House Concurrent Resolution No.54
Offered by Representative Prusi
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE U.S. ARMY CORP OF
ENGINEERS TO RESTORE AND MAINTAIN THE ORIGINAL HARBOR OF REFUGE
AT GRAND MARAIS, MICHIGAN
WHEREAS, At the request of the Michigan Sea Grant College Program, Professor Guy A. Meadows, Director, Ocean Engineering Lab, Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, The University Of Michigan College Of Engineering, provided an independent engineering evaluation of the continuing deterioration of the Grand Marais Harbor. Through the course of this evaluation, Professor Meadows reviewed, Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality historical records and aerial photography, previous reports and studies commissioned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, historical records of harbor modification and maintenance, and he conducted a site visit; and
WHEREAS, The evaluation found the Grand Marais Harbor to be a rare example of a natural Great Lakes deep water harbor of unsurpassed natural beauty, worthy of preservation in its own right. The harbor was authorized by the River and Harbor Acts of June 14, 1880, and May 17, 1950, to serve as a harbor-of-refuge. The authorized project consists of parallel jetties providing access between Lake Superior and the natural deep-water embayment at Grand Marais and a 5,770 foot-long, timber-pile breakwater. A Federal navigation channel is located between the parallel jetties. This harbor of refuge in the past served both commercial as well as private vessels as it represents the sole such harbor along approximately a 90 mile exposed coastline; and
WHEREAS, Prior to the construction and stabilization of the inlet the section of shoreline, east of the navigation channel, was naturally stable. The basin depth reported was 55 ft. The original 1896 design concept of two parallel jetties and an associated timber pile breakwater was excellent, providing a stable and effective coastal engineering structure from approximately 1896 through 1943. During the war maintenance of the timber-pile breakwater was justifiably abandoned. Unfortunately, maintenance of this component was never resumed, which resulted, once the structure was compromised due to neglect, in its total destruction. Extensive sediment deposition has since occurred within the embayment. This natural deep-water embayment is filling at an alarming rate. The maximum basin depth found today is only 25ft; and
WHEREAS, This independent evaluation concluded with a recommendation to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to quickly re-establish the timber-pile breakwater. Further, it was indicated that such action to restore the Grand Marais Harbor to the original harbor of refuge design, would attract new commerce to the region and re-establish a necessary harbor of refuge along this exposed Lake Superior coastline. The benefits of such a harbor of refuge reach far beyond the immediate Grand Marais region and would serve commercial vessels as well as private interests. The review found no known MDNR/DEQ environmental opposition to re-establishment of the original harbor of refuge design; and
WHEREAS, The overwhelming will of the residents of Grand Marais to see this issue through, until the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers corrects the pollution problem that they created, was demonstrated in the November 5, 1996 election when a majority of electors voted for a 5 year millage increase of 1/4 mill for the purpose funding activity to restore and develop the Grand Marais Harbor; therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES (the Senate concurring), That all entities of state government concerned with the correction of pollution problems, such as that described in this resolution, review the independent evaluation, and as appropriate, take steps to help save the Grand Marais Harbor of Refuge; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the chair of the Grand Marais Harbor of Refuge Committee, Wallace E. Parish as a reflection of our esteem for the work of the GMHRC.
Adopted by the House of Representatives.
Adopted by the Senate.
The Grand Marais Harbor of Refuge Committee is pleased to be able to report the successful efforts of Michigan State Senator Walter H. North (R), and Michigan State Representative Michael Prusi (D), to pass two concurrent resolutions (SCR 41 and HCR 54). The resolutions support our appeal that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers restore the breakwater,,an integral part of the original Corps design, approved when they created a navigation channel to the natural harbor of refuge at Grand Marais, Michigan. This bipartisan state effort will aid our representatives in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives as they ameliorate this problem caused by a federal or animation. The parallel jetties now stand alone tilting currents into the once deep harbor of refuge. Extensive sediment deposition has occurred within the embayment. This gift of nature, prior to the Corps construction project, was naturally stable. The embayment is now filling at an alarming rate. The only harbor of refuge along a 90 mile exposed coastline of Lake Superior will be lost if action is not generated.
You can help. Send a copy of this communication to your representatives in Washington D.C. Let them know you care.
John F. Markes
Legislative Support Committee, Chair
Grand Marais Harbor of Refuge Committee
P.0. Box 458, Grand Marais, MI. 49839