Press Release

The Iron County Board of Commissioners are concerned that a few individuals are

misleading the residents of Iron County in regards to the Paint River Property Sale.

In 1923, a piece of property, now known at the Paint River Sale site, was sold to Iron

County, Michigan. It was not sold to the Iron County Park Trustees. It was not sold to the Iron

County Road Commission. It was sold to Iron County, Michigan with no limitations on its use.

The second issue is, it is true that the property in question is 42.25 acres. However, this

acreage is located on both sides of the Bates-Amasa Road. The statements made allude that there

would be no public access. This is untrue. On the East side of the Bates-Amasa Road is the

current public access boat launch as well as a gravel pit for county purposes. A 1 00 foot

timbered strip along the Bates-Amasa Road, an additional 100 foot timbered strip on the North

Side of the property that contains river frontage, and 604.7 feet of public access river frontage on

the West side of the Bates-Amasa Road, is not for sale. This equates to 22.23 acres being offered

for sale. Not 42.25 acres.

In 1965, legislation permitted the formation of a parks commission. This is not a new

idea to Iron County. This has been discussed for more than 15 years and in 2006, the Iron

County Board of Commissioners took action to form the Iron County Parks Commission.

This Commission has been meeting and we have every confidence in their mission

statement: ''Early in the 20th Century we led the nation and seek to do to the same in the 2 1 ''

Century.''

It is unfortunate that a group of individuals fail to provide the accurate information to the

residents of Iron County that public access totaling 20.02 acres to our beautiful Paint River will

continue to be provided.

Documents pertaining to this issue can be reviewed at the Iron County Board of

Commissioners Office.