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Comments from the community will be taken at the hearing hosted by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. The MDEQ and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are the agencies that decide whether to issue a permit for the marina project.

The city marina is one of five marinas existing or planned within one mile of the city limits on Lake Charlevoix's waterfront. If all marina plans are implemented the waterfront will have nearly 500 slips. In addition, in nearby Eveline Township, the Sommerset Pointe development plans propose a marina with 136 slips.

The city's plans for the Boyne City Municipal Marina will increase the number of slips from 42 to 115, including mooring buoys. Existing fixed piers will be demolished and removed. A 660-foot long by 12-foot wide "L" shaped pier will expand the harbor lake ward, according to the state's joint public notice dated April 20.

A main floating pier is designed with 21 finger piers. A second floating pier will have eight finger piers and a third pier is designed for six finger piers.

Three fishing platforms sized 65-feet by 10-feet will be installed. A 10-foot diameter gazebo will be constructed as well as a 125-foot long and 10-foot wide floating shopper's pier for transient broadside dockage.

Along with expansion, the renovation will provide improved wave protection. No dredging or shoreline protection is proposed by the city. The agencies will base the permit decision on the probable impact of the proposed activity on the public interest. Conservation, economics, aesthetics, general environmental concerns, wetlands, fish and wildlife values, land use, navigation, shoreline erosion, water quality, safety and the welfare of the people are considered, according to the joint public notice.

Historic properties within the permit area factor into the decision. The public notice states that there are no recorded historic properties within the city marina area and that the site has been so extensively modified by modern development that little likelihood exists for historic properties. However, the state invites responses from Indian tribes, historical and archaeological societies, and others that may have knowledge to the contrary.

Public comments may be made at Thursday's hearing, Public comments may be made at Thursday's hearing, or written comments may be sent to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Land and Water Management Division, P.O. Box 30204, Lansing, Michigan 48909. All correspondence must refer to file number 2007-184-41 and 07-15-0002-P. Comments must be received by May 20.

For more information contact Roxanne Ramirez at the MDEQ Gaylord office at 989-705-3442.