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The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality took comments about the project at a hearing on May 3. City manager Michael Cain spoke about the need for updating the marina and of its service to the public.

"The existing marina is at the end of its economic life cycle," Cain said. "This is the only truly public marina. It's owned by the public and it's used by the public. We fill a different niche than any other marina."

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.

A number of citizens offered comments that agreed with the need to renovate the marina, but said the docks were too long.

The marina upgrade is needed, but the drawings show that the docks extend out too far, resident Vasco Zucchiatti said. He voiced concern about too many slips.

"People don't pack up and come up here because it's crowded. It's crowded where they live."

Resident Walter Ward also cautioned against too many boats on the city's waterfront.

"Be careful of creating traffic and overloading the lake," Ward said. "You should combine this proposal with what's going on around it."

The city marina is one of five marinas existing or planned within one mile of the citywaterfront. 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 environmental organization, Water and Air Team Charlevoix (WATCH), was represented at the hearing by president Bill Henne. He commented on the length of the marina structure and the impact of the number of boats.

"The more boats, the more refuse," Henne said. "We're concerned about water quality and wildlife."

The city worked through 14 versions of a marina plan before choosing the plan was submitted to the MDEQ, city commissioner Jerry Douglas said.

"We've tried to shape it so the main area stays open (for view)," he said. The deadline for submission of written comments is May 13. For information contact Roxanne Ramirez at the MDEQ Gaylord office at 989-705-3442.