The National Park Service on Dec. 4 issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Miners Falls Viewing Platform and Steps Replacement Project at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This project aims to provide safe public access to the Miners River and the base of Miners Falls while reducing impacts to the natural environment.

The project will replace the existing stairs and viewing platforms at Miners Falls and create a new rustic-style trail from the lower platform to the bottom of the falls. The present platforms are deteriorating with age, and there has been significant public demand for access to the base of Miners Falls. This action is described as Alternative 1 in the Environmental Assessment for this project, released for public review in July 2024.

As part of the project’s assessment, the FONSI records a conclusion by the NPS that there are no significant environmental impacts projected to occur upon implementation of the proposed action.

The Environmental Assessment was available for public comment from July 11 to Aug. 9, 2024. During this time, 31 comments were received, with most being in favor of the action outlined.