat, sod, or 

topsoil, are prohibited, except as permitted in 4.F.1). Treatment, processing, 

storage, transportation, and other handling of overburden, effluent, tailings, or 

other waste or byproducts created or produced during mining, the removal of 

surface or mineral resources, or oil and gas extraction also are prohibited. 

1 

Right to use on site sand and gravel, Owner retains the right to use on 

site sand and gravel removed from an existing gravel pit to maintain roads 

permitted in Section 4.D. 1. 

Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction. Mining is expressly prohibited, including 

but not limited to any activity which will disturb, consume, deplete, usc, occupy, 

or alter the surface estate, ecosystem, hydrology, or groundwater, including but 

not limited to the removal of non-hydrocarbon metatlic and non-metallic 

minerals. No circumstance, including the excrcise of the retained rights below, 

shall be interpreted to permit any of the following: injection, mixing, use, 

retention, storage, transportation, or other presence of hydraulic, fracking or 

similar fluids, chemicals, or substances, whether new, used, reclaimed, 

recovered, waste, or otherwise across or on the Property; use of any surface 

water on the Property for oil and gas activities, including but not limited to 

hydraulic fracking; mining or oil or gas exploration, development, or testing for 

or extraction conducted on, from, or across the surface of the Property; and 

alteration or use of the Property surface or construction or placement of any 

structures, including wells and pipelines, on, over, or across the property. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing prohibitions, the following activities are 

permitted:

Page 37

surface of the Property for commercial purposes provided that no 

exploration, development, or testing for or extraction shall be conducted 

on, from, or across the surface of the Property and all such extraction is 

by directional or horizontal drilling from a surface location off of the 

Property to prevent any impairment of water or other resources 

protected by this Easement. Nothing otherwise prohibited herein may be 

allowed by the owner's authorization. 

2) 

Right to enter into a non-developmental lease. Owner retains the right 

to enter into a non-developmental lease which solely permits the 

extraction of oil, gas, hydrocarbons, or petroleum from beneath the 

Property surface without any alteration or use of the Property surface or 

construction or placement of any structures, including wells and pipelines, 

on, over, or across the Property. Nothing otherwise prohibited herein may 

be allowed by the terms of the non-developmental lease. 

Waste. Processing, retention, storage, transporting, dumping, disposal, or 

injection of liquid, solid, gaseous, natural or human-made waste, refuse, or 

debris on or into the Property is prohibited except as follows: 

1) Right to Dispose of Compost. Owner retains right to dispose of 

Owner's fully composted human waste soil on site. 

Water Courses, Groundwater, Natural water courses, lakes, rivers, streams, 

creeks, wetlands, and other bodies of surface water and groundwater or water 

features may not be altered or impounded. Water from ground or surface 

sources may not be diverted, blocked, extracted, pumped, or piped from the 

Property or degraded or polluted expect as follows: 

1) Right to Divert. Owner retains right to impound water by use of flow 

control structures to create high quality wetland and waterfow! habitat. 

2) Right to pump groundwater. Owner retains right to pump 

groundwater for irrigation of seedlings and revegetation efforts in aid of 

habitat restoration and/or enhancement. 

Off-Road Recreational Vehicles. Motorized off-road vehicles such as, but not 

limited to, snowmobiles, dune buggies, all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, and 

motorcycles may not be operated off of designated roads and trails on the 

Property. 

1) 

Right to Emergency Vehicle Access and Restoration Work. Emergency

Page 38

M. 

Livestock. Raising or housing of livestock, poultry or horses, 

commercial breeding, and commercial aquaculture are prohibited on the 

Property. 

Signs and Billboards. Billboards and permanent signs are prohibited cxcept as 

follows: 

1 

Right for signs for specific purposes. Owner retains the right to 

display signs for the following purposes and any other purposcs 

consistent with Permitted Uses under Sec. 4. 

a. 

To disclose the name and address of the Property or the 

owner’s name. 

b. 

To disclose that the Property is protected by a 

conservation easement (See 5 D) 

c. 

To state that trespassing or any unauthorized entry or use is 

prohibited. 

d. 

To advertise the Property for sale or lease. 

c. 

To identify and interpret trails and natural features. 

f. 

To warn of the presence of dogs or other animals. 

g. 

To warn or deal with matters of property boundaries, 

health, safety, and welfare. 

h. 

To comply with any applicable law or regulation. 

Right to Hunt, Trap and Fish. Owner retains all rights to fish on and from the 

Property consistent with all applicable laws. All hunting and trapping is 

expressly prohibited except as follows: 

1) Right to hunt White-tailed Deer. Owner retains all rights to hunt 

White-tailed deer on and from the property consistent with all applicable 

laws. 

2) Right to Trap. Owner retains the right fo trap solely for purposes of 

wildlife research, after which trapping the subject is released unharmed. 

Right to Renewable Energy. Owner reserves the right to and may construct, 

operate, maintain, replace, and upgrade otherwise lawful non-commercial solar,

Page 39

of Conservancy, (c) installation, construction, and use of such Equipment does 

not adversely impact the Conservation Values protected by this Easement. 

Right to Other Permissible Uses, Conservancy and owner acknowledge that 

there may be other permissible uses that may be fully consistent with the 

protection of the Conservation Values and Purposes but are not contemplated or 

expressly reserved in this Easement. Accordingly, Conservancy and Owner 

; 

agree that the Owner may engage in any such permissible use only if the Owner 

seeks approval from Conservancy prior to implementing any such use, and the 

Conservancy confirms in writing, and in its sole discretion, that the proposed use 

does not impair or interfere with the Conservation Values and Purposes of this 

Hasement. 

5. 

CONSERVANCY RIGHTS. Owner grants the following rights to Conservancy 

to perpetually maintain the Conservation Values of the Property: 

A. 

Entry and Cooperation. The public is not granted access to, right of entry onto, 

or use of the Property by this Easement. Conservancy including its authorized 

agents may enter the Property at reasonable times to monitor the Property, to 

enforce compliance with this Easement, and to otherwise exercise its rights under 

this Easement. Owner shall fully cooperate with Conservancy in Conservancy's 

undertaking and execution of Conservancy's responsibilities under this Easement; 

Conservancy will not unreasonably interfere with Owner's use and quiet 

enjoyment of the Property or permit othets to enter the Property. Except in case of 

emergency or if there is imminent threat to the Conservation Values, Conservancy 

shall exercise reasonable efforts to notify Owner in advance of Conservancy's 

planned entry onto the Property. Owner agrees to fully cooperate with 

Conservancy regarding all matters relating to this Easement including, without 

limit, promptly, truthfully and accurately reporting and fully disclosing all 

activities and conditions on or affecting the Properly regarding or affecting the 

Purposes and Conservation Values of this Easement and any violations of this 

Easement, Owner shall not directly or indirectly interfere with, restrict, place 

conditions upon access, or otherwise prevent Conservancy or its representatives 

or agents from entering the Property for purposcs of monitoring, inspecting, 

verifying, protecting, correcting, preserving or otherwise acting to protect the 

Conservation Values of or otherwise enforce this Easement. If locked gates or 

other features restrict access to the Property, Owner shall provide Conservancy 

with keys and all other information or means necessary for Conservancy or its 

agents to be able to reasonably enter the Property by vehicular means over 

established access roads or trails; without liability, Conservancy may undertake 

reasonable self-help to access the Property for Easement-related purposes if such 

information or means are not provided by Owner.

Page 40

Right te Require Restoration. Consistent with the remedies below, 

Conservancy has the right to require Owner to restore to its prior condition any 

area or feature of the Property which is significantly damaged by any activity 

inconsistent with this Conservation Easement. Owner shall conduct the 

restoration in accordance with a plan submitted to and approved by Conservancy. 

CONSERVANCY REMEDIES. Conservancy has the following 

cumulative, nonexclusive remedies: 

A. 

Delay in Enforcement. Any delay in enforcement shall not be construed as a 

waiver of Conservancy's right to enforce the terms of this Easement. 

Third Person Violations. Owner and Conservancy shail have the following 

rights for acts or occurrences at the Property beyond the direct or indirect 

control of Owner: 

1 

Conservancy may not bring an action against Owner for modifications 

to the Property or damage to the Property or its Conservation Values 

resulting from natural causes beyond Owner's control, including natural 

disasters, fires, floods, storms, natural earth movement or other acts of 

Nature, 

2) 

Owner shall be responsible for significant modifications or damage to the 

Property that impair or damage the Conservation Values of the Property 

and result from the acts of third persons whose use of, or presence on, 

the Property was authorized by Owner. Owner shall perform such 

restoration pursuant to and in accordance with the restoration plan 

prepared by a competent professional selected by Owner and submitted 

to and approved by Conservancy in writing. 

3) 

In the event of an unauthorized third-person violation of the Conservation 

Values on the Property, Conservancy shall not seek restoration or 

exercise remedies available to it if and so long as Owner diligently 

pursues all available legal remedies against the violator. In the event 

actions taken by unauthorized third persons significantly impair the 

Conservation Values protected by this Easement, Conservancy reserves 

the right, either jointly or singly, to pursue all appropriate civil and 

criminal penalties to compel restoration and Owner assigns all claims and 

tights to recover against such third persons to Conservancy. 

Notice and Demand. If Conservancy determines that Owner is in violation of 

this Easement, or that a violation is threatened, Conservancy shall provide written 

notice to Owner. The written notice will identify the violation and requ

Page 41

nD, 

irreparable harm, no written notice is required and Conservancy may then 

immediately pursue its remedies to prevent or limit harm to the Conservation 

Values of the Property. If Conservancy believes that this Easement has been, or is 

expected to be, violated, and Conservancy’s good-faith and reasonable efforts to 

notify Owner are unsuccessful, Conservancy may pursue its lawful remedics to 

mitigate or prevent significant harm to the Conservation Values without prior 

notice and without awaiting Owner’s opportunity to cure; Owner agrees to 

reimburse Conservancy for all reasonable costs incurred by Conservancy 

associated with this effort. 

Owner Failure to Act. If, within 90 days after written notice per 111.6.C, Owner 

does not implement corrective measures requested by Conservancy, Conservancy 

may bring an action in law and/or in equity to enforce the terms of the Easement, 

In the case of immediate or irreparable harm, as determined in the sole discretion 

of Conservancy, or if Owner is unable to be notified, Conservancy may invoke 

these same remedies without notification and/or awaiting the expiration of the 90- 

day period. Conservancy is entitled to seek to enjoin the violation through 

temporary or permanent injunctive relief and to seek specific performance, 

declaratory relief] restitution, reimbursement of expenses, and/or an order 

compelling Owner to restore the Property. Conservancy shail have the right of 

specific performance to impose or enforce any right and obtain relief by 

immediate temporary restraining order, preliminary and/or permanent injunctive 

order, without the necessity of bond or other security, and without having to 

prove damages. Such relief shall be against Owner and/or any person or entity 

acting in concert with Owner and in addition to damages and other available 

remedics to the Conservancy and all such rights and remedies shall be 

cumulative. Owner agrees if’ a violation of this Easement is threatened or occurs 

the harm and injury to the Conservancy will be irreparable and such that the 

Conservancy will have no adequate remedy at Jaw and could not be compensated 

adequately by damages. If the court determines that Owner has failed to comply 

with this Easement, Owner shall also reimburse Conservancy for all reasonable 

litigation costs and reasonable attorney’s fees, and all costs of corrective action or 

Property restoration incurred by Conservancy. 

Frivolous Litigation. If Conservancy initiates litigation against Owner to enforce 

this Basement, the court determines that Owner is the prevailing party, and the 

court determines that (i) the litigation was initiated with the primary purpose to 

harass, embarrass, or injure Owner; (ii) Conservancy did not have a reasonable 

basis 10 believe that the facts underlying Conservancy's legal position were in 

fact true; or (iii) Conservancy's legal position was devoid of arguable legal merit, 

then the court may require Conservancy to reimburse Owner’s reasonable costs 

and reasonable atfomey’s fees in defending the action.

Page 42

damages for any violation of the terms of this Easement is inadequate, 

Conservancy shall also be entitled to affirmative and prohibitive injunctive relief 

and specific performance, both prohibitive and mandatory. Conservancy's claim 

for injunctive relief or specific performance for a violation of this Conservation 

Easement shall not require proof of actual monetary damages to the Conservation 

Values. 

G. 

Cumulative Remedies. The preceding remedies of Conservancy are cumulative. 

Any or all of the remedies may be invoked by Conservancy if there is an actual or 

threatened violation of this Conservation Easement. 

NOTIFICATION. If Owner proposes to undertake any activity which requires notice to 

Conservancy or Conservancy's approval, Owner shall provide 30-days written notice of 

Owner's planned activity together with all reasonably related information, including a 

written description of the planned activity, engineer/architect plans and drawings, 

permits, schedules, and the like. Conservancy may obtain an additional thirty (30) day 

period to provide its approval by notifying Owner of its intent to extend the time within 

the original thirty (30) day period. If Conservancy does not object to Owner's planned 

activity within 30 days after actual receipt of written notice and supporting materials or 

request a 30-day extension, then its approval shall be impliedly given, but there is no 

implied approval for any activity contrary to this Conservation Easement or impairing a 

Conservation Value. Conservancy’s approval, actual or implied, shall continue for three 

years. If Owner's approved activity is not completed within three years afier Owner's 

initial written notice to Conservancy, then Owner must re-submit Owner's written 

application to Conservancy. 

SUBORDINATION. Owner represents and warrants that as of the date of execution and 

recording of this Conservation Easement, the Property is not subject to any lease, land 

contract, mortgage, licn, claim or interest which has not been subordinated to this 

Conservation Easement. Any lease, land contract, mortgage, lien, claim or interest in the 

Property arising after the date of recording this Conservation Easement shall be subject 

and subordinate to the terms of this Conservation Basement, 

CONSERVATION EASEMENT REQUIREMENTS UNDER MICHIGAN AND 

FEDERAL LAW, 

A. 

This Conservation Easement is an immediately vested interest in real property 

created pursuant to NREPA Part 21 Subpart 11 Conservation and Historic 

Prescrvation Basement, MCL 324.2140 ct seq. Owner agrees that this 

Conservation Easement has a fair market value that is at least equal to the 

proportional value that the Conservation Easement at the time of the gift bears to 

the value of the Property as a whole at that time.

Page 43

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

B. 

This Conservation Easement is established for conservation purposes pursuant to 

the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, 26 U.S.C. Section 170(h)(1)-(6) and 

Sections 2031(c), 2055, and 2522, and under Treasury Regulations at Title 26 

C.F.R. Section 1.170A-14 ct seq., as amended. 

C. 

Conservancy is qualified to hold conservation easements pursuant to these 

statutes, Conservancy is a publicly funded, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with 

the authority to accept lands, casements, and buildings for the purpose of 

preserving and protecting natural, scenic, educational, recreational, or open-space 

values of real property, and with the commitment to preserve the Conservation 

Values of the Property. 

OWNERSHIP COSTS AND LIABILITIES. In accepting this Conservation 

Easement, Conservancy shall have no liability or other obligation for costs, taxes, 

assessments, insurance, maintenance, or other liabilities of any kind related to the 

Property. Conservancy’s rights do not include the right, in absence of a judicial decree, 

to enter the Property for the purpose of becoming an operator of the Property within the 

meaning of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability 

Act, NREPA, or any similar statute or regulation. Conservancy, its members, trustees or 

directors, officers, employees, and agents have no liability arising from injury or death 

to any person or physical damage to any property on the Property. Owner agrees to 

defend, indemnify and hold harmless Conservancy against such claims arising during 

the term of Owner's ownership of the Property. 

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS. Owner represents and warrants that Owner has no 

knowledge of any release, discharge, dispersal or storage of hazardous substances, or 

hazardous wastes on the Property. Owner agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold 

harmless Conservancy against all claims of hazardous materials contamination on the 

Property. 

CESSATION OF CONSERVANCY EXISTENCE. If Conservancy ceases to exist or 

fails to be a “qualified organization” for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 

170(h)(3), or if Conservancy is no longer authorized to acquire and hold conservation 

casements, then this Conservation Easement shall become vested in another entity 

which is a “qualified organization” for purposes of Intemal Revenue Code Section 

170(h)(3). Conservancy’s rights and responsibilities shall be assigned to any entity 

having similar conservation purposes to which such right may be awarded under the cp 

pres doctrine. The Easement should not be assigned to any of the following 

organizations: Keweenaw Land Trust, Michigan Nature Association, Gratiot Lake 

Conservancy, Keweenaw Community Forest, Houghton Keweenaw Conservation 

District, Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy. 

ASSIGNMENT. The Conservancy may assign it

Page 44

14. 

15. 

assume all obligations of the Conservancy under this Conservation Easement and 

continue to carry out the conservation purposes of this Conservation Easement. ‘T he 

Easement should not be assigned to any of the following organizations: Keweenaw Land 

Trust, Michigan Nature Association, Gratiot Lake Conservancy, Keweenaw Community 

Forest, Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District, Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy. 

FUTURE CONDITIONS. No use shall be made of the Property and no activity thereon 

shall be permitted which is, or is likely to become, inconsistent with the Purposes of this 

Easement. Owner and Conservancy acknowledge that, in view of the perpetual nature of 

this Easement, they are unable to foresee all potential future land uses, technologies, 

climate changes, evolution in flora and fauna, other natural resources, and other 

circumstances, occurrences and conditions affecting the Property or Easement Purposcs. 

TERMINATION. This Conservation Easement may be extinguished only by a court 

order upon an unexpected change in condition which causes it to be impossible to fulfill 

the Purposes, or by exercise of eminent domain, 

A. 

Unexpected Change in Conditions, If subsequent circumstances render the 

Purposes impossible to fulfill, then this Conservation Basement may be partially 

or entirely terminated but only by judicial proceedings. Conservancy will then be 

entitled io a share of the proceeds of any sale, exchange, or involuntary 

conversion of the Property, according to Conservancy's proportional interest in 

the Property, as determined and as required under Treasury Regulations Section 

L170A-14(g)(6)(ii) or its successor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Owner and 

Conservancy intend that this Conservation Easement not be subject to the legal 

doctrine of “changed conditions” that is applied to traditional servitudes. In 

making this grant, Owner has considered the possibility that uses prohibited by 

the terms of this Easement may become more economically valuable than 

permitted uses, and that neighboring properties may in the future be put entircly 

to such prohibited uses. The unprofitability of conducting or implementing any or 

all of the uses permitted under the terms of the Conservation Basement shall not 

impair the validity of this Conservation Easement or be considered grounds for its 

termination or extinguishment. It is the intent of Owner that any such economic 

changes shall not be deemed to be changed conditions or a change of 

circumstances justifying the judicial termination, extinguishment or amendment 

of this Conservation Easement, 

B. 

Eminent Domain, If the Property is taken, in whole or in part, by power of 

eminent domain, then Conservancy will be entitled to a share of the proceeds of 

any sale, exchange, or involuntary conversion of the Property, according to 

Conservancy's proportional interest in the Property, as determined and as 

required under Treasury Regulations Section 1.170A-14(g)(6)(i) or its successor,

Page 45

16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

LIBERAL CONSTRUCTION. This Conservation Easement shall be liberally 

construed in favor of maintaining the Conservation Values of the Property and in 

accordance with the NREPA Conservation and Historic Preservation Easement statuiory 

provisions, Part 21 Subpart 11, MCL 324.2140 ct seq. 

AMENDMENT. Owner and Conservancy may jointly amend this Conservation 

Easement, provided that (i) such amendment is in writing and approved by Conservancy 

in its sole and absolute discretion, (ii) no amendment shall be allowed that shall affect 

the qualification of this Conservation Easement or the status of Conservancy under any 

applicable laws, including MCL 324.2140-324.2144 or Section 170(h) of the Internal 

Revenue Code, (iii) any amendment shall be consistent with the Purposes, and (iv) shall 

not affect the perpetual duration of this Conservation Easement, Any such amendment 

shall be in writing and recorded in the official property records of the County where the 

Property is located and in all other jurisdictions and places where such recording is 

required. 

OWNER RESPONSIBILITY AND CONSERVANCY APPROVAL. If the approval 

of, consent to or non-objection by Conservancy is required or given regarding any act, 

action, or activity of Owner or Owner’s agents or contractors upon the land, then, 

notwithstanding any such approval or consent of the Conservancy, for all purposes 

Owner shall be solely responsible for the planning, design, necessity, implementation, 

means, methods, materials, execution, adequacy, timing, soundness, supervision, 

inspection, completion, conduct, effectiveness, impacts, results, or consequences of any 

such activity and any act or omission in connection therewith, occasioned thereby, or 

arising in connection with the same, including without limit any significant adverse 

impact the same may have upon the Conservation Values protected by this Conservation 

Easement. Under no circumstances shal the approval of, consent to and/or non-objection 

by Conservancy to any act, action, activity of Owner or Owner's agents or contractors be 

deemed to be, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, participation, acceptance, 

ratification, release, waiver, or a defense or other impediment to Conservancy's right to 

protect the Conservation Values of or otherwise to enforce the terms of this Conservation 

Easement against the Owner or any third person. 

INDEMNIFICATION. 

A. 

Indemnification by Owners/ Grantors. 

To the maximum extent allowed by law, Owners/Grantors agrees to defend, 

indemnify and hold harmless Conservancy, its directors/trustees, officers, 

employees, agents, volunteers, and representatives ("the Grantee Indemnified 

Parties") from and against all claims, actions, proceedings, liabilities, damages, 

losses, penalties, fines, costs, enforcement and restoration fees and costs, testing and 

engineering fees and costs, consultant and expert fee

Page 46

2) 

3) 

4) 

5) 

Injury or death to any person, damage to or diminution in the value of any 

property, or damage to natural resources from any act or omission of an 

Owner/Grantor, in fulfilling obligations under this agreement, including any 

injury, harm to, or death of a Grantee Indemnified Party, 

The presence, suspected presence, or threatened or actual release of any 

hazardous subsiance whether into the air, soil, surface or groundwater on, in, 

above, or below the Property, 

Any actual or alleged violation of any environmental law affecting the 

Property, whether occurring prior to or during Owners/Grantors’ ownership 

of the Property and whether caused or permitted by Owners or any person 

other than Owners/Grantors, 

Any claim or defense by Owners/Grantors or any third person that any 

Grantee Indemnified Party is liable as an owner or operator of the Property 

under any environmental law, or 

Any breach of Owner/Grantors’ representations, warrantics, or retained 

responsibilities, obligations, or liabilities under this Conservation Easement, 

provided, however, this paragraph shall not apply if it is finally determined 

by a Michigan court that any of the foregoing was primarily caused by gross 

negligence or material willful misconduct of Conservancy. 

Indemnification by Conservancy/Grantee. 

To the maximum extent allowed by law, Conservancy/Grantee agrees to defend, 

indemnify and hold harmless Owners/Grantors, their heirs, successors and assigns 

("the Grantor Indemnified Parties") from and against all claims, actions, 

proceedings, liabilities, damages, losses, penalties, fines, costs, enforcement and 

restoration fees and costs, testing and engineering fees and costs, consultant and 

expert fees and costs, and reasonable attorney fees and costs, including those 

incurred in enforcing this indemnity, arising directly or indirectly from or in 

conjunction with; 

Y] 

2) 

Injury or death to any person, damage to or diminution in the value of any 

property, or damage to natural resources from any act or omission of 

Conservancy/Graniee in fulfilling obligations under this agreement, 

including any injury, harm to, or death of a Grantor Indemnified Party, or 

Any breach of Conservancy/Grantee’s representations, warrantics, 

responsibilitics, obligations, or liabilities under this Conservation Easement, 

provided, however, this paragraph shall

Page 47

20. 

21. 

22. 

23. 

24, 

25, 

NOTICES. All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing 

and deemed given to a party and effective when: a) delivered in person to a party or fo an 

officer of the party being notified, or b) sent by certified mail return receipt requested, 

express mail with proof of delivery, first class mail prepaid, or a recognized nationwide 

courier service with proof of delivery to a party at the address set forth herein or to the 

last known address of a party. Either party may change its address by providing written 

notice of the same. Refusal of a party to accept notice shall not impair the giving of 

notice. 

SEVERABILITY. If any portion of this Conservation Easement is determined to be 

invalid, the remaining provisions will remain in force, 

SUCCESSOR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. This Conservation Easement is 

binding upon, and inures to the benefit of Owner’s and Conservancy's successors in 

interest. All subsequent owners of the Property are bound to all provisions of this 

Conservation Easement to the same extent as Owner. A party's respective future rights 

and obligations under this Conservation Easement terminate upon transfer of that party’s 

interest in the Property, provided, however, liability accruing for acts or omissions prior 

to transfer survives transfer, 

MICHIGAN LAW AND FORUM. This Conservation Easement will be construed in 

accordance with Michigan law. Owner and Conservancy agree and consent that all 

litigation with respect to or arising out of this Easement shall be filed, heard and decided 

by a Michigan court with jurisdiction over the Property or where Conservancy maintains 

its principal place of business in Michigan. 

ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Conservation Easement sefs forth the cniire agreement 

of the partics and supersedes all prior discussions and understandings, 

EXHIBITS. This Conservation Fasement includes, and incorporates the following 

Exhibits: 

A. 

Exhibit A: 

Legal Description

Page 48

OWNER 

CHARS 

: 

C. Griffith 

ty 

Prifigd Name: Ja =: 

/a AN 

Printe 

abot Tohy 

Griffith 

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

~~) 

) 

COUNTY OF 

Ughim 

) 

Acknowledged befdfe me on this 

/ h 

of November, 2022, by Jane C. Griffith and 

John T. Griffith, wife and husband. 

rm TTB 

vACKE 

et ___ a 

| 

NOTARY PUBLIC 

- STATE OF MICHIGAN 

, Notary Public 

; 

COUNTY OF HOUGHT 

bd 

My coms 

Exon vi 

Hog frie, County, Michigan 

[3 

UC 

Acting in 

Jtdx._County 

My commission expires: 

/-/3 2 

fifng in the County of 

0 

CONSERVANCY: 

wll 

Title: Executive Director, Superior Watershed 

Partnership and Land Conservancy 

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

) 

) 

COUNTY OF) 

e) 

Acknowledged before me on this Y th 

of November, 2022, by Carl Lindquist. 

LV Wl AVC, 

Za 

7 

3 

lic 

VILE 

AE 

, County, Michigan 

Acting 

in Maygue te. 

County 

My commission expires: |! J18]200)

Page 49

AFTER RECORDING PLEASE RETURN TO: 

Superior Watershed Partnership 

2 Peter White Drive 

Presque Isle Park, Marquette MI 49855 

CONTINUE TO SEND TAX BILLS TO: 

Jane C. Griffith and John T. Griffith 

PO Box 47 

Calumet, MI 49913

Page 50

Legal Description 

EXHIBIT A 

Legal Description 

Tax ID 

57-33 Sec 1: entire fract'l, section 

42-102-01-100-500 

57-32 Sec 6: Gov Lot 3 

(fr. W1/2 of NW 1/4) 

42-101-06-350-000 

57-32 Sec 6: SE 1/4 of NW 1/4; N 

1/2 of SW 1/4; SW 1/4 of SW 1/4 

42-101-06-104-000 

42-101-06-301-001 

42-101-06-303-000 

57-32 Sec 6: SE 1/4 

42-101-06-400-001 

42-101-06-400-000 

57-32 Sec 5: SW 1/4 EXC NE 1/4 

42-101-05-300-001 

57-33 Sec 12: S 1/2 of S 1/2 of SW 

1/4; SW 1/4 of SW 1/4 of SE 1/4; 

E1/20fW1/20fE 1/2 

102-12-404-000 

102-12-304-001 

57-33 Sec 12: £1/2 of E 1/2 

42-102-12-204-001 

57-32 Sec 6: SE 1/4 of SW 1/4; 

57-33 Sec 7: NW 1/4 

42-101-07-100-000 

42-101-06-304-000 

57-32 Sec 7: 

W 1/2 of NE 1/4; SW 

1/4; W 1/2 of SE 1/4. 

42-101-07-401-001 

57-32 Sec 8: NW 1/4 

42-101-08-100-000 

57-33 Sec 13: NW 1/4; 

N 1/2 of SE 1/4. 

42-102-13-100-001 

57-32 Sec 7: £1/2 of NE 1/4 

42-101-07-202-002 

57-33 Sec 13: All that part of the 

SW 1/4 lying Northeasterly of the 

centerline of the Gratiot River 

AND 57-33 Sec 14: All that part of 

the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 and the 

NE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 lying 

Northeasterly of the centerline of 

the Gratiot River, 

102-13-300-001 

102-14-204-002 

57-32 is shorthand for T.57N — R.32W 

57-33 is shorthand for T.57N —~ R.33W

Page 51

STATE OF MICHIGAN 

GRETCHEN WHITMER 

DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS 

MARLON 1. BROWN, DPA 

GOVERNOR 

DIRECTOR 

Jane and John Griffith 

, 

MICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

Petitioner(s) 

v 

MTT Docket No. 25-002713 

Allouez Township 

Respondent(s) 

PROOF OF SERVICE FOR PROPERTY TAX PETITION 

“To be filed after the Tribunal issues the Notice of Docket Number* 

Jane C Griffith 

states that on September 18, 2025 

he/she 

[Name of person serving/mailing petition] 

[date of service] 

served a copy of the Petition relative to the above-captioned matter upon: 

[Provide name and address of the following entities] 

1. Assessor (via certified mall); 

( 

r. 102 Second Street, PO Box 64 

Mohawk, Mi 49950 

2. 

City Clerk or Township Supervisor/Clerk (via certified mail). 

Mohawk, MI 49950 

3. County Equalization Director (via first class mall or personal service): 

1 

Eagle River, Mi 49950 

4. County Clerk (via first class mail or personal service): 

Eagle River, MI 49950 

6. 

State Treasurer (via first class mall): 

Michigan Department of Treasury, State Treasurer 

430 W. Allegan 

Lansing, MI 48922

Page 52

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