The state of Michigan began its Great Lakes Harbours Program in 1947 when the legislature created the Michigan State Waterways Commission. The Commission was granted authority and supporting funds to create a marine highway along the 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline in the state. The program’s goal was to locate harbours so that no boater will ever be more than 15 shoreline miles from safety. In a few places, it has not yet been possible to meet this goal, but the map shows how extensive this network of harbours has become.
Boaters have paid for much of this harbour network through taxes on marine fuel purchases and boat registration fees. But the infrastructure demonstrates what can be accomplished when all levels of government work together. Under the Waterways Grant-In-Aid Program, local units of government are given grant funds for construction of facilities. In addition, the federal government supports the harbour program through funds allocated to the Dingell-Johnson Fund, administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, for the development of boating facilities designed to match local contributions. Also, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers played an important role in the initial development and actual construction of the majority of Michigan’s harbour network. The federal/state/local program of cooperation is aimed primarily at the development of facilities. Responsibility for continuing operation and maintenance lies with local communities, and so reasonable fees are charged for the upkeep and operation of docks and piers, showers, restrooms and other facilities at these harbours.
The individual municipalities play a huge part in the harbours where we have been; providing land, maintenance and staff for the marinas. It is obvious that the communities are behind the endeavour as well. Most have benches, picnic tables, trees and gardens planted as memorial donations. All of this benefits local residents as they have access to the facilities and appear to make good use of them on a regular basis. There are farmers markets, art shows, free concerts; plus people walk, jog, peddle and picnic in the parks.
In each harbour, some dock space is allocated exclusively for use by transient boaters.
A detailed guide to the harbours is available here. A list of the marinas on the east side of Lake Michigan with their coordinates and phone numbers is here.
Moon Dance IV 