"President’s Message" – In our last newsletter, I welcomed everyone to summer. I don’t know what happened, but we sure haven’t seen much summer at White Lake! Unbelievable low temperatures in early August, which almost make you think that it is late October.

Our larger project this year is the Nutrient Water Study being conducted by Grand Valley State University for White Lake. The study is progressing well with a lot of samplings being taken, and at our annual meeting we will have a presentation. Dr. Mark Luttenton will make the presentation of a portion of the first year study with a question and answer period following. We hope there is a good attendance, good questions asked, and we will be able to see some of the data collected thus far.

We encourage everybody to use non-phosphorous fertilizer, especially around the lake to help reduce the amount of phosphorous loading in the lake. We were fortunate to get the first year funded by the State of Michigan. At this point we are applying for grants for year two of the study, and are hopeful they will be forth coming. The water sampling study by the Muskegon County Health Department on White Lake and surrounding beaches have turned up no hazardous results at this point.

As everybody probably realizes, our Lake and Lake Michigan are both up approximately 14” over last year at this time. With this there is somewhat less weeds present and navigation on the lake is better.

I would appreciate if as many of you that can, come to our annual meeting which is August 19, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. at the Fruitland Township Hall on Nestrom Road. Looking forward to seeing you then! (Jim Duncan, President)

GRANT RECEIVED - NUTRIENT LOADING STUDY STARTED - Right after our last newsletter went out, we received word that a $36,000 grant was received. This was certainly good news, the WLA has also pledged $10,000 ($1,000 in kind services) meaning that $45,000 of the estimated two year $72,000 study is in place. The grant was a joint application of the White Lake Public Advisory Council (PAC) and the White Lake Association with special assistance of Jeff Auch, Director of the Muskegon Conservation District.

The study was started earlier this summer. Dr. Mark Luttenton will give us an overview of this project at our Annual Meeting on August 19, 2004.

TANNERY BAY CLEAN UP FOLLOW UP TESTING - As part of the completion of contaminated sediment dredging last year, Grand Valley State University was contracted to do lake bottom testing for the next two years. The research vessel Jackson has taken lake sediment samples this summer. No results have been released yet.

A plan for cleanup of upland soils and ground water on the tannery site has not been submitted or approved as of this printing.

LAKE BOARD MEETING HELD – On July 28, 2004, approximately 35 people attended an exploratory informational meeting on the possible creation of a Lake Board. Committee member, Tom Thompson, chaired the meeting and Tony Groves of Progressive Engineering explained Lake Board laws and experiences. There were several questions and discussion from those present.

A straw vote was taken and the committee was told to keep looking into the possibility by unanimous vote. It was also decided to hold a repeat meeting sometime this fall to allow more people to receive this information. No date has been set, look for notice in the near future.

SHERIFF MARINE PATROL HOURS CUT - This summer the marine patrol boat on White Lake will be patrolling five days per week as compared to seven days in past years. The reduction was brought about due to cuts in shared revenue from the State of Michigan. The two days the sheriff boat is not on patrol are Wednesday and Thursday.

WATER LEVELS UP – Due to record rainfalls in May in much of the Great Lakes Basin water levels are higher than earlier predicted. Cool, cloudy weather also helped cut down on evaporation. Corps of Engineers data shows that in May, Lake Michigan was 7.8 inches higher than May of 2003 and the prediction was for August, 2004 to be 13 inches higher than August, 2003. This would still be six inches below the long term average.

ELLENWOOD DREDGING - Earlier this summer maintenance dredging was completed off from the end of the main piers of Ellenwood Landing due to silting in from the river.

WHITE RIVER LIGHTHOUSE SUPPORT GROUP FORMED – A new group Friends of the White River Light Station has formed to help maintain and preserve its artifacts and provide for continuing education of our maritime heritage in Western Michigan. The Light Station Museum is owned by Fruitland Township. It is probably the most photographed object in northern Muskegon County.

For a flyer on how to join this group, check at the Lighthouse Museum on Tuesday through Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

AERIAL 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.