By Glenn Puit

Is it just me, or is Little Traverse Bay looking particularly magnificent this year? My first full winter in Northern Michigan has given me new perspective on how nice springtime is here in Emmet County…even when it’s still cold!

This week’s report gives you a quick update on some interesting new developments in Emmet County, as gathered by yours truly. Instead of using an old-fashioned hard news format, I’m writing a fast-moving news blog. Let me know what you think!

Here we go…

Harbor Springs Steps on the Gas
The City of Harbor Springs is contemplating getting some of its electricity from the burning of gas from landfills.

The proposal comes to the city through its membership in the Michigan Public Power Agency. The city may sign a long-term contract with Lansing-based Granger III and Associates LLC for some of the energy it generates from landfill gas.

If it signs the proposal, Harbor Springs would be partnering with a number of other municipalities.

“We are only looking at getting a half-megawatt from this, and our rough peak (for demand) is maybe nine megawatts,” according to City Manager Fred Geuder.

Landfill gas energy facilities capture gases emanating from landfills and combust it for energy. This is somewhat beneficial for the environment. On one hand, using this type of power would offset the use of fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas by burning—and destroying—one of the most potent greenhouse gases, methane, which otherwise leaks from landfills. The result, however, is still more CO2, a less powerful global warming gas, albeit the most common one.

Scientists point out that wind and solar are clean sources of energy, while burning gas, even if it produces less-warming emissions, is not.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there are 445 landfill gas energy projects currently operating in the United States. Creative use of landfill gas includes heating greenhouses, producing electricity and heat in cogeneration applications, firing brick kilns, supplying high-BTU pipeline quality gas, fueling garbage trucks, and providing fuel to chemical and automobile manufacturing.

Mr. Geuder said the item is on the City Council’s June 2 agenda for further discussion.

Comprehensive Plan Update
Emmet County is a step closer to adopting a thoughtful strategy for future land use.

Earlier this month, a committee adopted new strategies for land use and housing in Emmet as part of the update of the county’s Comprehensive Master Plan. The newly adopted language contains good goals for preserving open spaces, view corridors, and defining rural character while also encouraging economic development.

This summer the county will unveil the entire proposed master plan to communities in Emmet. The presentations are important because they’ll give Emmet residents a chance to be heard on the details of the future land use maps and how their areas will develop in the coming decades.

“We are relying on the public to point to those views, those corridors and areas they want to see protected,” said Jonathan Scheel, a local planner who is participating in the master plan update.

Firm dates for the meetings—in Harbor Springs, Bear Creek Township, and Pellston—have not been set, but expect them in July. We’ll keep you posted, and the Institute will be calling on you to attend and speak up!

Tunnel of Trees
It’s May, and the trillium is making for a lovely show along Emmet County’s beautiful M-119—something I so enjoyed while driving to and from a recent meeting of the M-119 Heritage Route Committee.

The committee has the protection of M-119 firmly in mind as it updates its objectives, future projects, and role as community advisors. Each committee member should be commended for taking the time to care about one of the most majestic areas in America. The trillium, the forests, and the glorious views of Lake Michigan are simply spectacular, and we should each do everything we can to support the committee.

Here are a few fast facts culled from the current M-119 Heritage Route Management Plan:

1. M-119 runs for 13 miles through Cross Village, Readmond, and Friendship.
2. In 1997, the Emmet County Board of Commissioners designated M-119 as a Heritage Route, and the Michigan Department of Transportation made the official designation that same year.
3. Seven Mile Point is the area below the bluff from Rolling Ridge Farm. It is believed that Native Americans and other explorers used this location as a destination and starting point for local journeys.
4. Middle Village is a settlement dating back hundreds of years.
5. L’Arbre Croche was originally a large, gnarled hemlock used as a location market by voyagers. The tree is no longer living.

Take care. There’s more on the way in the coming weeks!