12 November 2001
Alison and David Swan
Blue Rhino Books
131 Mason Street
Saugatuck, MI 49453
Dear Alison and David,
The Michigan Environmental Council is deeply concerned about a proposal to
construct a water supply facility for Laketown Township, Allegan County, on and
across Saugatuck Dunes State Park. We applaud your efforts to bring this
important issue to broader public attention.
We understand that Laketown Township wishes to trade the prison property, which
the State mistakenly transferred to them five years ago, for land just within
the park entrance, to build a water supply line and pump station. It was not
appropriate for the MDNR to give the prison property to the township, since
that land was always intended to become part of the park, and lies entirely
within its boundaries. We appreciate that Laketown Township removed much of the
old prison structure at some cost. But, that does not now mean it is acceptable
for any State Park land purchased by and for the benefit of all the people of
Michigan to be used as a local utility construction and operations site. The
trade proposed is not beneficial to the people of Michigan. Furthermore, the
prison site should only be used for quiet recreation, as was assumed when it
was transferred to the Township, and should be returned to MNDR stewardship as
soon as possible if that use is no longer intended.
We join with our member groups including the West Michigan Environmental Action
Council in opposing the use of any property within the boundaries of the park
or in the Lake offshore, whether on the prison site or some other location, for
local utility infrastructure.
While the prison property might be usable in a discrete way for a water pumping
facility, it may not work without straight access to the Lake and structures in
or near the water. Such a route would fully cross the park, would make noise,
visible intrusions and active vehicle travel within the park routine. Under no
circumstances can we see it as acceptable to locate any pumping structure on
this parkland or in the water off shore, nor should any easement for excavation
and service for any pipeline or structure be permitted on the park. This is
simply not a use for which the people of Michigan acquired the land,
established a park, developed a Master Plan featuring maximum attention to
natural features, and dedicated a Natural Area there in the first place.
We strongly recommend and agree with others that Laketown Township, the City of
Holland, and other affected jurisdictions in the area should accept mediation
or otherwise cooperatively resolve their water supply disputes, so that the
drinking water needs of the region are obtained comprehensively, without
intruding upon parklands.
Saugatuck Dunes State Park is a rare and special resource
in Michigan, indeed in the world. It contains an extensive, highly interesting
sand dune ecosystem. It is valued by tens of thousands of visitors each year
for its quiet, scenic, wild landscape. We expect it to be a landscape that will
become ever more interesting and valuable, especially to people in the
immediate region, in future generations.
On behalf of the more than 60 Michigan Environmental Council member organizations --
Christopher L. Graham, Chair
Cc: MEC Board of Directors, West Michigan Environmental Action Council
