ANNUAL DUES (tax deductible): $20 for the year July 1 to June 30
Mail checks payable to:  The Beaver Island Association, PO Box 390, Beaver Island, MI 49782 • Membership Application

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ISLAND CURRENTS

Beaver Island Association Newsletter – Spring-Summer 2012

Supporting Environmental & Economic Sustainability

Endangered & Invasive Species Management Initiative. (Reprinted from an article in the Charlevoix Conservation District newsletter, by Kelly Martin, District Coordinator). [http://www.charlevoixcounty.org/cd.asp]

Invasive species come in all forms and have the potential to alter the very things that we love about northern Michigan. Once again the residents of Beaver Island are leading the charge to raise the public’s awareness of these threats!!!!

Hats off to the Beaver Island Association’s Endangered & Invasive Species Management Initiative! The purpose of the initiative is to identify & inventory endangered species and invasive plant species on Beaver Island and devise environmentally appropriate & effective measures to protect the former and control the latter.

The Island’s natural resources have been damaged as a result of weather, logging, recreation & nature. It is important to identify and continuously monitor & assess management actions to protect endangered native plants and prevent, identify and eliminate specific invasive plant species. Beaver Island property owners want to continue to obtain the economic benefits of eco-tourism, maintain viable populations of all species including game species for hunting, and promote tourism with responsible recreation and use of island habitat.

Initially the program will focus on aquatic & terrestrial invasive plants on Beaver Island; although all the islands in the archipelago may be included at a later date. The program will not consider plants that are indigenous, non-endangered or non-harmful native invasive species.

Goal 1: Educate. Property owners & visitors will be trained to identify invasive species & learn ways to eradicate them. A web site will be created to provide one-stop shopping information on invasive plant species. Educational events and products will be provided in multiple formats.

Goal 2: Inventory. Develop & maintain lists of endangered & high threat invasive species. Establish a communication process for reporting random sightings with a ready-made form to use.

Goal 3: Recruit. Recruit & train an EDRR (Early Detection Rapid Response) team to help treat infestations. Provide volunteers with opportunities to assist in detection, treatment and monitoring of invasive plants.  

Goal 4: Rehabilitate. Eradicate invasive species (dig up, spray, contain); Protect endangered species (signage, fencing, walk ways); Rehabilitate & replant sites where appropriate.

Based on specific Island conditions, the TOP FIVE Beaver Island Invasives have been identified as priority are:  Phragmites, Autumn Olive, Scotch Pine, Marsh thistle (European Swamp Thistle), Spotted Knapweed. Followed closely by, the NEXT FIVE Invasives deserving attention: Purple Loosestrife, Black Locust, Japanese Knotweed, Garlic Mustard, and Wild Parsnip.

Working in Partnership - Much More Effective. The Beaver Island Association has been working closely with the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources (MDNR) over the years and is currently working with them on the development of an invasive Phragmites 5-year plan.

Another partner providing valuable assistance & expertise is the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI). They are uniquely qualified to provide information for rare elements of diversity and natural communities. MNFI will work with Islanders integrating GIS and reporting sightings on the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network web site. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is also a significant partner that has helped BIA develop strategies for a number of ecological threats, including invasive plants, invasive insects, and wildlife issues in the past. This summer TNC will conduct a coarse-scale survey on Beaver Island for autumn olive & spotted knapweed (TOP 5). Also, a fine-scale “early detection” survey for over 20 of the most threatening invasive species like Japanese knotweed and garlic mustard (Next 5). This survey will be very detailed, carried out on over 6,000 acres of public land, and will guide treatment and monitoring activities including the outer islands in the future. Plus, the Little

Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians (LTBB) is working on a management plan for their properties through a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant. As well as documenting plants of tribal significance, bio-diversity work on outer islands, and an aquatic invasive species plan for treatment and follow-up. Through cooperation between MDNR, TNC, LTBB, and MNFI, data & resources are in place to ensure treatment is accurately & appropriately carried out on the outer islands while they are still largely un-infested.

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Invasive Species Summit – June 14

At Beaver Island community Center from 2 pm to 5 pm

Sponsored by the Beaver Island Association

The purpose of this meeting is to inform you of the dangers of invasive species, how to control them and their negative impact on outdoor activities, real estate values, the island economy and our environment.  Invasive plants are spreading on almost all private and public lands on our island archipelago.

§  Invasive plants can decrease your ability to enjoy hunting, fishing, mushroom collecting, bird watching, and other recreational pursuits.

§  Invasive plants, if left unchecked, will limit many uses our islands now and for future generations.

§  Invasive plants can harm the natural heritage of our wetlands, fields, forests, lakes, and rivers.

§  The longer we wait, the more expensive it will be to control invasive plants.

You can be a part of the solution by learning about Beaver Island’s invasive plants and taking action to prevent their spread.

To Register, email your Name, Address, Affiliation or Organization and Phone number and Email to:

Beaverislandassocaition@gmail.com   (ONLY ONE NAME OR MARRIED COUPLE PER REGISTRATION PLEASE)

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Charlevoix County Community Foundation awards a $2,200 grant to the Beaver Is-land Association for the purchase of GPS Equipment, essential to the Endangered & Invasive Species Management Plan.  Over the past 7 years, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, BIA, Charlevoix County GIS Department and the Island Townships have put together a procedure for surveying invasive Phragmites.  Without documenting the extent of our Phragmites infestations, we would not have been able to apply for treatment permits, obtain contractor quotes, write for grants, or document how successful our treatments have been. Some years, the borrowed GPS equipment’s memory became full of way points and needed to be sent to Gaylord for downloading or as with last year’s survey, the GPS system failed.

In an effort to coordinate invasive species work with State of Michigan and Charlevoix County agencies, Pam Grassmick and Jim Jones authored a grant request to the Charlevoix County Community Foundation for GPS equipment. The Foundation generously awarded BIA $2,200 for the purchase of a Trimble Juno 3B GPS unit and related software. Beaver Island is now in a position to interface all invasive species survey work into regional and state data bases.  The equipment arrives at an excellent time with The Nature Conservancy, the Little Traverse Band of Odawa, the Little Traverse Conservancy, and the Conservation Resource Alliance engaging in a partnership to assist the archipelago in documenting all invasive species, planning for treatment, and ultimately restoring high value conservation areas. 

Through the generosity of The Nature Conservancy and The Little Traverse Band of Odawa, $75,000 was recently allocated for 2012 survey work and treatment of all the islands. This is a golden opportunity for the Beaver Island archipelago to engage national organizations, state agencies, tribal entities, and private property owners in a coordinated attack on invasive species, which threaten our beautiful islands and can destroy the very things we treasure and enjoy here.  Early in May, The Nature Conservancy, tribal, state, county and Island representatives will meet with the contractor awarded the bid for the archipelago’s invasive species survey to review the proposed work and initiate the plan. Whether you are a shoreline or an interior property owner, BIA is committed to keeping you informed as to how you can personally help with this important endeavor.

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Emerald Ash Borer Update. The Beaver Island Archipelago remains under a Do Not Transport Firewood Quarantine through the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) for 2012.  Last year, an Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) detection survey was conducted on Beaver Island funded by the federal government.  The results indicated that no EAB were found.  John Bedford, MDA Pest Species Coordinator, has notified the island that all survey work has been eliminated for our area due to funding cuts.  The initial survey gave Beaver Island important information. The airports and the Beaver Island Boat Company have embraced the campaign to protect our ash trees. If Beaver Island is to harbor ash trees, we need to remain vigilant about our firewood quarantine.

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Community Center Presentation: “Saving the Family Cottage”.   Please join us in a special event sponsored by the BIA:  Guest speaker David Fry.

David Fry, attorney, and the late Stuart Hollander of Suttons Bay are coauthors of the 3^rd edition of “Saving the Family Cottage”.  This critical resource provides solutions for smooth transition of ownership of vacation properties across generations.  Their solutions leave the property intact within the family for future generations of the family to enjoy.

The book and David’s presentations have been highly valued throughout the Midwest in vacation communities such as Walloon Lake, Houghton Lake and regional meetings such as Michigan Lakes & Streams and Lakefront Living.  Over 20,000 copies of the book have reached readers across the country and around the world.

David is presenting on July 22 at 4:30 at the Beaver Island Community Center as a featured guest at the Beaver Island Association Annual Meeting.  He shares with us his extensive experience working with hundreds of families across the United States in transitioning ownership of vacation property to families’ younger generations.  The formal presentation is scheduled for an hour, including time for questions and answers, followed by opportunity to talk with David informally. 

This event is open to the public and BIA members are encouraged to invite friends and neighbors.  No reservations necessary, but seating is on a first-come basis.

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Beaver Island Municipal Marina to accept reservations.   At the St. James Township Supervisors’ meeting on February 1, the supervisors approved a slip reservation program for this summer.  Reservations will be accepted for one-half of the available slips.  It seems likely that a reservation system will increase boating traffic to the island, with benefits for businesses supplying services to Great Lakes mariners.

Below are excerpted comments from an email sent to the Beaver Island Association by Jack Wolf who is associated with the Great Lakes Cruising Club.   Jack also wrote:  “As a member of the Great Lakes Cruising Club – if you do change your policy and accept reservations (even if in limited numbers) I would be happy to write a review for the Harbor Report and highlight this. This is the cruising guide for thousands of boaters in the Great Lakes.”  Jack subsequently posted the information on the Harbor Report.

Here are some of Jack’s other comments.

·   I can confirm that from a sailboat cruisers point of view this change would be certainly much better for us and would probably improve your occupancy rates. Most sailboats would share this view (certainly all of the ones that we spoke with and made plans with) as making a decision to visit Beaver Island is more difficult because of the uncertainty over slip availability and the length of travel time to seek any alternative when arriving later in the day and finding no dockage available. In both 2010 and 2011 we passed by Beaver Island on our trip north for this reason.

·   In our case we tried to book a slip and were told we could not but to call when we got close to check on slips available. In 2010 we tried to call but could not get anyone to answer either the phone or VHF radio after 5:00 pm so our decision was easy – head to Harbor Springs. Traveling south is much the same and to be sure of a slip means one must arrive very early which is difficult to do for a sailboat when coming from Mackinaw City or Lake Huron. We did visit Beaver Island Public Marina on our trip south last year and after very difficult winds and hard sailing we arrived in St James Harbor after 7:00 pm and again no possibility of phone or VHF contact so we just stopped in and were very happy to find a place.

·   We really enjoy visiting Beaver Island with our 36 ft. sailboat and would always try to stop going both north and south if we could be assured of a slip. Every other marina that we visit in the area which includes Mackinaw City, Harbor Springs, Petoskey, and Charlevoix do take reservations.

One of the issues raised is the ability to contact the marina after 5pm.  There is no obvious solution for this – any suggestions would be appreciated.  In addition, it has been pointed out that that the State Harbor Guide does not include the Municipal Marina phone number.  We will alert the publisher to correct this.

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Township Airport Eminent Domain Trial Update.  The following summary of the township airport eminent domain jury trial verdict is a condensation by island resident Sandy Birdsall of the original letter to citizens written by Ken & Judy Taylor and Sandy & Jim Birdsall and updated to reflect the judgment entered in December.  It is being reprinted in our BIA newsletter with her permission.

“In December 2011, the circuit court entered judgment of $1,085,992.61 against Peaine and St. James Townships and in favor of the Albins in the eminent domain case regarding acquisition of land at the Township Airport.    This judgment amount does not include the $191,000 which the Townships had already paid to the Albins as their estimate of what the property was worth. (In an eminent domain case the plaintiffs (the two townships) had to deposit their estimated amount in order to file suit.) The total cost to the townships was:  $1,276,922.61 which includes the value of the property taken, interest ($292,910.69), and attorneys’ fees ($264,970.63). 

The Townships have already paid $191,000.  They will need to pay cash of $27,175 (1/2 from each Twp.)  MDOT will also contribute $27,175.  The remainder of the funds will come from the Federal Government, partially from discretionary block grant funds administered by the State and partially from the annual allocation of $150,000 in federal funds available to the Township Airport for approved projects. However, this money is not free and the judgment is not a minor amount.    In addition to what has already been paid, it appears that some of the federal funds which had been available for construction of a terminal or other airport improvements will not be available to the Townships as those funds will be used to pay part of the judgment. The amount of funds which will be used in this manner has not been released, but the Airport Committee at their last meeting indicated that they were going forward to refurbish the men’s room at the terminal, because the funding of a new terminal will be delayed. 

The jury of six people selected by attorneys for the townships and attorneys for the Albins found the following:

1.  The Albins’ property was taken in 2003 which made the Township liable for interest of $292,910.69.  This is because in 2003 an agreement that had been reached could not be consummated as it didn’t follow MDOT regulations, and the Townships sent a letter threatening eminent domain. The township didn’t follow through with the process, did not take any action until 2007 when an appraisal was ordered, and didn’t start the proceedings until 2010.  Leaving the Albins property under threat of condemnation for seven years created the liability for interest to 12/31/2011, the date the taking was finalized).

2.  The Townships were required to buy all of the Albins' parcel, 150 acres. The townships only needed 21 acres, but because the taking was out of the middle of the property and destroyed access to a part of the property, took away the ability to create five bluff lots, and because the Airport plans show a projection of 20,000 flights a year (including jets) to and from the property, the remaining property was determined to have no marketable value.

3.  The value of the property taken was $693,000.  This value was based on two appraisals, one ordered by the Townships and one ordered by the Albins.  The jury took the Albins’ appraisal which was less that the Townships appraiser’s value.  Further, the Townships offered $5000 an acre for the original 21 acre parcel, thus setting a high price themselves. The difference in value between the Townships offer and the jury award is the basis for determining attorneys’ fees.”

A number of letters and commentaries have circulated regarding the land issue and subsequent trial.   Hopefully an informed and involved public can help us learn from this experience and keep from making similar errors in the future.

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Health and Human Services Fair.  The Beaver Island Human Services Commission is in the planning stages of holding a Health and Human Services Health Fair on September 28th from 2-7 p.m. at the Beaver Island Christian Church/Gregg Fellowship Hall.  Additional services and information will be provided at a later date.  Stay informed and stay well.

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SUMMER FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE.  Although the Beaver Island Historical Society (BIHS)-Central Michigan University Biological Station (CMUBS) summer field trip schedule has not been finalized, we can give you a sneak preview of what’s on tap.  In addition, the BIA will sponsor a spotted knapweed pull at Little Sand Bay in July.  Participating in this pull will give the BIA membership an opportunity to become involved in the organization’s invasive plant species initiative.  Here is the tentative field trip schedule:

May 26.  Bird-watching with Dr. Nancy Seefelt

Mid-June.  Trees and shrubs of Beaver Island with Dr. Ed Leuck

Mid-July.  Dune ecology with Dr. Beth Leuck

Mid-July.  Spotted knapweed pull at Little Sand Bay (sponsored by the BIA)

There may be several other field trips during the summer months, but their times and topics have not yet been confirmed.  In addition, the CMU Biological Station plans to hold an open house at the old Coast Guard Station, which has been renovated and outfitted with state-of-the-art research equipment.  (See related article.)

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Maintaining Biodiversity on Beaver Island.  (Beth Leuck)  When the first fur traders landed on Beaver Island, they more than likely found an island covered with forests and marshes.  If we assume that the island was named because of the presence of beavers, the marshy areas may have been quite extensive due to beaver activity.  Both of these habitats would have been created by ecological forces that played out over thousands of years without the interference of humans.  But once the early settlers, Mormon and Irish, established themselves, the landscape of the island was completely altered.  White pines were clear-cut to feed the boilers of steam ships, and farmers drained marshes and cleared the land for crops.  If you have ever studied the background of photographs at Protar’s house or at the Mormon Print Shop Museum, you will notice the scarcity of trees in all the photos.  Then the precipitous decline of the fishing industry, the Great Depression, and the isolation of Beaver Island appear to have led to the abandonment of many farms through the 1960's, culminating in the use of island land now for vacation Homes on the beaches and inland lakes and hunting camps on privately-held interior acreage.

The abandonment of areas of the island that had been cleared led to a process of natural vegetative change called ecological succession.  The abandoned fields became covered with weedy herbaceous vegetation, then shrubs such as junipers, then sun-loving trees such as red and white pines.  Many of these areas are now showing signs of returning to the natural hardwood forest that was here pre-settlement.  My contention is that this change to a uniform habitat type across the island is not good for the biodiversity of the island.  A simple definition of biodiversity is the natural variation of organisms, and by allowing the island to return to only forests and marshes, we are reducing this natural variation that many of us value.

I first came to Beaver Island in the early 1980's.  At that time there were many open areas along East Side Drive.  I remember that the north side of the old beach bluff along McCauley Road was an open, marshy field where yellow lady slipper orchids bloomed in profusion.  Now the area is filled with white cedars that are so thick that nothing blooms among them.  The few yellow lady slippers left in the area come up on single stalks along the roadside, usually where the road graders have turned up the soil.  I hold my breath every spring, worried that these lady slippers too will go the way of the ones in the marshy field.  The pink lady slipper orchids that bloomed on the old sand ridges among the pines across from the Bill Wagner Campground are gone now too, probably victims of deer, rabbits, and increased shading.

Showy lady slipper orchids have also undergone a dramatic decrease in their population.  They used to grow in the wet fields between East Side Drive and the Lake Michigan shoreline.  Not anymore.  The only populations left are those along Kings Highway.  They are now so popular with islanders and visitors that there are paths worn to them from the roadside.  Again, the East Side Drive population probably died off due to deer, rabbits, and shading from the woody vegetation that is now filling in the fields.

We have also lost bird species that used to be common on the island.  White-throated sparrows sang among sparse stands of young pines growing in the fields, but those young pines are now tall pines filling in with hardwoods, so our white-throated sparrow population has declined.  Bobolinks and eastern meadowlarks nested in the grassy fields along East Side Drive.  These birds of the prairie have not been seen in numbers for some time now.

As abandoned clearings fill in, we lose many organisms found in more open habitats– bluebirds, milkweeds and their accompanying monarch butterflies, garter snakes and milk snakes that forage in open areas.  In other words, the island is losing its biodiversity.  Although one could argue that this is natural progression, I argue that maintaining varied habitats is a biologically and esthetically worthwhile endeavor.  Maintaining high biodiversity increases the number of ecological links in a closed ecosystem like Beaver Island.  The more links there are, the lower the chance of having the system crash.  Many of us take pleasure in the diversity of habitats on Beaver, and if maintaining them requires some human interference, let’s interfere.  After all, habitat management is not a new concept.

So, if you own property where previously open areas are filling in with shrubs and trees, consider doing some preventative cutting to maintain the herbaceous vegetation.  Don’t plant the cleared area in non-native forage plants.  They form a monoculture that does nothing to attract multiple native animal species.  Let the native grasses and forbs grow and be vigilant about invasive plant species.  The monarchs, garter snakes, and lady slipper orchids will thank you.

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CMU Update.  (Beth Leuck) This summer CMU will host an open house to showcase some new technology housed in the old Coast Guard Station. The interior of the Coast Guard building has been outfitted with a dozen Lake Michigan mesocosms. A mesocosm is an experimental water enclosure through which natural water moves, allowing researchers to study the aquatic environment under controlled conditions. This allows experimentation with water chemistry, flow, and temperature, as well as manipulation of living organisms and their interactions with each other. These mesocosms will allow CMU’s Institute for Great Lakes researchers perform sophisticated manipulations on chemical and biological parameters that affect Lake Michigan in order to gain a better understanding of the functioning of the ecosystem. In addition to the mesocosms, visitors will be introduced to the Institute for Great Lakes faculty, hear about ongoing and planned research projects, and if it is in port at the time of the open house, the Institute’s new 35-foot research vessel will be available for viewing. The date of the open house will be announced later this spring.

In addition to the changes at the old Coast Guard Station, CMU’s Miller’s Marsh is being transformed into an experimental terrestrial laboratory. Six randomly placed exclosures, which are large pens that exclude animals of certain sizes, are being built this summer. These exclosures will be designed to let all animals in, exclude deer only, or exclude both deer and rabbits. Ecologists can then study the effects of herbivore exclusion on native vegetation, including transplanted Canada yew. Students taking classes at the biological station can also use the exclosures for class projects. Even the famous "snake boards" located around the marsh will have a new look and be placed in a manner that will allow structured research to take place on the animals that use them.

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Beaver Island Community School Career Day.  Plans for the 1^st annual Career Day are moving forward, led by Beth Croswhite, and supported by committee members representing the BIA, BICS alumni, and Charlevoix ISD. The event is scheduled for Tuesday morning, May 29^th. There are a few slots available for volunteers to share information about your career field so if you would are interested, please email Beth Croswhite    (bethc@beaverisland.k12.mi.us) and Taffy Raphael (teraphael@gmail.com).

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New St. James Township Recreation Plan.  In February, St. James Township adopted a new five-year recreation plan, based in part on public input through an online survey, focus group meetings, and a 30-day public comment period. Plan development was coordinated by Pete Plastrik.  The plan identifies 24 “recreation assets” in the township and contains 3 broad goals:

1. Maintain and restore condition of natural resources and ecosystems that contribute to recreation and quality of life on Beaver Island.
2. Increase recreational opportunities, especially for youth and elderly residents of Beaver Island.
3. Increase the recreational assets/services of Beaver Island for attracting tourists and seasonal residents.

To achieve these goals the plan contains 10 action items, including:

• Invasive species. Reaffirm the township’s commitment to the long-term fight against invasive species through actively engaging partners and increasing its funding for the effort, in concert with Peaine Township.
• Fitness center. Seek to partner with the Beaver Island school system and the Beaver Island Rural Health Center to develop a business plan for creating a fitness center that would leverage school district resources and donations from Island year-round and seasonal residents.
• Hiking/biking trails. Engage with Peaine Township, private landowners, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in the development of an ambitious, multi-island plan to pursue added hiking and biking trails.

Beaver Island Property Taxes   Below are the assessed property values used for determining property taxes in 2011. Tthere were 3284 properties with an assessed value of $190 million, and a taxable value of $117 million.  Overall, Taxable Values were 62% of the State Equalized Value.  Peaine Township Taxable values were 59% of the total and St. James 41%.  According to Betsy Mason, Charlevoix County Equalization Director, results of the recent extensive appraisal process will be available in late May, and it will be interesting to see the changes.

Property Taxes Assessed.  These mil-rates produced $4.842 million in assessed taxes, the details of which are shown in the table below.  The State School Tax of 8.0 mills raised $936 thousand, while the incremental Beaver Island tax of 15.9 mils on non-primary residences raised $1.45 million.  The Charlevoix Intermediate School District Tax raised $325 thousand.  Together, the two island townships and Charlevoix County raised $2.0 million for Operations. The District Library raised $105 thousand.

Beaver Island Community School Budgets.  Summarized below is the 2011/2012 approved budget.  Total budgeted spending is $2.2 million, approximately 10% higher than the original 2010/2011 budget, even with lower enrollment.  About half of the expenditure increase is budgeted to be covered by reserve funds from spending which was less than revenues in prior years. 

Tax Revenues Leaving Beaver Island.  $856 thousand (31%) of education related property taxes collected on Beaver Island were not returned to the island, but were used to fund education in Charlevoix and other Michigan communities.  This raises questions of “fairness”.   If more of the State Education Tax or the Charlevoix Intermediate School District Tax could be retained, it might be possible to lower the 15.9 mil-rate tax on non-primary residences, the level of which is certainly detrimental to the local housing market and the Beaver Island economy in general.

Taxpayer representation on the BICS School Board.  With the high proportion (70%) of BICS funding from non-primary resident taxpayers, it would be helpful to have School Board representation include these taxpayers.  Even if not elected to the School Board, perhaps an adjunct advisory committee with authority to make formal recommendations to the School Board could be formed.  In addition, such a committee might be useful in lobbying both Charlevoix and the State of Michigan regarding a more equitable distribution of local tax assessments.  The committee could also explore the application of new technology for “distance learning” to enhance educational effectiveness while lowering costs.  Members are encouraged to let the board know what you think about these issues.  Please email your comments to: [Beaverislandassociation@gmail.com].

Agenda for the Beaver Island Association Annual Meeting - Sunday, July 22, 2012, THE Beaver Island Community (Center Open to the public)

·         4:30 – 5:00 p.m. informal gathering and refreshments in the lobby

·         5:00 p.m.  Call to order and short introduction -  Peter Igoe

·         5:00 – 6:00 p.m.  Feature presentation by attorney and co-author David Fry….Saving the Family Cottage        (followed by a 15 minutes for questions.  After that David may take questions in the lobby.)

·         6:15 p.m.         Review of the Minutes of the 2011 Annual Meeting (handout) – Peter Igoe

·       Membership and Financial Review – Bob Anderson

·         6:20 – 6:35 p.m. Very short summary of 2011 accomplishments

o   GPS grant from the Charlevoix Community Foundation – Pam Grassmick

o   Beaver Island Association web-site and e-mail address – Bob Tidmore

·         Website: Beaverislandassociation.com

·         Email:  Beaverislandassocaition@gmail.com

o   Beach Cleanup 2011, plans for 2012 – Ken McDonald

o   Municipal Marina Reservations –Peter Igoe

o   Chamber of Commerce Membership – Bob Anderson

o   Road improvements status – Bob Anderson

o   Summer Lectures, including CMU field trips  – Beth Leuck

·         6:35 – 6:45 p.m. Report on the June 14, 2012 Invasive Species Summit – Craig Schrotenboer

·         6:45 - 6:55 Presentation on results of the initial BICS Career Day – Taffy Raphael

·         6:55 p.m.  Input from the membership regarding future initiatives

·         Meeting adjourned followed by refreshments

looking for New MemberS.  The BIA is an organization of dedicated volunteers who seek to represent the interests of all residents  and visitors on Beaver Island.  From Phragmites control to Township Governance and everything in between, the BIA is working to support environmental and economic sustainability.

We would like to broaden our membership to include more island residents and visitors. Our membership year runs from July 1 to the following June 30. Please  encourage friends or neighbors to join us by sending a check for $20 to the Beaver Island Association, PO Box 390, Beaver Island, MI 49782, including your name as sponsor.

In September (date to be determined) the Beaver Island Association will host an early evening cocktail reception for new members and sponsors at the Island home of Bob and Kathy Tidmore. We encourage you to talk to BIA Board Members about current activities and plans and to offer your suggestions for additional work.  Please renew your own membership now and sign up new members before September.

The Beaver Island Association
P.O. Box 390, Beaver Island, MI 49782
Email: beaverislandasociation@gmail.com