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04/20/2006Breakwater fix may cost $12 millionmccoolrecordeagle@sbcglobal.net 
A March 14 storm ripped the cement cap off two sections of a Petoskey breakwall, exposing wooden cribs filled with rocks at its base. The cost of repairing the structure, built in the 1890s, is estimated at $12 million. PETOSKEY — Federal officials visited town to scope the damaged breakwater that protects the city's marina, but no decisions have been made about a timeline for repairs. A long-term, permanent fix could be years away and cost as much as $12 million, said U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee. "To cap it, you're looking at around $12 million, from what they told us (Tuesday)," after viewing the breakwater, said Stupak, whose congressional district includes Petoskey. A portion of the century-old structure washed away during a violent windstorm in March. Stupak's staffers and officials from the United States Army Corps of Engineers met with city officials Tuesday for a first look at the damage, said Petoskey parks director Allen Hansen. Until recently, ice on Little Traverse Bay prevented any investigation. "The gist was it needs to be repaired, but because of the way the law is written, there will have to be legislative action taken" to reallocate funding, Hansen said. Messages left Wednesday with Corps officials in Grand Haven and Detroit were not immediately returned. The breakwater, built in the 1890s, is constructed of rock-filled wooden cribs, with a concrete cap poured in sections over the cribs. On March 14, one or two of the those sections washed away, leaving a gap of about 50 feet. With the ice out of the bay, the wooden cribs are clearly visible a few feet below the water surface. They appear to be partially collapsed. Also visible is part the concrete cap, pushed off to the side. The Corps' budget was set months ago — prior to the damage in March — with no money allocated for Petoskey. Any long-term fix will have to wait for the next budget appropriations bill, which could mean months, or years, Stupak said. "A long-term fix, with engineer studies and everything, you're looking at least a year or two," he said. A quicker, short-term fix is not out of the question, if funds in the current budget can be reallocated, Stupak said. It would require legislative action, and the Corps must first submit a report, he said. "When we get a report form the Army Corps, we'll look and see what projects are around Michigan that have been (funded) and maybe we can reappropriate some money," the congressman said. "That's not a guarantee, just something we can look at." See related stories:
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