Paul Sak, a board member of the Friends of Clam Lake, brought several props to the front during his four minute comment time at the DEQ hearing last week in Helena Township. Photo by Larry See Jr.

Under the alternative plan, the number of proposed floating slips was reduced from 58 to 40 on the west pier, causing a reduction in that dockage area to 117 feet and the relocation of a proposed walkway from the eastern end of the north pier to reduce what neighbors termed as potential congestion, safety, and navigation issues.

ÒWe are a large marina service facility and more boaters are expecting the kind of service that we offer on a daily basis,Ó Corteggiano said.

ÒUnder the revised plans, this would create a safe haven for all boaters.Ó Corteggiano said the slips were reduced, not because they were not needed, but because they wanted to be a good neighbor. He also said the marina has eliminated Òslip parkingÓ from the proposal, necessitating the fact boaters would have to back their craft out into the well-traveled waterway.

ÒThe water passage was also revised from 168 feet to 202 feet, which will easily allow four lanes of traffic through with 50-foot lanes,Ó he said. There would also be a large area where boaters could unload their craft and become re-familiar with it prior to launching.

County soil erosion officer Heidi Lang, who has worked with DeWittÕs for two years on this proposal, said she liked the idea the firm was doing a floating dock, adding it will minimize the impact on the waterway. She also said the docks will provide some fish habitat and appreciated the fact the marine was working with the residents on the revised proposal.

Three Lakes Association treasurer Norton Bretz said his association has taken a neutral position on the matter, opting instead to gather the necessary information from all involved and present it in the local media. ÒWe re happy to have them as members of our organization, but our role is primarily to foster communications between the two groups and we will actively do that,Ó Bretz said.

As a result of resident outcries, a new lake association, the Friends of Clam Lake, was formed to review the proposed concept. According to a public statement from the Friends, released the morning of the public hearing, over 87 percent of the members responding to a survey concerning the latest revisionÊto the proposed dock expansion indicate their opposition to the plan.

Megan Raphael, a friends board member said, Òthe majorityÊofÊour membership, now approaching 300, is opposed to DeWitt MarineÕs proposed floating docking system and ourÊboard has taken the position that it is not in the best interest of Clam Lake to have docks that extend into the water impacting public right of way, safety, capacity and environment.Ó

ÒThe vast majority of letters and e-mails opposed DeWittÕs original plan.Ê Now we have 87 percent of the survey respondents turning thumbs down onÊtheir latest design proposal.Ê We are committed to our membership and mission of ensuring the continued quality of Clam Lake and the safe public and private use of this wonderful treasure in the Chain-of-Lakes,Ó Raphael said.

At least one resident, Bob Metrick, wished the project well and said the area needed it.

ÒThese are business people and they have the right to develop the property and add value to the community,Ó he said. ÒI would like to see them go ahead and execute their business plan.Ó

Gail Fran expressed concern about the safety aspects of the proposal, adding that the docks proposed would only be a small help to the entire Clam Lake waterway, adding there are number of boaters seeking spaces.

ÒI have a summer home on the east side and I am seeking the congestion and the boats more and more,Ó said Dan Campbell. ÒAll of the people are coming up here to enjoy the beauty of the land and water and every year there is more and more people and congestion.Ó He said businesses come up north to make money and they donÕt care how the funds are realized.

ÒIn the summer this place turns into a real bottleneck,Ó he said. ÒIt could result in jam-ups, collisions and flared tempers.Ó

Marina employee Chris DeWalt said the firm has been a good neighbor to the community and were willing to work with the residents.

ÒI have seen DeWitt Marine make some compromises,Ó he said, Òbut I have yet to see the Friends of Clam Lake make any.Ó

Another marina employee said the main issue is public trust and he did not see, under the revised proposal, where the publicÕs trust was going to be invaded.

ÒThere is a lot going on here,Ó Scott Sentieri said. ÒThis is not going to be a seasonal dock. I donÕt think the city of Traverse City is going to pull their docks in and out on a seasonal basis.I donÕt think we can do so either. These are 70-foot sections and theyÕre to going to come apart.Ó

Environmental quality analyst David Jentoft, who conducted the hearing, said all comments would be considered and additional comments are being taken until the Feb. 10 cut-off date.

Following that, the DEQ has three options for the permit, which include issuing it as is, issuing it with modifications, or denying the permit entirely. A timetable was not given for a final decision.