Posted: August 9, 2018

Dozens of you are receiving your first e-news from the Coastal Alliance–thank you for joining us and welcome! We have two major announcements to share with you.

WE’VE HIT OUR TARGET!

We have had 100 members contribute at least $100 to our legal fund allowing the Coastal Alliance to receive a $30,000 matching grant. Since our early April announcement of a $150,000 fundraising goal we have raised $60,000. We are on target to achieve our goal. If you have not yet become a Coastal Alliance member, please do so today and donate to our legal fund at The Saugatuck Dunes website.
The proposed Padnos marina violates local zoning, state law, and is contrary to the Public Interest. The Coastal Alliance, and our partner organizations, are working hard to stop the proposed Marina. Together we can protect Saugatuck’s Historic River Mouth Neighborhood and the Saugatuck Dunes Cultural Landscape.

A LEGAL BREAKTHROUGH AT MDEQ

The Coastal Alliance has been granted standing by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Administrative Law Judge Daniel Pulter. Judge Pulter will consider arguments in late October regarding the impact of the proposed Padnos marina on navigation.  

The Coastal Alliance is fortunate to work with an articulate, deeply-knowledgeable attorney, Scott Howard.  Here is Scott’s response to a reporter’s question about standing: 

”This is an important victory for the Coastal Alliance. The Developer has repeatedly attempted to block challenges to the project on procedural grounds in order to consistently avoid talking about the dramatic impacts the large scale-dredging plan will have on the Kalamazoo River watershed. The Judge rejected the developer’s tactics and the Coastal Alliance will now have its day in court. This is a win for the community and its natural resources.”
Read more at:  http://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/20180801/judge-citizens-have-standing-to-challenge-marina