Instead of looking out at the water, residents living along the shore of Lake St. Clair may be looking at man-made islands with homes.
The proposed 18 islands, which would link Interstate 696 to Eight Mile Road, two miles offshore from the Grosse Pointes and St. Clair Shores to Harsens Island, are the dream idea of former MSU environmental engineering Professor John Snell.
Snell, 88, said the H-shaped, linked islands could help solve some environmental problems.
“I see this as a green icon for the environment and sustainability,” he said. “If we don’t take care of pollution and energy conservation we are going to be in big trouble.”
To build the islands, Snell said two miles worth of 10-foot-deep dirt will have to be dredged out of the lake, making it deep enough for boats to get through. That dirt would be used to fill in the cement that would make up the islands.
Snell said the islands would also clean up Metro Beach in Harrison Township by increasing the flow of the current, which would change bacterial-infested water at least once a day, making it safe to swim.
“When you study 50 lakes you learn a lot about what is going to happen to weeds, fish and water,” he said. “These islands can be made while still keeping the water clear.”
But Mike Thomas, a fisheries research biologist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, said the effect of the islands could be devastating.
Thomas said the islands and the dredging of the shallow areas would destroy the habitat of fish, such as small mouth bass, yellow perch and walleye, and birds, such as diving ducks.
“Environmentally we view it as extremely undesirable,” he said. “Potentially a catastrophic mistake if it were ever to occur.”
Thomas also said other issues will stop the islands from being built.
“I don’t think the people who live around there would find it in their best interest to build islands so that 5,000 homes and boats can be there,” he said.
Tom Sperti, a political economy senior from Grosse Pointe, agrees the islands are something current residents won’t want.
“I think it is kind of ridiculous,” he said. “It would detract from the view. People who live on the shore would be kind of upset to see houses instead of the lake.”
Kathy Mitten, president of River of Life Watershed Project Association, said while the project may sound crazy it is actually very beneficial.
“The entire idea could be a win-win situation for the environment as well as development,” she said.
But before this project can become a reality, Snell said a feasibility study is needed, which would determine if the islands are possible and what effects they would have on the lake.
Snell, however, said he believes this project will happen.
“In my book it’s a dream that’s going to come true,” he said. “It’s going to come true.”
