The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking comments from the public on a draft Environmental Assessment of plans for the proposed Edward M. Golson, Jr. Boat Launch and Nature Park on the Saginaw River in Bay City, Michigan. Written comments on the draft EA will be accepted through November 30, 2001.
If built, the proposed boat launch and nature park would provide boat launch ramps, areas for viewing the river, and nature trails along the river and an interior wetland area on approximately 33 acres of property now owned by the City of Bay City. Development of this recreational area, to be located at the end of Johnson Street in Bay City, is the result of a settlement for natural resource damages reached by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the State of Michigan, and the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe with General Motors Corporation and the Cities of Bay City and Saginaw.
Three alternatives are presented in the draft EA, including:
Alternative A (Proposed Action): This alternative would consist of a 4-lane boat launch, parking for 47 vehicles with trailers and 23 vehicles without trailers, boat preparation and tie-down lanes, fishing pier, four nature trail loops with three wetland overlooks, and an outdoor classroom.
Alternative B (Alternate Site Plan): This alternative would consist of a 4-lane boat launch, parking for 55 vehicles with trailers and 28 vehicles without trailers, fishing pier, two nature trail loops with one wetland overlook, and opening a channel to connect the interior wetland with the Saginaw River.
Alternative C (No Action): Under this alternative, the Service would not approve plans for a recreational area at this location at this time. The City of Bay City will own the area being considered for the boat launch and nature park, but will not have funds from the settlement to create a boat launch, nature trails or any of the other elements described in Alternatives A and B.
Copies of the draft EA are available at the East Lansing Field Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service located at 2651 Coolidge Road, East Lansing, Michigan, 48823; phone: 517-351-2555. Copies are available for onsite review at the Planning Department at Bay City City Hall located at 301 Washington Avenue, Bay City, Michigan. The document is also available on the Internet at http://midwest.fws.gov/nepa Written comments on the draft EA will be accepted through November 30, 2001. Please send comments to Lisa Williams at the East Lansing Field Office address above or via electronic mail to: lisa_williams@fws.gov
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
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