The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) is investigating to see if former state senator Mat Dunaskiss is operating a marina illegally at property he owns on Lake Orion.
The property in question is an island that formerly had a home on it, which burned down.
Residents have told the MDEQ that a motorhome has been parked on the property for days at a time for most of the summer, and that additional docks were built around Memorial Day.
Tom Sampson, field investigator for the MDEQ, said he is aware of the situation, but that Dunaskiss has not been charged with any violations at this time.
‘A letter was sent to Mr. Dunaskiss to inform him that a permit from this department is required to operate a marina,? Sampson said. ‘The letter advised that he should stop all unauthorized activity and requested a reply by Aug. 5.?
Sampson said Dunaskiss contacted him by phone, and they were scheduled to meet on Aug. 16 to discuss the situation.
‘I have photos, but I haven’t had a chance to visit the property yet,? Sampson said on Aug. 9. ‘I’ll actually go out there and look at the site, and see what’s going on.?
Sampson said Orion Township doesn’t have any ordinances governing marina operations, but that if docks or other buildings were constructed without a permit, township ordinances would apply.
‘I talked to the township ordinance officer, and he said he would be visiting the property,? said Sampson.
A petition was being circulated among residents living near the property to ask the MDEQ to help them stop a situation that one resident said has led to two additional docks being constructed, and eight boats and one jet ski being kept at the island.
‘They were popping up every day since Memorial Day,? he said. ‘They are operating what is clearly a marina there.?
According to MDEQ District Supervisor for Southeast Michigan Mary Vanderlaan, the MDEQ is merely trying to gather information from Dunaskiss at this time.
‘We had some residents who contacted us, saying he’d placed docks there and was renting them to non-occupants of the property,? she said.
‘The definition of a marina is fairly broad,? said Vanderlaan. ‘Under the statute, if you have a marina, you have to have a permit for the construction of docks, and then you would have to get a marina operating permit.?
Vanderlaan said a resident can have one dock, but if they allow non-riparian property owners to use it for a charge, they are considered to be providing a service.
‘Then you are considered a marina,? she said.
Orion Township Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk said the township was aware of the situation.
‘There have been some complaints,? he said. ‘The township is investigating to see if they are running a business, or if improvements were done without a permit.?
Dywasuk said the township does have an ordinance that addresses running a business, such as a marina, without a license.
‘We’re getting information that supposedly, he’s running a business,? Dywasuk said. ‘We need to investigate and get the facts before we decide which of our ordinances might apply, if any.?
Dunaskiss had not returned a phone call from The Review at press time.