LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Environmental rezoning issue 

Dear Editor,

I would like the community to be aware that Elk Rapids Township has started the process to rezone its Environmental Zone. This action will result in less protection of our current Environmental Zone because property owners will no longer be required to get a wetlands determination from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) as a first step in obtaining a building permit. The rezoning memorandum provided to the public by the Elk Rapids Planning Commission states that this rezoning process was started because the wetlands map in our 2024 Master Plan “has been revised by the State of Michigan.” When my husband contacted EGLE to inquire about the alleged revision, the District Supervisor for Water Resources replied that he was “not aware of any revised wetlands maps at the State level for wetlands in the Elk Rapids Area.” And yet on 9/24/24 the Planning Commission (by a vote of four members) decided to move forward with rezoning. The environmental rezoning issue will likely come before the Township Board for final approval in the near future. If you value protection of water quality, please pay attention to this issue and voice your opinion.

Carole Brady
Elk Rapids

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