State of Michigan JOHN ENGLER           DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES           K. L. COOL   GOVERNER                                                            LANSING                                                                 DIRECTOR April 11, 2002 Mr. Robert J. Scanlan, Chairperson Laketown Township Building Authority 4338 Beeline Road Holland, MI 49423 Dear Mr. Scanlan: SUBJECT: Proposed Land Exchange with Laketown Township Parks and Recreation Bureau (PRB) has reviewed Laketown Township's February 13, 2001 Land Transaction Application for property at Saugatuck Dunes State Park. PRB will make a recommendation to the Land Exchange Review Committee at their April 24, 2002 meeting to deny your request for the following reasons: New Pump House Location Outside of Existing Easement: The proposal locates the pump house in a high risk erosion area as defined by part 323. Shorelands Protection and Management, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act 1994 (see attachment). It is also within a critical dune area. pursuant to part 363, Protection and Management, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act 1994, PA 451. Construction of a pump house facility on the shore of Lake Michigan within designated critical dunes would be detrimental to the natural resources of Saugatuck Dunes State Park and contrary to PRB's resource protection mission. The size, location, and amount of space and depth needed to construct a water intake system in a fragile area will have significant and permanent negative resource impacts to this dune system. New Linear Easement Across the State Park to Lake Michigan: Construction of large diameter underground water intake lines, underground utilities, and a permanent access road, all of considerable length and width, would cause major damage to the forested dune system. Again this would be contrary to PR-B's resource protection mission. The proposed easement would pass through designated critical dunes. The proposed construction will result in significant tree removal and permanent forest canopy fragmentation. The existing steep topography and fragile dunes soils will compound the construction damage. The rustic recreational experience offered by the park would be negatively impacted. Mr. Robert J. Scanlan, Chairperson Page 2 April 11, 2002 Return Felt Mansion to the Department of Natural Resources: The DNR is unwilling to accept the Felt Mansion as part of this exchange. Neither the DNR nor PRB have the ability to modify the public use covenant. Proposed "Land Swap": PRB does support the proposal to exchange the former Dunes Correctional Facility land (39.56 acres in Sec. 28 for the 35.5 acres of state land in Sec. 27). This proposal would unite the Felt Mansion with the current State Park buildings that were part of the mansion estate. Besides these specific items identified in the Township's application, the DNR has additional concerns regarding the township's assertion of ownership of the prison water line easement. The Office of Property Management has provided the following information regarding the prison water line easement that the DNR issued to the Department of Management and Budget in 1990. That easement was recorded in Liber 1568, Page 638 of the Allegan County Records, and reads as follows:
	"Said use of parcel shall be restricted to the construction, operation, maintenance, repair and rebuilding of utility and water well facilities to serve the site occupied by the Michigan Dunes Correctional Facility and former Felt Mansion and for no other purpose."
In 1996 the State Ad Board conveyed by Quit Claim deed the prison site land to Laketown Township with the following language.
	"...including assignment by the Grantor to the Grantee of that certain Easement to Construct and Maintain a Utility and Water Well Right of Way dated December 10, 1990, and recorded April 11, 1996, in Liber 1568, Page 638, Allegan County Records."
The subsequent conveyance provided no additional rights to the Laketown Township, only the rights which the DNR conveyed in 1990. In light of the regional magnitude of this project, PRB strongly urges Laketown Township to pursue other feasible alternatives. PRB continues to be interested in purchasing the former Dunes Correctional Facility property. Funds from that acquisition could go towards the Township's purchase of property more suitable to accommodate a regional water treatment facility, outside of the park boundary.
Mr. Robert J. Scanlan, Chairperson Page 3 April 11, 2002 Thank you for the opportunity to review this request. PRB's recommendation will be presented at the April 24th Land Exchange Review Committee Meeting. Please call, if you have any questions or comments.
		Sincerely, Rodney A. Stokes, Chief Parks and Recreation Bureau 517-335-4827
Attachments cc: Senator William Van Regenmorter
	Representative Patricia Birkholz George E. Burgoyne, Jr. George Rob Vicki Anthes Dave Olson Mitch Wells Dave Yankee
Return to Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park Resources & Reference page.