Outdoor News Daily

Department of Natural Resources and Environment officials are reporting that the oil spill on the Kalamazoo River has not affected camping or day-use activity at Fort Custer Recreation Area in Kalamazoo County.

“We are receiving many phone calls from concerned park patrons who want to know the status of the park,” said Tony Trojanowski, park manager at Fort Custer Recreation Area. “There is a water advisory from the Kalamazoo County Health Department that allows ‘no surface water activity.’ Our first concern is for the safety of our park users, so we have closed the Kalamazoo River boating access site and the Riverside Family Cabin.”

“Eagle Lake is still safe for swimming and boating, and our drinking water that comes from wells deep in the ground is fine. Both Whitford-Lawler Lake and Jackson Hole Lake are also safe for boating and fishing,” reported Trojanowski.

As a precautionary measure, oil containment booms have been placed on the water at the Kalamazoo River boating access site, and the clean-up crews have a vacuum truck and skimmer at the access site.

Fort Custer Recreation Area is located at 5163 Fort Custer Drive near Augusta and is well-known for its great trails and picnic area. There are sites still available for camping for this upcoming weekend. Camping reservations can be made on-line at http://www.midnrreservations.com or by calling the central reservation system at 1-800-447-2757.

For more information or updates about the park or accessibility, contact the park at 269-731-4200 or visit http://www.michigan.gov/fortcuster.

All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a 2010 Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the park entrance or on-line through the Michigan E-Store at http://www.michigan.gov/estore. Cost is $24 for a resident annual and $6 for a resident daily. A non-resident annual is $29 and a non-resident daily is $8.

Beginning Oct. 1, the $10 Recreation Passport replaces the state park sticker for access into all state parks, recreation areas and boat launches. To get the Recreation Passport, Michigan residents can check “YES” on their license plate renewal forms. The Recreation Passport also helps preserve forest campgrounds and trails, historic and cultural sites in state parks, and local parks. Where can $10 take you? Visit http://www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport for more information.

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