LAKE RESIDENTS RALLY TO SHOW THEIR CONCERNS FOR REVISED DOCK ORDINANCE
107 surveys were mailed to lakefront residents in late July. As of the August 10 deadline, 55 responses were received. Over 30 residents showed up at the August 15 regular board meeting held at Grose Park. Many voiced their concerns with the way the changes to the ordinance came about.
Because the Township would like to hear lake residents’ comments/concerns regarding the changed ordinance, they requested the CLA Board send out a survey to affected residents. The CLA Board has found the Township to be very helpful with regard to explaining the reasoning behind each section in the past. Neither CLA nor the Township is making any promises regarding the possibility of changes to the revised ordinance.
Chester Township thought Crockery Lake Association was going to open the surveys and compile the information and give them a summation of the results. They were unwilling to accept the unopened surveys and compile the information.
They understood our concerns about opening the surveys as a possible violation of our 501c3 status and Jan, the Township Clerk, assured us that this could not be seen as lobbying.
We now have the unopened surveys back again. After the Township receives and reviews the CLA Board summary, they will confer with their attorney. They were reluctant to add this to the September 10 agenda. They did indicate that a special meeting would possibly then be scheduled.
BE IN ON THE GROUND FLOOR FOR NEXT YEAR’S FIREWORKS
Would you like to get in on the fireworks action? Tom and Carl would like to have more help with the actual fireworks. It’s a long two days for two 60-year olds. This would involve some training. Please contact either of them if you are interested. Tom: 446-5878; Carl: 887-4203.
LAKE QUALITY ACTIONS
Great news! We were able to avoid a Diquat treatment this year. The eel grass and other nuisance native plants never made an appearance. We are never sure exactly why sometimes we have tons of weeds and other years we don’t—possibly has to do with how much ice formed on the lake and for how long. We did have three algae treatments and the lake cleared up nicely. Kudos to CLA Board members Bob Blauwkamp, Dennis Arms and Pat Wolters for their diligence in testing the water and close communications with Professional Lake Management.
2018 BOAT COUNT
44 pontoons; 27 powerboats; 15 jet skis
UPDATE ON DRAIN ASSESSMENT DISTRICT ACTIONS
Per a telephone conversation with Joe Bush, Ottawa County Drain Commissioner: He has been out numerous times to the drain sites—including the August 1 “big rain event”. Right now the engineers are in the process of evaluating how far upstream they need to go in some areas to take care of problems. This will help them decide if a project is warranted or if it is just a maintenance issue. When that is figured out, they will be asking for easements from the affected property owners. Their ultimate goal is not to create huge, expensive projects where the cost outweighs the benefit. I asked the status on the “Humphrey” drain. Joe said they have applied for a dredging permit but have not heard back from DEQ.
NEW CROCKERY LAKE ASSOCIATION PROJECT
SCORE THE SHORE, A SHORELINE HABITAT ASSESSMENT
Even though the CLA Board has been up to its ears in dealing with issues this year, we still want to continue to take care of the lake the best we can. One way is a new project called Score the Shore. Understanding where and how the lakeshore habitat is degraded is the first step in helping maintain water quality, limit erosion and slow and filter rain runoff. When the project is completed, we will be able to identify areas on the lake that are in the poorest condition and why they are in this condition. We will then work with MICorps to obtain information we can pass along to residents to improve our shorelines. There are lots of new ideas on how to strike a balance between the lake’s needs and residents’ needs. We’ll give you some of that information next spring. Wish us luck!
MINUTES FROM JULY 2018 CLA BOARD MEETINGS
You can find the July CLA Board minutes at www.crockerylake.org.
WATER TESTING KITS AVAILABLE
We still have five kits available! Check your water to see if it is safe to drink! Pick one up from Pat Wolter’s porch.
AUGUST TREASURER’S REPORT
FASTER, EASIER WAY TO DONATE TO CROCKERY LAKE FIREWORKS
The 2019 Fireworks donation drive is underway. So far, we have collected $3,425 towards our goal of $5,000 via the website. The CLA Board is busy collecting your dues and fireworks donations for 2019. Next month’s newsletter will better reflect how much we have collected.. Watch the thermometer on the Crockery Lake web page to see our progress.
How to pay with Credit or Debit
Click contribute, and follow their directions on how to input your information.
How to pay with cash or check
Mail to: Bob Blauwkamp, 2380 Crockery Shores Road, Casnovia MI 49318
Give cash or check to your board rep when they visit you
The money goes directly into the 2019 CLA Fireworks Fund account. All funds received will be used for the fireworks. There is a 5% charge for each credit card transaction. The donee can decide to pay the fee in addition to their donation or have it deducted from their donation.
JOHN’S TACKLE BOX
Well sadly summer is going by way too fast but fishing is at its best! Panfish are really biting good on live bait. Redworms work well. Nice walleyes were being caught on the river using crawlers and leeches. Bass fishing has been fair—try baits with crawfish patterns. Steelhead has been slow. Catfish are being caught at night. As fall approaches, fishing pressure seems to slow down when hunting season starts, but remember some of the best fishing is in the fall when fish go on a feeding frenzy. So keep on fishing. Hope you enjoyed my tidbits of information and hope they helped you to catch more fish. I enjoyed giving them to you. See you next spring 😊
A FEW WAYS YOU CAN REDUCE STORMWATER POLLUTION RUNOFF
Plant raingardens and use rain barrels in your gardens to prevent water from leaving your property.
Collect yard waste to prevent grass clippings and leaves from entering lake.
No fertilizer! Just makes more weeds grow in lake.
Keep your septic system maintained to protect your family’s well.
Properly dispose of any pet waste in a closed trash receptacle. Pet waste is raw sewage and contains harmful bacteria, easily transported to the lake.
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