The Department of Natural Resources said today that two boating access sites in south-central Michigan will undergo paving improvements and site redevelopment. Improvements at the Gilletts Lake Boating Access Site located in Leoni Township in Jackson County will begin the week of Aug. 17, while improvements at the Sand Lake Boating Access Site located in Franklin Township in Lenawee County will commence the week of Aug. 3.

Upgrades will include asphalt paving, improved vehicular circulation, expanded parking areas, barrier-free accessibility, and the handling of surface water runoff in an environmentally friendly manner. The improvements will benefit the site users by providing a more efficient use of parking space, as well as enhanced accessibility for persons with mobility impairments. Asphalt paving of boating sites saves public dollars in the long run, as most gravel-surfaced sites require continued maintenance, including grading, erosion repair, and regular replenishment of aggregate surfaces.

Construction activities are expected to last three to four weeks on each site and will require closure of the sites Mondays through Fridays. The boat ramps will be open on Saturdays and Sundays for individuals wishing to launch and/or pick up their watercraft. The parking areas will remain closed throughout the construction period.

The projects are being funded through the Michigan State Waterways Fund, a restricted fund, derived from boat registration fees, and from the Michigan marine fuel tax which is intended for construction, operation, and maintenance of recreational boating facilities, harbors and inland waterways.

Mead Brothers Excavating, Inc. of Springport is the general contractor for both projects. For additional information or updates on the status of the sites, contact Joe Strach, DNR district planner, at 517-641-4903 ext. 227.

For a list of boating access sites that require a Boating Access Site permit, visit the "Boating" section on the DNR's Web site, or visit www.mcgi.state.mi.us/MRBIS for information on all boating access sites throughout the state.