On March 26th 2024, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) executed the permit for a wastewater discharge permit for the proposed Timber Shore Family RV Camping & Beach Resort development. The developer originally applied for this permit several months before New Community Vision (NCV) secured an exclusive Option Agreement to purchase the property from the owner and subsequently began a fundraising effort. This approved wastewater permit is one of the steps forward in the development of Timber Shore’s RV park application.
New Community Vision remains fully-focused on the outright purchase of the former Timber Shores property with a vision that will ensure its permanent protection, with the majority of critical lakeshore and open space set aside as a nature preserve. NCV believes this is an alternate vision for this historic property that the entire community can embrace.
Importantly, to extend the window of opportunity to achieve this goal, NCV recently negotiated an amendment to its exclusive Purchase Option that extends its right to buy the entire property until the end of September, 2024. This allows NCV additional time to continue fundraising through the summer months.
Related to this effort, NCV’s ongoing environmental studies of the former Timber Shores property have illuminated the truly special nature of this lakeshore gem. The property boasts a coastal landscape defined by sand and gravel beaches, interdunal wetlands, wooded dune and swale complexes and rich conifer swamps that are all ranked as “vulnerable” habitat in the state of Michigan, with interdunal wetlands ranked as “imperiled habitat”. John Sentell, president of NCV notes that “such a special landscape is what helps to define Leelanau and protect our watershed. This continues to confirm why this property is deserving of conservation, restoration and careful stewardship.”
The approval of the wastewater permit does not alter NCV’s ongoing and urgent fundraising appeal to preserve the property. As John Sentell, NCV president says, "Many of the special places in Leelanau are preserved by the power of people joining together to make a difference in our community's future. This is one of those important moments for our community." NCV welcomes the public to learn more and to get in contact via their website at newcommunityvision.org.
Sincerely,
The NCV Board of Directors