The city of New Baltimore is taking steps toward restoring portions of the Anchor Bay shoreline in two of the community’s parks.
Plans to mitigate shoreline erosion at Ruedisale Point and Walter and Mary Burke parks have been long discussed but remain in the early stages. New Baltimore City Council members on May 22 voted to apply for a grant to fund upgrades at the downtown waterfront park, and approved a proposal for the data gathering phase of the Ruedisale Point Park Shoreline Restoration Project.
Shoreline erosion has been occurring at both of the city’s waterfront parks, with about 50 feet of shoreline lost at Ruedisale Point Park in roughly the past two decades. The Great Lakes saw record high levels in 2019-2020. High water levels and resulting coastal erosion can cause significant property damage, according to EGLE.
Ruedisale Point Park
City council members unanimously approved a proposal from OHM Advisors for engineering design and grant assistance for the Ruedisale Point Park project in the amount of $289,200. The total project construction cost has been estimated to be about $1.87 million.
“The projects will consist of multiple wave attenuation barriers, shallow aquatic habitat construction and approximately 650 linear feet of softened shoreline construction,” OHM Advisors said in its proposal.
“The current proposal includes the work necessary to produce engineering and design plans, bidding assistance and public engagement for shoreline restoration and habitat creation at Ruedisale Point Park,” the firm added.
OHM Advisors anticipated beginning work this month and listed the following milestone deadlines for five tasks associated with the project:
• Data gathering: June to September
• Preliminary engineering and design: August to March 2024
• Final engineering and design: June 2024
• Bidding and award assistance: July 2024
• Project administration and grant management: June to July 2024
The city received a grant through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Coastal Management Program to fund a portion of the project. A new kayak launch and fishing dock have also been discussed.
The park is located at the end of Ruedisale Street in the southeast end of the city. Many local residents walk their dogs at the park, which allows pets on leashes up to 6 feet.
The motion to approve the proposal was made by council member Flo Hayman, supported by council member Jacob Dittrich and approved in a 5-0 vote. Council member Ryan Covert was absent.
Walter and Mary Burke Park
The city council also adopted a resolution approving the submission of an application for a roughly $3.84 million grant to the Michigan Coastal Management Program Coastal Habitat Restoration and Ecosystem Land Conservation for a project at Walter and Mary Burke Park. The total project design and construction cost is estimated to be $4.01 million, according to the resolution.
“The city of new Baltimore has planned a shoreline naturalization and wildlife habitat restoration project at Walter and Mary Burke Park to help address issues caused by adverse lake levels, severe storm events and lack of natural ecosystem development,” the resolution states.
“The park has suffered considerable erosion and has been temporarily protected with jersey barriers to preserve park property that has had negative impacts on wildlife and the natural environment.”
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has appropriated funding through the bipartisan infrastructure law for a grant program to protect and restore ecologically significant habitats along the nation’s coastlines that play a critical role in helping communities become more resilient to natural hazards and reduce the impacts of climate change.
The project is also slated to include offshore breakwater walls, nearshore habitat creation, an ADA-compliant kayak launch and other related improvements.
Council members also approved the submission of a $15,000 local match for a DNR Waterways Program grant awarded to the city for planning efforts related to expanding the boat docks and extending the pier at Walter and Mary Burke Park. The city will receive $15,000 in state funding, and the local match will be subsidized by the New Baltimore Downtown Development Authority.
The park, located at the end of Front Street downtown, currently offers a beach and swimming, fishing docks, a playscape, two pavilions to rent and a non-motorized boat launch.
The motions to approve the grant application and local match were made by Hayman, supported by council member Mel Eason and unanimously approved.
Additionally, the city council approved an application to the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office for the Walter and Mary Burke Park Shoreline Restoration Project in the amount of $4,000. The motion was made by Hayman, supported by council member Laura Szymanski and unanimously approved.
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 requires federal agencies to take into account the effects of their undertakings on historic properties and to consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer regarding the undertaking. Projects that use federal funds or require a federal license or permit typically require Section 106 consultation to determine if it has the potential to affect historic resources, according to the SHPO.
