February 28, 2001

James Goodheart, Executive Director

Michigan United Conservation Clubs

P.O. Box 30235

Lansing, MI 48909

Dear Mr. Goodheart,

I wish to call to your attention our efforts to stop the Michigan Department of Natural Resources from constructing a boat launch on the east end of Deer Lake, Onota Township, Alger County. I hope you will consider our arguments outlining the probability of environmental degradation as a consequence of the proposed construction. And, I hope you will peruse our Alternative Plan which would provide access to Deer Lake without the negative consequences that would ensue from the MDNR's plan. Finally, I hope you will agree the Alternative Plan is a fair compromise that will benefit the greatest number of citizens.

During a public hearing held in Deerton, Michigan in May, 1998, a local representative claimed MUCC supported the plan to construct a boat launch on Deer Lake. During my professional career as a biology professor and environmental educator in the 1970's and 1980's, I had the opportunity to work with and meet with members of the MUCC Conservation Education staff during Michigan Environmental Education Association (later became Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education) conferences. I find it hard to believe these persons would support the boat launch construction project if they were aware of the loss of forest and wetland habitat that will result from the planned launch. Further, I predict the majority of the MUCC membership would support our Alternative Plan if they were able to compare and contrast the two.

Would you be willing to test my hypothesis regarding the feelings of your membership? I sincerely hope it is possible for MUCC to support our opposition to the MDNR plan and to support our ecologically benign Alternative Plan.

Thank you for your kind consideration. I am enclosing a copy of our current newsletter and a copy of the Alternative Plan. We have much information posted on our web site at: http://members.nbci.com/SaveDeer/index.htm

Sincerely yours,

Donald A. Snitgen

P.O. Box 159

Au Train, MI 49806