As much as $7.5 million in private donations has been secured and will be donated if the state Department of Natural Resources makes a commitment to buy Lake Michigan dune property near Saugatuck, state officials say.
The number was mentioned Wednesday, Oct. 22, at a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund meeting to discuss a potential $500,000 state grant toward buying 150 acres next to Saugatuck Dunes State Park.
Trust Fund board members in early December are expected to decide whether to award the grant.
Steve DeBrabander, head of the grants management section for the state agency, said the DNR has received about 700 letters in support of the acquisition and the Trust Fund awarding a grant.
Oklahoma businessman Aubrey McClendon owns about 300 acres between Saugatuck Dunes State Park and the Saugatuck channel.
Conservationists with the Land Conservancy of West Michigan, the West Michigan Environmental Action Council and other groups have their eye on preserving the entire 300 acres from development.
McClendon has plans to put 18 home sites on part of the land, but so far has only received approval to build a road to the sites.
Conservationists hope he’s willing to sell to the state instead.
DeBrabander said officials with the conservation groups noted that up to $7.5 million in secured donations is available so far if the state makes a commitment to buy the dune land.
Rachel Hood, a spokesperson for WMEAC, said a public-private purchase of the land may require up to 2,000 donors.
McClendon was last known to be asking $40 million for the entire 300 acres, but a representative for McClendon in August said the property was no longer for sale.
Source: WMEAC