Here's the sequence from truck to ground.
Fred Rydholm's Legacy arrives on Presque Isle Park
The world’s largest piece of glacial float copper will soon be on display in Presque Isle Park thanks to the vision of the late Upper Peninsula historian and educator, Fred Rydholm. Weighing more than 40 tons, the natural copper slab is approximately fifteen feet in diameter and several feet thick. Float copper is naturally-formed and has been carried or “floated” along by the last glacier. The massive piece of copper was discovered in 1997 on private property near Hancock. Rydholm, who was a founding member of the Ancient Artifact Preservation Society (AAPS), asked the Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP) to assist him in saving the copper from being melted down for industrial use.
Thanks to the City of Marquette, the world’s largest piece of copper will now be on display in Presque Isle Park. It’s interesting to note that in 1843 surveyors recorded veins of copper and silver at Presque Isle. Marquette was also an important shipping hub for the growing copper and iron industries. The famous Ontonagon Copper Boulder that is now housed in the Smithsonian Museum weighs in at less than two tons.
“This is really a labor of love in honor of Fred. Sharing the copper was his dream and it’s just great to see all of these people pitching in to help make his dream come true.” said Carl Lindquist of the SWP.
A number of regional companies have donated their services to help with moving and displaying the 80,000 pound specimen. Companies include but are not limited to;
- Lindberg and Sons,
- Oberstar Excavating,
- Nagelkirk Landscaping,
- Tri-Media Engineering,
- Gary Moyle Contracting,
- Holli Forest Products,
- Cook Sign
- Ford Motor Company.
The SWP and AAPS need to raise $350,000 to complete the purchase of the copper!
The SWP is also assisting the AAPS with a community capital campaign to complete the purchase of the copper. Individuals, businesses or corporations that are interested in helping to preserve this unique piece of Upper Peninsula natural history can contact the Superior Watershed Partnership at 906-228-6095.View the September 3, 2010 Mining Journal article here.
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Did you really think there are that many people smoking on Marquette's beaches?
The Superior Watershed Partnership, The Marquette City Police Department and the Marquette County Health Department are working together to educate the public about the link between storm drains and beach litter.
Did you know that when you flick your butt out the window it will more than likely end up on one of Marquette's beautiful beaches? Here's what happens. Underneath the ground throughout the entire City are a system of storm sewer pipes. They receive rain water and other debris from the storm drains along the curbs (see photo below). Anytime it rains whatever is on the surface of the pavement flows into the drains. There are a series of outfalls into Lake Superior where the storm drain deposits all the rain and debris. Cigarette butts travel through these pipes and into Lake Superior through these outfalls.
Why should you care? First of all, flicking butts out your car window is illegal. Marquette City Police will pull you over and issue a ticket if you are caught flicking. Second, these butts enter Lake Superior from the outfalls and then wash back onto shore, littering our beaches. Finally, when the butts enter Lake Superior they float on the surface of the water. Fish often will mistake the butts for food. Since the filters aren't digestible, these butts get stuck in the fishes system causing potential physiological damage.
In short.....don't flick it. If you flick it, you'll get a ticket.
Check out the poster here.
Recent coverage from TV6 on the Campaign.
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