Gull Harbor

[Marie Laf]

This was shared on Facebook and I've been asked to share here also...

Dear Fellow Islanders,
Thank you to everyone who has called me with concerns about the possible closure of Gull Harbor Road by the State of Michigan. I am so happy that I can reach out and try and get you all some information!! I'm not a facebooker so I asked my sister to post this for me.

You have every right to demand transparency around this issue and you should not stop demanding it.

This is an 87 year old road that is an important part of the Island's culture and history. It may be a Great Lakes bottomland, but it is also part of who we are.

If the person who has been pushing EGLE to send this violation stands to benefit from reducing public access to this site, you deserve to know.

If you are the person who has pushed for this or you are pushing for this, you should stand up now and be honest about it. You came to the island because you found something special here. Let it stay that way.

I had a great conversation with the very nice people from the Charlevoix County Road Commission who were nothing but helpful and TRANSPARENT. They were brought into a Teams call last week with some people from St. James Township and EGLE and told they would be getting the "violation notice." This IS a county road (it seems there was some question about that). They asked about it being grandfathered and were shut down. They also said no one would reveal who made the complaint and is pushing EGLE to do this. Again, if that person stands to benefit personally from reducing public access that should be made clear and public.

I've reached out to a Deputy Director at EGLE who responsed today that they are looking into it and will be getting back to me. He was WELL AWARE of this being a Great Lakes bottomlands, but maybe was not aware of the cultural significance and significance to the island's history. Or of the fact that this entire process seems to have happened it the dark.

Your state rep, Parker Fairbarin, also deserves your thanks as his team has jumped on this and are working hard to find out what is going on as well. He and his dad love the island! Parkerfairbairn@house.mi.gov. Email him today and say thanks! Maybe he can help us get the permit!
I'm expecting an answer soon from EGLE on the entirety of the process that has taken place here (how long has this been in the works, why has there been no public comment period, why has no one discussed getting a bottomlands permit, why have no other options been brought to the table for the islanders)?

Here are some of the points I am hitting. Please let me know if I'm missing anything:

It is an 87 year old road. It may be GL bottomlands, but it is of cultural significance and importance to the island history and its way of life. Let's get a permit!!

This was a huge bomb dropped on the island!! If EGLE has been communicating with the Township, why did no one know about it? I scanned the minutes on the board site, and I can't find anything that mentions this - maybe it's there and I just need to check the footnotes?!?
Please explain to us the process EGLE goes through to determine the closing of a county road. What are the steps and timing (how long has it been in the works)?

It looks like we can apply for a bottomlands permit. How do we do that and why hasn't EGLE explained that process publicly? What other recourse exists? Why have we not had a public meeting that explains all of this to people, walks through options and lets the community discuss this? We want and deserve that meeting.

AND AGAIN - IF THE PERSON WHO FILED THIS COMPLAINT STANDS TO BENEFIT BY LIMITING PUBLIC ACCESS TO GULL HARBOR THAT SHOULD BE DISCLOSED AND PART OF THIS CONVERSATION AND TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

You know what one of my favorite things to do in the summer is... When it's dark and our beautiful Dark Sky Park is lit up and you can see the entirely of the Milky Way, I drive my kids down to Gull Harbor in my dad's truck. They are little so they can't walk 2 miles to get there in the dark. Then we get out, look out and feel the awe and wonder of being able to see the heavens. Why should that stop??

By the way, when I was talking to the County Road Commission, I asked about Iron Ore Bay. You will all be shocked (LOL) to find out that people have called about closing that road. Remind anyone of when Diane Heatherington had to push to keep it open? What about last year's Boyle's Beach episode where the next-door landowners decided they got to decide who could park on the county road??

For all of you who are coming from off the island, it welcomed you with open arms, stop closing your door to what makes it special.

I'll keep sending updates. You should feel free to text me 517-775-9500 or email me emcdonough13@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Erin

[Marie Laf]

There are many comments out there, but I want to share this one from yesterday...


Tara Palmer-Pop

All-star contributor
I just had a conversation with the District Director for Senator John Damoose, Josh Chamberlin. Josh is also one of our County Commissioners. He is requesting anyone with concerns to email him at jchamberlain@senate.michigan.gov as well as Parker Fairbairns office at ParkerFairbairn@house.mi.gov. The more communication they receive from constituents on the matter, the better. They are both working hard on this today, so please at the very least, share a message of thanks with them. Both love the island and have a vested interest.

[pbona]

Sadly, this has become an all too common occurrence. No trespassing/private property signs and gates have restricted access to state land, conservancy preserves, inland trails and riparian beaches. No camping on French Bay, no entry to Green's Bay and more are not welcoming. I respect people's right to safety, but miss the friendly " share the beauty of our island" attitude of less anxious days. Perhaps the county/townships could use " adverse possession" or immenent domain arguments to allow the public to access the natural resources that should be open to us all.