Park Service revamps planning process

Residents meet with park officials at the Glen Arbor Township Hall during one of the new public input sessions.

Anyone who's ever worked on a planning committee knows first hand how difficult it can be to try to please everyone.  Even the simplest of projects can become very complex, and sometimes disagreements can even bring a project to a screeching halt. 

National Park Service (NPS) planners learned this lesson the hard way in 2002 when public outcry prompted the Department of the Interior to halt work on a General Management Plan (GMP) intended to provide long-term, general guidance for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  More than three years later in January of 2006, Superintendent Dusty Shultz and her team of NPS planners regrouped and launched a new and improved planning effort for a GMP which also includes a Wilderness Study. 

So far, things have gone exceptionally well, according to Shultz.  So what's changed?   

"I think what's making the difference now is that we are really going out of our way to be as transparent as possible, and enhancing the public's involvement in the new planning process," said Shultz.  "Keeping the public informed and engaged in constant open dialogue has made a huge difference." 

The NPS has also made updates to the Lakeshore's website, launched a GMP web forum, and held additional public meetings to increase the flow of information.  "It's important that people know we are taking their comments seriously and they can see their ideas are being incorporated into the plan," said Shultz.

"When we started this over a year ago, there were a lot of misconceptions, and I don't think people were really sure what our intentions were," said Tom Ulrich, Assistant Superintendent.  "To correct that, Dusty and I have met personally with about 40 different organizations to discuss Wilderness and road access, the planning process itself, and explain what we (the NPS) hope to accomplish in the new plan." 

"The information exchange has been very useful, and the relationships we've formed during these meetings have set the tone for the entire planning process," said Ulrich.   

As with any planning project, there's a wide range of views on how the Lakeshore should be managed. 

"Sometimes those viewpoints conflict with one another, so our job is to try and create a balance if possible, while staying true to our mission as described in the legislation that created the Lakeshore and in the NPS Organic Act," said Ulrich. 

In public meetings held last summer at Traverse City West High School, NPS planners encouraged attendees to write their ideas on index cards and post them on easels for all to see.  The attendees were then organized into smaller groups who sorted the cards by category, and discussed each idea on the cards. 

"This exercise allowed everyone present to see for themselves the wide range of ideas that NPS planners must consider during the process," said Ulrich. 

After discussing the information on each card, a spokesperson from each small group presented the concepts to the entire group.

"This style of meeting allowed the public to get directly involved and see first hand how hard it is to balance everyone's views," said Ulrich.  "Many people came up to us afterwards and said, ‘Gee, you really have a tough job with this."

After the public meetings last summer, the NPS planning team pored over the comments and used them to develop the Preliminary Alternatives presented in Newsletter #4, which was mailed to 2,400 stakeholders at the end of March 2007.

"The Preliminary Alternatives, A, B, and C, presented in Newsletter #4 directly reflect the input we've received, and present a palette of ideas to pick and choose from as we develop a Preferred Alternative," said Shultz. 

A "No-Action" Alternative, describing the way the Lakeshore is currently being managed, was also provided in the newsletter for comparison, along with maps and descriptions of each alternative.   The release of Newsletter #4 at the end of March began an official GMP comment period which lasted until May 14.  To ensure this information was clearly understood, and allow the public an opportunity to make fully informed comments, the Lakeshore staff hosted public meetings in Benzie, Leelanau and Grand Traverse Counties on May 1, 2 and 3 to discuss the information in the newsletter.  Attendees at the public meetings were given a PowerPoint presentation by Ulrich, and then an opportunity to make formal comments.  Superintendent Shultz and Assistant Superintendent Ulrich ended each meeting with an open question and answer session.  

We're delighted with the public's involvement and willingness to help us build the Preferred Alternative," said Shultz.  "The new GMP will fulfill our mission as described in the Lakeshore's enabling legislation by offering a wide range of recreational opportunities, while protecting and preserving the natural and cultural resources at the Lakeshore in perpetuity," said Shultz.  "I'd like to thank everyone that's helped us so far, and encourage everyone to continue to stay involved." 

It appears that the NPS is getting it right this time, as many of the commenters - regardless of their opinions about the alternatives - have included thank-yous to the NPS for genuinely listening, and using what they have heard.  That, at least, does seem to please everyone.

For more information, call (231) 326-5134.

Bruce Huffman is the public information officer at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.