More than 6,000 acres of Michigan's coastline along Lake Michigan are planned for preservation with the new Coastal Campaign program.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced Monday morning that the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has partnered with CMS Energy and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation to protect the land parcel in Benzie and Manistee Counties.
Granholm said the project will protect undeveloped land that represent the state's unique aspects.
"There must be some spaces left as God created them," she said.
The project will protect more than 3 miles of undeveloped shoreline, 3,500 acres of fruit-growing farmland and preserve state dunes.
"This is the stuff of legacy, and you are all the weavers of the story," Granholm said.
Executive director for the campaign Glen Chown said the program is "off and running from a record-breaking start."
More than half of the conservancy's $30.6 million goal to fund the project has been raised. The Mott Foundation, a private state philanthropy, gave the campaign a $750,000 grant and pledged an additional $7 million upon successful completion. The foundation also has offered to extend an interest-free loan of $6.15 million.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes community projects, followed suit and provided a $2.5 million grant. Private donations have totaled $5.5 million in pledges.
Granholm said although the state cannot contribute dollars from its general fund - gaining a laugh from the crowd of more than 50 members - the conservancy in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources will present a case to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to gain state support.
The prospected 6,000-acre Arcadia land is owned by CMS Energy and is the largest privately owned property on Lake Michigan. CMS Energy has maintained the woodlands, dunes and shoreline for more than 30 years.
The transaction from CMS to the Regional Conservancy is expected to be complete in mid-December.
The land will be divided for various preservation efforts. About 1,650 acres of dune and forest is slated for a Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy nature preserve. A grassland preserve is planned to use 500 acres and remaining farmland will be sold or leased to area farmers.
Besides the Arcadia land, the Green Point Dunes and the Pt. Betsie lands also are planned for protection. The 215 acres of dunes and about 1 mile of Lake Michigan Shoreline in Benzie County is the property of Blaine Township and open to the public.
The 62-acre land, and 1/4 mile of Pt. Betsie land in Crystal Lake Township of Benzie County, is protected under the Michigan Chapter of the Nature Conservancy. The Regional Conservancy is aiming to purchase this property.
