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Harsens Island St. Clair Flats Association

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M-154 Connector - Approach to Ferry!


Latest on Ferry Road!

     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.   

 Even though the State is working from the 1932 documentation of ownership, Mr. Bryson brought a printout from www.MichiganHighways.org  reporting on “Unsigned State Trunk Lines and Connectors which references old M-154.  He seems to think that there is some confusion over M-154 along North Channel.  The confusion seems to be over .47 mile segment most likely referring that part of M-154 connecting to the old 2nd ferry docking area west of the current approach. 

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 Mackinac Island case was referenced).   Up until this meeting David has insisted that the State owned the connectors and in which case he could not repair these sections.   The State had felt that David should repair these connectors  but MDOT does not usually have private property segments between two Michigan highways (M-29 and M 154).  This issue lead to an additional exchange regarding the traffic light and the intersection’s high accident rates.

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.”

Back to Ferry

Possible Hunt Club Development


A 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)                
Back to Hunt Club

News on Boys Club Development

       The 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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To M-154 Update

Last edited on January 11, 2010 
Please consult current Newsletter