CARP LAKE TOWNSHIP

Carp Lake Township Hall located in White Pine

 (906) 885-5884

Supervisor	BRIAN PAULSON - 885-5296
Township Clerk:	Roger Jurak - 885-5517
Township Treasurer	ARLENE OLSON - 885-5404
Assessor	MARK SLOCUM - 883-3210
Trustee	John Piasecki - 885-5884 Joseph Hiborn - 885-5459
	Meets 7 pm - 2nd Wednesday of month

2000 Census for Carp Lake Township

Population	Males	Females	65+	under 5	over 18
891	438	453	208	34	723

The history of Carp Lake Township is interwoven with the story of copper ever since the first interest in copper in the Keweenaw Peninsula in the early 1800s.  The great White Pine Copper shut down amid a great deal of environmental controversy, putting thousands of men out of work.  One of the great reclamation projects was then undertaken that included thousands of acres of land.  The mammoth undertaking is partially recorded at
 http://ecorestoration.montana.edu/mineland/histories/metal/white_pine/default.htm

but even this site barely scratches the surface of what has been accomplished.  Today as Carp Lake Township adjusts to the closing of the mine, the mine site itself has been turned into an industrial zone.

See the Ontonagon Herald 2004 year end report below on Carp Lake Twp's efforts to improve their industrial base.

Larry Chabot has written a very good history of the White Pine Mine which may catch your interest.

2004 News Pertinent for Carp Lake Township as summarizes in the Ontonagon Herald

"It was reported that things are going great at the White Pine Refinery with a labor pact in place through the year 2010.This clears the way for the planned expansion of White Pine Refinery into the power generation business as a spin-off company known at White Pine Electric Power L.L.C. Mike Reid, General manager of White Pine Copper Refinery explained that making their own power will lower the costs of the refinery operation making them more competitive in a world market as well as providing a new revenue stream for the company. Local 5024, United Steelworkers guarantees a stable work force for the company, and also provided vacation days, a pension plan, and a health care plan for the hourly employees at White Pine Copper Refinery. In addition, there is a early retirement option.

The White Pine 40 megawatt power plant is indeed on line and 120,000 tons of coal have been delivered to the Port of Ontonagon for use in the plant. Plans are going ahead for a bio-mass boiler and there is talk of a remelting facility at the Copper Refinery as well.

Customer Metal Fabrication, located near the White Pine Industrial Park, reached a new plateau of excellence when the firm qualified for ISO 9000 certification which will allow the company to bid on prime defense contracts. CMF President Rick Sparapani announced plans in February to pursue an Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate in Carp Lake Township, which was later granted. This allows the company to be taxed on one-half the value of new facilities. Sparapani also announced plans to install 6.5" horizontal boring bars, new lathes, and other equipment to enhance the capacity of the White Pine CMF division."

ALSO

"The Carp Lake Township water treatment project was nearing final completion at year's end. The $1,498,004 project was undertaken to replace the sewage treatment plant that was operated by Copper Range since the early 1950's. "