04/29/2006

More contamination found at Bay Harbor

Health officials issue a watercraft advisory

BY CRAIG McCOOL

mccoolrecordeagle@sbcglobal.net

BAY HARBOR — A newly discovered area of contamination in the Bay Harbor resort prompted health officials to issue a watercraft advisory.

Officials on Friday warned watercraft to stay out of a channel that serves a small, private harbor at the eastern edge of the resort. Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency official Scott Kendzierski said contamination was discovered this month during observation flights.

"It was noticed there was a large, dark area in the channel," he said.

Further study revealed a contamination seep extending about 400 feet along the bottom of the channel, 15-20 feet underwater. Testing found elevated pH levels between 9.1 and 12, health officials said.

The channel serves Village Harbor Lake, a small, private inlet for adjacent Bay Harbor home owners. Larger Bay Harbor Lake is about ½ mile to the west.

The posh resort west of Petoskey on Little Traverse Bay was formerly the site of a cement plant. After the resort was developed, contamination from buried "piles" of cement kiln dust, leftover from the cement operation, was discovered seeping into Lake Michigan.

The contamination is alkaline, and contact can cause irritation to the eyes or skin.

The area of shoreline adjacent to the channel has already been under a health advisory, Kendzierski said, part of beach restrictions issued since 2004 by the health agency that account for more than a mile of shoreline.

The newest channel seep is likely coming from the known kiln dust in adjacent East Park, Kendzierski said.

A spokesman for CMS Energy — an initial investor in the resort, CMS is now financing an ongoing cleanup — said nearby property owners have been notified.

"Based on what's been found there, I see no reason why they (homeowners) will not be able to continue to use their docks," said Tim Petrosky.

Petrosky said he did not want to "second guess" the health department over the necessity of the advisory.

"Village Harbor is private," he added. "There are no public facilities there, no marina, no public restrooms or restaurants."

Kendzierski acknowledged it was private body of water, but noted its accessibility to Little Traverse Bay.

"Our concern was we'd have recreational watercraft moving in and out of the channel, kayakers, canoers, whatever," he said.