Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park meeting, April 29, 2002   We hope you were able to attend our spring informational meeting, the evening of Monday, April 29. We had over 100 attendees and the Swans and their guest speakers presented new information regarding details and status of the land swap proposals. We also heard news of some encouraging recent developments.   Alison Swan began the presentation relating her concerns about trail wear as evidenced by the increasing scarcity of the Wild Columbine. She observed she had last seen this fragile flower along the main trail more than six years ago. "Columbine is missing from the main trail and lower main trail." The lower main trail was at most 3 feet wide in 1991. Now it's at least 10. The proposed access road easement on this trail is 40' wide!   Alison feels this is a warning of the sensitivity of the park's ecosystem as a whole. It presages the tremendous impact certain to result from any construction project, especially on the scale of those currently threatening the park. David and Alison Swan, Co-chairs of Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park   Alison also commented on the need for volunteers for our community outreach committee. She outlined some ideas for getting the Concerned Citizens message out by participating in local events such as the Taste of Saugatuck. If you think you might have an interest in this type of work we could certainly use your assistance. Please contact us.   David Swan outlined four major areas of impact the proposed water treatment plant construction would have if allowed to occur. "Make no mistake, the devastation will be wide-reaching down by the beach," he said. A massive dredging operation on the lake bottom out to about one mile with all the related disturbed silt and sediment. The pump house would be approximately 50' by 50' on its 200' x 200' easement. An excavation 60' deep on the beach would be required to allow the flow of water from the lake to the pumps. Laketown Township authorities have described the proposed construction area as a "war zone". The access road would follow the main trail to the beach. The requested easement is 40' wide to allow heavy equipment to travel to the beach. The current trail is perhaps 10' wide. After construction the road would be paved or graded and gravelled. Whichever occurs, the road will be maintained as a road (plowed, etc.). The treatment plant would occupy 35 acres where the park entrance road splits from the road accessing Shore Acres Township Park. The entrance road would be moved to accommodate the plant.   "If allowed, it will forever alter the park," David summed the effects of construction. "The value of the water plant will always and forever outweigh the value of the park, its flora, fauna, and general well-being."   Also discussed was The Department of Natural Resources Land Exchange Review Committee's tabling of Laketown Township's land swap proposal for 30 days at Laketown's request. This is to allow Laketown officials time to respond to Rodney Stokes letter of April 11, 2002, in which the chief of the DNR's Parks and Recreation Bureau informed the township officials of his intent to recommend the proposal be denied, citing "significant and permanent negative resource impacts to this dune system."   We heard from a number of other people, among them Tom Leonard, Executive Director of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC). He brought us the very good news that WMEAC, the Michigan Environmental Council, the Michigan Land Use Institute, and the Clean Water Fund, a national group, have decided to work cooperatively to see that no water treatment plants are "located anywhere near the Saugatuck Dunes State Park."   Tom stated this alliance will not only oppose the location of any water treatment infrastructure in or adjacent to the park, but that they will actively promote the expansion of the park. "I am conveying tonight the encouragement and best wishes of these groups and those who are working on these issues," he said. "Jurisdictional jealousies, turf issues, and personalities must not be allowed to take precedence over the future of this or any other state park."   Read the full text of Tom's presentation at Resources & Reference>SaugatuckDunes.org Archives. Return to Concerned Citizens for Saugatuck Dunes State Park Resources & Reference page.