BOC hears high water concerns, approves office move

Published by admin on Thu, 05/17/2018 - 3:00am

By:

Dave Lein, Editor

Photo by Dave Lein

A group of local 4-H students addressed county commissioners during last Thursday’s meeting, helping to present the 2017 Annual Report from Antrim County’s Fair Board. Each student talked about their experiences related to the fair, along with the educational and practical skills they learned as part of the program.

BELLAIRE – High water levels, especially in the Intermediate and Six Mile Lake areas – and how to resolve the problem – prompted a handful of local residents to voice their concerns during public comment at last Thursday’s Antrim County Board of Commissioners meeting.

One of those citizens, Bellaire resident Dave Bell, reiterated his concerns to the board – many of which he had previously discussed last month with the County’s Buildings, Lands, and Infrastructure (BLI) Committee and via a letter to the editor, which ran in the April 12 issue of The Review.

In his original letter, Bell wrote: “March 20, 2011 is a crucial date. It was the last time that the Intermediate Lake level receded to the court-mandated winter height of 606.54 feet above sea level. …

“We've seen high water issues every fall and spring since that date. I reminded the (BLI) committee of the State of Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act No. 451, paragraph No. 307 on ‘Inland Lake Levels.’ That section basically states if there is a court-ordered lake level established, then the delegated authority of the county must maintain that level. This includes pumping water from the lake to lower the level to the court requirement.”

Bell said that due to the high water problems, he and other residents have experienced shoreline erosion, collapsed seawalls, warped wood floors, mold, mildew, and windows and doors swelled shut.

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