Michigan Waterfront Alliance (MWA) is proud to report that along with pro-active support from several collaborative partners it has (again) held a highly successful Lake Awareness Day event within a stone’s throw of the Michigan state capitol. Beginning in May of 2023, downtown Lansing-based Lake Awareness Day has been dedicated to helping to enhance the awareness of busy state legislators about the extraordinarily valuable contributions that Michigan’s 11,000 inland lakes make to Michigan’s economy and culture. It is the hope of MWA and event partners that legislators will take what have learned at Lake Awareness Day and begin enacting legislation introduced to help preserve and protect the “Great Lakes” state’s vast natural legacy of high-quality freshwater resources.
Held on Tuesday, May 19th within the unique Governor’s room that is situated within a state owned building that is commonly referred to as the “white house”, this year’s at times standing room only Lake Awareness Day provided state legislators and their senior staff with a catered lunch and the opportunity to learn about the importance of defeating MI House Bill 6108 of 2024 that if passed would effectively negate the capacity of local units of government to regulate aggregate mining; Senate Bill 771 of 2026 that if enacted into law would establish a first ever statewide septic code in Michigan; and Senate Bill 812 of 2026 that if passed would restrict the operation of wake boats to areas of inland lakes a minimum of 500 feet from shore and in water depths of not less than 20 feet. In addition to a delicious lunch and the opportunity to review legislation focused informational posters, attendees were afforded ample time to interact with event organizers and sponsors.
The Officers and Directors of MWA would like to extend a hearty thank you to each of our 2026 collaborative partners whose vital contributions helped make 2026 Lake Awareness Day such a great success:
Michigan Aquatic Managers Association
Michigan Environmental Council