What does ML&SA do?

1. Sponsors and arranges meetings and workshops to provide information about the use and management of Michigan’s land and water resources.

·         Statewide annual meeting

·         Lake representative meetings.

·         Fall regional seminars.

·         Aquatic plant identification workshops.   

2. Produces and distributes brochures that identify riparian rights and suggests actions lake associations and local units of government may take to prevent water quality degradation and protect the health, safety and welfare of citizens.  Some brochures include:

·         Riparian rights.

·         Township Powers

·         Township police powers.

·         Zoning powers.

·         Lakeside Landscaping and Lawn care.

·         Ten Ways to save your lake.

3. Assists lake, stream and watershed associations in measuring physical, biological and chemical parameters of surface water bodies. Administers the Cooperative Lakes Monitoring  Program established by MDEQ.

·         Secchi Disk –Transparency.

·         Spring and late summer phosphorus concentrations in surface water

·         Chlorophyll a -measurement

·         Dissolved oxygen in the water column from top to bottom.

·        Rapid assessment of algae concentrations.

·        Analysis of Fish growth.

·         Aquatic Plant Identification.

4. Informs lake, stream and watershed associations of state land and water use regulations binding on waterfront property owners.

·         Permits required under the Inland Lakes & Stream Act

·         Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act  provisions.

·         Wetland protection Act provisions.

·          Marine Safety Act provisions.

·         Personal watercraft regulations.

5. Encourages waterfront property owners and members of the public to learn about the impacts of recreational water use on aquatic plant and animal populations in lakes and streams. 

·            Water quality brochure.

·            Fish consumption advisories from the Michigan Department of Public Health

·            Foreign invaders (Exotics) of Michigan waters and their consequences.

·            Control of aquatic plants and  animals.

·            Michigan Marine Safety Act and  promulgated rules.

6. Michigan Lake & Stream Associations has its own web page that provides information on lake, stream, and watershed problems, and possible solutions. (www.mlswa.org)   The corporation also provides web service for lake, stream, and watershed associations.  Associations interested in learning more about this service may contact ML&SA at info@mlswa.org
   
7. Assists riparian property owners who want to establish an organization to represent their needs and to help solve lake problems.
    

8. Develop educational materials and programs through a M.O.U with Michigan State  University Cooperative Extension.Builds partnerships with lake associations, individuals and other associations or corporations who share common goals in protecting our natural resource - WATER.
9.  Builds partnerships with lake associations, individuals and other associations or corporations who share common goals in protecting our natural resource - WATER.     
10.    Maintains copies of local and state court decisions which define Riparian Property Rights and water law in Michigan.