1) Water quantity: The Pierport water ecosystem has numerous natural artesian springs, including the famous “Old Faceful” which delights children as well as adults. The huge amounts of water that are needed to keep the golf course green will be drawn from the same aquifers that residents down slope get their water. Residents are very concerned that our wells will be impacted and that we won’t have enough water for our homes due to excessive pumping from our shared aquifers.
2) Water quality: Golf course lawns are known to be toxic due to fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides applied to maintain lawns. Residents worry about these fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides leaching into the water table and contaminating our community’s water supply.
3) Water quality: Impact from sewage system from the development of a lodge and hotel.
4) Ensuring water quantity and quality: Does the golf course have a means of ensuring that our water supply will not be negatively impacted? What protection will residents of Pierport, the 13 Mile Road corridor, Erdman Road, Norconk Road, etc. have if water quantity and quality are in fact impacted, even if these problems develop a number of years in the future?
5) Preservation of the rural quality: A key component of the Arcadia Township Master Plan is persevering the rural quality of the township. We hope that the new golf course is designed in such a way as to minimize the visual impact along M22 and 13 Mile Road, preserving the current rural landscape that residents and the multitude of visitors to our area enjoy. It seems that adapting the new course’s aesthetics to the current rural surroundings could make the new South Course a model for golf courses in the 21st century, attracting a younger generation of golfers who live in or visit Manistee county to enjoy and be recharged by the incredible natural beauty here.
The Master Plan for Arcadia Township expresses the township’s sense of responsibility as stewards to protect and preserve the natural beauty and health of the land in Arcadia. We thank the Arcadia Township Planning Commission for supporting economic growth in Arcadia while protecting Arcadia Township’s natural resources as outlined in the Master Plan.
