"President’s Message" – I would like to take this time to welcome you to summer! We are very excited about several of the projects we’ve got going for the White Lake Association in 2004.

Our largest project we have going is the nutrient study, which will be conducted for us by Grand Valley State University. They will be using a graduate student to do a two-year study on the lower part of the White River and White Lake to find out where the nutrients are coming from and all the pertinent data necessary. The samplings will be taken on a regular basis for two years and at the end of the program a theses will be written on the conclusions of the study. Nutrients that come down the river and are in the lake need to be identified as to their sources and the density of the nutrients. In order to clean up White Lake we need to start by finding out where the problems really lie. There are many different ideas about what causes the nutrients in White Lake, but we need the scientific data to prove it, and then we can start with some corrective actions. One of the first things that people can do around the lake and the surrounding areas is use zero phosphorus fertilizers which is the key ingredient in helping nutrients grow in the lake through water run-off and we really don’t need the phosphorus in the fertilizing of lawns. Two weeks ago, I fertilized my lawn with 19-0-19 fertilizer and my lawn has never been a brighter green than it is today. It is economical, we have 3 sources in the area that you can purchase this fertilizer from, and it truly works. We will be soon sending a letter to our membership asking for contributions to help fund this study. We also have applied for grants that we are looking favorably on getting money to help support the study. We should know within the next two weeks the outcome of those grants. The study is in the $72,000 range for 2-years, which is much less than the $144,000 that we looked at a year ago for this study. We realize that this study is not the answer to all of our needs; however, it is a very good and firm foundation to get the data we need to precede. We hope everyone cooperates and look for all of your help.

There will be water sampling conducted by the Muskegon County Health Department on White Lake and the surrounding beaches. This is something that we did last year. This year the county will be picking up the cost on it and we will be reporting regularly of potential problems if any.

The 3^rd project that we are going to accomplish this year is an update of our boat survey and the density of boating on White Lake. We will take at least two samplings on a weekend afternoon of the boat population on White Lake and we will report back in our newsletters as to the outcome of the boating survey.

I think everybody can appreciate that our water levels are up somewhat this year, and that should help in navigating on White Lake. Our membership is now up to 286 members, and we are continually trying to enlist new members to help make the White Lake Association a viable organization to help the welfare of White Lake.

The last thing that I’d like to remind everybody is the 100 foot rule of boats traveling near docks will be enforced this year by the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Department. The state law reads that if you are within 100 feet of a dock, you cannot go beyond an idle speed. If you are going at a high speed, you need to be 100’ from any docks. We appreciate everyone following this, and it makes it a safer lake.

We appreciate everybody’s help and we are looking forward to a good, safe and productive summer on White Lake. (Jim Duncan, President)

NUTRIENT STUDY – Three years ago we began talking with scientists at Grand Valley State University Annis Water Resources Institute about a comprehensive study of the nutrient loading on White Lake. Up to now, we just have some snapshot information.

The first proposal was projected to cost $144,000, which was financially overwhelming. The proposal has been rewritten at $72,000. The cost has been reduced due to scaling back some and the fact GVSU has started a graduate degree program in water resources this year which will save greatly on labor cost with their involvement for degree credit. This will be a 15 month study with monthly monitoring of lake waters, tributary waters, lake sediments and groundwater entering the lake.

The WLA has pledged $10,000 from our treasury and is hoping to raise at least $5,000 with local donations from members and other local interests.

We have also, along with the White Lake Public Advisory Council, applied for a $30,000 grant. GVSU has applied for another $32,000 grant. We realize we are going to have some outside grant money to complete this much needed study; however, GVSU will start the program this summer with $15,000 of funds raised. Jim Duncan and Norm Ullman have worked hard this past winter with GVSU to get this study started. We will keep you posted on the progress.

LAKE BOARD – Many lakes in Michigan have established a Lake Board under Michigan Law to manage a lake problem or need such as maintaining a dam or excessive aquatic plant growth. A WLA committee has been checking into this and the need for a lake wide management plan for excessive aquatic plant growth and/or controlling nutrient loading into the lake. Some of these boards have then set a special assessment tax district to raise funds to tackle the problem. Typically these are three to five year plans. Lake Boards are separate from a Lake Association and membership is dictated by state law.

The committee plans to meet with a consultant in the next month and then report back to the WLA Board. We anticipate sponsoring a meeting – forum sometime this summer for WLA members to seek your input.

NON-PHOSPHOROUS FERTILIZER REMINDER - Zero percent fertilizer is available at Hunts Hardware, Tri-County Feed Service, and White Lake Nursery.

We urge all lakefront property owners to use non-phosphorous fertilizer if you are fertilizing, even non-riparian property near the lake. Phosphorous is particularly harmful to lake waters because it does not break down in the soil, thus goes into the ground water flowing into the lake and helps promote excessive aquatic plant growth in lake waters. Weed and feed also comes in non-phosphorous content. Phosphorous content percent is the middle number on the bag label.

WLA MEMBERSHIP REACHES NEW HIGH - Last summer we started a new member recruitment campaign by contacting all property owners on White Lake who were not members. This campaign continued through the fall and winter with the help of you members. Our current membership stands at 286. Some of you have outstanding dues for 2004 and reminders have just been sent out. Please keep a look out for any potential new members in your neighborhood.

STATUS REPORT – DuPONT SITE – As you may be aware of, there have been pollution concerns from the past operations of DuPont Chemical in White River Township off from White Lake. DuPont owns most of the vacant land on Long Point. Contaminated ground water is being pumped up, treated, and discharged into Lake Michigan through their ceased operations discharge pipe. The WLA and PAC are asking for a public update meeting on this cleanup operations since focus the last few years has been on the Hooker Oxy site and Tannery Bay cleanup. We will work for public notice when such meeting is set. Following is a recent written update from the Michigan DEQ:

The DuPont facility consists of approximately 1,300 acres in Montague, Michigan. In 1956, the facility began operations as a flurochemical manufacturing facility. Facility operations ceased in 1996, and most of the buildings were demolished in 1998. DuPont has assessed the facility to identify possible sources of contamination and has been conducting voluntary investigations for several years in an effort to characterize the nature and extent of any contamination.

The primary focus of the investigative efforts to date has been a groundwater plume that is known to contain varying concentrations of carbon tetrachloride, tetrachloroethene, and Freon 113, and to be migrating off-site. Residential sites impacted by the plume have been supplied with in-home carbon treatment systems or are on a municipal water supply system. DuPont is currently evaluating potential remedial options, including: expanding the existing pump-and-treat system, augmented bioremediation, natural attenuation, or a combination thereof. The evaluation will include incorporation of recent data into a groundwater flow model and collection of more field data as necessary.

Prepared by:             Ronda L. Blayer
                                Environmental Engineer Specialist
                                Hazardous Waste and Radiological Protection
                                Waste and Hazardous Materials Division
                                517-373-9548

STATUS REPORT – MUSKEGON CHEMICAL COMPANY CLEANUP (NOW OWNED BY KOCH CHEMICAL) – Some of you may not be aware that a small now closed Chemical Company located on Warner Street next to the City of Whitehall’s Department of Public Works garage caused groundwater pollution. This company was started in 1975 and groundwater contamination was discovered and migrated across Howmet property to Mill Pond Creek and thus over the dam and into White Lake. Some 20 years ago wells were placed between the plant site and the creek (next to White Lake Community Library) to intercept polluted groundwater, treat it and send it to the waste water plant. Tests have shown this to be successful and those well pumps have been shut down.

However, there is still question as to contaminated soil beneath the former process building and protecting the City of Whitehall’s water well on the corner of Warner Street and Benston Road.

In 1993, KCC began treating contaminated soil beneath the former process building by injecting heated air into the soil and then applying a vacuum to remove the violated chemicals. In 1997, a federal district court entered a consent decree and Remedial Action Plan (RAP) between the State of Michigan and KCC.

In 2002, KCC petitioned the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Remediation and Redevelopment Division (RRD), to cease active remediation of groundwater at the site. At approximately the same time, KCC requested a mixing zone determination (MZD) from DEQ’s Water Division and began discussions with RRD regarding a potential modification to the RAP. After preliminary meetings between the regulator programs, it was decided to grant KCC temporary approval to cease active groundwater remediation while the DEQ and KCC discussed the potential modifications to the RAP.

E-COLI BACTERIA BEACH WATER TESTING – This summer the Muskegon County Health Department will conduct testing at the following local areas: Lake Michigan Beach off from the Lighthouse, Lake Michigan Beach off from Medbury Park, Maple Beach Park on White Lake in the City of Montague, the Duck Lake Channel area, and Old Channel Beach in White River Township.

Remember, no news is good news and that public notice is made only when testing shows above approved levels. Testing is done during warm summer weather in July and August or emergency runoff events or a sewage main breakage type of problem.

Last summer the Health Department did not have enough funds to do inland lakes and the WLA paid to have two sites tested on White Lake which did not show any problems.

WATER LEVELS – The Corps of Engineers latest predictions is for the level of Lake Michigan – White Lake to be eight inches higher this July than July of last year. This would still put Lake Michigan well below the long term average. With the exception of 1964 and the last three years, we have been used to higher water levels since 1952.

The navigable area of White Lake will still be greatly reduced, but somewhat better than last year.

TANNERY PROPERTY REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL – A Grand Rapids firm (Eastbrook Development) and South Shore Development of Muskegon have presented a preliminary proposal to develop the closed tannery site into an upscale multi-family residential condo home area. They anticipate a mixed residential use, with some single family homes and attached units perhaps three stories high. They are looking at building boat slips on the east bay part of the property. The current tannery factory buildings would most likely be razed for the condos.

The City of Whitehall rezoned the property from industrial to multi-family residential some four years ago; however, the wetlands part of the property between Misco Drive and Svensson Park is zoned conservation – recreational. The developers’ initial drawing did show residential units on this area, but they have withdrawn construction plans in this area when they realized there would be strong environmental opposition. The entire site is about 20 acres. The City of Whitehall has applied for Brownfield Redevelopment funds from the State of Michigan. The developer said they are looking at 150 to 300 units.

The WLA sees three issues that have to be addressed if the site is redeveloped for residential units:

1. The cleanup of any upland soils and groundwater contamination has to be completed;

2. Boat docks must belong to site property residents and not rented out or operated as a separate marina operation. Lake sediments in this dock area need to be tested.

DUNE STABILIZATION PROJECT – Since the reconstruction of the channel in 1999, and with low water levels, fall and winter southwest winds have blown tons of beach sand unto the channel sidewalk west of the lighthouse in the area of the wave break rocks. This sand has also been filling in the channel in this area. The problem has not been so acute on the north side.

Last spring some 60 to 70 yards of sand was removed from the sidewalk on the south side. A 200 foot stretch of sidewalk was covered with three to four feet of sand with a dune covering being created.

Fruitland Township Supervisor, Greg Boughton, with assistance from the Muskegon Soil Conservation District applied for and received an $11,000 grant to work at controlling wind blown sand. The money is being used to remove sand in the spring, plant dune grass for cover, purchase and install sand fencing for the fall and winter months.

Much volunteer work has gone into the project. Last spring some 35 Whitehall High School Students planted $1,800 worth of dune grass under the supervision of Tom Thompson. Signs have been posted that this is a dune stabilization area west of the lighthouse and asking people to stay off and use the sidewalk. This spring we only have about 5% of the sand on the walk as compared to the last two years. There is still grant money left to continue working on the project.

We know we can never control Mother Nature completely, but feel this year has shown we can control much of the sand from completely engulfing the channel sidewalk with the co-operation of the public in obeying the signs.

DUCK LAKE CHANNEL BRIDGE CLOSED FOR REPLACEMENT – This bridge on Scenic Drive is closed and being replaced. Completion is scheduled for sometime in July. The new bridge will be higher with a pedestrian underpass and wider with a separated pedestrian walk across the channel. The dam-weir that holds back the level of Duck Lake will be left in place.

THE SAILING SCHOOL is now open to all youngsters even if they are not members of the Yacht Club. Enrollment information for this summer follows: (Don Lundquist)

WHO: No lower age limits, however, the swim test includes prolonged treading water. Upper age cutoff is 18.

WHAT: The classes teach sailing, appropriate for the ages of the students as a sport activity using practical hands on experience using yacht club/sailing school owned boats. The experienced instructors teach in conjunction with a program that has been running on White Lake for over 75 years.

WHEN: Classes will begin the week of June 28^th and run through August 22^nd. Beginners, intermediate, and advanced are offered during this time.

WHY: How fun would it be to have your child meet new friends, and learn a new, fun sport while being supervised?

FEES: Week 1 - $50, Week 2 - $35, Week 3 - $30, Week 4 – FREE. Each additional week $25. Fees can be paid weekly, but there are no partial refunds.

AERIEL PHOTOS – We still have a few aerial photos left that are available for purchase. The 12” x 18” photos were taken last summer from the west end.