To the Editor:

We appreciate the great front-page story on the Les Cheneaux Islands channel dredging featured in your May 22 edition. As stated, it has been almost 40 years since our channels have had any maintenance and navigating the area in recent years has been challenging for both resident and transient boaters. We in Les Cheneaux are looking forward to easier passage through our island channels and for improved access for residents, contractors, and emergency services providers.

Funding for this project didn't just happen, though. For almost two years, a small local group of committed citizens, who call themselves the Les Cheneaux Islands Waterways Restoration Group (LCIWRG), have been meeting around a kitchen table every Tuesday morning. These weekly meetings were used to research, strategize, and plan the next steps in how to push the Les Cheneaux dredge project out in front to gain the notice and support of federal legislators and agencies. The group worked closely with the current and previous Clark Township boards, Senators Levin and Stabenow's offices, and the Corps of Engineers. The project will restore the seven-foot depth throughout the primary navigation channel between Hessel and Cedarville. The driving force for this project is to revitalize and enhance the local economy by increasing local and transient boater activity.

We are grateful for the key federal support of Les Cheneaux's request from Senator Carl Levin and Senator Debbie Stabenow and their staff, especially Amy Berglund and Shari Davies, along with Roger Srigley of Congressional Representative Bart Stupak's office. Wayne Schloop and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were important in understanding and listening to our plight. At the state level, Representative Gary McDowell and Senator Jason Allen added additional support.

Clark Township officials and other local stakeholders have had supporting roles in this community effort. LCIWRG members active on this project include Bob Dunn, Gary Reid, John Torsky, Linda Hudson, and Bob "Lakeside" Smith. Linda Hudson Les Cheneaux Islands Waterways Restoration Group