VILLAGE OF ONEKAMA
APPLICATION NARRATIVE FOR THE MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND GRANT
Contact: Suzanne Schwing 231-889-4795
1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Portage Lake Wetlands Project is a proposal for the fee simple acquisition of 1.5 acres of land within the Village of Onekama, with 380 feet of wetland frontage on the east end of Portage Lake, which is connected by a channel to Lake Michigan. The plan is to develop this easily accessible site into a "quiet park" with a launch site for canoes and kayaks, a picnic area. educational programs, and universally accessible docks for fishing, viewing wildlife, photography. and limited hunting.
II. NATURAL RESOURCE ACCESS AND PROTECTION
The natural features on the site include a level, grassy field with riparian wetland, dominated by emergent marsh vegetation. The property links a road-end access on the east and property owned by the Village of Onekama on the west, creating a block of 840 feet of publicly accessible frontage on Portage Lake. Maintenance of the property will be relatively easy, consisting of routine tasks such as mowing the grass, trash pick-up and maintenance of the dock, a few picnic tables and grills.
It is the intent of the Village to leave the wetlands as undisturbed as possible for protection of the wildlife corridor along the edge of the lake and to enjoy the area as open space. Development and modification of the Portage Lake shore is widespread and this represents one of the few remaining opportunities to provide public access to the Lake, and to preserve the view of the Lake from within the Village. Although we recognize that for many reasons it is advantageous for growth and development to occur, it needs to be balanced with the protection of the resources that define our community. Despite its location in the Village, deer, fox, coyote, beaver, raccoon and even bear have been documented within the wetlands on this property. Preservation and proper managment of this land is critical to the plant and animal populations this wetland supports.
Not only does this wetland act as filter for run-off from the streams and other impervious surfaces within the Village, the organic material that it provides creates food for aquatic insects, shellfish, and smaller fish that in turn create food for larger fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals. These wetlands, which are part of a larger wetland complex that rings the east end of Portage Lake, are an important nesting area for waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as a stop-over site for migrating waterfowl and other birds. This end of the lake is also a popular foraging site for bald eagles, and the property is an excellent site for observing the eagles hunting. Portage Lake is home to the brown walker snail, a state-species of special concern, as well as some lake sturgeon, which are state-threatened. There are several documented nesting sites for red-shouldered hawks in the vicinity of the property.
Unique to us, and Michigan, is the planned implementation of duck hunting for youth and persons disabilities, once a universally accessible dock has been added to the site.
III. PROJECT- JUSTIFICATION AND SUPPORT
This project and its proposed opportunities are unlike any other park or facility in Manistee County! The Village has three other parks:
- The Onekama Village Park has a boat launch, picnic tables. grills, a shelter, swimming beach, bath house, and play equipment. The DNR, recognizing the importance of recreational access to Portage Lake, has committed funding for a jetty at this park to ensure the continued viability of the boat launch.
- A small road-end park on Portage Lake with a single picnic table
- A small roadside park on M-22 with a few picnic tables, grills, a small stream, and some landscaping.
This project represents the Village of Onekama's first application for funding from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. The project meets one of the stated goals of our recreation plan, which is to preserve land on Portage Lake for public use and recreation. Public access and recreational use of Portage Lake is also a goal within the Village of Onekama and Onekama Township Master Plan, and is consistent with the Manistee County Recreation Plan, which is currently under development. The property also meets multiple goals of the Portage Lake Watershed Forever Plan (PLWF), a community-driven document that "will ensure the wise use and enjoyment of the Portage Lake watershed for present and future generations." Specifically, the Onekama Wetlands Project is consistent with Goals 2,3, and 4 ; and Objectives 2.B, 2.C. 3.C, and 4.A. A copy of the Goals and Objectives and the Executive Summary of the PLWF is attached.
Many contacts have been made with the public to gather input about the Portage Lake Wetlands Project. Induded are: public notices, newspaper articles, newsletters, group presentations, public meetings and direct mail. Presentations to local and county organizations were made for assistance with the project, letters of support and financial contributions. Presentations are already planned for the Manistee Intermediate School District, the Association ot Retarded Citizens (ARC) and the Manistee Senior Center. There is a copy of the blueprint of the proposed site plan for the park posted for comment at the Fair Center, which houses the Village offices and the Public Library.
After presenting, the project to literally hundreds of citizens, only two have opposed the project, neither of which gave a reason for their opposition.
Although the current parks and recreation budget for the Village is sufficicient for maintaining the proposed park in its current condition, private fundraising and grant monev will be necessary to fully develop the park. Onekama Village has a low per capita income. However, volunteer labor will be utilized when possible, and thus far, the Portage Lake Garden Club has pledged to assist with landscaping and the artesian well located on the property. A local landowner has pledged the profit from the sale of a parcel of land to the Village of Onekama. The interest earned from this endowment will help fund the maintenance of the Portage Lake Wetlands Project.
According to data compiled by the Onekama Township Clerk, the population of the Village increases more than 50% in size during the summer, from the year-round population of 647. The Village is an extremely popular destination for tourists from the spring through the fall. Winter brings another group of visitors. A recent formal survey by a Village Council Member, at the Onekama Village Park on a day in mid-September, indicated that of the 70 plus users of the park he spoke with, only two were residents of the Village.
IV SITE SELECTION AND DESIGN
The project site has long been considered as a potential park within the Village. The site represents one of the largest undeveloped stretches of lakefront in ihe Village and is adjacent to the Far'r Center, which provides restrooms, meeting facilities. local government offices and a public library. Given the tremendous and widespread public support for preserving the scenic views of Portage Lake, preserving critical wetland and littoral habitats, the easy public access the site affords, and the willingness of the woners to sell to the Village, make this an ideal park location. The ease with which this site could he made universally accessible also makes it attractive. Only environmental friendly designs and products will be used for this project. The Manistee Alliance for Economic Success and the Easter Seals organization have collaborated on a project called Envision Accessible Manistee which aims to make Manistee County "the premier destination in the world for those requiring universal access to recreation", this is particularly relevant for the Village of Onekama, which according to 2000 Census data,has a much higher percentage of the population over the age of 5 with a disability (21.S%) than the state or national average (19.4% and 18.7%, respectively) As such, we will continue to solicit and consider the comments and recommendations from persons with disabilities and disability advocacy groups.
The Onekarna Consolidated Schools will be assisting with educational programs on the property, and the Public Library has agreed to provide resource materials for these programs, as needed. At some point, there is the possibility of expanding, a portion of the Farr Center into a nature center. Individuals within the community have offered their assistance with classes and other educational uses of the site. There is also the possibility of using the site for community-related events such as open-air markets and artist gatherings, well as a location to support youth projects like nesting box construction, placement, and maintenance.
Publicity for the site is well under way. Literally hundreds of people have been contacted county-wide about the proposed purchase of the property. A website is under development to promote the project. Newsletters, fairs, press releases, public notices, special events and additional presentations will be used to inform the public about the project. The Portage Lake Wetlands Project's location within the Village and on State Highway M-22, which is part of the Great Lakes Circle Tour, insures that it will be highly visible and readily accessible as an attractive rest stop.
V. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The site is currently vacant except for a garage, which the Village intends to convert to an open pavilion by removing the walls and adding support as necessary. The park will be open to the public free of charge.
Tlie Village of Onekama has not sold, closed or transferred any parkland property in its park system.The Village of Onekama does not have a "no residents" policy or charge any fees for the
use of their parks.
The only health advisory for Portage Lake are fish consumption advisories limiting the recommended amounts of certain fish species. This advisory is consistent with other Great Lakes connected waters, and has little or no effect on the use of this site and its proposed facilities.
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The development of this site coordinated by Portage Lake Association
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