HOW GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS!

Official's of The Department of Transportation for the State of Michigan notify Mr. Brian R. McCaughrin, Founder, President & Owner of McCaughrin Maritime Marine Systems Inc., (MMMSI) of Wayne, Michigan by letter on Febuary 11, 2008 that McCaughrin Maritime Marine Systems., Inc, (MMMSI), Petition to Preserve the Elberta 700' Foot Michigan Dock, and 18 Additional Acres as "Commerical Deep Water Port", that did not substaniate the claim, and was revoke.

Mr. Melvin G. Williams, Administration for Dept of Transportation Division, said We Appreciate Mr. McCaughrin continued efforts, to permote maritime activity on the Great Lakes, and to preserve the Elberta Dock, As "Deep Water Port", but MDOT's Reveiw of this matter did not substantiate your claim. Therfore the Department will continue to persue our options with respect to the highest and best use of the property.

Ms. Elizebeth G. McKeigh, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, for McCaughrin Maritime Marine Systems., Inc., (MMMSI) said: We are "Shocked at this letter". The Dept of Transportation, are blaintly braking the Act (law), by covering this law up, that is on the books.

McCaughrin Maritime Marine Systems Inc., (MMMSI), has recieved documention proving "Michigan Port Authority Act (P.A. 639 of 1978") Is indeed "Fact", which was made available to this firm, though resident's which were very concern about the "Future Usage of Port of Elberta 700' dock, and adjoining 18 acres". These indivual's who have a vested interest also reside in Frankfort, and Interlochen, Michigan. This letter recieved was under then, Govenor John Engler, Govenor of The State of Michigan, on November 16, 1993, and 11 years after the former Ann Arbour Rail Service Ferry, Stopped Service on April 10, 1982, "Without Just Cause, and without telling Any Citizens or Business in Communities of Port of Elberta/Frankfort, Michigan Or Port of Kewaunee, Wisconsin of the Plan to Shut down The Cross Lakes Rail Service.

"Port Authorities Michigan Port Authority Act" (P.A. 639 of 1978) That authorize the establishment of public port authorities as partnership between local and state goverment. Act 639 provision of the act provide funding mechanisms for the development of New Port Facilities. Authorities established under this act may not operate airports. It would appear that other type of local organiation, such port commission, which could be established to enable local communites to become involed in port matters. In General, these organization can be given the powers which the local communites already have and wish to delegate. I am not aware of any powers to levy special fees against marine terminal relative to the issue are noted.

"Commerical Shipping "Elberta, Michigan is designated as "Deep Water Port", and is Maintained for that purpose. U.S. Corps of Engineers maintenance of the harbour (dredging) depends on its continued use of shipping. "Bestie Bay is a Harbour of Refuge" and utilized by ships, and boats during bad weather ore in case of brakedown on water. Continued U.S. Army Corp of Engineers maintenance and dredging of the harbour is dependent on continued commerical shipping from that port.

"Recommendations" The Village of Elberta, City of Frankfort, and County Planning Commission and County Boards of Commissioners work together to encourage maintenance of Bestie Bay at the Elberta and Frankfort "Deep Water Port Docks" (*) Support retention of adequate U.S. Coast guard Facilities and Staffing(*) Encourage continued maintenance by the U.S. Corps of Engineers(*) Encourage those business in place, to continue using existing facilities(*) Permote tourism, recreational boating, fishing, charter fishing, and show how it is integated with commerical uses.(*) Encourage the Harbour of Refuge aspects of the bay.(*) Assist the Village of Elberta to implement their development plans consistent with the goals of this report.(*) Permote a regional "brake - bulk" facilities, such as was proposed in Grand Traverse County that could transport materials by truck to the port if the community support's it.(*) Educated citizens about the characteristics and benefits of multi-modal transportation systems. Multi-modal means different forms of transportations such as car, bus, truck boat, air, bicycle and pedestrian. People coming to the County by boat would have increased opportunity to travel if other forms of transportation linked with the harbour.(*) Support use of railroad right-of-ways for recreation trail use. This retains the right-of-way in public ownership, allows a use compatible with other land uses and activities in the County and "preserves the corridor in the event that a future transportation use of the bed would be warranted" (*) Support a regional approach to rail transport for a "break, and bulk locations for containerized freight".

"Harbour Maintenances Tax"The Frankfort Harbour is a Federal Navigation Project.The Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-662) fundamentally changed the way federal navigation project are constructed and maintained. Historically, such project were constructed and maintained with general funds appropriated by Congress. Under the currecnt law, project construction costs are shared between the federal goverment, and local interest, which must provide approximately 35% of the needed funds. Cost for harbour maintenance are funded from the New National Harbour Maintenance Trust Fund, which is entirely supported by ad valorem taxes paid by shippers of marine cargoes.

"Recreational vs. Commerical Shipping"The issue of recreational navigation (marina, launching ramps, ect) versus commerical naviagtion is of interest to many port communiteis around the country. Both of these waterfront uses are extremely important to Michigan economy and their is sufficient land available to accommodate both type of activities in most harbours. Many of these harbours include Frankfort, are Federal Navigation Project which were orginally authorized by Congress as commerical harbours, even those they may currently have extensive recreational use. As long as a port has adequate volumes of commerce, generally measured by tons of cargo shipped or recieved, maintenance activities such as dredging are provide by the federal goverment with fuding from the user taxes discussed above. Without adequate commerical shipping traffic, their is less assurances that harbour maintenance activities will be provided by the federal goverment.

In general recreational projects have a lower federal priority and are more susceptible to changing polices, and political influences then are commerical projects. We strongly believe the best way for a community to peserve its recreational navigation uses and potential to maintain an active commerical port which will provide for adequate maintenance of the harbour.

Signed by: Mr. Larry B. Karnes Intermodal Section Transportation Planning Services Division. November 16, 1993

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Its McCaughrin Maritime Marine Systems., Inc., (MMMSI) has to Re-Petition to Dept of Transportation, for The Real Estate Properties for The State of Michigan, for #2nd Time for the 700' foot Elberta, Michigan Dock, and Adjoining 18 acres of property for useage for multi-modal brake-bulk-container facilities, as this dock has laid un-used for the past 26 years, and their is Act (Law) on the books that support's it, as it is written. These properties will become the "Business Plan for Michigan Growth in 21th Century, that will expand growth, and Partnership of Communites of Elberta & Frankfort, along with State of Michigan Goverment, in a renewing of New Business to the area.

Source: McCaughrin Maritime Marine Systems., Inc. (MMMSI)