The saga of the future of the Kalkaska County point of sale septic inspection program drones on. At their special meeting on May 29, 2019, after lengthy discussion, the Kalkaska County Board of Commissioners once again tabled any action on their proposal to remove Kalkaska County from the inspection program. The Board also tabled action on the proposal authored by citizens supporting the program to form a study group to look at the program and make recommendations to the Board regarding the program’s future. The Board will discuss these matters further at another special meeting yet to be scheduled. Given the Board’s desire to see this program ended at the county level and taken up by those townships interested in doing so, Commission Chairman Fisher intends to invite representatives of each township in the county to attend the next meeting to discuss their views regarding the program and the possibility of townships assuming responsibility for it. The availability of township officials to attend the meeting must be determined before the date can be set.

Once again substantial citizen attendance at the Commissioner’s meeting was critical in keeping this program alive for now. However, given the difficulty the Board is having making decisions on this matter, it is critical that local citizens who believe this program should be retained or improved continue to make their presence known at all future commission meetings. It is the diligence of the community that is keeping the Board from eliminating this program. The moment we let up the pressure, will be the moment the Board will feel free to end the program. We know continued attendance at these overly long and tedious meetings is an inconvenience but it is vital if we are to have any chance to prevail. I know all of us involved in this struggle appreciate so much the commitment so many have made. We all hope everyone can see their way clear to continue this effort so long as there is still a chance to secure a better outcome for all of Kalkaska County. The more people who show up the better. So please talk to your neighbors and friends about attending the next meeting.

Welcome to the new and improved Manistee Lake Association web site. We hope you like the look and the many additional features. We have tried to make the site far more useful as a source of information and communication. Many of the features are in the members only area so we encourage everyone to become a member and to register for the member area. Access is free to MLA members. Members please make sure to update your member information so we have current contact information for you. If you are a new resident who does not receive our newsletter, please give us your contact information so we can add you to our database. Just click on the contact us link under website feedback on the lower right of this page and submit your information.

We invite comments and suggestions to improve the site as well. We want to make this site as useful and user friendly as we can.  We have tried to minimize some features to lessen download times for those of you with slower internet connections. We will continue to add information to the site and to improve features as we go so please check back often and let us know what you think. I hope you enjoy our new home on the web. Spread the word around. Manistee Lake can always use more friends.

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Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (Act 451 of 1994) Part 413 has recently been amended with changes for boaters and anglers that take effect March 21^st, 2019.

The changes are intended to strengthen protection for Michigan waterways against the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species.

Prior to the amended changes, the law only required that a person not place watercraft or trailers in the waters of Michigan if an aquatic plant is attached. In addition to this requirement, the new changes require all of the following prior to transporting any watercraft over land:

• Removing all drain plugs from bilges, ballast tanks, and live wells
• Draining all water from any live wells and bilges
• Ensuring that the watercraft, trailer, and any conveyance used to transport the watercraft or trailer are free of aquatic organisms, including plants

This means that after trailering boats, and before getting on the road, boaters must pull plugs, drain water, and remove plants and other debris. Additionally, the new amended law also incorporates requirements from Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources’ Fisheries Order 245 that will also help to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species as well as fish diseases:

• A person shall not release bait fish in any waters of this state. A person who collects fish shall not use the fish as bait or cut bait except in the inland lake, stream, or Great Lake where the fish was caught, or in a connecting waterway of the inland lake, stream, or Great Lake where the fish was caught if the fish could freely move between the original location of capture and the location of release.
• A person, who catches fish other than bait fish in a lake, stream, Great Lake, or connecting waterway shall only release the fish in the lake, stream, or Great Lake where the fish was caught, or in a connecting waterway of the lake, stream, or Great Lake where the fish was caught if the fish could freely move between the original location of capture and the location of release.

Violation of the law is a state civil infraction and violators may be subject to fines up to $100.

To comply with the law and prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species, boaters should:

1.  CLEAN boats, trailers and equipment.

2.  DRAIN live wells, bilges and all water.

3.  DRY boats and equipment.

4.  DISPOSE of unwanted bait in the trash.

Just a reminder to all our lake residents and users on easy things you can do that will help protect  Manistee Lake water quality. (From the Manistee Lake  Homeowners Guidebook)

1. Don’t use lawn fertilizer or weed killer.

2. Help prevent the spread of invasive species! If you trailer your boat

from lake to lake, wash your boat and trailer before launching back

into Manistee Lake.

3. Water the lawn sparingly to avoid washing nutrients and

sediments into the lake.

4. Don’t feed ducks and geese near the lake. Waterfowl

droppings are high in nutrients and may cause swimmer’s itch.

5. Don’t burn leaves and grass clippings near the shoreline.

Nutrients concentrate in the ash and can easily wash into the lake.

6. Don’t mow to the water’s edge. Instead, allow a strip of natural

vegetation (i.e., a greenbelt) to become established along your

waterfront. A greenbelt will trap pollutants and discourage

nuisance geese from frequenting your property.

7. Infiltrate drainage from your downspouts rather than letting it flow

overland to the lake.

8. Don’t dump anything in area wetlands. Wetlands are natural purifiers.

9. Have your septic tank pumped every 2 to 3 years.

10. Don’t be complacent—our collective actions will make or break

the lake!