A Lot Has Changed
The Michigan Supreme Court and Allegan County Circuit Court Believe New Evidence Should be Considered to Determine Whether the Coastal Alliance has Standing to Challenge the North Shore Permit to Excavate a Marina in the Critical Dune Area.
In April 2023, Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Roberts Kengis instructed the Saugatuck Township Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to consider “additional material evidence that with good reason was not presented previously for purposes of analyzing standing…” His instructions are consistent with the Michigan Supreme Court’s ruling in July 2022.
The Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance has submitted significant new evidence from scientists, historians, tribal ethnologists, and regulatory agencies – evidence that for good reason did not exist in 2017 and 2018. This new evidence details the special damages the proposed marina would create for homeowners, charter fishing and sailing businesses, scientists, and tribal nations. Just a few examples:
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality -- “That area of the property would no longer function as a dune of any kind, and that area would not provide any habitat for the flora and fauna found in a critical dune.”
United States Army Corps of Engineers --“In summary, the undertaking would cause an adverse effect on the Kalamazoo River Mouth TCP due to its direct physical effects on the landscape…”
City of Saugatuck – “The City finds that the proposed marina basin is contrary to the well-established ‘public and private uses to which the area is suited.’”
Michigan State Historic Preservation Office – “the proposed undertaking will have an adverse effect on the Town of Singapore archaeological site."
Michigan State Parks Advisory Committee – “this project is …. clearly an incompatible use under the provisions of the Critical Dunes Act.”
Saugatuck Township will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, October 2 to discuss and vote on what additional material evidence exists and should be considered when determining whether Coastal Alliance Members meet the criteria for standing. See below for more information.
2018 site of proposed marina.
2023 site of proposed marina, after clear-cutting and grading.
A lot has indeed changed since 2017, including an abundance of new evidence to be considered to determine whether the Coastal Alliance has Standing!
(From the Notice of Public Hearing)
This is an in-person meeting and it will also be livestreamed via Zoom;
virtual attendance is encouraged for members of the public.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5285764397?pwd=ZXJ3cWEwbE1pWTJkT21WWG52ZXpDUT09
Meeting ID: 528 576 4397 Passcode: 2021
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And, as always, thank you to our many supporters for joining us as we protect and preserve the Saugatuck Dunes and Kalamazoo River Mouth!
