GLEN LAKE -- The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality held a public hearing tonight regarding the expansion of On The Narrows Marina.
The marina filed a permit with the DEQ on January 11th to build an additional 39 boat slips and 4 moorings.
The marina owners say they've had to turn away local residents seeking lake access because they can't accomodate them. They presented tonight, saying there isn't any science or evidence to show more boats will hurt the lake, that there won't be more boats on the lake-it's the same people coming up but now they'll have a slip, the boating season is short (Memorial Day to Labor Day), more restrooms would make for easier access and would not strain the septic system (they will be portable restrooms), the expansion won't be in main boat traffic areas, and it will allow for hansicap access.
Many community members spoke up at the meeting, saying the shallow water is home to shallow water fish and will disturb their habitat, citing reports showing that the added portable restrooms will not be enough to support the amount of people associated with all of the added slips, there won't be enough parking, boat traffic will increase, and also-past expansions have been denied, so why approve this one, which will also be much bigger.
The majority of the public is against the expansion, mainly for reasoning that it will change the habitat of the lake and make the lake too conjested.
If you missed the meeting, you can mail your written comments in to the DEQ within the next ten days, and they will be considered in the review.
