FOPPI Receives Grant for Plum Island Rear Range Light

The icy view of the Porte des Morts Passage and Plum Island in northern Door County on Feb. 26. Photo by Tim Sweet.

The Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands (FOPPI) has received a $130,00 grant from the David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund, within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region. 

The lower portion of the Plum Island rear range light will have the current coat of lead paint sandblasted from its exterior legs, support structures and the cylindrical tube that houses the spiral staircase. All of the lead paint removed from these surfaces will be collected and taken to a certified landfill, and new paint will be applied to all of these exterior surfaces. 

FOPPI is in the process of finalizing plans with a qualified contractor, with hopes of having this work done during the summer of 2023. Two years ago, the front range light and the upper portions of the rear range light had similar work completed. 

FOPPI partners with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Plum Island is open to the public during daylight hours from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Learn more about FOPPI at plumandpilot.org.