Protecting What Matters: A Six-Month Update
Dear friends,
Last month we celebrated Earth Day. And while we’re always glad for a day that draws attention to the natural world, we’re reminded that this work doesn’t begin and end with a single day.
Every day is Earth Day.
At the Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance, that means staying committed – to the long, sometimes complex legal work, and to the everyday responsibility of stewardship. Spring in Michigan reminds us that progress isn’t always linear. One day feels like a step toward summer, the next a return to winter, and then suddenly everything begins to move again. In many ways, that reflects this moment in our work.
This is a “both/and” season, continuing to show up in courtrooms while also expanding how we care for the land and water beyond them. We want to bring you into that work and keep you informed along the way.
Here’s a brief snapshot of where things stand:
Legal Updates
Coastal Alliance’s Standing Affirmed: Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Antkoviak has affirmed the Coastal Alliance’s standing to challenge the Township’s 2017 marina permit. The Coastal Alliance, Saugatuck Township, and NorthShore of Saugatuck will appear at a scheduling conference before the Judge this month to discuss next steps. We’re hopeful we could have a decision from Judge Antkoviak before the end of 2026 whether the proposed marina violates the Township’s zoning ordinances and that the Township's permit should be voided.
EGLE Permit Appeal Hearing Set for August: NorthShore's appeal of EGLE's 2024 decision to deny its marina permit will be heard before an Administrative Law Judge in mid-August. The Coastal Alliance, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi, the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi, and the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi all have been granted leave to intervene to support EGLE in the case. We spent most of April actively preparing testimony of lay and expert witnesses and exhibits to submit to the court.
SLAPP Lawsuit: Allegan County Circuit Court Judge Antkoviak granted the Coastal Alliance’s motion to dismiss NorthShore’s SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Publication Participation) in October. NorthShore is appealing the decision. We are submitting our brief this month and monitoring next steps.
Van Horn: The Administrative Law Judge dismissed our case. We have filed an appeal in Allegan County Circuit Court.
Saugatuck Township has approved NorthShore’s condominium plan for Pine Trail Camp. There is a public hearing on May 26th to consider the marina and docks on the site!
We’ll continue to share updates as these matters progress. For now, please know the work is steady and ongoing.
Stewardship Updates
In addition to our legal efforts, we are continuing to expand our focus on stewardship. This is a natural evolution of our mission. Protecting the Kalamazoo River Mouth supports not only this immediate landscape, but also the broader health of the watershed and the Great Lakes system.
We are building partnerships with like-minded organizations and developing a framework for long-term stewardship and restoration. While our roots are local, the impact of this work reaches far beyond, contributing to a larger effort to restore and protect these interconnected waters.
Supporting the Work Ahead
As our work grows, so does the need for support. We will continue to pursue grants and institutional funding, but individual donors and foundations remain the lifeblood of the Coastal Alliance’s work. If you believe in protecting this place — for safety, for heritage, for good — we invite you to support the work ahead. Your generosity makes both our legal advocacy and our
growing stewardship efforts possible.
Thank you for being part of this work and for helping protect what matters.
Best,
Elaine Sterrett Isely, Executive Director
SAUGATUCK DUNES COASTAL ALLIANCE
