Middle Bass Island
representatives from
Burgundy Bay, the Middle Bass Island Yacht Club, and the rest of the island
attended a Aug. 12 meeting at Put-in-Bay with ODNR's Dan West and several other
ODNR officials. We are delighted that the dialog between ODNR and islanders is
improving, and the plans that ODNR discussed are summarized below:
ODNR is committed to
developing a traditional state park on Middle Bass Island with a larger and
improved marina with a blend of transient and seasonal docks, boat launch
ramp, campground, picnic areas, hiking trails, interpretive areas, fishing
access, etc.
The marina and campground
development project is currently under review by the US Army Corps of
Engineers (404 permit), the Ohio EPA (401 permit), US Fish & Wildlife Service
(Environmental Assessment), and ODNR Office of Coastal Management (Coastal
Consistency Determination and Shore Structure Permit).
The funded portion of the
project consists of a 360 boat slip marina basin, docks for 180 transient boat
slips, boat launch ramp, a 60 unit full service campground, water & wastewater
facilities, some public restrooms, day use facilities, staff housing, and
other infrastructure improvements.
Current funding is only for
180 transient boat slips (transient due to a funding grant stipulation), but
ODNR intends to have approximately 360 boat slips available when the marina
opens for the 2009 season using new capital funds or private sector
involvement or both.
The unfunded portion of this
project includes the additional docks, marina support buildings, and permanent
restroom/shower facilities.
Assuming approval of all
permits by 7/06, construction documents will be completed and the project
advertised for bids late in '06. Construction on the marina entrance channel
will begin 7/07, the marina basin 9/07.
The existing marina basin will
close for construction starting 9/07 and remain closed for the 2008 season.
The marina and campground will re-open spring of 2009.
Unfunded future improvements
may include improvements to existing historic structures within the park
(winery, mansion), other day-use improvements (educational interpretive
exhibits, boardwalks, nature trails, and wildlife viewing structures).
ODNR has formed a working
group with local constituents to address the issues of emergency dockage
(fire, police, ems), seasonal dockage needs while the marina is closed, water
and wastewater concerns, and coordination with the port authority, Ottawa
County, Put-In-Bay Township, Middle Bass Island Yacht Club, Island residents,
and adjacent businesses and landowners. As part of our mitigation plan to
offset the impact to approximately 9 acres of wetlands for the
marina/campground project, ODNR has proposed a 39 acre high quality wetland
restoration project at Middle Harbor plus preserve or enhance 13 acres of
wetlands on Middle Bass Island.
Other benefits of this project
include: safe harbor for boaters during storm events, improved marina basin
water quality, and improved wildlife habitat for the Lake Erie Water Snake,
small mouth bass, and other aquatic species.
