PBWOA Annual Meeting held at Dexter Township Hall                News Flash!  Click on "Legal Issues."

            
(Please Note - Click on any Thumbnail Photo for a Full Size Image)

Several boats on these lakes, in Livingston and Washtenaw Counties that are operating in violation of MCL 324.80156, which defines allowable noise levels for boats, including specification for exhaust/muffler systems. Specifically, the boats in question often operate with straight exhausts without mufflers and/or operate at noise levels that exceed the decibel levels described as allowable in MCL 324.80156.

The majority of boats on the lakes are within decibel ranges that do not warrant enforcement for noise violation.

However, there are several boats that are extremely noisy. They roar. It is these roaring boats – the few extreme cases - that should be quieted. For example, to describe this kind of boat noise on a weekend afternoon, there could be as many as 50 PWCs and motorboats on Portage Lake. All of them are making some noise, with some barely audible and some noisier.

But, on occasion, there will be one roaring boat that can be heard over all of the others. This roaring boat can be heard from one end of Portage Lake to the other. Sometimes, two or more of these roaring boats will race, and the noise is incredibly loud.

Those roaring boats are the basis for this appeal for action by the Livingston County and Washtenaw County Marine Patrol, which could bring an end to the excessive noise levels created by these boats. Furthermore, in addition to MCL 324.80156, there are also township ordinances that reference noise violations.

    Hamburg Township Ordinance No. 20-A Noise Ordinance Section 6a: “No person shall conduct or permit any activity, including those specific prohibitions listed in Section 5 that produces a OBA at or beyond the property line of the property on which it is conducted which exceeds the levels specified in Table 1”.

Such noise levels shall be measured on the property line or on the adjacent property which is receiving the noise. Where property is used for both residential and commercial purposes, the limitations set forth below for commercial property shall apply.”

   Putnam Township Zoning Ordinance Section 15.200 Par. F: “Noise. The generation of noise at a level greater than the normal level of traffic noise at the time of such generation or emission, when determined at the boundary of the property. Industrial districts may have higher levels of noise”. Additionally, there are precedents set by the townships to control boating on the lakes within the townships. Since, Livingston County handles law enforcement on the lakes; it would seem that enforcement of the township ordinances – on boat speed as well as noise - is the responsibility of Livingston County.

Dexter Twp. Noise Ordinance No 5 Section 3

“It shall be unlawful for any person to create, assist in creating, permit, continue or permit the continuance of any unreasonably loud, disturbing, unusual or unnecessary noise which annoys, disturbs, injures, or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others within the limits of the Township of Dexter”.

Dexter Twp. Noise Ordinance No. 5 Section 4

“No person shall conduct or permit any activity which produces a DBA. Beyond his property line exceeding the levels specified in Table 1. Table 1” specifies residential limits of 86 BDA from 7am. to 10pm. and 55 DBA from 10pm. to 7am.

Webster Twp. Section 5.14 par. 6

“Noise which is objectionable due to volume, frequency or beat shall not exceed the average traffic noise at the lot lines. Warning sirens and similar apparatus used for public purposes shall be exempt from this standard”.

Many of the PBWOA members are tax-paying residents of Livingston and Washtenaw Counties as well as Putnam and Hamburg Townships. Therefore, we believe strongly that it is our right to request action to curtail the roaring boats on our lakes. Previously, we as individuals have lodged complaints about these roaring boats to the Michigan DNR and to the marine patrols of Livingston and Washtenaw Counties. Both counties share marine patrol responsibilities on Portage and Base Lakes. Generally, nothing happened after the complaint was lodged. No law enforcement officer followed up, let alone issued a citation for any violation.

To report Noisy Boats

Call 911

In addition to the PBWOA notifying the townships and county officials that you desire action to quite the roaring boats, there is something that each of us can do. Every time that one of the Roaring Boats begins operating on our lakes, you can call 911 to report that noise violation in progress. The Marine Patrols of both counties have advised that calling 911 is the recommended way to report boating noise violations. You can cite the specific township ordinances and Michigan Law during your phone call.

Last modified: September 08, 2008