The approved plan consists of community demographics, such as population growth and economic profiles; landscape features, consisting of soil characteristics and topography; Delta County Parks and Recreation administrative structure; and more.

Members on the Delta County Parks and Recreation Commission modified the plan after Delta County residents voiced their concerns at the public hearing on Jan. 6. Many community members stated the plan did not adequately address public access to waterways and boat launches on the Garden Peninsula.

The commission addressed accessibility and parking at Sac Bay Park on the Garden Peninsula in the plan, as well as a fish dam access site for those seeking access to Big Bay de Noc from that area. It notes that “While modest in scale compared to the county’s larger parks, Fish Dam Access Site plays an important role in the regional recreation system by providing essential boat launching and fishing access in an area where such facilities are limited.”

Modifications to the plan were also made, which consist of the commission addressing water quality protection and including healthy water habitat language, conducting a feasibility study of having a deep water marina and boat launch in the southern portion of the Garden Peninsula and more.

Delta County updates their recreation plan every five years to ensure eligibility for annual Michigan Department of Natural Resources funding opportunities. The Delta County Board passed their most recent five-year recreation plan at Tuesday's meeting. (Photo courtesy of Delta County five-year recreation plan)

Communities throughout Michigan, including Delta County, update their recreation plans every five years. This ensures eligibility for annual Michigan Department of Natural Resources funding opportunities.

Commissioners Tuesday discussed specific language in the resolution of adoption document, with some raising concerns over wording related to the timing of the plan’s public review and the definition of “enhancing natural resource conservation.”

Heather LeDuc, Delta County parks manager, addressed the board to discuss the latter issue, stating “I think it’s really important that (the language) remains in the plan, because there are things that we want to do to enhance it and it also is part of the point system.”

The point system refers to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources using a points-based system that assesses grant requests based on their alignment to state goals.

With the final draft set for adoption that evening, the board struck the contested language on the public review timeline from the document and added “on county lands” wherever the resolution mentions “enhancing natural resources.”

Australian cattle dogs Chong and Cheech play on the beach at O.B. Fuller Park and Campground, one of the recreational destinations managed by Delta County, where the board just approved a new plan. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

In other business Tuesday, the council:

Approved Delta County’s emergency management coordinator’s (EMC) annual salary of $69,000, as recommended by the finance committee. With the cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, applied, the total salary for the position is $71,415. Commissioner Kelli van Ginhoven opposed the motion, noting that with this approved salary, Delta County’s EMC is being underpaid by at least $2,000 per year compared to EMCs in Marquette, Keweenaw and Houghton Counties.

Approved the request for proposals for various projects to be funded from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act Title III program, including purchasing a wildland fire/brush truck for Garden Township, a water tender truck for Nahma Township, PPE and fire-fighting equipment for Masonville and Bay de Noc Townships and more.

Awarded the request for qualifications (RFQ) to Mead & Hunt for planning and environmental services at the Delta County Airport. Mead & Hunt, an architectural, engineering, planning and construction services firm, had the only response to the airport’s RFQ last year. According to the board’s agenda packet, the firm’s services will include general consulting and advisement on airport development issues, some of which include the Airport Master Plan and the Airport Layout Plan Update.

Approved a revised Delta County Animal Control Ordinance. The board will now begin the process of scheduling a public hearing on the ordinance.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.