DNR: A journey of 1,200 feet

by | Dec 16, 2020 | Recreation
The historic shelter building at Orchard Beach State Park sits atop of a flatbed as it moves to new site further inland.
Dec. 15, 2020
Contact: Doug Barry, 517-614-7226

A journey of 1,200 feet moves state park’s historic building out of harm’s way

After months of planning, Orchard Beach State Park’s historic shelter building now sits a safe 230 feet back from the eroding Lake Michigan shoreline. The necessary, winding, 1,200-foot journey through this popular park in Manistee, Michigan, wasn’t swift; the entire move took 23 hours over three days, from Thursday, Dec. 10, to Saturday, Dec. 12.

For more than 70 years, the building sat perched high atop a bluff overlooking the Great Lake. However, high water and wave action have made the bluff unstable, requiring that the 850-ton building be relocated within the park to preserve its story, protect public safety and keep the building open for future recreation.

“The DNR proudly preserves and protects both natural and cultural assets,” said Ron Olson, chief of the Parks and Recreation Division within the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “Investing in this important place is an investment in the story of Michigan and preserves the memories of those who have enjoyed this iconic destination.”

Efforts to stabilize the bluff to protect the building have been in development since 2017. However, ongoing erosion at the toe of the bluff, compounded by rising water levels, and the sloughing of the high, steep slope put the future use and existence of the building at risk.

“I’m proud and excited that this community and the state joined together to save this historic building,” said Doug Barry, unit manager for Orchard Beach State Park. “So many families have held events here over the years because of the unique charm of this park shelter. Now its legacy can continue for many generations into the future.”

The building now will serve as the centerpiece for the 200-acre park’s revitalized day-use area, offering improved accessibility for shelter visitors and, eventually, a new playground.

Park and area history

Orchard Beach was first opened and operated by the Manistee, Filer City and Eastlake Railway Company in 1892. After World War I, when the trolley line ended service to the park, the Manistee Board of Commerce purchased the parcel. The board, in turn, deeded the property to the state in 1921 so Orchard Beach would become part of Michigan’s new state parks system.

Included on the National Register of Historic Places, Orchard Beach State Park is home to buildings designed by Ernest F. Hartwick and built by the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps. The CCC spent several years building the structure, which was completed in 1947. Orchard Beach – and the DNR – will celebrate a centennial anniversary in 2021, along with the successful effort to improve the site and preserve history for future generations.

Orchard Beach State Park is at 2064 N. Lakeshore Road in Manistee. The park entrance is located on M-110, 1 ½ miles north of U.S. 31. The park will remain closed to the public, likely through spring, to complete site investment including restoring the campground along the building’s travel path, a redesign of the park’s stormwater management system to minimize further erosion, and accessibility improvements at the shelter’s new location.

Project stats

  • The project cost $3.6 million for the engineering study, design and construction to move the building and protect it for the future.
  • The building followed a 1,200-foot route to complete the move and now sits 230 feet from the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Project partners

  • Hallack Contracting Inc. (Hart, Michigan).
  • Wolfe House & Building Movers, LLC (Bennville, Pennsylvania).
  • GEI Consultants (Lansing and Marquette, Michigan, offices).

Project factors and highlights

Data collection and studies began in 2017. It became clear from early evaluations of existing conditions, causes, historical rate of erosion, etc., that the accelerated shoreline erosion was placing several buildings and underground infrastructure at risk. These features, including underground utilities, stairs to the beach and the shelter building, need to be protected so the DNR can continue operating the Orchard Beach State Park campground and day-use amenities. The stairs, closed for more than a year, will remain closed until water levels recede.

Lake Michigan water levels naturally fluctuate from periods of high water to periods of low water; storm frequency and magnitude are other influencing factors. Protection of the park’s features against these natural forces must be carefully considered against what is known as a “managed retreat,” where the most appropriate, cost-effective options have been weighed and decisions are made in the interest of long-term protection and preservation of those amenities.

High water has created the need to stabilize shorelines and historic structures around Michigan, including upcoming work at nearby Big and Little Sable lighthouses. As waters recede statewide, the DNR likely will uncover other necessary infrastructure repairs in public parks, trails and waterways.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For interviews, contact park manager Doug Barry at BarryD1@michigan.gov or 517-614-7226.
DNR COVID-19 RESPONSE: For details on affected DNR facilities and services, visit this webpage. Follow state actions and guidelines at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.
Orion Township ZBA Meeting of 12-14-2020

Orion Township ZBA Meeting of 12-14-2020

by | Dec 15, 2020 | Meetings, Township/Village

MDHHS asks Michiganders to “Mask Up, Mask Right”

MDHHS asks Michiganders to “Mask Up, Mask Right”

by | Dec 15, 2020 | Regional News

MDHHS banner with logo no names

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 15, 2020

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

MDHHS asks Michiganders to “Mask Up, Mask Right”

LANSING, MI – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is launching an initiative to not only get Michiganders to mask up, but to mask right.

“The science is now settled: Masks protect others from COVID – and they protect the wearer,” said Robert Gordon, MDHHS director. “It’s important to wear the right mask and wear it the right way. We want all Michiganders to Mask Up, Mask Right as we continue to battle the virus in our state.”

Masking right includes wearing one of three options of masks that provide stronger protection: three-layered washable cloth face coverings, medical-grade disposable masks or approved KN95 masks. It also includes wearing the approved mask correctly and having it secured over the nose and face and tightly fitting without gaps.

CDC has recommended the use of masks to protect the community by reducing emission of the virus and to protect the wearer by reducing inhalation. CDC cites a number of studies showing that masks have been effective. For example, one study showed that use of masks onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt was associated with a 70% reduced risk of COVID; another showed that, in a contact tracing investigation, those who reported wearing masks had a 70% lower risk of infection than those who did not. Published research by Beaumont Hospital in Southeast Michigan also showed that mask wearing was associated with lower levels of infection by COVID and, among those infected, lower levels of symptoms.

Bandanas, gaiters and face shields without masks do not provide adequate protection for the wearer or others and are not recommended.

“The delivery of the first COVID-19 vaccines in Michigan means there will be an end to this pandemic,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “However, it will take several months before we are able to have enough vaccine to widely distribute it to all Michiganders. Until then, and even for individuals who receive the vaccine, we should all be doing our part to slow the spread of this virus by wearing masks correctly, avoiding large gatherings, and washing hands.”

Residents in need of masks can pick one up from partner sites across the state, which includes most MDHHS local offices and Community Action Agencies. Find a distribution site at Michigan.gov/MaskUpMichigan or call the COVID-19 hotline at 888-535-6136.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
The Lake Orion Village Council Meeting of 12-14-2020

The Lake Orion Village Council Meeting of 12-14-2020

by | Dec 15, 2020 | Meetings, Township/Village

Michigan Dairy Farmers Caught Up in Dean Foods Bankruptcy

by | Dec 15, 2020 | Regional News

Attorney General Dana Nessel

Media Contacts:

AG: Ryan Jarvi
(c) 517-599-2746

MDARD: Jennifer Holton
(c) 517-242-2575

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020

Michigan Dairy Farmers Caught Up in Dean Foods Bankruptcy

LANSING – The Michigan Department of Attorney General and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) recently learned that Dean Foods, the largest dairy processor in the United States, sent notices to a handful of Michigan dairy farmers who direct-shipped their milk to a former Dean dairy plant in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The notices demand the return of money paid to them by Dean in the months leading up to the company’s bankruptcy. The company filed for bankruptcy in November 2019.

The notice is an attempt to force those dairy farmers who previously direct-shipped milk to Dean Foods to repay a portion of the amount Dean paid the farmers during the 90-day period before Dean filed for bankruptcy. While this action is a common practice under bankruptcy law, not all amounts paid in the normal course of business are subject to such claims.

The issue was brought to the attention of Attorney General Dana Nessel last week by state Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, who represents a few dairy farmers who direct-shipped milk to a Dean Foods plant in Marquette and may be affected. These farms are not represented by either the Michigan Milk Producers Association or the Dairy Farmers of America co-ops. A dairy inspector from MDARD  is personally reaching out to these farmers to provide them with information on how to respond to the Dean notice.

“We are disappointed that hard working dairy farmers and their families are put in the position of having to incur costs, either in paying the amount demanded or from obtaining legal counsel to defend themselves – and I want to personally thank Sen. McBroom for bringing this issue to my attention,” said Nessel.

“Michigan’s dairy farmers provided milk in good faith fulfilling their contract with Dean Foods,” said Gary McDowell, MDARD director. “It’s disheartening that the company is now questioning those payments made to farming families.”

“These U.P. dairy farms, and many others like them throughout Michigan, have suffered greatly during the coronavirus pandemic,” said McBroom. “Now, again, through no fault of their own, they are being punished for simply and responsibly doing their jobs to provide healthy products to consumers. I appreciate the Attorney General and MDARD taking an interest in this unfortunate situation and am hopeful it can be resolved without further harming these small family farms.”

Dairy farmers with legal questions should consult their private legal counsel.

Questions regarding the Dean Foods notice can be directed to Jeff Haarer in the Agriculture Development Division of MDARD at 517-896-2236.