Harsens Island St. Clair Flats Association
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While apreciating the repair to the Ferry Road by Mr. Bryson, the Association continued an exchange of correspondence with MDOT to clarify ownwership of that segment previously claimed by Mr. Bryson to belong to the State. On Friday, 11/6/ 09 we received a letter from the MDOT office in Pt Huron establishing that Mr. Bryson has owned that road since 1990. Henceforth, all inquiries regarding the Ferry Road should be directed to Mr. Bryson. Continue if interested in past events(2008 - 2009)At
a
past Harsens Island St. Clair Flats Association board meeting David
Bryson
brought a 1932 document indicating that the connection between M-154
and the
ferry docks was indeed a MDOT roadway.
Until around the end of July our contact with MDOT
had confirmed
that this indeed was true.
We have been
in contact with MDOT since before the first of the year to try and get
someone
to take responsibility to fix the connectors.
The pot holes are a constant problem! At
then end of July, Mr. Scott Singer (development Engineer for the State)
invited
a representative from HISCFA, Mr. David Bryson, and 4 MDOT
representatives of
various departments from finance and development and the Port Huron
MDOT
manager. At
the meeting, to everyone’s
surprise, Mr. Bryson indicated that he wanted to now take ownership of
both
connectors from MDOT, if indeed, the State owned the road segments. David
indicated
that in the case of a driver running into the channel from his dock
area, he
was rendered a “no cause judgment because Ferry Docks are
public
Property (a At
the
conclusion of the meeting, MDOT indicated that they will attempt to
establish
ownership from the available data.
Mr.
Young from the State prefers that MDOT owns both connectors. He stated that the office
was engaged in
addressing projects from the stimulus funding, and it may take some
time to
address the connectors and their needed repairs.
Since the meeting I have received the following e-mail from the State (MDOT) “We
have
completed most of the stimulus funding and can work on a design at this
time.
And also the Country Road Commission completed a survey for us of the
connectors. There
is also a possibility
that maintenance funds can be used to fix this location. The Maintenance
Engineer thinks that there
are enough funds left in his budget to do this work.
If it is determined that MDOT
owns
this road, we will move forward quickly to fix the road.” Possible Hunt Club DevelopmentA new beginning for the Harsens Island Hunt Club?? The Clay Township trustees
at their regularly scheduled meeting on Feruary
2, 2009 passed a resolution which could lead
to the transfer of the
Hunt Club to the township via the
"Trust for Public Land", a national program to conserve land for
people. Much needs to be done but the preservation of that parcel of
land would greatly contribute to the maintenance of an ecological jewel
in perpetuity. State and county agencies will also be involved and it
is anticipated that conservation clubs will become active in this
endeavor.
The following synopsis and the link to a more complete discussion will give you an appreciation for the site's potential. The Hunt Club property contains approximately 500 acres of wetlands, forests, prairies, ponds and canals. The property is home to a variety of fish, ducks, migratory birds, mammals and other animals, as well as many valued plant species. This site contains remnants of globally imperiled lakeplain prairie, a variation of tallgrass prairie that occurs only in the Great Lakes region. Originally covering an estimated 160,000 acres in Michigan they now cover less than 1000 acres. The Hunt Club property has the potential to restore hundreds of additional acres of this globally imperiled natural community. In 2004 The Great Lakes Commission's Lake St. Clair Coastal Habitat Assessment identified parts of this site as a Potential Conservation Area in its highest priority category. This property is a natural treasure which needs to be preserved. It is much more valuable as a natural preserve than it would be if developed for housing. There are potential and irrevocable impacts on endangered and threatened species and the Great Lakes Ecosystems if this property is not preserved. (Posted
2/3/09)
News on Boys Club DevelopmentThe DEQ has issued a letter denying the proposed development in correspondence to the developers. The text can be examined by following the LINK . As always, you may check the DEQ website for information regarding projects impacting the surrounding water bodies at: http://www.deq.state.mi.us/ciwpis It is of great concern that some individuals insist on vandalizing all manner of property on the island including our joint association assets. Since late last year we have had the grounds of Browne's Field torn up, trees litteraly uprooted and the signe defaced. We urge all residents and visitors to be on the lookout for these vandals and ask your help in identifying them. If you have any questions you can contact us (see officers page). It's easy to Become a Member!Fill out a membership form and send it to our Treasurer, Lois Whipple. This year our membership dues are still $35. Please return an application or your name and Summer and Winter Addresses and mail it with your dues on or before April 1st. If you wish to donate any additional monies please indicate how you would like this money funded. For example: Browne’s Field, scholarships, water station, etc… Any additional money is always appreciated and put to good causes.
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Last
edited on January 11,
2010
Please consult current Newsletter