1. Aquatic Plant Control
2. Water Quality
3. Lake Level Control
4. Beach Improvement, and
5. Poor Fishing.

The subsequent discussion period emphasized the fact that several lake associations had successfully solved their problems but many had failed. It appeared obvious that the success stories, if publicized, would help other associations. It was also obvious that a State Association of local lake and stream associations could best meet this need. As an outcome of this meeting, MICHIGAN LAKE AND STREAMS ASSOCIATIONS was formed. Five years later (l966) the organization had grown to 52 local lake association members. Forest A. Smith of East Lansing was elected the first president of this fledgling organization. Herschel B. Rochelle of Hastings was elected president for l964 and l965. Henry Westerville of Portage was elected president in l966 and held that office through l972. Other persons who have served the organization during the next twenty years were: Sandra Mriscin, Wayne Clark, Paul Clark, Cecile Harbour, Robert McAlpine, Bonnie Van Ness ,John Forester, Kevin Walters, and Ray Bier Jr. The current president is Richard Brown of Lake Fenton, Fenton, Michigan.

THE MICHIGAN RIPARIAN MAGAZINE BECOMES THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ASSOCIATION IN 1965.

The first issue of The Michigan Riparian magazine was published in l965-66, and was described as follows:

"This is our first issue of The Michigan Riparian. It has taken a long time to give birth to a publication which is suited to the needs of water-front organizations and individual riparian owners, alike. We think we have taken a giant step toward our goal. Much time has been spent in the development of a basic format and in the selection of balanced news items of interest to the many riparian interests around the state.

We feel that there is great need to inform riparian owners of trends in the management of lakes and streams, and of legislation either existing or proposed that affects the rights of waterfront owners. We know that the interest exists and want to furnish a news media that will reach as many owners as possible.

The continuous publication of The Michigan Riparian magazine as the official publication of Michigan Lake &Stream Associations, Inc. during the next seven years (1965-1972) , played a significant role in the growth in membership in ML&SA. In 1972, the magazine was incorporated as a separate non-profit corporation, THE MICHIGAN RIPARIAN, INC. The goals of both non-profit corporations are similar and both have worked together to promote each other.

Henry Westerville of Portage, Michigan became the managing editor of the Riparian magazine in 1966 and served in that capacity for the next ten years. Robert Charles of Coldwater, and owner of Eagle Printing Company of Coldwater, became the editor and publisher of the Riparian in 1977 and continued until his retirement in 1979. In November 1979, the Riparian Board appointed Don Winne the editor and publisher. In 1992, the Board named Mr. Winne to the newly created office of Chief Executive Officer.

The Riparian magazine experienced rapid growth in the number of subscribers during the ten year period of 1972-1982 when Cecile Harbour served as Circulation Manager of the magazine. The editing, printing, and circulation of the magazine is now the responsibility of the CEO."

Ten thousand copies of the magazine are printed quarterly and mailed to members of 170 lake associations and over 300 individuals subscribers.

ML&SA ADOPTS OFFICIAL EMBLEM -- 1978

The Board of Directors of the Michigan Lake & Stream Associations adopted the design on the right at its spring meeting at Clare MI
as the official emblem for ML&SA. It was to be used on programs, letterheads, and in various other ways to promote ML&SA throughout the State.
The ML&SA emblem was designed by Mrs. Donald (Margaret) Winne.

ML&SA REVISES BYLAWS TO ESTABLISH THE OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY -- 1979.

In l979, the Board of Directors of ML&SA decided that the organization needed an Executive Secretary. The BYLAWS were amended to establish the office of Executive Secretary and Don Winne was appointed to that position. In l980, the Board changed the title to Executive Director. Don Winne has served in that capacity since then.

ML&SA ESTABLISHES COMPUTER CENTER -- 1989

In 1989, Bruce and Pearl Bonnell computerized all of the business procedures of the corporation. This was done at their home (which we call the "Northern Office" of the corporation) in Long Lake, Michigan in Iosco County. In 1992 ML&SA purchased its own computer system. This has made it possible to provide a quarterly newsletter and improved and more efficient handling of the business operations of the corporation.

ML&SA BOARD ESTABLISHES THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS -- 1992

In 1990 Pearl Bonnell, the Treasurer of ML&SA, agreed to work as 'Director of Operations' and to assist the Executive Director with the expanding responsibilities of that office.
In February of 1992, the ML&SA Board amended the BYLAWS to provide for the office of Director of Operations and appointed Pearl Bonnell to that office. She continues to serve the corporation in that office. The responsibilities of that office include the planning and success of the Annual and Regional meetings.

ML&SA MOVES INTO NEW OFFICE QUARTERS -- 1992

For thirty years the office of ML&SA was in the private homes of the President or the Executive Director. In February of 1992, the Board approved renting office space from the Three Rivers Commercial at 124 1/2 Main Street in Three Rivers. The rental and other office costs are shared equally by ML&SA and The Michigan Riparian.

ANNUAL CONFERENCES AND REGIONAL SEMINARS

ML&SA has held annual conferences since its inception in 1961. (This year's annual conference was its 40th consecutive conference, and was held at Boyne Mountain, Boyne Falls,  Michigan on April 27-29,  2001.) 
In March of 1991, ML&SA held the first of 11 Regional Seminars that were held during that year. The Annual Conference was moved from the fall to the spring in 1995, and spring seminars were moved to the fall. It was felt by members of the ML&SA Board that there would be greater carry-over of the enthusiasm and application of the ideas generated, into lake projects and activities. The spring time has also generated a greater response from businesses and corporations who exhibit their services and products for waterfront homeowners.

ML&SA ESTABLISHES WATER CLARITY MEASURING PROGRAM USING THE SECCHI DISK -- 1992

In 1991, ML&SA established its own Secchi Disk Water Clarity measurement program with the help of volunteers on 50 lakes.   In 1992 under a memorandum of understanding with the DNR, ML&SA assumed the administration of the DNR Self-Help (Secchi) program that was started in 1974.  Participation in this program  has increased to 197 lakes in 2001. Data from lakes that take a minimum of eight weekly measurements are recorded in the DEQ data bank and when a lake has been in the program for eight consecutive years, the DEQ prepares a graph showing the trends of the clarity readings.
Other water quality parameters have been added to the program including spring and late summer phosphorus, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen, rapid algal survey, fish size growth rate, and aquatic plant identification.
The DEQ prepares an annual report which includes the names of all lakes in each testing program, together with test results in each parameter.  This report is printed by  ML&SA, and a copy mailed to each participating lake association.

ML&SA RECEIVES EPA GRANT - 1993 1995

Another important factor in the growth of ML&SA was the receipt of an EPA grant through the auspices of the North American Lake Management Society. The amount of this grant was $37,000.00 for a period of two years. The money was used to underwrite the costs of a Citizen Clean Lake Monitoring Program. A working manual was developed to assist each lake association in carrying out the provisions of the contract developed between ML&SA and NALMS. Seventeen lake associations opted to be in the program. Copies of the manual for lake monitors were printed and are available to lake associations who want to monitor their lake.

SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPROVED BY BOARD - 1995

As the interest of waterfront property owners was to learn more about their lake and to have reliable water quality data, the members of the ML&SA Board felt that it needed opinions from scientists who had published articles dealing with lake ecosystems. The Board approved Dr. Niles Kevern, Professor Emeritus, MSU, Dr. Darryl King, Professor of Fish and Wildlife, MSU, and Dr. Robert King, Professor of Biology, CMU. Dr. Niles Kevern was elected Chairman of the committee. The members serve on a volunteer basis.  Since that time the Committee has grown and changed.  The current members, (2001), are: 
Dr. Niles Kevern, Dr. Robert King, Dr. Ann St. Amand, Expert - Algae & Aquatic Bacteria and owner of Phycotech, Inc.,  Dr. Ted Batterson, Expert - Aquatic Macrophytes Faculty, Dept. Fisheries & Wildlife, MSU,  Dr. Patricia Sorrano, Expert - Lake Watershed Ecology Faculty, Dept. Fisheries & Wildlife, MSU, Dr. Orlando Sarnelle, Expert - Plankton Faculty, Dept. Fisheries & Wildlife, MSU, and Dr. Scott McNaught, Expert - Plankton & Fish Biology Dept., Central Michigan University

ML&SA -- A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION

The Officers and Vice Presidents, along with lake monitors are volunteers because they believe strongly in protecting our surface and groundwater. Our current membership is over 340 lake associations with approximately 110,000 individuals in those associations.