October 13, 2003
October 13, 2003
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Governor Granholm and officials from CMS Energy, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, and the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC) gathered in Lansing today to launch the Coastal Campaign, an effort to raise the funds necessary to purchase and permanently protect 6,320 acres of land and three miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan south of Frankfort.
"This project represents some of the best qualities of Michigan - more than three miles of pristine shoreline, majestic sand dunes, and acres of irreplaceable farmland and forests," Granholm said. "I commend this partnership between the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, the private sector, the foundation community, and state government to protect a rare undeveloped stretch of coastline and preserve a way of life unique to our state."
The GTRLC currently has a short-term option to purchase 6,000 acres of property from CMS Energy, the largest parcel in the project. The project encompasses critical sand dunes, nearly 3,500 acres of prime fruit-producing farmland, and nearly three miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline.
The GTRLC estimates it will need $30.6 million to permanently preserve the property and keep it open for recreational use by the public. The conservancy plans to put agricultural conservation easements on the farmland, keeping it available to area farmers currently using it for fruit growing and pasture land. According to GTRLC, this is the largest farmland preservation project in the Midwest.
GTRLC has secured approximately $15 million in pledges and commitments from individuals and foundations. The Mott Foundation, based in Flint, has pledged $7.75 million and has approved an interest-free loan of $6.15 million to help GTRLC extend the option to purchase the property until December.
If GTRLC is unable to raise the funds necessary to purchase the property, there are two real estate developers who have proposed purchasing the property to develop housing and resort communities on it, according to officials from the GTRLC.
The property contains critical sand dunes, acres of prime fruit-producing farmland, forests that serve as home to several migratory birds and as habitat to several wildlife species, and high densities of Pitcher's thistle, a state and federally threatened plant that is globally unique to Michigan.
More information on the project can be found on the GTRLC's web site at www.gtrlc.org.
