Hello Members,
The Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners meeting this morning was packed by concerned Six Mile Lake and Ellsworth Village and St.Clair Lake residents. Antrim County Operator of Dams Leslie Meyers and Antrim County Administrator Jeremy Scott spoke on behalf of the Bellaire Dam project on the Chain of Lakes. Several residents spoke during public comment urging the Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners to join Antrim County in a Special Assessment District. It was a good dialog and some clarification was reached however the matter was tabled until the next meeting in two weeks as the Commissioners wanted time to review the hand outs provided to them detailing the nineteen phases or steps of the project as it progresses should they vote to sign on.
In the meantime, a 14 day ‘no wake’ ban remains in effect on ALL of Six Mile Lake. The Charlevoix County Sheriff stated today at the meeting that his department will enforce the 14 day DNR ban on the portion of Six Mile Lake located in his county. Meanwhile, the Antrim County Sheriff, is enforcing the Antrim County portion of Six Mile Lake. The DNR enforcement is the entire lake. So far, we have had only one property owner complaining loudly about his ability not to be able to use the lake so I will explain here that the no wake ban is in place to save our frontage.
Every square inch of Six Mile Lake frontage is underwater by many feet. In spite of the level dropping the lake still remains twenty two inches above the normal level. Just four days ago the lake level was 36.5 inches above normal. We know this because we have had measuring devices on Six Mile Lake for several years and those numbers are reported to the county. Anyone can look at their frontage and SEE the lake level dropping but the saturated ground needs to drain as well. Echo Twp Park LOOKS like the water is down…a lot…but walk across the lawn forty foot up from shore and you sink to your ankles in soft grass. So. We ask for everyone ‘s patience and compliance with the ‘no wake’ ban. Please remember the goal is to save our properties and our lake. If anything changes you will be the first to know. If either launch opens you will be the first to know. Meanwhile, residents can still enjoy the lake, swim, fish, kayak…it’s all there…just at a ‘no wake’ speed.
Thank you and stay tuned for updates.