Limnologist Ralph Bednarz moved to his new home on Rennie Lake in Grand Traverse County just a couple of years ago and already the water is taking over part of his shoreline. In fact, many home and cottage owners on lakes throughout Michigan are witnessing record high lake levels and responding with emergency measures like sand bags.
In this video, we learn from experts at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) that permits are required to build structures at or below the ordinary high water mark of inland lakes anywhere in the state. So, property owners should take the time to talk things over with EGLE before piling rock or building seawalls on their waterfronts.
To read the remainder of this article, and to watch the video that originally appeared on the Nature Change – Conversations about Conservation and Climate website on July 20, 2020, click here