Syndicate Park Subdivision Dune Use Assessment

1. 2010 FEC Poster Project Syndicate Park Subdivision Dune Use Assessment Beth Clawson Extension Educator

2. Syndicate Park Subdivision Dune Use Assessment Abstract This study aims to assess perceived recreational use of Syndicate Park Subdivision dune beach in South Haven, Michigan. A standard survey instrument with an informational fact sheet will be used to educate and gather data. Additionally, it will seek to evaluate knowledge gained from the fact sheet provided. Supporting research indicates that off the road vehicles can have a long term impact on sand dune beaches. The result from this research will provide information so that Van Buren County, MI will be better equipped for land use planning and policy making regarding this piece of the County’s ecological heritage known as Syndicate Park Subdivision Dune. The results will be presented at a community meeting where participants will be invited to form a community action group to protect the Syndicate Park Subdivision dune and beach. Method & Results: Using a combination qualitative-quantitative survey generated richer results that are more meaningful. Responses indicated a polarization of attitudes regarding ORV use on the dune. Half of the property owners are seasonal or part-time residents. All residents perceive the undeveloped space as open space and freely use it regardless of ownership. Local social changes must occur to succeed in long-term establishment of conservation efforts on the dune. Responding to complaints to the County Administrator’s office, research into the irresponsible use of ORVs on the dune initiated through the MSU Extension Natural Resources Extension Educator. MSU Extension anticipated the ultimate need for community involvement. Problem Statement: South Haven Syndicate Park Subdivision lies wholly within a designated Michigan Critical Dune area. Dunes are an important part of the unique freshwater ecosystem that is Lake Michigan. Van Buren County owns the majority of the undeveloped parcels that comprise the top of the dune in the subdivision and does not actively manage their undeveloped properties. Illegal off-road-vehicle use on the undeveloped dune has disrupted the vegetation creating a dune blowout. • Question number 5: How often do you visit the dunes and beach area? (Please indicate a number.) Survey Results The assumption is that the residents in the subdivision perceive this land to be “open space”. The purpose of this study was to survey the property owners of Syndicate Park Subdivision to assess their recreational use and perceived use of that area. Educational information was combined with the survey to increase awareness of responsible ORV use and about the natural dune resource in their neighborhood. Question number 4: In what way does your family use the subdivision undeveloped space for recreation? Conclusion: Recommendations to Van Buren County include taking an active role in managing the property there, providing more education regarding land use and recreation laws, allowing and directing activities there through some low impact recreational development, condemnation of parcels that are of no salable value, increasing law enforcement, and helping ORV users find alternatives.

3. What’s going on? • Information from the public meetings about the North Point property included comments and complaints relating to Syndicate Park, which led to • A county department task force meeting to discuss county property there and found they had more questions than answers, which led to • A preliminary course of action to survey the residents to learn more, which led to • A report and recommendations leading to • A forum which lead to . . .

4. A Subdivision Association

5. Purpose • Van Buren County is a property owner in Syndicate Park Subdivision that lies wholly within a sensitive natural resource and designated Michigan Critical Dune System • County property there encompasses the dune top and ridge which is degraded from recreational use • Ways to address restoration include conservation management and restricting frequency and type of access to the dune • The need to address residential perspectives of recreational uses of the undeveloped private property

6. How dunes are formed • Four critical factors • A source of abundant SAND • Relatively consistent WIND • WATER LEVEL fluctuation • VEGETATION to foster accumulation

7. From Zone to Zone Lake Beach Foredune Trough Backdune

8. Blowouts Blowouts are U-shaped areas of open, migrating sand that occur on dunes otherwise stabilized by forest vegetation.

9. Dunes are sensitive to disturbance • Exotic (introduced non-native) plants and animals • Off-road vehicles (ORV’s) • Pedestrian recreational overuse • Road developments • Residential & commercial development • Sand mining and other industrial development

10. Changes to soil and vegetation from ORV use can have long-term impacts. • The disruption from as little as 200 hiking visitors can alter vegetation by half, enough to create blowout areas (Bonanno, Leopold & Hilaire, 1998) • After 18 days of ORV use 33% there is a vegetation reduction. (Kutiel, et al, 2001). • In Michigan, the “summer season” begins just after Memorial Day; by Father’s Day (May 31 to June 18) up to 1/3 of the stabilizing vegetation on a dune used for recreational ORV use would be lost.

11. Recreation affects on dunes • Crushing and trampling of vegetation • Vegetation disruption • Litter and other debris • Extreme erosion • Wildlife disruption • Trail soil compaction • Blowouts • Moving dunes White admirals and tiger swallowtails puddling on beach

12. A word on off road vehicle laws

13. Michigan ORV Laws • Licensing and titling of vehicles are required • Valid license must be displayed on vehicle • Required equipment on machine • Required equipment on operators and passengers • Operator age restrictions observed • Roads, streets and highways are closed to ORV use, unless licensed as a motor vehicle by the State, except when crossing or along shoulders (25mph) • Suspended auto license; may not operate an ORV

14. Michigan ORV Laws continued • Land Use Rules • Areas designated by signs only NO SIGN = NO PERMISSION • May not operate ORVs on waters of streams, marshes bog, wetland or quagmire • Must have permission from private landowners or commercial property owners • May not destroy crops • Within 100 feet of a slide, ski, or skating area • Public hunting areas during hunting seasons

15. Survey Results • 110 surveys sent; 65 (59%) responded • Written comments on 48 (72%) responses • 72% own developed property with a house, cabin, or mobile home; 55% are fulltime residents • 63% indicated they use the undeveloped “open space” regularly; 23% sometimes; and 15% indicate that they never use it.

16. Survey Results Question number 4: In what way does your family use the subdivision’s undeveloped space for recreation?

17. Survey Results Frequency of Visits Question number 5: How often do you visit the dunes and beach area? (Please indicate a number.)

18. Survey Results Perceived Impact of ORVs Question number 7: What kind of damage do you feel recreational vehicles have on the dunes?

19. Survey Results Figure 6: Acceptance of Public Use of Dune and Beach Question number 9: Syndicate Park Subdivision from Fire Lane N into the water edge is a collective of privately owned properties. Would you support allowing the public on designated road rights-of-way as shown on the plat map?

20. Survey Results • Question #8 asks a direct knowledge question, “Did you know that Syndicate Park subdivision is recognized by the State of Michigan as a critical dune area?” Out of the 64 responses 49 indicated yes, 15 no. • Question #10 offers four options; responses are in parenthesis following each: None – (36%); Light – (48%); Moderate (11%); Heavy – (5%) • Question #11 regarding the use of paths: (53%) indicate that they would use a path or boardwalk because it is easiest; if it were convenient follows at 18%. • Question #12 asks if you would support local efforts to preserve dune, question 63% responded yes; 16% responded no, and 21% responded maybe

21. What we learned from your responses Four main themes emerged

22. What we learned • The need for a clearly defined path or trail to the beach for hikers, ORVs or both

23. What we learned • Enforce ORV laws on sensitive dune areas to stop illegal ATV recreation there

24. What we learned • Community wishes to maintain its privacy as well as protect the dune; requiring formal organization of residents.

25. What we learned • Need for information/education • Land use laws regarding open space and common use • Lake and dune ecology • Forming or neighborhood associations or groups

26. What we did

27. Talked with local law enforcement to step up monitoring the neighborhood

28. Recovery is underway Recovering vegetation New dune formation

29. Vision for the future

30. Thank you for attending theSyndicate Park subdivision dune use assessment poster session Beth Clawson clawsonb@msu.edu