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DNR Plans Boat Launch, Parking Lots Next to
Secluded Crystal Lake Natural Area
Residents Seek Instead Public Beach, Picnic Area Tied to Rail-Trail

How can the public most benefit from a 30-
acre wooded parcel on Benzie County's spec-
tacular Crystal Lake? While there are three
boat launches and about 12 road ends for
boaters to put in around the lake, there are just
two public beaches, neither in an off-road,
natural setting. Residents want the Department
of Natural Resources to add the parcel to the
adjacent natural area. Picnic benches, a gravel
parking lot set back from the shore, and other
amenities then should be installed there in a
much more graceful manner than is currently
proposed.
LeClair Stoltmann / Source: Department of Natural
Resources

IMAGE imgs/glb-su.fa9805.gif

It was just in December 1997 that the Natural Resources Trust fund appropriated $2 million for Benzie
County to purchase 66 acres of forest along the south shore of Crystal Lake for a natural area. The purchase of
Railroad Point, the largest parcel of undeveloped land left on the turquoise-blue lake, served to strengthen a
new era of local government stewardship that benefits citizens, the economy, and the environment.
Now the Department of Natural Resources, which purchased 30 acres bordering the Railroad Point
preserve in 1996 for $850,000, has unveiled a plan for a $100,000 concrete boat launch there that includes
toppling acres of trees for two large paved parking lots and roads. The plan also calls for dredging a deep
channel in what is one of the shallowest areas of the lake.
State officials assert that the launch will give boaters better access to Crystal Lake, which they say is
"underutilized." DNR project manager Vicki Anthes said existing boat ramps on Crystal Lake are neither large
enough nor well-situated to conveniently serve all traffic, especially the bigger and heavier boats, during the
peak summer season.
Many Crystal Lake property owners, however, are concerned about the size of the boat launch and the
effect that a large dredging project could have on water quality. They also are worried that it will invite more
jet ski traffic on the lake, intensifying noise, water pollution, and the risk of accidents.

Basis for a Better Plan
The Institute has reviewed the proposed project and reached the following conclusions:
•Dredging so much sand would pose risks to the lake's water quality and fishery.
•Paving parking lots big enough to accommodate up to 90 cars and trailers, as the DNR plans, would
increase water pollution from motor fuels, oil, and other contaminants that drain into the lake.
•There are three public ramps and about 12 road ends around Crystal Lake where boaters can launch.
•The DNR's pronouncement that the lake is "underutilized" is based on a flawed formula that has no
grounding in environmental science or common sense. The state maintains a "desired development criteria" of
one car/trailer parking space per 15 acres of water. Using that arbitrary criteria, the state would have to build
700 parking spaces to classify the 9,711-acre Crystal Lake as "fully utilized."
•On the 20.4-mile circumference of Crystal Lake there are two public beaches, one in downtown Beulah
and one on the south shore near Frankfort. Area residents and visitors would benefit far more from a quiet beach
in a natural wooded setting than from another boat launch.
•Before the land was purchased by the DNR, the private owners had allowed the public to picnic and swim
there for the past seven decades. The state should do everything in its power to enhance this traditional use.
•A beach and picnic area would fit in well with the Betsie Valley Trail, a 23-mile recreational hiking and
biking route from Elberta and Frankfort to Thompsonville that passes through the site.
•Adding the DNR property to the county's 66-acre Railroad Point Natural Area would permanently protect
nearly 100 acres of lands on the lake for the enjoyment of future generations.
•The DNR has the opportunity to install picnic benches, a gravel parking area away from the shore and set
off by split rail fences, and other amenities that integrate nature in a more graceful manner than is currently
proposed. Such a design suits the character of Crystal Lake -- with its sparkling waters and forested ridges, the
lake is one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in northwest Michigan.
The DNR must obtain a permit from the Department of Environmental Quality to dredge for and install the
concrete ramp. As part of the permit process, which is required by the state Inland Lakes and Streams Act, the
DNR will notify neighboring property owners and hold a public hearing. The DNR's application for the permit
is expected in 1999.

CONTACTS: Keith Schneider at the Institute, 616-882-4723; Glen Chown, executive director, Grand Traverse
Regional Land Conservancy, 616-929-7911.



	DNR Plans Boat Launch, Parking Lots Next to Secluded Crystal Lake Natural Area Residents Seek Instead Public Beach, Picnic Area Tied to Rail-Trail
		How can the public most benefit from a 30- acre wooded parcel on Benzie County's spec- tacular Crystal Lake? While there are three boat launches and about 12 road ends for boaters to put in around the lake, there are just two public beaches, neither in an off-road, natural setting. Residents want the Department of Natural Resources to add the parcel to the adjacent natural area. Picnic benches, a gravel parking lot set back from the shore, and other amenities then should be installed there in a much more graceful manner than is currently proposed. LeClair Stoltmann / Source: Department of Natural Resources

It was just in December 1997 that the Natural Resources Trust fund appropriated $2 million for Benzie County to purchase 66 acres of forest along the south shore of Crystal Lake for a natural area. The purchase of Railroad Point, the largest parcel of undeveloped land left on the turquoise-blue lake, served to strengthen a new era of local government stewardship that benefits citizens, the economy, and the environment. Now the Department of Natural Resources, which purchased 30 acres bordering the Railroad Point preserve in 1996 for $850,000, has unveiled a plan for a $100,000 concrete boat launch there that includes toppling acres of trees for two large paved parking lots and roads. The plan also calls for dredging a deep channel in what is one of the shallowest areas of the lake. State officials assert that the launch will give boaters better access to Crystal Lake, which they say is "underutilized." DNR project manager Vicki Anthes said existing boat ramps on Crystal Lake are neither large enough nor well-situated to conveniently serve all traffic, especially the bigger and heavier boats, during the peak summer season. Many Crystal Lake property owners, however, are concerned about the size of the boat launch and the effect that a large dredging project could have on water quality. They also are worried that it will invite more jet ski traffic on the lake, intensifying noise, water pollution, and the risk of accidents. Basis for a Better Plan The Institute has reviewed the proposed project and reached the following conclusions: •Dredging so much sand would pose risks to the lake's water quality and fishery. •Paving parking lots big enough to accommodate up to 90 cars and trailers, as the DNR plans, would increase water pollution from motor fuels, oil, and other contaminants that drain into the lake. •There are three public ramps and about 12 road ends around Crystal Lake where boaters can launch. •The DNR's pronouncement that the lake is "underutilized" is based on a flawed formula that has no grounding in environmental science or common sense. The state maintains a "desired development criteria" of one car/trailer parking space per 15 acres of water. Using that arbitrary criteria, the state would have to build 700 parking spaces to classify the 9,711-acre Crystal Lake as "fully utilized." •On the 20.4-mile circumference of Crystal Lake there are two public beaches, one in downtown Beulah and one on the south shore near Frankfort. Area residents and visitors would benefit far more from a quiet beach in a natural wooded setting than from another boat launch. •Before the land was purchased by the DNR, the private owners had allowed the public to picnic and swim there for the past seven decades. The state should do everything in its power to enhance this traditional use. •A beach and picnic area would fit in well with the Betsie Valley Trail, a 23-mile recreational hiking and biking route from Elberta and Frankfort to Thompsonville that passes through the site. •Adding the DNR property to the county's 66-acre Railroad Point Natural Area would permanently protect nearly 100 acres of lands on the lake for the enjoyment of future generations. •The DNR has the opportunity to install picnic benches, a gravel parking area away from the shore and set off by split rail fences, and other amenities that integrate nature in a more graceful manner than is currently proposed. Such a design suits the character of Crystal Lake -- with its sparkling waters and forested ridges, the lake is one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in northwest Michigan. The DNR must obtain a permit from the Department of Environmental Quality to dredge for and install the concrete ramp. As part of the permit process, which is required by the state Inland Lakes and Streams Act, the DNR will notify neighboring property owners and hold a public hearing. The DNR's application for the permit is expected in 1999. CONTACTS: Keith Schneider at the Institute, 616-882-4723; Glen Chown, executive director, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, 616-929-7911.