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Preserve the Dunes Newsletter                                                          June 27, 2008

Greetings!
    If you have friends interested in the Michigan dunes who are not receiving this newsletter, please forward it to them so they have the opportunity to join the mailing list.
In This Issue
Covert Zoning Rewrite
Jean Klock Park
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Covert Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Underway

The Covert Planning Commission has begun a new update of its zoning ordinance. The ordinance was last revised in a major rewrite in 2006. The purpose of this effort is to clarify and simplify requirements.

For several months, the commission has been meeting weekly in work sessions to draft the changes. Recommended revisions will eventually be proposed to the Township Board for adoption. The Planning Commission and the Board will hold public hearings before the changes are adopted.

The printed version of the current newsletter features a discussion of some of the issues that the Planning Commission is addressing. You can see an advance copy right here and read some background information on High Risk Erosion Areas regulations from a 2004 newletter
Jean Klock Park Update

The struggle to preserve Jean Klock Park continues. Most recently the Michigan DNR gave its approval without even holding a hearing. The last approval must be given by the National Park Service which has already turned down the application once.

National Public Radio (NPR) covered the battle on June 1 in a fairly balanced report which you can listen to here.
 Don't Miss the Benefit
On Saturday, July 19, PTD will hold a benefit at the Fenn Valley Winery near Fennville from 6:30 PM until 9:00 PM. It will include wine tasting and appetizers. A band will play. There will be a silent auction which will include photographs, paintings, etchings, local cheese and foods, meals at local restaurants, outings on the Paw Paw River with a guide from Sarett Nature center, and weekend accommodations at several local resorts - some great bargains will be available!

Tickets are $45 per person and can be purchased online at www.sosdunes.org or by check mailed to PTD, P.O. Box 581, Riverside, MI 49084. $25 of each ticket is a tax deductible donation.

Tickets bought online are e-tickets. A list of e-ticket holders will be at the door. The list will also include holders of tickets ordered by mail that arrive after the July 4th weekend

DIRECTIONS
Take exit 34 from I-196 and proceed east toward Fennville on 124th Avenue (M-89) for 3.1 miles. Turn right on 62nd street (follow sign to "Winery"). After 1.1 miles turn left on 122nd Avenue. The winery will be on the right side of the road.

fennvalleyPURPOSE
Funds will help continue efforts to raise awareness about dune ecosystems, stop sand dune mining in the Critical Dunes, offer children's educational programs on dune ecosystems through Sarett Nature Center, and work with local governments to preserve dune ecosystems.

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"These dunes are to the Midwest what the Grand Canyon is to Arizona . . .
once lost, the loss would be irrevocable." Carl Sandburg
 
Sincerely,

Preserve the Dunes