Burning Man Up North
In conversations with residents, GOREC officials have used Burning Man as a reference point for comparison when trying to establish that no trace events are possible. That’s right, that Burning Man, the one where 70,000 people descend on the Black Rock Desert. Beyond being revelatory in terms of their ambitions, it speaks volumes about what we can expect – air pollution, garbage, high volume traffic, and trash left in our backyard.
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
Our inland waterways are currently being devastated by the irreversible impacts of aquatic invasive species (AIS). Once lakes are infected, they can become unusable to all – and the 6-7 figure costs of simply mitigating the damage end up the responsibility of lakefront property owners. Guarding against the introduction of AIS is a chief concern amongst those opposing the current application. Learn more.
Animal Habitat
The Forest Lakes Area is presently a place of refuge for our area's treasured wildlife. Ducks, deer, and bald eagles all call this place home year round. Many migratory birds stop here in the Spring and Fall on their journeys to their seasonal destinations. The bordering Brown Bridge Quiet area is known to have more than 150 species of birds and terrestrial mammals. A pair of loons return to Rennie Lake every year to mate and nest. They do so in the present protection of a very quiet, calm lake. Where will they go when this is just another busy, over-populated, boat saturated, noisy, smoke-filled environment?
Air Pollution
Traffic Pollution. One analysis done, based on Road Commission data, shows GOREC plans will add 2,168 potential vehicle trips per day to Hobbs Hwy, alone. The application also makes note of the use of "Busses or trolleys" to traffic guests in from other locations. What will this increase in traffic and corresponding vehicle emissions do to our air quality? One is only left to wonder due to presently waived environmental impact and traffic studies.
Smoke. 64 campsites. 64 fires, every night, all summer long. Campfires at this scale result in air pollution, wildfires, and are overall a great risk to the environment, people, and wildlife.
Smoke. 64 campsites. 64 fires, every night, all summer long. Campfires at this scale result in air pollution, wildfires, and are overall a great risk to the environment, people, and wildlife.
13,000 Trees
Did we mention 64 campfires? Where will this wood come from? How much would be required? The application states that "Guests are required to use firewood provided by GO-REC only". Will the wood come from the site? Standing dead trees and downed logs are valuable habitat, but assuming that's the source, we offer the following calculations:
- 64 campsites using 2.5 bundles of firewood a day (3 hr. fire duration), each bundle being about one square foot each.
- With 70 percent occupancy over a 120 season would be equal to 3.5 face cords (4’x8’ stack – 12” long) of wood a day, or 420 face cords over a 120 day season, which equal to 105 cords of wood (4’x4’x8’).
- A study by Cornell University shows that it takes approximately 12, 8” diameter trees to make a full cord of wood.
- So for the season described, and if the firewood is coming from the GOREC property, they will have to remove either dead fall or dead trees equaling some 1,200-1,300, 8” diameter trees, to provide the needed firewood for 1-120 day season. In a ten year period that’s 12,000 to 13,000, 8”diameter trees or the equivalent thereof.
Noise Pollution
Weddings, 420 person events, increased traffic, and amplified music. These are all sources of excessive noise pollution. The general ambient decibel level in rural areas is 30-40 decibels (dB). The average DJ plays music over 100 dB.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines noise above 65 dB as noise pollution, becoming harmful over 75 dB and painful above 120 dB. Also according to the WHO, noise pollution is one of the most dangerous environmental threats to human health increasing our risk of problems like tinnitus, stress, heart disease, as well as cognitive impairment in kids.
Noise pollution also harms our wildlife. According to the National Park Service (NPS), noise pollution can interfere with breeding cycles and rearing and has accelerated the extinction of some species. Many animals rely on acoustic signals for communication. Noise pollution drowns out their signals and hinders their ability to reproduce or escape danger, threatening survival and population stability.
To make matters worse, sound travels further and is effectively amplified over water due to temperature inversion, water surface reflection, and lack of dampening over the flat surface.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines noise above 65 dB as noise pollution, becoming harmful over 75 dB and painful above 120 dB. Also according to the WHO, noise pollution is one of the most dangerous environmental threats to human health increasing our risk of problems like tinnitus, stress, heart disease, as well as cognitive impairment in kids.
Noise pollution also harms our wildlife. According to the National Park Service (NPS), noise pollution can interfere with breeding cycles and rearing and has accelerated the extinction of some species. Many animals rely on acoustic signals for communication. Noise pollution drowns out their signals and hinders their ability to reproduce or escape danger, threatening survival and population stability.
To make matters worse, sound travels further and is effectively amplified over water due to temperature inversion, water surface reflection, and lack of dampening over the flat surface.
Light Pollution
We treasure our dark sky in this part of the County. All of the lighting that will be necessary to keep participants and guests safe will surely result in light pollution and an erosion in the clarity of our star filled night skies.
Shoreline and Soil
At a minimum, the Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department Site Plan Review concludes that: "Several areas of the roadways are sandy and make travel difficult. Repair these areas with compacted gravel to allow ambulance access. These areas include the Rennie Lake beach access and road to Outpost building", necessitating road construction efforts all the way to the beach.
Further, Despite the application stating that "A complete description of the soils is included with the soil map", there was NOT a complete description of the soils included with the Soil Map. And even if there was, they together would not answer the Zoning Standard of whether or not the condition: That the soils are suitable to sustain the proposed land use(s) has been satisfied. Based on provided maps, the soils in question, (mostly Rubicon sands) are NOT unto themselves suitable for camping, picnic use, playgrounds and/or trail development – in fact, the impact from these uses, on these soils, is considered “Severe”.
Lacking any sort of lead abatement plan, we're also left to wonder about the residual lead poisoning of soil and water. Shooting ranges are the second largest source of environmental lead pollution. According to a US Geological Survey, an individual range can go through 1.5-2 tons of lead shot and bullets annually.
Further, Despite the application stating that "A complete description of the soils is included with the soil map", there was NOT a complete description of the soils included with the Soil Map. And even if there was, they together would not answer the Zoning Standard of whether or not the condition: That the soils are suitable to sustain the proposed land use(s) has been satisfied. Based on provided maps, the soils in question, (mostly Rubicon sands) are NOT unto themselves suitable for camping, picnic use, playgrounds and/or trail development – in fact, the impact from these uses, on these soils, is considered “Severe”.
Lacking any sort of lead abatement plan, we're also left to wonder about the residual lead poisoning of soil and water. Shooting ranges are the second largest source of environmental lead pollution. According to a US Geological Survey, an individual range can go through 1.5-2 tons of lead shot and bullets annually.
What does township law say about environmental impact?
In its Statement of Intent, the PUD application makes clear the parameters in which these kinds of ordinance trumping powers may be requests. It states that projects
will not have any adverse economic, social, or environmental impact on surrounding land uses.
Zoning Ordinance further requires that the application provide an estimated impact of the proposed development on the environment which includes:
- A written assessment and analysis of the proposed development regarding the water, air and natural features.
- Any adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided if the proposal is implemented.
- Mitigation measures proposed to minimize the impact.
- Any irreversible environmental changes which would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented
Nothing to see here, folks – waivers for all
The application comments note that these estimates have been "provided", yet any good faith search of the application will fail to produce sufficient supporting details. This is in part, due to an abundance of generosity when it comes to waiving due diligence.
This is all more than curious when you consider the ordinance-stated intent for the Forest Lakes District:
- Environmental Impact Study. The Planning Commission attempted to waive the environmental impact study, citing instead a 20 year old conservation easement study that doesn't account for any of the newly proposed uses.
- Forest Lakes Overlay District: The application also seeks to waive environmental protections in place as part of the Forest Lakes Overlay District "Due to the nature of this application, many of the items of this section are suggested to be waived. If the information has been provided for a waived item, it will be noted. Since there is no new construction, it is not anticipated that the use will generate any additional impacts or greater use to the natural environment." This perspective completely ignores all newly proposed uses of the property.
This is all more than curious when you consider the ordinance-stated intent for the Forest Lakes District:
The inland lakes of East Bay Charter Township are a defining characteristic of the community. The Township’s future land use plan clearly establishes the protection of natural features as a key goal of the Plan....Accordingly, this section is intended to promote the preservation of natural features around and near lakefronts that are characterized by their current natural state, to protect water quality, and regulate development and the use of property which has water frontage along an inland lake through the application of land use and development standards which shall apply in addition to any and all standards within the underlying zoning district.