I would like to welcome everybody to the beginning of summer.  Finally, the first week of June we are getting some summer weather!

Grand Valley State University is proceeding with their second year of study on the nutrient loading in White Lake.   We are funded through the testing that we need this year, and we are looking at how to carry it farther.   We will be posting an update of the study on the White Lake Association home page.   Also, I'd like to remind you that Dr. Mark Luttenton will be the presenter at our annual meeting on Tuesday, August 16, 2005.   The meeting will be held at the Fruitland Township Hall on Nestrom Road. 

I would also like to remind everyone to do their part in using non-phosphorus fertilizer for their lawns.   As I have reported in the past, this fertilizer is as good as anything you can put down without the nutrients from the phosphorus entering into the White Lake Watershed.   If we all do this, it is a help. 

We appreciate the loyal following of the membership and the donations that some of the members have made to the Association.  Again, we welcome you to summer 2005! 

(Jim Duncan, President, WLA)

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SUMMER CALENDAR OF EVENTS  

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NON-PHOSPHOROUS FERTILIZER-  If you fertilize your lawn, we urge everyone around the lake to use a zero percent phosphorous fertilizer.  (Example – middle number is phosphorous content 20-0-4).  Scientists are unanimous in telling us this.  Phosphorous is slow to break down in the soil, leaks down into the ground water that flows into the lake.  Phosphorous overloading in lake waters and bottom sediments is a major contributor to the overgrowth of aquatic plants speeding up the degradation of the lake or eutrophication of the lake. 

Non-phosphorous fertilizer is available at Tri-County Feeds in Montague, Hunt’s Hardware and White Lake Nursery in Whitehall.  Weed and feed fertilizer is also available in non-phosphorous. 

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SHERIFF MARINE PATROL BOAT HOURS REDUCED -  Last summer the weekly patrol was cut from six to five days per week.  This year, because of further budget cuts, the patrol boat will be reduced to three days per week, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  We believe major holidays that do not fall on these three days will be covered. 

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MUSKEGON CONSERVATION DISTRICT – Many of you may have heard about the Muskegon Conservation District and the work the District is doing in conjunction with the White Lake Association and the White Lake Public Advisory Council, but have only a vague idea of what your local Conservation District is.  The Muskegon Conservation District is a unique governmental subdivision of the state created to serve as stewards of our natural resources.  The Conservation District provides site-specific, technical assistance and information to landowners in all aspects of resource management.  The guiding philosophy is that local people should make decisions on conservation issues at the local level, with technical assistance provided by local resource professionals.  As such, the Muskegon Conservation District is operated similar to a non-profit organization with initiatives and financial support coming from the local community.  In harmony, with this process the District has been working with the White Lake Association and the White Lake Public Advisory Council to conserve, restore, and preserve the natural resources of White Lake. 

This past year, our three organizations have partnered to fund the first year of the White Lake Nutrient study.  At present, we know that nearly 95% of the nutrients entering White Lake are from the White River, yet nutrient cycling within the system and possible shoreline inputs have yet to be evaluated.  In the coming years the partnership hopes to clarify how nutrients are impacting White Lake through sediment / nutrient studies and by evaluating groundwater inputs.  The Muskegon Conservation District is here to serve, educate, and empower YOU to become a steward of your local natural resources.  (Jeff Auch, Executive Director, Muskegon Conservation District) 

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LOCAL GRANT RECEIVED FOR NUTRIENT LOADING STUDY -  The WLA has just received a $3,000 grant from the White Lake Community Fund.  The grant money will be used as local match money to seek approximately $24,000 more to complete the $72,000 project.  Jeff Auch (MCD) and Dr. Mark Luttenton (GVSU) are working on proposals to secure this funding. 

The study is funded through this calendar year.  This funding includes external loading on White Lake by the river, streams and drains into the lake, and groundwater flowing into the lake. 

The study is scheduled for completion by the end of 2006.  If we are successful in securing funding, next years study will focus on internal loading such as what is in lake bottom sediments.  Core samples will be taken from the lake bottom.  We will keep you posted as this study progresses.  The combination of the two gives us a very strong data set to propose ways to improve water quality.  (Tom Thompson) 

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WATER LEVELS –  As of June 1, 2005, Lake Michigan was about five inches below the high point of last summer.  Last summer was the highest level since we have been in this low water cycle the last four years.  May of last year, much of the Great Lakes Basin had record rainfall for the month. 

Precipitation was about average last winter and this spring in the Great Lakes Basin, thus the lakes have not raised much.  Depending on the weather, we may reach the highest level of last summer. 

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TALL SAILING SCHOONER “MADELINE” TO VISIT CELEBRATE WHITE LAKE FESTIVAL – Celebrate White Lake Festival will have a visit by the schooner “Madeline” this year.  The event will be on Saturday, July 23, 2005 at the Whitehall Municipal Marina – Goodrich Park. 

The “Madeline” is owned by the Maritime Heritage Alliance of Traverse City and was launched in 1990 as a replica of the original trading schooner “Madeline” built in 1844-45.  The “Madeline” (92 feet sparred length) will be available for dockside viewing and deck tours.  She is constructed of wood. 

The event planning committee looked at three tall ships. Two were available on our date, the new “Friends Good Will” owned by the Maritime Museum of South Haven, and the “Madeline.”  We contracted with the “Madeline” this year because of less draft to clear shallow channel depth and lower appearance fee.  The “Madeline’ draws 7.5 feet.  If the visit is well received by the community, the committee would like to bring in another tall ship in the future. 

The 14^th Annual Classic Wooden Boat Show will also be part of the event along with other displays of historical nature, environmental nature, trolley bus tours and other local themes of interest. 

The local historical theme for this year’s event will be Dowies Point and the Dowie 36 foot launch, “Esther,” built in 1896.  Posters, t-shirts and sweatshirts will be among the items on sale commemorating the theme of this years Celebrate White Lake Festival.  The event is sponsored by the White Lake Area Historical Society.

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FRIENDS OF THE WHITE RIVER LIGHT STATION, LEE MURDOCK CONCERT - We are truly pleased to be sponsoring Lee Murdock on Saturday, July 23, 2005. Many of you have been to his concerts in the past, so you know what remarkable stories he tells of our maritime history with his music. He’ll be offering two shows at the new Whitehall High School auditorium, which is state of the art in every way, and will be a perfect venue for your listening pleasure. The first show is at 2 p.m. It will be about 45 minutes and geared more for younger people and families. The evening show will be at 7 p.m. and will last about an hour and a half with an intermission. The cost is $8 for the afternoon and $12 for the evening, and children under 5 are free. Tickets will be available through the Friends post office box number, at the lighthouse, and at the White Lake Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber’s hours are M-F 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., and after Memorial Day they also have weekend hours on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and Sunday from Noon - 2 p.m. We’re expecting a good turnout. Please come and enjoy.

A lot has been going on at the lighthouse during this off-season. A new electrical system has been installed.  There will be a lighthouse keeper’s uniform as a new display and also an exhibit on the Grover fishing business.  On June 25, the Plein Aire artists will make a return visit.

We have other plans and ideas in the works. Our 2^nd annual membership appreciation evening will be in August. All events dates will be listed in our next newsletter. Why don’t you join our group and help us in our effort to support the White River Light Station. A membership application is enclosed for your convenience. (Nancy Truxell, President)

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LONG POINT – PRESERVE IT – WHAT DO YOU THINK? – DuPont owns some 1300 acres of land north of White Lake.  This property includes Long Point on White Lake, approximately 62 acres between the lake and Old Channel Trail and about 3,500 feet of White Lake Shoreline.  A section of the eastern inner part of the point has six private homes. 

DuPont’s Long Point property is mainly wooded and is prominent physical feature when entering White Lake through the channel.  At one time there were a couple of cottages on the property that were torn down when DuPont purchased the property in 1952 to pump water from White Lake. 

This is the largest underdeveloped parcel on the lake and plays an important natural role in protecting the lake and for lake-onto wooded shore land habitat protection. 

Since DuPont ceased operations ten years ago, talk has surfaced and DuPont has been approached about preserving the property in its natural state through a conservation easement, selling or giving it to public ownership.  White River Township has approached DuPont about this prospect in the past. 

The problem that arises is that there is contamination of the ground water below, but there is no contamination of the surface soils.  That is why DuPont provides Montague City water to the homes on the eastern side of the point.  Organizations that accept land preserves and the Michigan Land Trust Fund have policies that prohibit acquiring land that has ground water contamination below.  DuPont has stated they want to keep their Long Point property because of the ground water problem.  DuPont does have purge wells north of this property that treat pumped up ground water and discharge the treated water by pipe into Lake Michigan. 

For future generations, (even if contaminated ground water can be cleaned up) keep the DuPont portion of Long Point in a natural state -- don’t develop it!  What do you think?? (Tom Thompson) 

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White Lake Sailing School -

 Open to the Public: Youth Sailing Classes          

WHO:  There is no lower age limit. However, there is a swim test which requires prolonged treading of water. The upper age cutoff is 18. Membership in the White Lake Yacht Club is not a prerequisite.

WHAT:  The class teaches sailing, appropriate for the ages of the students, as a sport activity using practical hands on Experience. The class is taught by trained, experienced instructors using yacht club/sailing school owned boats. 

WHERE:   On the waters of White Lake at the White Lake Yacht Club Sailing School, 6748 South Shore Drive, Whitehall. 

WHEN:  Classes will begin the week of June 27^th and run through August 21st.  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 may be paid weekly. There are no partial refunds. 

CONTACT:   White Lake Yacht Club  231-894-4516