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Home My Public Portal About20050000CoastalProjectsPart3-50-80.pdf Grand Haven Project April 1986 June 2003 17 Years Later Photos by DLHolmberg Grand Haven Project June 1986 Sept. 2003 17 Years Later Photos by DLHolmberg Grand Haven Project 1985 Stickney Ridge, Michigan June 2000 15 Years Later DLH Photos by Marge Beaver Port Sheldon Project Oct. 1994 Before DLH Photos by Marge Beaver ^ South 10-12-1994 Funded by Keck, Bicknel, Browne & Smith Port Sheldon Project From: "Paul J Keck" <letter Sent: Tuesday July 26 2005 10 46 PM Subject: Holmberg Technologies Inc. Gentlemen My name is Dr Paul J Keck You wrote to me with questions concerning the technology, method of use and satisfaction. I own a home on Lake Michigan, with 100' of frontage, and located about 1 mile from the entrance of a man made channel, with 1200' jetties protruding out into the lake. It is located between Holland and Grand Haven Michigan. This structure (jetties) was proven to cause extensive shoreline erosion by studies done by the Army Corps of Engineers. We completed our home on this property in 1992, and although constructed as far back as mandated by the Corps. we were losing significant beach and dune height, and were in fear of potentially losing our home within 5-8 years without appropriate intervention. I had written as you are doing., to various individuals that had utilized various systems to control the effects of erosion. The one name that consistently came up was Holmberg Technologies. I called Mr. Holmberg, and he gave me the location of approximately 15 sites that I could visit, and talk to the property owners. My wife and I visited 10 or so sites, and were extremely pleased with both the results and what the property owners told us. After several meetings with Mr. Holmberg, he recommended that I attempt to get at least 400' of frontage on which to install the "system". I met with my neighbors and was able to join with 3 adjacent property owners, which gave us a total of about 415' of frontage. Mr. Holmberg recommended a 100' geotextile tube on each property line, for a total of 5 "speed bumps" as he will sometimes call them, each 100' in length. It took me 12-18 months to get the permits I needed to begin construction, and sign the appropriate contracts. During this waiting time, my neighbor next door lost his house to erosion, which would not have occurred had the permits been granted in a timely fashion. Nonetheless we proceeded with the work (1995), and to this day continue to be amazed how well that it has protected and augmented our beach. We currently have gained about 75-100 feet lakeward and 35-50 feet of fore-dune height There was no need to nourish the system at any time with sand. The systems do not cause any downdrift damage such as seen with a seawall. In fact, a few neighbors have commented that our system has helped their beach as well. Mr. Holmberg has dedicated his life to the study of hydrology, and what works with and not against Mother Nature. I would highly recommend his work as the only system currently available that has proven consistently to work. Mr. Holmberg is passionate about his work, and can help solve your problem. Please feel free to E-mail me any additional questions that you may have. I would be honored to help you in any way that I am able. You are welcome to fly here and see my system. You would fly into Gerald R Ford International Airport, and I will arrange to pick you, and any invited guests up. Sincerely. Paul J Keck 616-847-8818 (home evenings) Port Sheldon Project Aug. 1997 Port Sheldon, Michigan ^ South View June 2003 6 Years Later Photos By D L Holmberg Port Sheldon Project Sept. 94 Port Sheldon, Michigan July 2002 8 Years Later Photos by D L Holmberg Holland Project 1976 1985 Large Sand Bags Photos by DL H 9 Years later Permanent US System Installed July 1993 Funded by Huiszenga & Kleis 17 Years Later DLH Photo by Marge Beaver Holland Project 1992 7 Years After Installation Eagle Crest Association Photo by D L Holmberg 7-26-1993 8 Years After DLH Photos by Marge Beaver Saugatuck Project April 1988 Allegan County, Douglas, Michigan State Funded Project June 2000 12 Years Later DLH Photos by Marge Beaver Saugatuck Project July 25, 2003 ProgressiveAE Mr. Dick Holmberg Holmberg Technologies, Inc. 1775 Chadwick Road Englewood, FL ;14223 Re: Douglas Michigan Lakeshore Drive Study November 1988 Dear Dick: It was a pleasure to talk with you last month and I thank you for the updated information that you sent me on your projects in Michigan, Florida, and Saudi Arabia. Since I was the licensed civil engineer on the Lakeshore Drive Study in Allegan County, Michigan in 1988 and recommended in the report that the 'Undercurrent Stabilizer" technology be used as the preferred solution for the project, I have periodically visited the area since then to observe what has happened. Although the county could not afford the recommended solution, I was glad at the time that they had you install the smaller system to try to save the section of road that was in jeopardy of being lost just north of 130 Avenue on Lakeshore Drive. Based upon the documented surveys done by WBDC, Inc. and Dr. Straw, at Western Michigan University (WMU), it was apparent in 1990 and 1991 that the system was a success and my personal observations since have visually confirmed the system over time has performed as predicted. The shoreline has expanded, the beach has elevated and vegetation on the slope has been re-established. I would hope at some future date, that the studies by WMU could be continued to document the success of the system. Please stay in touch, we work on many inland lakes, occasionally on the Great Lakes and there may be future opportunity to use your technology on severe erosion sites that we run across in the future. Sincerely, PROGRESSIVE ARCHITECTURE ENGINEERING Saugatuck Project 1988 ^ North April 2001 13 Years Later Photoss By DLHolmberg Saugatuck Project Jan. 1987 Mary Heuvilhurst’s dog “Timmy” State Funded Project June 2003 16 Years Later Photoss by DLHolmberg Saugatuck Project 1988 ^ North June 2003 15 Years Later Photoss By DLHolmberg t South Haven Project 1972 Photo by Kelly ^North April 1982 2000 10 Years Later Funded by Goodwillie 28 Years Later DLH Photos by Marge Beaver South Haven Project 1983 1984 Upper Wall Collapsed Winter 1983 Seawall Destroyed Winter 1983 1984 1983 Seawall Breach 1992 8 Years Later Photos By DLHolmberg South Haven Project 1984 1984 ^ North 1992 8 Years Later Photos By DLHolmberg South Haven Project 1984 1992 8 Years Later Photos By DLHolmberg South Haven Project 1984 Photoss By DLHolmberg July 2000 16 Years Later DLH Photos by Marge Beaver New Buffalo Project 1983 Funded By Lauadio, Kwasny & Rewaldt DLH Photos By Marge Beaver 1983 1983 Photos By DLHolmberg New Buffalo Project Nov. 1990 Harbor 1990 DLH Photos By Marge Beaver New Buffalo Project 1984 June 2003 19 Years Later Photos By DLHolmberg New Buffalo Project 1983 1999 16 Years Later DLH Photos By Marge Beaver New Buffalo Project 1984 June 2003 19 Years Later Photos By DLHolmberg