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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.
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Building in the Dunes
Driveway Considerations
 For years the primary threat to the dunes of Michigan was sand dune mining. The miners haul away entire dunes - 55 tons at a time. And they have destroyed acres and acres of dunes.
Today, the major threat is from residential construction. This is due
to the increase in the market value of dune areas, which makes the land
too valuable to be mined, and to environmental laws and ordinances that
restrict sand dune removal.
With this issue we are starting a series of articles about building in the dunes. Each will discuss decisions one must make and how they impact the dunes.
The first article addresses design and construction of driveways. It is posted on our blog.
We encourage you to post your own observations and opinions. Are there other problems in building drives in the dunes? Other strategies and techniques that can be used to minimize damage to the dunes? Have we exaggerated or minimized the dangers? If you have photographs or illustrations of problems or solutions, please email them to info@sosdunes.org and we will post them on the blog.
Visit the blog to read the article.
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DNR Hearings on Park Plans
The Michigan DNR is holding Public Input Meetings - April 29-30
The public is invited to attend meetings on the draft management plans for these four state parks. Two sessions are available (afternoon & evening) for each meeting date.
Holland State Park & Saugatuck Dunes State Park: Wednesday April 29 at the Howard Miller Library - 14 S. Church St., Zeeland, MI 49464. Times: 2:30 - 5 p.m. & 6:30 - 9 p.m.
Grand Mere State Park, Warren Dunes State Park and Warren Woods State Park: Thursday, April 30 at the Chikaming Township Offices - 13535 Red Arrow Hwy., Harbert, MI 49115. Times: 2:30 - 5 p.m. & 6:30 - 9 p.m.
For more information click here to access relevant DNR material. You can also complete questionnaires for each park at this site.
Background information for Saugatuck Dunes State Park has been assembled by Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park and is available at their website.
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Construction at Harbor Shores
Demolition of Jean Klock Park
Friends of Jean Klock Park and Protect Jean Klock Park have created and posted on YouTube a short podcast to document and mourn the demolition of the park. Click here to view it. |
Early Blooms in the Wooded Dunes
Spring wildflowers were delayed by the cold Spring, but during the past two weeks many of the early ones have come into bloom. I've seen Hepatica (at left, 2 weeks ago), Trout Lilies, Spring Beauties, Jack-in-the-Pulpits, Toothwort in the last two weeks, and expect that the Squirrel Corn, Dutchmen's Britches, Bloodwort, Wild Ginger, Indian Cucumber Root, Solomon's Seal, Trilliums, Pink Lady's Slippers, Sand Cress and many more to be in bloom now or in the next few weeks.
Enjoy the dunes with a walk in the woods!
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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,
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