SOUTH FOX ISLAND - An MSU alum who founded and funded MSU’s Victor Institute for Responsible Land Development and Use has come under fire for being what some say is less than responsible with a Lake Michigan Island.
David Johnson, a Bay Harbor developer and founder of development firm Victor International, requested a consolidation of the land he owns on South Fox Island, which would leave him with 625 southern acres of the island and a historic lighthouse.
The state would receive 665 acres including a Native American cemetery currently on Johnson’s property.
Although the island is less popular among tourists than North and South Manitou Islands, nearly 60 conservationists, Native Americans, historians and concerned citizens set out on a charter boat Thursday to see the island property in jeopardy.
“This is too beautiful and awesome of an island that it should only be allowed to be enjoyed by so few people,” said Ramon Westbrook, a former Department of Natural Resources employee who feels the land trade should be postponed until more issues are decided. “It’s too nice to be restricted.”
Many of the boaters are concerned with the fate of the Native American cemetery, public boater access to the island, historic value of the island, and the island’s ecosystem.
The island is home to several endangered species and protected sand dunes. Johnson’s request to build a road through the dunes was denied by the Department of Environmental Quality earlier this year.
But a runway for his private plane was being extended as the boaters toured the length of the island Thursday.
Johnson was unavailable for comment Friday.
Although it was Jaime Barrientoz’s first trip to the island Thursday, his family lived on the island for years. His grandfather is buried in the cemetery currently on Johnson’s land.
“I can see why he wants to control the island, but it’s home to us.” said Jaime Barrientoz, tribal vice-chairman for the Grand Traverse Band of Ottowa and Chippewa Indians. “He’s holding (the cemetery ownership) over our heads. That shouldn’t even be an issue. We shouldn’t be blocked from any of this.”
Lawyers for the tribe and other groups are opposing the trade, hoping the state will work out land ownership issues while conserving the land.
“There isn’t much that can be done legally to a private owner,” said Timothy Young, a board member for the Michigan Land Use Institute. “He can’t develop now because he has little chunks of land. (With the trade), the long term value of the island as an ecosystem could be ruined.”
Jamie Gumbrecht can be reached at gumbrec1@msu.edu.
