Taking a Pass at Middle Bass
The following comes from the Audobon Society:
I do not believe that it is prudent for the state to create a marina project that may jeopardize the natural habitats on Middle Bass Island. I believe that a marina servicing several hundred boats promotes the overuse of a natural island resource which is rare in the state and easily subject to abuse. Creating a large marina invites overuse and congestion which then promotes additional development which cannot be easily projected or controlled. The original statements by the Taft administration during the purchasing of the Middle Bass Island acreage indicated a concern for a natural gem that would be protected by the state.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is a public agency entrusted with protecting wetlands and should not destroy them in the name of progress for active recreation such as the development of this marina and campground. The proposed project involves impacts to Category 3 wetlands, Category 2 wetlands, and Category 1 wetlands. Middle Bass Island is within the Audubon-designated Lake Erie Western Basin Important Bird Area and provides important habitat for migrating birds. Furthermore, proposed mitigation for the wetlands includes a project at East Harbor State Park which is not on the island. The project also affects the Lake Erie Water Snake, a federally-listed threatened species found only on the Lake Erie islands.
There are real concerns over the destruction of rare wetland habitat on a rare Lake Erie island, and there is not a demonstrated need for hundreds of boats at Middle Bass Island which would override ODNRs charge to protect wetlands. I am advocating that ODNR select its Non-Degradation alternative that would have no impacts on the waters and wetlands of the state. The existing marina would continue to operate as is in the southern basin and the seasonal docks and Middle Bass Yacht Club as is in the north basin. As such I urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to deny authorization for a permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.Thank you for this opportunity to comment.