Saugatuck Dunes Gain Protection
Protection for 171 acres of lakefront dunes
An agreement that will protect 171 acres of the Denison property in Saugatuck was announced last week. The Land Conservancy of West Michigan and the Nature Conservancy will pay an estimated $20 million for the parcel south of the Saugatuck channel.
The deal is contingent upon the state's Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) granting at least $11.6 million toward the project in December. The conservancy groups will also need to raise additional funds to complete the purchase.
You Can Help: Write a Letter of Support
The agreement is contingent on the City of Saugatuck successfully obtaiing a $12.6 million MNRTF grant. You can help encourage the trust fund board to vote favorably on this project by writing a letter of support for the City of Saugatuck's "Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area" grant application.
Letters must be received by October 21 and should be sent to:
Grants Management Program, MDNR
PO Box 30425
Lansing, MI 48909-7925
Fax #: 517-335-6813
MORE INFORMATION
For details of the sale...
For status of the North Denison property...
For news reports on recent events...
|
New Dredging Permit
Nadeau Pit Mining Continues - Now Over 30 Years
The site as it appeared in 1998. More sand has been removed and the lake enlarged since then.Once again Technisand has applied for a new DEQ dredging permit at the Nadeau Pit sand dune mine. The application was recently returned because it was incomplete.
The mining operation has not only removed about 125 acres of dunes, but has also severely damaged Rogers Creek. The creek was the only natural trout stream in southwest Michigan. Due to mining and dredging the base flow in the creek has been dramatically reduced - by as much as 80% - so much so that the stream is no longer suitable habitat for trout.
PTD spoke out against issuing the permit in 1999 and in 2004. The permits were issued and the damage to the creek increased. In 2004, we were told that the DEQ could not deny a permit due to past damage, only if the threat of further damage could be proven. We will make every effort to ensure that Rogers Creek is not further impaired and the law is obeyed.
To read the 2006 PTD report on Rogers Creek, click here.
|
Ross Preserve Walk
September 12 was a beautiful day for a walk in Ross Preserve. John Legge of the Nature Conservancy gave a two-hour, fascinating and informative tour for over 30 people.
Recent rains had brought out many wetland wild flowers. Some that usually bloom in the spring and summer were still in bloom. And yet, trees around the ponds were already in full color.
Let us know if you would like more events like this in the future.
|
