Update: Slow/ No-wake ordinance declined by DNRE

State officials have declined to draft special controls that would govern watercraft speeds on Miner Lake in Allegan Township.

Township board members discussed at their meeting on Monday, July 5, a letter from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, which gave the results of the state’s investigation.

“Local watercraft controls are authorized only when necessary to assure compatible use and best protect public safety,” wrote Lt. Andrew Turner with the DNRE’s law enforcement division. “Miner Lake does not have the volume of boating activity at this time to warrant any special local watercraft control or restrictions at this time.”

The Miner Lake Association had initiated the push to seek the ordinance earlier this year after its members complained about the wakes from passing motorboats eroding and damaging their land over the years when lake levels swell following heavy rain.

Following a February public hearing, the DNRE was on site to survey the lake and also convened a May 26 public hearing to hear further testimony.

A report of that hearing prepared by DNRE Sgt. Al Bavarskas said 24 people were present at the May hearing and six gave testimony; all expressed a desire to see a slow-no-wake control put in place when the lake level was up.

Despite that, Bavarskas wrote that “there is an absence of any compelling evidence of reported violations of the Marine Safety Act during high water levels.”

Bavarskas and Turner both mentioned that lake levels should improve with the completion of work on the Miner Lake Drain being conducted by the Allegan County Drain Commission.

Bavarskas also noted that the Allegan County Sheriff Department’s marine division intends to patrol Miner Lake during high water periods.

Allegan Township supervisor Steve Schulz said the drain work was besides the point—the dam would control the lake level far more than the drain.

“Minor Lake is acting as a reservoir,” he said. “If the water can’t get over the dam, it might take two or three days for the level to go down.”

He said lake association member Terry Skoglund had sent pictures of recent flooding to the DNRE to further demonstrate the need for controls. Schulz said he hoped to hear a response from Turner.

Article from Allegan News Wednesday July 7th 2010 by Ryan Lewis