Baldwin Lake Association Newsletter
November 1999
Volume 6 Issue 5
Text Items in Color are Links to pictures or more information.
FROM OUR PRESIDENT - Don Henke:
Winter must be just around the corner because we just cleaned our roads for the final time in this millennium. Thank you to all those who spent a few hours beautifying our lake community, and a special thank you to those who, after cleaning up Hilltop, came over to help the three of us clean up Sunset.
We are now winding down our activities as a lake association and with the completion of our annual bake sale. Only our Christmas dinner is left on our activity calendar.
New this fall was the formation of the Porter Alliance of Lakes (P.A.L.), made up of representatives from Baldwin, Birch, Long, Coverdale, and Shavehead Lakes. (We are hoping that representatives from Indiana Lake will join us, as well) We met on October 13th, to discuss common problems we all experience. Some of the topics that were discussed were Purple Loosestrife, Zebra Mussels, and water testing results. These are serious concerns, and it was quite interesting to hear about other lakes, and how they address these issues.
We feel that an organization that represents these lake communities, one that can relay information affecting our neighborhoods, will be a great benefit to each of us, as well as to Porter Township. The initial plans are for P.A.L. to meet quarterly, and we have established an E-mail network to help us keep in touch.
Get your ticket money in to Carol Morris now, and we’ll all have a great time at our annual Christmas Dinner!
MEMORIAL TO BILLIE:
About 45 people attended a memorial dedication service at the east end of Hilltop Laundry on Sunday, October 17th. Following her death, which occurred during the Hilltop Laundry robbery, several cash memorials were given in her honor to our Association. At the suggestion of her friend and house-mate, Georgia Leslie, these donations and money from the Union Victim’s Assistance fund were used to purchase a maple tree and a beautiful field stone marker that was placed at the east end of the Laundromat. The stone marker will have an etching of Billie’s face on it, with the inscription:
“BILLIE”
IN MEMORY OF
DIANE VAN STRUM
JULY 6, 1928 - MAY 3, 1997
SHE WAS AN INNOCENT VICTIM
WHOSE LIFE WAS TAKEN AT THE
HILLTOP LAUNDRY ROBBERY
Click here for pictures
Detective Bob Babcock and Prosecuting Attorney Scott Teter spoke at the service. Coe Strain also said a few words. “Trees are a bridge between heaven and earth…Trees, in the fall, remind us of our losses, but also remind us that spring is coming.” Billie, we may have lost you, but you will never be forgotten!
DISTRICT DOINGS - By Coe Strain
Creating districts within our Association serves two very important purposes. First and most important, it is our way to create a path for communication from our members to our officers, and from the executive board to our members. We want the officers to hear the concerns and opinions of all our members. They need to know what kinds of programs you want, and what you think is the best way to preserve and protect our lake and community. That means that we need to hear from you! There needs to be someone living close enough to you that you can get to know him (or her) and with whom you feel comfortable asking questions and sharing concerns. Of course, we all need to remember that not everyone is going to be happy about everything the association does. It is hoped that in a range of programs, activities and opportunities, something will appeal to each of you.
:
The advisors are the most important folks in our organization. They represent you. They bring you the newsletter and take the new resident packs to folks moving into your neighborhood, making them feel welcome. The packets also include information about water safety and laws, the association and our community.
:
Your advisor’s area is a neighborhood! We have tried to keep the districts small enough to be easy to access and cover. The lines are geographic and some districts are subdivided as well. In each issue, we plan to highlight one district - its’ advisor(s) and some of the interesting things or people in their districts- with an eye to humor, as well.
:
To begin, briefly, here are the districts and their advisors.
District 1 is the area surrounding Little Baldwin and includes those on Pleasant, from Sunset to the channel opening, Michigan Ave., and the part of Sunset that borders Little Baldwin. Charlotte Fletcher serves the Pleasant Street residents, while Stacy Dolph serves those on Michigan and on Sunset to the wooded area just south of Little Baldwin.
District 2 picks up Sunset south of the empty wooded area to the public access at Beechwood. It includes Hartshorn and Treasure Isle. Mike (pontoon man) Feldes works with and for the people on Sunset and Jeff Scharr tries to stay in contact with folks on Treasure Isle and Hartshorn. Jeff is also one of our two Vice Presidents.
District 3 runs south from Beechwood to Wayne Street. Alice Ann Troy and Phil Yoder share this area and are the hosts for our annual picnic.
District 4 combines Terrie Shores and Hollywood Shores to cover the south end of the lake. President Don Henke covers his own street, Terrie Shores, while past-President Carol Erbe keeps trying to catch up with the people in her area of Hollywood Shores and South Baldwin Lake Drive. (Didn’t know we had one of those, did you?)
District 5 and 6 divide Hilltop Road just about in the middle with Carol Morris and Sue Sicko teamed up for the south end while Joe Komins and Mike Miller represent the residents of the north half..
District 7 is the east side of the north end narrows - Oak and Lake Streets, just across the lake from Willowshores. (Lake is another street a lot of you probably don’t know.) Perhaps both Lake and South Baldwin Lake will show up on the new county maps. Lake is a private road that wanders from Sunset to the very northeast corner of our lake. Vince Anderson and Mike Crofoot take care of these folks - in more ways than one. Mike and his wife Jan have been active since the Association began, but Mike’s night shift keeps him away from a lot of the meetings. He gets copies of the minutes and is still available to folks up there to answer questions and get concerns back to our leaders.
District 8 is the long winding Pleasant Drive, beginning at the channel and going clear up to Oak Street. This is why Sharon Pittenger is asking for help. In addition to working full time at Mills, Sharon is also a Vice President. If you could help deliver newsletters, stop in and see her. You will enjoy getting to know your neighbors better.
The Commercial District, was created to include the campgrounds and a few people in weird places like behind the marina, and a couple of associate memberss - folks who don’t actually live on the lake, but care about what goes on here. Carolyn Stevenson, our secretary, delivers these and/or we mail them.
A complete listing of advisors and phone numbers appear on the outside cover page. Get to know them. They are good, dedicated folks who care about our community and our lake, and they work for you.
WATER QUALITY - By Mike Miller-Chairman:
End of the year “State of the Lake” report
Water Clarity
It is encouraging to document an average improvement of over 1 foot of clarity in all parts of the lake, reversing a downward trend that started in 1997-1998. May and early June saw readings averaging 12' to 15'. July and August readings deteriorated down to 6.5' to 9.0'. One reason clarity levels decrease is when there is an increase in suspended green algae particulates. As it has in prior years, this drop in clarity began in July, when we had the increased heat and low precipitation levels.
Test site 1999 1998 1997 3 year avg.
n. end, main lake 9.79' 8.7' 10.0' 9.5'
little baldwin 9.84' 9.1' 10.7' 9.88'
center, main lake 9.83' 8.3' 10.3' 9.48'
south end 9.29' 7.4' 9.6' 8.76'
avg. of all 4 locations 9.69' 8.38' 10.15' 9.41'
*Secchi Disk reading are taken at the deepest point at all locations. My thanks and gratitude to Mike Feldes and Fred Srtoobrandt for their bi-weekly collection of the preceding data!
Phosphorous Monitoring
An increase in the phosphorous level over a period of time is a common measurement to gauge nutrient enrichment. Fertilizers and cleaning agents that enter our lake through runoff, and septic leachate are the main contributors. Baldwin’s reading was up slightly from 1998 (12 ug/l), but very close to average when compared to other lakes in Cass County. Range was a low of 8, to a high of 24. Diamond and Donnell lakes, which both have sewer systems reported values of 9 to 11 at various sites.
Surface Water Temperature
Water temperatures were “bath-like” from early June through early August when we had very minimal precipitation, ranging from 80° - 83° F. Prolific weed growth was encouraged by two consecutive mild winters. The minimal ice and snow coverage doesn’t allow the deep weed kill that we experience in average winters.
Fecal Coliform
We had the best test results ever! Because of the minimal rainfall, samples were collected the first week of October after a couple of days of welcomed rain. Due to low water levels at all area lakes, the test site, where the creek enters our lake from Indiana Lake, had no flowing water, so a test could not be taken there. It has been many years since the creek has totally stopped. Two contributing factors to the excellent results are: (1) High soil absorption due to dryness with no runoff into lake (2) Continued conscientious improvement by all property owners to keep their septic systems operating correctly and efficiently.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR - Coe Strain
Thank you to all advisors, committee chairs and members who have contributed materials, written articles, distributed newsletters, and all of you who have from time to time indicated that you have read and enjoyed the newsletters over the past six years. I began getting the newsletter out to residents around Baldwin Lake while we were attempting to organize an association just about six years ago this month. That’s a long time, and I have begun to feel as if I’m repeating myself too often. It’s time for some new input.
I have truly enjoyed doing this and meeting so many of you around the lake through the articles. It has been a pleasure and has made me feel as if I may have contributed to the building of the Baldwin Lake Community in a small way. There are so many nice, caring people here. That’s what makes it a great place to live! I’ll miss being in on the ground floor, so to speak, but it is certainly not my intention to “drop out” of the association. It’s too important for that! Jack and I have seen a lot of changes since we moved up here in the fall of 1975, especially in these last few years. Most of what is happening is good, but we must constantly stay aware of what it takes to preserve the way of life on the lake that we all love. Cass County is a special place, and we are very fortunate to have so many folks who are dedicated to pursuing what is good for the area and with dealing with the changes that always come with the passage of time. (Just imagine what it will be like once CR 17 meets US-12, and be ready to support what you think should happen concerning this development.)
Now, let me introduce you to the new editor of the Baldwin Lake Association Newsletter. Patti Haynie lives with her husband Tim and three children on the north end of Hilltop Road, next door to Mike Miller. They built their home there just a few years ago, coming here from the SW Chicago suburbs. Patti, with the help of her husband (and teen-age son), will be putting together the newsletter. Joe Komins and I will be helping her with the first couple of issues and I know she will do a wonderful job for all of us. Contact her for ads, stories, comments, and information you think should be shared with our members. At her request, I will continue to do the wildlife “report”, so please fill me in on wildlife you see around here. I have also agreed to do the district features, so as you can see, I haven’t gone away.
Finally, to Lois and Joe, Don, Carol, the Dolph’s, Jeff and Mike, Alice Ann and Phil, Carol and Sue, Mike and Joe, Mike, Sharon and Charlotte - and all of those of you in between, THANK YOU for your concern and your support. Being the newsletter editor has been a tremendous experience, computer frustrations and all.
Patti’s phone (and fax) # is 641-5512 E-mail address is baldwinlake@hotmail.com
A TIME TO BE THANKFUL FOR THIS COMMUNITY,
and the season is the reason for the 3rd annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner to be held at Baldwin Prairie School on Sunday, November 14th from 2-5 p.m. (MI time). The menu will include ham and turkey, dressing, slaw, baked beans, rolls, coffee, milk and juice. Donations for the meal will be accepted at the door. Folks who like to bake may bring and share desserts..)
This is a joint program with Calvin, Mason, and Porter Township community Policing Committees. This year it will be held on Sunday afternoon rather than Saturday night. Daylight may make it easier for some folks to attend. Hope to see you there!
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES - By Mike Miller
Zebra Mussels:
There has been a lot of confusion involving the accuracy of the independent tests conducted last summer, which showed that Baldwin Lake had the mussel larvae (veligers). At the Annual meeting, I reported that we would be re-tested this summer to confirm the larvae presence. This did not happen. I found out in a September meeting with Michigan Lakes and Streams that the accuracy of the 1998 testing conducted on a number of lakes was questionable. As a result, if no adult zebra mussels are found on boats, piers, or other objects when removed this fall, then we may not yet have them. By now, they would be ˝? long. Please call me if you suspect any “cling-ons”. Baldwin is on a confirmed list to be tested again this spring or early summer. Sorry for the confusion - we were only reporting the results conveyed to us.
Purple Loosestrife:
As reported in the last newsletter, we discovered this problematic plant growing in isolated areas along the shorelines - at the north point between the main lake and Little Baldwin, and at the north end of the main lake. Volunteers dug and hand pulled plants, which were bagged, and after several weeks, burned in a remote area. No chemical sprays were used. How can we effectively stop the spread of this tough, undesirable plant? Wouldn’t it be great to find a natural predator that eats nothing but this plant? Such an insect is available in the form of a beetle. These guys love to “pig out” on the loosestrife plant and nothing else. When the loosestrife is gone, the beetles die - not good for the beetles, but all in all, a safe and environmentally friendly solution that is supported by the DNR/DEQ.
Long Lake has been battling a large spread of plants at their south end for years, so a local source of the beetles was needed. Baldwin Prairie School has agreed to raise the beetles as a science project. The area lake associations will support this endeavor financially, purchasing the necessary materials. Over the winter, further work will be done in preparation for controlling the spread of this noxious plant. Any eradication method will take a period of years, since the seeds of this hardy perennial plant can remain dormant for a couple of years before germinating. We will keep you updated as progress is made.
Thank you to those who volunteered in the eradication effort. It was very hot, hard work. We may not have gotten rid of it permanently, but we sure slowed down the spread!
For those with Internet access, additional information on Loosestrife and Zebra Mussels can be found on the Baldwin Lake site via the ML&SA link, at www.ducks.ca/purple/ or at www.msue.mus.edu/ewagrant/pp . You can also call (313)-764-1138 and talk with the Seagrant personnel at the
U of M / Ann Arbor.
COE’S COO’S - By Coe Strain
Now is the time to begin watching for migrating ducks - and deer. The fall season is early and already the deer are beginning to move. If you were listening to a scanner, you would hear about car-deer accidents several times each week. A motorcyclist was killed at Sunset and US-12 this September, when he hit a deer. My tactic is to drive near or even over the centerline, depending on traffic, with my bright lights on at night. Even in the daytime you can see deer in the nearby fields. There is a small group hanging around the corner of Wayne and Sunset. This week Jack saw one of the young ones dead in that area. Watch the sides of the roads for shining eyes at night, and remember, where you see one, a second is very likely to appear!
We’ve seen fairly large V’s of geese recently moving in the skies, and one day last week a grebe appeared. A solitary swan flew in and headed toward the north end. It was gone the next morning. Since swans mate for life, we wondered if it might not be the one whose mate was caught in the ice last fall. Swans do not normally migrate alone. Oh, but they are beautiful.
Imogene Creakbaum in not the only one to have seen the Sandhill cranes this fall. The Clarks stopped us at Pitts the other night to say they had seen three of them in the field that borders Hilltop as you head west to Baldwin Prairie. We’ve been watching, but so far they have eluded us. I wonder if hurricane Floyd will cause them to move this way.
We’ve had some beautiful gardens around the lake this year in spite of the extreme dryness. Some of them are still beautiful, but ours suffered from the heat. I wonder if everyone had the poor quality tomatoes that we got this year from the same type of plants that we have always grown. The thick white “stuff” went half way through the tomato. How about the rest of you?
The humming birds are gone now. We took our feeders down about September 15th, but I owe Sharon Pittenger a big thank-you for the information about the wasp traps that Mills carries. I invested the $5 and it really works. Cleaning them out isn’t much fun, but it allowed the hummers to get to their food. Thank, Sharon.
Our winter feeders went up today and already the nuthatches, finches, titmice, blue jays cardinals, and chipmunks have dined there. We have a new, painted gourd feeder. Unfortunately, those chipmunks can get into it and do…make that did! We’ve moved it to the hook above the window, and now we watch titmice and chickadees in there.
‘Til the next issue, keep your eyes open and let me know what you see out there.
ROSES TO:
John Balch, Kay and Nathan Komins, and Joann and Lynne Miller. After helping out at their own Road Cleanup on Hilltop, the 5 of them went over to help out at the Sunset Road Cleanup. It was greatly appreciated, as help on Sunset was sparse.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
****************************************
Baldwin Prairie School continues to offer
Line Dancing classes Monday evenings.
Intermediate 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Beginner 7:30 - 9 p.m.
NOVEMBER
6 Holiday Bazaars at Baldwin Prairie School, Fire station,
and Masonic Lodge
9 - 3 p.m.
14
Community Thanksgiving at
Baldwin Prairie School
2-5 p.m.
15 Baldwin Prairie School Board Meeting
7 p.m.
17 Advisors Meeting
Fire Station
7 p.m. ALL WELCOME!
22 Community Policing Committee
Fire Station
7 p.m. Community Welcome
December
4
Baldwin Lake Association Christmas Dinner
Round Oak Restaurant Dowagiac, MI
Cocktails - 6:30 p.m.
Dinner - 7:30 p.m.
9 Baldwin Prairie School
Christmas Program
Community is invited to attend!
7 p.m.
No advisors meeting this month
JANUARY
19 Advisors Meeting Fire Station
7 p.m. ALL WELCOME!
24 Community Policing Committee
Fire Station
7 p.m. Community Welcome
CLOSING UP FOR THE WINTER?
(Or just vacationing for a week?)
Once things are put away and you are ready to leave for the cold season, be sure that:
1. Your advisor has your winter address and phone #, just in case.
2. It’s not a bad idea to let the sheriff’s office know that you will be gone and how to get in touch with you in an emergency.
3. Be sure to stop your mail and papers and arrange for someone to check your mailbox.
4. Timers on some of your lights are also a good idea.
5. Give someone a spare key to check on things once in a while.
6. Having someone pull in your driveway gives the appearance that someone is still living there.
Will everything be O.K. in case of a power outage of several hours/days? For example…water pipes, timers, etc. Make sure you are prepared! We would like you to come back next year and find everything just as you left it. And members, please remember, if we do not have a winter address, we can’t mail your newsletter. You wouldn’t want to miss that, would you?
MUSSELS, MUSSELS, WHO’S GOT THE MUSSELS??
.
Not Indiana Lake and not Baldwin Lake. After the last newsletter, Joe Bonta, president of the Indiana Lake Association, asked where we got the information that Indiana Lake had zebra mussels. It seems that what was thought to be mussels blocking a pumping intake, turned out to be snails instead. We promised him a retraction. It also turns out that the larva testing done there last year was faulty because of contamination in some containers and some problems with the lab being used. (This is not the same lab that we use) So it turns out that none of us have the mussels…yet.
FUNDRAISERS - By Bev Henke and Val Dolph:
BAKE SALE
A great big thank you to all who baked for our annual bake sake. The goodies were just wonderful and judging by how quickly they were sold, many other people thought so, too. We need to thank the hard workers who spent Saturday morning setting up and handling the sales, so we will…Thanks Alice Ann, Charlotte, Carol M., and Carolyn. Thanks to Stacy Dolph for all the work on the flyers, too.
STOCKING STUFFERS
We have a few great cookbooks left ($10) and a few Baldwin Lake T-shirts($10-$12). (Could be collector’s items someday) Also, we have only 2 of the large aerial photographs of our lake left($65). Hurry, hurry! These can be great gifts, so give us a call and wrap up these items for the holidays.
CAN YOU HELP???
Dorothy Mills, a long time resident on Baldwin Lake and past Township Treasurer recently relocated to Florida. She has donated 40 years of documentation about the lake and surrounding communities, including photos and articles. We are in need of someone who would be interested in organizing this material. Please contact Don Henke.
BALDWIN LAKE HISTORICAL BOOK
Charlotte Fletcher is collecting information and pictures that feature Baldwin Lake and the people that have lived here. For instance, have you heard of John Baldwin’s escapade with the Potawatami Indians? He was scalped (and lived to tell about it) for selling them watered-down whiskey. Did you know that dinosaur fossils were found in the area up by Chapel Hill? If you have anyinformation, stories or old pictures, and are willing to donate them (or a copy of them) to this project, please contact Charlotte at 641-7207.
HOLIDAY
CHRISTMAS FOOD DRIVE
The folks at Porter Emergency Services are once again asking residents to bring canned goods and food staples to the fire station. The food will be used to fill baskets for needy families during the holidays. Cash donations for turkeys, hams and perishable foods would be greatly appreciated, too. Drop off times this year are weekdays from 10-12 and 1-4. You can frequently find some one there or at township hall even during lunch and after hours. Mike Holdeman, our fire chief, has an office in the township hall. (Mike’s position is now full time, and our assistant fire chief is a 3-day per week position.)
Christmas is a time for giving! This is a great opportunity to help those less fortunate that ourselves.
CHRISTMAS DINNER DANCE
This year our Association Dinner/Dance will be held at the Round Oak Restaurant in Dowagiac. We always have a great time and enjoy meeting new folks from our lake community. Good food, good entertainment, good friends! Please join us. Send your check and food choices to Carol Morris @ 70647 Hilltop Dr., by November 15th.
Directions:
North on 62, into Dowagiac
Cross RR and make an immediate Left
Go to 2nd block on Right
LIGHT UP THE LAKE
Wouldn’t it be fun if we lit our driveways with luminary bags on Christmas evening? They are little white bags that you partially fill with sand and place a candle inside. You can purchase the bags at almost any large retail store. When the candles are lit, it looks beautiful. The more homes that participate, the prettier it looks. Let’s light up our lake.
CLASSIFIED ADS
***************************************
TILE INSTALLATION, WOOD, VINYL, CERAMIC
CALL FOR INFORMATION AND ESTIMATES. 641-5963
CARPET
PLUS CARPET CLEANING
AUTOS, UPHOLSTERY, DRAPES, SPILLS CLEANED
JOHN HECKMAN
641-7510
(219) 536-7510 (CELL PHONE)
FOUR-SQUARE RESTAURANT
FAMOUS FISH AND CHICKEN
CARRY-OUT AVAILABLE.
OWNERS ARE BALDWIN LAKE ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
663-9901 edwardsburg
therapeutic massage
susan sicko
massage pracitioner
member abmp
641-7610
benson’s soft water shop
water conditioners, drinking water systems,
sales-rental service,
salt delivery
brad benson
641-7416 or (800) 268-0354
WERTENBERGER
INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.
ALLTYPES OF INSURANCE AVAILABLE FROM SEVERAL COMPANIES.
15429 US 12(NEXT TO POST OFFICE)
641-5995
JON’S SEPTIC SERVICE
PUMPING, ROTO-ROOTING
JON STONE
663-8896 EDWARDSBURG
DOUBLE D’S ICE CREAM
AND GRILL
15604 US 12
641-7475
ADVANCED IMAGES
ROBERT R. LONG
SPECIALIZING IN COMPUTER DESIGN, LAYOUT & INSTALLATION
SIGNS AND LETTERING
PORTABLE SIGN RENTALS.
13856 US 12E
641-2149
VIGORTONE DOG FOOD
ALMOST A CENTURY MAKING ANIMAL FEED
40# SACK IS $20 INCLUDING TAX
(SOUTHERN END OF LAKE ON SUNSET)
641-5336
All “SPRUCED” UP!
Our association purchased a 6' Blue Spruce for the community and had it planted on the green area at Mills. Help us decorate it for the holidays! Bring a string of popcorn or cranberries, or a weatherproof ornament to share, and watch it transform into a festive Christmas tree. You can begin bringing your decorations anytime after Thanksgiving.
URGENT! ACTION NEEDED!
Don Henke forwarded the following article to my attention. The original was found on the Michigan Lakes and Streams website @www.mwai.org/action_alert.htm
THE ASSAULT ON LOCAL ZONING !
There are 2 pieces of legislation currently pending in the Michigan Legislature, which could have a very negative impact upon lakes, streams and water courses if enacted. Since the bills apparently have the votes to be passed by the Michigan Senate, you should call your representative in the Michigan State House and voice your opinion. Please do not wait, as these bills could be voted upon within the next several weeks.!
These bills attempt to strip away what has often been referred to as “local control” or “local autonomy.” Local control is the ability of local governments (townships, villages and cities) to regulate matters at the local level by way of zoning regulations or other ordinances. Over the last decade or so, special interest groups have gone to Lansing to get statutory exemptions from local regulations, which everyone else is subject to. This is often referred to as “preemption” or the loss of local control. Each new preemption bill that is enacted, makes it that much easier for the next special interest group to obtain an unfair exemption.
The legislation that is of particular concern to many riparians is as follows:
House Bill 4777!
Although initially sold to legislators as a bill to prevent local municipalities from enacting so-called living wage ordinances, this bill was loaded up by special interest groups with provisions that would take away local control in approximately 20 other areas in addition to the living wage! This bill would expressly prohibit local municipalities from regulating huge hog farms, water runoff, billboards, etc. In fact, there is another clause of the bill which is so broad and vague that the courts could interpret it to mean that, in addition to the 20 expressly preempted areas, any local zoning regulation or ordinance which regulates any commercial or business use or activity would be preempted. This could include marinas, lakefront developments, etc.
Any Bill Which Would Block Local control over huge livestock operations!
In Michigan, virtually no municipality regulates conventional or traditional farming. An increasing number of municipalities have begun to regulate huge livestock operations, which are often called intensive livestock operations (ILO’s). If not properly regulated, such operations can cause permanent contamination to the groundwater due to the huge amount of animal waste produced. Some of the newer operations in Michigan produce as much sewage as a small to medium size city.!
Unfortunately, state and federal regulations of ILO’s have been woefully inadequate or even nonexistent. Without the ability of local governments to regulate such uses through zoning and other ordinances, it is likely that such uses will be essentially unregulated.!
Please contact your local member of the Michigan House of Representatives WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK, either by mail, e-mail or telephone and oppose the following:
1 House Bill 4777 - this would
take away local control over any regulations regarding business, commercial activities and similar matters. (This could preclude local regulation of marinas)
2 Any bills that will take away
local control over large-scale intensive livestock operations including hog hotels.
You can e-mail our State Representatives by using their!
1st initial, last name then @house.state.mi.us.!
For example: Cameron Brown’s e-mail:
cbrown@house.state.mi.us.!
County Directories have phone and fax #’s and these are usually toll free calls.