Holt-Rice Creek Property

Marengo Township, Calhoun County, Michigan

 

 

Conservation Area: Holt-Rice Creek Property

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Location: Marengo Township, Marshall, Michigan

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Parcels: Sections 17 and Section 20 

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Street Address: 19606 Partello Road, Marshall MI  49068

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Friends of Rice Creek  (FORC) , a Marshall Community Foundation Fund;                                                                                         501 (c) (3) Nonprofit status pending

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Conservation Area Description

Holt-Rice Creek property combines woods, wetland, and agricultural fields. Over 4,000 feet along the Rice Creek, a designated trout stream, allows for recreational use for fishing and kayaks. An adjoining 20.66 cropland acres have been leased for farming.

Recently, the district has worked with the DNR to remove the old cabin and put new gravel on the parking lot!

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Education and Research                                                                                                                                         Holt-Rice Creek property was purchased by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in 2014, and managed locally by the Calhoun Conservation District. Kalamazoo Valley Trout Unlimited studies the aquatics of Rice Creek and complete stream improvement projects within the area. A local group of environmentalists and fisherman have organized Friends of Rice Creek (FORC) and are in the process of establishing the non-profit for the protection of Rice Creek. Future plans may include the buildings restoration and wildlife habitat educational initiatives. 

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Revenue Sources                                                                                                                                                        Rotational timber harvests to manage properties are conducted periodically. There have been no timber harvests conducted by the CCD at the Holt-Rice Creek property.

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Farming Lease Rights

A portion of the Holt-Rice Creek Property, located across the street from the log cabin, lodge has been leased for farming.

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Hunting Lease Rights                                                                                                                                                 Holt-Rice Creek property currently is not leased for hunting purposes.

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History

Mr.  & Mrs. Malcomb Sanders were long-time owners and residents of the log cabin home situated along Rice Creek, just west of Marshall on Partello Road.  After the Holt family acquired the property, a parcel was purchased by the VanSickle family for the purpose of farming. The remaining acres were purchased by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in 2014 with funding through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF).  A lease agreement was signed between the DNR and Calhoun Conservation District which agreed that the property would be managed locally for protection of this special trout stream habitat and natural area.

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Recreation

The parcel managed by the Calhoun Conservation District is adjacent to Rice Creek, a cold water protected stream, and open to the public.  Passive recreation uses such as fishing, kayaking, and wildlife observation are allowed.  A pavilion is available for picnic use and viewing along the Rice Creek. There are no restroom facilities and visitors are expected to remove any refuse and treat the property with respect. In an emergency, call 911.

                                                                                    Rice Creek Pavilion

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