WATER SAFETY & ROAD CLEAN UP
CHAIR | MARK WALKOWIAK
The Grand Traverse Sherriff’s patrol put 165 hours on Long Lake, a 30% decrease vs. 2020. This was due to having one less deputy available for lake patrol duty. The patrol hours on Long Lake accounted for almost 20% of all marine patrol hours in Grand Traverse County. Stops, citations, and warnings all increased. Wakesurf boats were the primary source of complaints from Long Lake riparian. Per the Guidelines Fromfrom Part 1 of Section 80149 from the Marine Safety Act, wakeboarders behind wake boats shall maintain a distance of 100 feet from any dock, raft, buoyed or occupied bathing area, or vessel moored or at anchor. This section of the Marine Safety Act also states always try to operate your wake boat in a counterclockwise motion around a lake. When operating these kinds of boats, it is advised to avoid shorelines and use the middle of the lake since boats that create an artifi cial wake require more distance from the shoreline to lower the impact of their waves on beaches, docks, and moored boats. For more information, please refer to the booklet entitled “Wakeboarding in MichiganImpacts and Best Practices” at the following link at the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership (MNSP) site: Click Here
Wake boats continue to be a source of complaints from Long Lake riparian residents. Per the guidelines from MDNR (EGLE) Fisheries Report 37, “Wake Boats: concerns and recommendations related to natural resource management and Michigan waters”, dated 9/14/2022, wake boats should:
- Operate at least 500 feet from docks and shoreline.
- Operate in a minimum of 15 feet of water depth.
- Completely empty ballast tanks prior to transportation over land to help avoid the spread of invasive species.
These guidelines provide more distance from the shoreline to help to dissipate the impact of the larger wakes from these boats on the shoreline, beaches, docks, and moored boats. Further, since the propeller design of these boats directs thrust downwards, operation at a greater depth is necessary to reduce the churning of bottom sediments that is detrimental to water clarity, plant life and the overall health of the lake. Finally, boat ballast water is a likely mechanism for the transport of invasive species between inland lakes.
There will be a paid attendant funded by Long Lake Township to monitor activity at the Crescent Shores boat launch again this year. The funding for this position is now a part of the yearly budget of Long Lake Township. The boat launch will be manned on Saturdays and Sundays between Memorial and Labor Day weekends.
As in previous years, the Long Lake Association Board of Directors will conduct a road cleanup in both the Spring and Fall. The Spring clean-up is scheduled for May 25, 2024. The Fall date has not yet been scheduled. The stretch of road covered is North Long Lake Rd. from the corner by Wheelock & Sons Welding down to Church Road near Long Lake Grocery. We urge all riparian to help us keep our roads (and lake) free of trash by disposing of it properly.
MARINE PATROL & OTHER ENFORCEMENT CONTACT INFO
- CENTRAL DISPATCH NON-EMERGENCY – 231-922-4550 (non-emergency calls for service for Law Enforcement, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services)
- MARINE PATROL (Sheriff Dept.) – 231-922-2112 (seasonal enforcement of boating laws on inland lakes). Led by Sergeant Ben McManus. This number will be monitored beginning May 1st. In an emergency dial 911.
- DNR REPORT ALL POACHING (RAP) line-800-292-7800 (CALL OR TEXT) (If you witness loon harassment, poaching, etc.).
Our Sheriff Department’s Community Police Officer is Deputy Sean Mugerian who says “….my job is to bridge the gap between the public and the law enforcement that serves them”. As the opportunity arises, please introduce yourself. He can be contacted at 231-633-2579. This number is not monitored so in an emergency dial 911.
Try to get the MC number when reporting any incident. Pictures and especially videos of the incident are beneficial.