What Does Michigan Lake and Stream Associations Do ?

1. We sponsor and arrange workshops and meetings  to provide our membership and concerned citizens with timely information about the use and wise management of Michigan’s inland lakes and streams.  We conduct an Annual Conference in late April or early May of each year, hold fall seminars throughout the state in September and October and conduct special events focused on specific issues and problems regarding our freshwater heritage.

2. We produce and distribute educational brochures that identify and suggest actions lake associations and local units of government may take to prevent water quality degradation as well as  protect the health, safety and welfare of Michigan citizens. We currently have the following brochures available at a nominal cost from our Central Office:

• Riparian Rights in Michigan

• Township Powers in Michigan

• Township Police Powers in Michigan

• Public Act 188 Special Assessment Districts

• Zoning powers.

• Lakeside Landscaping and Lawn Care

• The Ten Most Important Things You Can Do for Your Inland Lake 

• Are You Observing the 100' Rule ?

3. We promote, encourage and enable lake associations and individuals in measuring the physical, biological and chemical parameters of inland lakes  by administering the MiCorps Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP), a collaborative partnership led by the MDEQ. Volunteer monitors are trained and equipped to monitor the following inland lake parameters: 

• Secchi Disk (water transparency)

• Spring and Summer Total Phosphorus

• Chlorophyll a - (a measure of how much algae is present in your lake's water column)

• Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature

• Exotic Plant Watch

• Aquatic Plant Identification

4. We inform lake, stream and watershed associations of state land and water use regulations that directly affect Michigan citizens and the recreational users of our water resources. The primary laws that affect those living on or using our water resources are:

• Part 301 - Inland Lakes and Streams of  Public Act 451 of 1994

• Part 91 - Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act  of Public Act 451 of 1994

• Part 303 - Wetlands Protection Act of Public Act 451 of 1994

• Marine Safety Act provisions

• Personal watercraft regulations

5. We encourage 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. 

• Various water quality related brochures and pamphlets

• Fish consumption advisories from the Michigan Department of Public Health

• Aquatic Invasive Species

• Control of aquatic plants and  animals.

• Michigan Marine Safety Act and  promulgated rules.

6. We file amicus curiae briefs with the Michigan Court of Appeals and the Michigan Supreme Court to advise the court on our position regarding the important water resources management and riparian rights legal issues being considered by the courts.    
    

7. We promote the creation of lake and stream riparian associations as a means of collectively addressing issues relative to the
   preservation and protection of our freshwater resources.
    

8. We co-sponsor a full-time Inland Lakes and Streams Outreach Education position at the Michigan State University Department
   of Fisheries and Wildlife.
    

9. We are a proud participant in several statewide collaborative partnerships including the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps,
   the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership, Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Inland Lakes Partnership.     
    

10. We maintain copies of local and state court decisions which define and affect riparian property rights and water law in Michigan.