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Island Protection and Preservation Project June 15, 2013: We are happy to report the island improvement project is essentially complete! There are a few items which still need to be addressed. Watercraft tie up: We have discussed a number of options for watercraft tie up. The current elevated water level and some boat traffic were helpful in evaluating these options. We currently believe we should try 4x4 posts standing approximately 3 to 3 ˝ feet above the dock, spaced about every 8 feet. The dock height is a bit low, so wave action causes watercraft rub rails to miss the dock fascia and the pontoons of pontoons to impact the fascia board, leading to damage to the fascia and the watercraft. The posts will provide a means to hold back the watercraft with their vertical contact area, regardless of water level and wave action, as well as a place for a rope. We feel this is our best option to try, but time and experience may lead us to try something else. We have some concerns with the durability of the fascia board, but will monitor that once the posts are installed. Lighting: We discussed the suggestion for some lighting. While we have some concerns about the lights going missing, we feel a few dollars for some solar lights to be placed along the dock edge where it meets the grass is worth a try. We will install several and see if they last. Grass: Straw mats with grass seed have been placed on the areas with new topsoil. A few more may be purchased. With the recent rains it will serve to retain moisture and minimize erosion while the new grass establishes itself. Please use caution and try to avoid the areas with straw so as to not damage the new grass areas. Island safety: We already found broken glass bottles in several areas and other litter. Please remind anyone you see that glass is prohibited on the island, per our bylaws, for everyone’s safety. And please take care of YOUR island by removing any trash you generate while there. Dogs should be monitored and cleaned up after. Fire pit: As discussed and approved during our Spring General Membership Meeting, a fire ring has been installed in a similar location as the prior fire pit. A few reminders – It is illegal to burn trash, per the state of Michigan and Tyrone Township. Campfires are fine, but should be fueled using wood you bring to the island. Fires must remain a reasonable size, and someone must be on the island when a fire is burning. RLI will maintain a burn permit as required by the state of Michigan and Tyrone Township for campfires on the island. Violations are subject to fine by Tyrone Township ($1400) for which RLI will assess the fine to those responsible. Please keep the fires small, safe, supervised, and fueled with wood and we will have no issues. This has been a long, and often challenging project. The RLI Board feels American Marine did a really nice job, and we hope everyone is reasonably happy with the final product. More of the island can now be safely used, which will also help with the island events. Erosion concerns have been addressed. Thanks to Tim Polakowski for leading the project, and to everyone else who invested time into making it happen.
Project Information Archive During the summer of 2011, the RLI Membership voted to authorize the RLI Board to proceed with actions necessary to protect and preserve the island. The Membership preferred method is to construct a structural seawall around the perimeter of the island. This method is dependent upon receiving a permit authorizing this activity from the MDEQ. The steps necessary to complete this project as currently envisioned and approved by the Membership, and their status are: Step 1: Select
contractor.
The RLI Board has chosen JZ Contracting of Fenton to execute the project.
Step 2: Request onsite pre-application meeting with MDEQ. This step allows us to get input from the MDEQ regarding the necessary information to include with the permit application, along with guidance on what is likely to be permitted. This step is intended to simplify the permit process by providing the person or persons reviewing the permit application with MDEQ insight and recommendations. The pre-application meeting findings do not conclude whether a permit will be granted or what will specifically be permitted. Approximate time anticipated: up to 60 days. Status: Meeting held on 11/28/11, step 2 completed. Step 3: Prepare and submit MDEQ permit application along with onsite pre-application meeting findings and recommended information. Once the onsite meeting takes place, any required surveys or other information recommended to be submitted with the permit application is completed and filed along with the permit application. Approximate time anticipated: 30 days . Status: Permit mailed to MDEQ approx. 12/29/11, step 3 completed. Step 4: Obtain permit from MDEQ. The MDEQ evaluates the permit application and issues either: (1) A permit for the requested project, (2) A permit for the project with specifics modified by the MDEQ, or (3) A permit denial. Approximate time anticipated for MDEQ response: up to 60 days. Status: Waiting on response from MDEQ. Preliminary responses requesting additional information received during late January through early March. MDEQ has classified the project as 'major" and issued a public notice in mid March. The DEQ then waits 20 days for responses before issuing a formal application response to RLI. The MDEQ and MDNR performed a joint visit and follow-up assessment of the island on 4/12/12. Additional meeting with MDEQ on 5/4/12. 5/7/12 - Permit Denied. Copy of denial letter can be obtained here. Step 5A (optional):
Appeal. Upon
permit denial, or upon receipt of an MDEQ permit, if the permit does not allow the island project as requested
and desired an appeal to the MDEQ can be made. The RLI Board will need to
review the permit denial or permit granted and decide whether an appeal is warranted. Approximate time anticipated
if an appeal is made: Up to 180 days depending on when a hearing can be
scheduled.
Step 5B: Upon receipt of MDEQ permit, re-bid the project. The bids will therefore reflect what the MDEQ authorizes in our permit, thus any contract will reflect the actual work to be done and the cost associated with that work. Approximate time anticipated: 7 days to allow for contract preparation, and review and approval by all RLI trustees. Status: Bid requests were issued during the first week of December to five (5) companies. Four (4) responded. On 12/12/12 your RLI Board voted to award the project to American Marine. American Marine is the same company that also installed our boat ramp. American Marine's bid totals $53,080.00 and included a galvanized steel seawall around the island, a 60 x 6 foot dock with a composite surface to replace the existing dock, and steel steps with a handrail to replace the existing concrete steps on the west side of the island. Step 5 has been completed. Step 6: Execute project. Install seawall, backfill and seed, remove and replace dock, replace the concrete steps with steel steps including a handrail, and add rip-rap (boulders around the water side of the seawall). The project specifics are as set forth in the MDEQ permit. Approximate time for completion: 3 - 4 weeks. Status: Project completed on 6/6/13. Please avoid the areas nearest the seawall so new grass can establish itself. Expense Summary for Island Improvement Project
Runyan Lake Inc. PO Box 105 Fenton, MI 48430-0105, USA Copyright © 2007-2013 Runyan Lake Inc. All rights reserved. Updated 2023-01-13. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission from Runyan Lake Inc. is prohibited. Please view our: | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Map | |
Runyan Lake Inc. PO Box 105 Fenton, MI 48430-0105, USA
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission from Runyan Lake Inc. is prohibited. Please view our: | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Site Map | |