WHY BECOME A MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION?

To ensure the lake remains useable and healthy for the residents.

If the Crockery Lake Association cannot get the proper funding to support the lake’s health, then the fate of the lake will remain in the township’s hands. The board gives a voice to members of the lake association.

The lake board does their best to listen and implement your ideas and concerns. As lake residents, we have a responsibility to treat the lake with respect and try to minimize the damage caused by OUR use of the lake.  If we don’t take this responsibility, no one will. View the bylaws here.

 

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Why not leave the lake health in the hands of
the people who live on it?

The dues are just $35 per year.

 

Below are some CLA responsibilities:

 

MAINTAIN THE LAKE’S USABILITY THROUGH WEED TREATMENTS

Our lake has a substantial amount of weeds that if left untreated would make portions of the lake unusable. 

Since the lake is only 108 acres, not treating the lake would severely limit boat traffic.  Untreated “Eurasion Milfoil” will be cut and spread by boat motors.  Within a couple of years, the lake would require more chemical treatment for the milfoil.  Increased chemicals will also increase the cost to you.  Because of the high phosphorous level in our lake, untreated weeds will accumulate a large amount and sit on top of the weeds, created an unsightly and smelly lake.  The CLA only treats the lake with as small amount of chemical as needed.  Options for treatment vary each year, along with the types of weeds and where they grow throughout the lake. They work with Professional Lake Management to decide what type of treatment(s) are needed and when they should occur. 

 

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ORGANIZE THE YEARLY FIREWORK SHOW

The firework show is 100% funded by the lake residents, friends and family.

Obtaining permits for the show and boat parade, donation collection, contract negotiation, coordination with the fire department and owners of the firework site, and the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department are just a few of the tasks required to put the show on every year.  The Board member in charge of the fireworks spends a substantial amount of time on the day of the event dealing with problems and questions from the various involved parties.

 

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INFORM RESIDENTS ABOUT IMPORTANT ISSUES IMPACTING THE LAKE

Because of our lake’s continued membership of the Michigan Lake & Stream Assn., our lake is light years ahead of many other lakes in the state. 

Michigan Lake & Stream is a nonprofit organization which keeps lake boards up-to-date on a huge variety of issues—lake studies, grants, pending legislation, monitoring programs, education, boating laws and regulations. CLA members attend regional and annual meetings where this valuation information is obtained (they are not reimbursed for their attendance at these meetings, they attend to help with the well-being of the lake!).  As an active member of ML&SA, we obtain additional help and immediate help with any lake problems. Additional perks to us being a member include: the best ways to handle weed treatments; a heads up on any legislature pending in Lansing that may affect our lake, being the first in line for lake monitoring studies, and working relationship with other lake associations.  We also coordinate with many governmental entities—The Drain Commission, The Road Commission, The Parks Commission, and Chester Township on lake problems.

 

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PROTECT THE LAKE THROUGH ACTIVE TOWNSHIP ORDINANCES

We were the first lake association in the state to implement a total fertilizer ban around the lake, other lakes request our ordinance to implement to their own.

Education from ML&SA programs, including phosphorous loading from fertilizers and water runoff are the #1 reason for algae problems. The newspapers are loaded with articles on lakes in our area with chronic algae problems which keep residents from swimming and boating in the lakes.  Because of CLA actions, a smaller amount of fertilizer is now entering our lake and helping to ward off algae blooms.  Residents should take credit for this also, because without your cooperation, this ordinance would not be as successful as it is!

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The second ordinance is the “Dock/Funnelling” ordinance.  “Funnelling” is when there is one undeveloped lot on the lake and homes built in the vicinity of the lot, but not on the lake, are given lake access on their deed to own a percentage of the lot.  Without specific ordinances against this, these undeveloped lots have the potential of turning into a small marina—a dock holding an unlimited number of boats from all the residents given lake access.  The ordinance also limits the number of docks per household to one, and motorized boats to three.  An example of funnelling is Lake Bella Vista.  Hundreds of homes have lake access.  The lake has problems with heavy boat traffic.  By maintaining the Sheriff’s PWC, they get extra hours of patrol between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  Residents can only operate their boats on an every-other-day basis and pay the salary of the deputy sheriff. 

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Our lake ordinances appear in a brochure entitled “Township Powers” that is available for purchase through Michigan Lake & Stream Assn. Overuse of the lake is dangerous and counterproductive to lake quality and residents’ safety.

 

SUPPLY INFORMATIVE NEWSLETTERS

The newsletters are an important source of information and allows residents to stay connected as a lake family. 

Careful research is done before any article is placed in the newsletters. Upcoming meetings and events, planned weed treatments, lake health results, new neighbors, and general information that lake residents would want to know about, are just some of the topics provided in the newsletter.

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We all have the same goal - to enjoy our beautiful little lake!

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HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER

Simply send cash or check made payable to Crockery Lake Association. Mail  to   Greg Slater(treasurer) 2500 Crockery Shores Road, Casnovia, MI 49318 or any of the board members on this page.

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