Protecting Your Lakefront Assets
With the loss of our lakes, we now face issues in many places with erosion of the exposed lake bottom that threatens seawalls and even building foundations.
Boyce Hydro is the owner of the dams and therefore responsible for any damage those dams cause, whether the dams are regulated by FERC or Michigan State Dam Safety. As we recently learned, that includes erosion damage caused by a dam failure. However, entirely depending on anyone else to “make you whole” may be unwise. What to do?
You may take action to stabilize the exposed lake bottomlands in front of your property. That can include planting ground cover or installing riprap (rocks) to keep the slope in place. During this emergency, EGLE (formerly DEQ) does not require a permit for such actions. Four Lakes Task Force gives you permission to do that in Midland County, where FLTF owns the bottomlands. Boyce owns the bottomlands in Gladwin County, but has remained silent on this topic. You may decide to treat Boyce’s silence as consent. It’s that or watch the slow destruction of your property by erosion!
There are a number of excavating companies that can install riprap. There are a number of landscaping companies that can install seed and mulch. Seed and mulch are things many of you can install yourselves. There are grasses that the State of Michigan uses to stabilize highway shoulders and sand dunes. There are straw or fabric mats that can stabilize the slopes until the seeds sprout. Local landscapers should know about this. Don't be shy, protect your property! Don't count on anyone else to come along and protect your property.
So in summary there are three things we as property owners can do:
1. extend drain tiles
2. rip rap to protect sea walls
3. seeding to help with erosion
Work on bottom lands such as dredging is NOT ALLOWED WITHOUT A PERMIT
Phil Dast, President, Secord Lake Association
1-May-2020: Check out the Spring 2020 newsletter produced by PLM Lake & Land Management Corp for relevant water management information and tentative treatment schedule
To be clear, info included in the May 2020 Newsletter under ‘SAVE THE DATES for our public meetings’ section are expected programming/ talking points during the Secord Lake Association Board Meetings.
Specific to the Goose Roundup efforts, the goose egg roundup collection dates were scheduled for April 18 and May 2. However, due to the Stay at Home Order and this is not an essential service the April date has been cancelled. Hopefully the May 2 date will be able to be utilized depending on if the Executive Order is lifted or that will be cancelled also.
Thank you to Marvin Ehlert for suggesting this clarification.
REMINDER: Please pay your dues for calendar year 2020!
Dues must be paid in order to vote in the election of Directors at the August meeting
Head to the Membership page to pay online
2020 BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE
Open to the Public
3rd Saturday of the Month
Saturday April 18, 2020 11:00am
CANCELLED
Due to Stay Home, Stay Safe Order
Saturday May 16, 2020 11:00am
CANCELLED
Due to Stay Home, Stay Safe Order
Saturday June 20, 2020 11:00am
Secord Lake Eagles Club
3485 Lakeshore Drive, Gladwin
Saturday July 18, 2020 11:00am
Secord Lake Eagles Club
3485 Lakeshore Drive, Gladwin
Saturday Aug 15, 2020 11:00am
Secord Lake Eagles Club
3485 Lakeshore Drive, Gladwin
This will be the Annual Membership Meeting
Saturday Sept 19, 2020 11:00am
Secord Lake Eagles Club
3485 Lakeshore Drive, Gladwin
Saturday Oct 17, 2020 11:00am
Secord Lake Eagles Club
3485 Lakeshore Drive, Gladwin
No Public meetings November-April