The State of Michigan has long recognized the importance of protecting its freshwater sand dunes. In response to development pressures and the recognition of the need to protect especially important dunes, in 1989 the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) designated approximately 74,000 acres of critical dune areas (CDAs) throughout the state that require special protections. From 2024-2026, EGLE contracted with GEI Consultants, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Michigan Technological University, and Michigan State University to update the 1989 CDA atlas. The effort combined desktop reviews and field-based assessments to designate new CDAs, de-designate existing CDAs that no longer meet designation criteria, or correct CDA boundaries based on geomorphological and ecological conditions. This presentation will provide an overview of the methodology used to holistically assess the morphology, coastal processes, impacts, and ecology of Michigan’s sand dunes.
