Speech of Tom Leonard, Executive Director of WMEAC Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park meeting, April 29, 2002   I want to express my appreciation to David and Alison Swan and to all the members of Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park - certainly for their invitation tonight to speak on behalf of my organization, West Michigan Environmental Action Council; but more importantly, for their concern and passion for the Park itself.   It is thanks to them and people like them that we see the Parkland today, appearing much as it has appeared for the last five thousand years of natural history, harboring the same wildlife, the same incredibly beautiful wilderness vistas, the same vast, magical spirit it has held since the dunes arose - - and before that, to when the glaciers receded.   I am proud of the fact that when David and Alison Swan, alarmed by changes proposed for Saugatuck Dunes, decided to recreate an organization devoted to the future protection of Saugatuck Dunes State Park, that they, as WMEAC members, came early to WMEAC looking for support. And I am proud that we gave them that support and that I have been able to work alongside them and get to know them as the extraordinary leaders they are.   West Michigan Environmental Action Council, since last summer has opposed the location of water intake infrastructure in or adjacent to Saugatuck Dunes State Park. It has in fact favored the expansion of the Park. Tonight I am able to announce that in addition to WMEAC, the Michigan Environmental Council, the Michigan Land Use Institute, and the Clean Water Fund have decided to work cooperatively and coordinate their efforts to make sure that no intake plants or pipelines are located anywhere near the Saugatuck Dunes. Concurrently, they will all support the expansion of the Park. I am conveying tonight the encouragement and best wishes of these groups and those who are working on this issue: Cyndi Roper and Kym Spring of the Clean Water Fund, Andy Guy of the Land Use Institute, and Dave Dempsey and Lana Pollack of the MEC.   I want also to express our appreciation to State Representative Patricia Birkholz for her guidance, and for her willingness to make sure that the public will get to have its say on land deals like this one affecting our state parks.   The importance and complexity of this issue goes well beyond the borders of the Park. Here are some of the relevant points that need to be made:   First, such wilderness as this is, is no longer something that can be allowed to give way in the name of population and economic growth. Rather, as our area grows, the must grow also, to keep pace.   Second, regional cooperation is vital to protect our natural landscapes from such bad ideas as this water intake. Jurisdictional jealousies, turf issues, and personalities must not be allowed to take precedence over the future of this or any other state park. We can not protect our environment or our landscape on a township by township or village by village basis.   Third, our groundwater is at risk and must be protected. Our options have been narrowed by the contaminated groundwater located within the proposed service area of this water system. We do not know the source of TCE contamination in Allegan County, or exactly how far the contamination has spread. We will need all our sources of water just as we now need all of our natural and wild landscapes.   Finally, the West Michigan Strategic Alliance has warned us that to drift forward with status quo solutions will give us, finally, " L.A. on the Lake." I submit to you that this is precisely the sort of decision they were talking about. Thank you all for your attention. For further information contact: Thomas Leonard, Executive Director, WMEAC 616-451-3051 Dave Dempsey, MEC 517-487-9539 Cyndi Roper, Clean Water Fund 616-742-4084 Andy Guy, Michigan Land Use Institute 616-308-6250 Return to Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park Resources & Reference page.