DOCK TOUR - Chuck Allen, pointing, of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources describes a feature of the Tawas Point Lighthouse, located across Tawas Bay from the East Tawas State Dock, to, from left, Michigan Historical Center Director Sandra Clark, MDEQ Representative Matt Smar and East Tawas TIFA Director Helen Pasakarnis. - Photo by Jason Ogden

DEQ tours state dock in cruise ship grant process
by Jason Ogden

EAST TAWAS - East Tawas could be closer to getting funding for a cruise ship feasibility study for the East Tawas State Dock.

Matt Smar, a Coastal Management Program representative for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), toured the dock Friday as part of the process.
According to Smar, the MDEQ is looking at roughly 86 different applications for grant money from around the state for coastal projects.

He said he is only one of many inspectors who look at project locations, like the dock, to see if they would be good candidates for grant money.

According to East Tawas Tax Increment Financing Authority (TIFA) Director Helen Pasakarnis, if the grant is given to the city, it will be used to conduct a study into the feasibility of the dock becoming a stop for Great Lakes cruise ships.

She said that the grant, which would be $34,000 with an equal match from local government, would also be used to see what kind of features exist or need to be added to make the area a desirable stopover for the ships.

Other governmental bodies, including Iosco County, have pledged varying amounts toward the match.

Smar said the MDEQ will discuss which sites are better than others and the applicants will be verbally notified by mid-August if their application is accepted.

He said that payment for the grant, which could come from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, would most likely take place sometime in the fall.

Although Smar would not comment directly about how the state dock fell into the other projects as far as securing funding for the study, he said that another group’s project being tied in with the dock could be a bonus.

According to Sandra Clark, director for the Michigan Historical Center, the center has also filed an application with the MDEQ to fund a study in creating development guides for Michigan harbors.

The guide, called the Blueway Trails Port City Guide, would outline the amenities and area attractions that would guide boaters, as well as cruise ships, into harbors.

He said that payment for the grant, which could come from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, would most likely take place sometime in the fall.

Although Smar would not comment directly about how the state dock fell into the other projects as far as securing funding for the study, he said that another group’s project being tied in with the dock could be a bonus.

According to Sandra Clark, director for the Michigan Historical Center, the center has also filed an application with the MDEQ to fund a study in creating development guides for Michigan harbors.

The guide, called the Blueway Trails Port City Guide, would outline the amenities and area attractions that would guide boaters, as well as cruise ships, into harbors.

She said that the project is not in effect yet, but added that when it is, Tawas Bay and the East Tawas State Dock would be the “pilot” location for the guide.

Smar said that, because of this, East Tawas could stand a good chance at getting funding.

“The real big attraction is the two proposals coming in at the same time,” he said. “It is an advantage for both of the projects.”

Overall, Smar appeared impressed with the location and said the clarity of the water was very impressive.

Pasakarnis was enthusiastic about possibly acquiring the funding, but was unsure of what the city would do if it didn’t. She didn’t know if the city would go ahead with a study anyway if it didn’t receive the grant.

“We will cross that bridge when we come to it,” she said.