| Northport Pier Ramp Improvements |
A WDNR pier construction permit with added conditions challenged by the Ferry Line has stalled efforts for improvements of the Northport south ramp. In addition to permitting difficulties, prospects for continued low lake levels have led the Ferry Line toward a new ramp project at the end of Northport Pier.
"Because a permit is required to place a structure over a lake bed, and that process has been in legal limbo now for over a year, our decision was to shift focus and proceed with an improved ramp at the end of the pier, placing it within the confines of the existing, permitted, solid structure," according to Dick Purinton, company president.
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"The frustrating thing about the permit process is that the State of Wisconsin is more concerned with public access than the continued, smooth flow of traffic to Washington Island. That's our problem, it seems. There are no special accommodations for a commercial ferry pier permit, any more than there would be for a marina, or any other pier permit. We disagree with the process and with the State's interpretation of the statutes, but we are still bound to work within these guidelines.
"Facing near-record low lake levels, one option we had was to build a ramp within the existing pier footprint, forming a notch low to the water for easier vehicle loading."
Excavation began in early March, a time-consuming job of breaking concrete, cutting rusted steel supports within the pier, and hand-digging to remove pieces of rubble from around tie-backs. Once the excavation hole was enlarged sufficiently for the ramp foundation, tie-rods were refastened at the lower elevation, mooring pipes were secured, and footings were poured. Just days prior to Easter, the walls and floor of the foundation were poured.
Meanwhile, badly needed dredging of island and mainland docks resumed. WDNR policy sets dredging dates according to general water temperatures and the spawning habits of sport fish. A permit restriction did not allow us to dredge around island docks beyond April 1st.
We asked WDNR for permission to extend our dredging permit into April. We received an extension for Northport only through April 10th. We lost time due to the inability to get the barge from the island to Northport. At least two of our ferries, the Arni J. Richter and the Washington, will find tight maneuvering between ferry keel and lake bottom. Currently at Northport we are using the slot that was dredged in early January.
This situation will not improve without further dredging or significant improvement in the lake level.
In the Good News department: According to the most recent U.S. Army Corps statistics, Lake Michigan may rise 6-12 inches as a result of snow melt and spring runoff. This is the first positive projection in some months, one that will be helped further along with a wet-rainy spring. |
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Plum & Pilot Island Dedication 1 pm, Friday May 16th
Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands (FOPPI), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will host a private lunch for Friends members and dignitaries at the island Ferry Dock, Friday, May 16th.
At 1:00 p.m., following the private lunch, the public is invited to participate in a program that will officially recognize the October 2007 transfer of these two Death's Door islands from the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Coast Guard to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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Accepting as new owner, USFWS has now partnered with the recently organized, not-for-profit, FOPPI citizen group that is dedicated to historical and natural preservation. Started in the fall of 2007, FOPPI membership numbers are growing and this organization hopes to increase in size significantly in the months ahead. There is much work to be done in terms of painting and restoration...much of it hands-on physical work. A membership will keep you abreast of the work progress on these two islands, with the eventual hope that public access will be possible.
Tim Sweet, Clintonville, WI, was recently elected as the new FOPPI president.
For more information about Plum and Pilot Islands, and FOPPI membership, go to the web at www.plumandpilot.org. |
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Rock Island's Pottawatomie Light
150th Anniversary Celebration
Tim Sweet's service has been invaluable with the Friends of Rock Island (FORI), a group that can take much of the credit for restoration of the Pottawatomie Lighthouse.
The 150th Anniversary Celebration of the Pottawatomie Lighthouse will be held on Rock Island, Saturday May 17th. Held in conjunction with the Door County Lighthouse Walk, the public is invited to participate in this Rock Island celebration on the lighthouse grounds. Access to Rock Island can be made through Washington Island Ferry to Washington Island, and then via the Karfi from Jackson Harbor to Rock Island.
For information about this celebration and the Friends of Rock Island (FORI) visit www.fori.us.
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April 1st Provides Challenges
The winds of winter were still here April 1. Ice that had broken up into large fields streamed through the Door passage Monday morning after the first scheduled 7 am ferry of 2008 entered the Northport breakwall.
Given the thickness of the bay ice and the speed with which it moved, the Arni J. Richter's crew elected to stay put within the Northport breakwall. They remained there through the day as a single, large piece of ice followed the broken ice and blocked the Door. It was Wednesday morning, April 2, when ferry operations resumed, bringing in travelers and freight and mail from Northport, then commencing regular round trips–off schedule–from the island.
Weather also played a role in dredging operations. Mike Kahr dredged until sunset late Monday at the island in an attempt to get as much work done as possible before the permit ran out. An extension was granted for Northport Harbor only, up to April 10th, but ice in the Door prevented moving the work barge from Detroit Harbor. As of Thursday, April 3rd, ferry trips were on a normal pace.
Click here to view December 07 newsletter |
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