Lake Leelanau Lake Association 2008 Member Survey (July 12 Update)
• Are you a member of the LLLA? 232 YES 27 NO
• How long have you been a LLLA member?
Less then 5 years 46
5-10 years 33
10-20 years 60
20 years or more 39
• If you have withdrawn your LLLA membership, please tell us why
because you people are
socialist in your views. For example, Wayne Tyge (no, I’m not him)..his
plan (initial plan to open up a marina area) was beautiful! It would have
been the best way to utilize that frontage with that land-use.
No longer lake front owners,
but will contribute in the future
Didn’t remember to renew in
time, I guess
Price went from $10 to $45
I was, but I have reconsidered because
of the $45 membership fee. I know there has been additional costs because
of the legal expenses...after this issue (Narrows) resolves, will the
membership be decreased? Please respond. I fully support your
endeavors...keep up the great work!
I need to withdraw my
membership due to current financial circumstances
I don’t like the things you do
in court or do for selected members
We’ve hesitated to join because
of lawsuits. We’re ambivalent about them
Activities not applicable to
our situation
Too expensive
Lack of funds
I feel most people are not
happy with the increase in dues
Mom died (she
lived on Lake Leelanau).
We ... had been members of the
Association for many years but let our membership lapse in 2007 with the
increase of dues. We were in support of the Association’s efforts on the Narrows
situation, but have parted company with the lawsuit. We believe that all that
could be done with decisions at the local level and that the lawsuit is a colossal
waste of money.
Mom died (she
lived on Lake Leelanau).
• Are you satisfied with current activities of the LLLA? 218YES 12 NO
Postitive Comments:
o Good balance of water protection, safety, fishing and legal protection
o Currently covers all issues well
o I just wish that the narrows development and marine project would have been nixed by the DEQ
o Keep up the good work
o Generally, we like what you are doing.
o When we hear about them. Please the LLLA is more active.
Negative Comments:
o Membership fees are excessive; involvement of LLLA in litigation goes beyond charter
o No....significant money spent on the Narrows project
o Don’t need to spend so much money to know process of ducks and swimmers itch - if you watch the lake mergansers are gone early; mallards rest of the year...and the swimmers itch continues each year with the mallards
o The Narrows suit is totally ridiculous
o Munneke Room, Nedows Bay, Township Park? Do not even know where these places are!
o Walleye population is low on S. Lake and unhappy with swimmer’s itch.
o Narrows lawsuit is a complete waste of money. Also, not much seems to be done to remedy the lack of fish in the lake.
Concerns expressed:
o Very concerned re keyholing on North Lake
o I am concerned about the ‘itch’ and zebra mussels and do not know what, if anything, is being done about them
o Lake Leelanau continues to be a mediocre fishing lake
o Any group could do more - keep dues reasonable, keep us informed
• Are there activities you would like LLLA to place more emphasis on?
Development & Lake Use
o Comments: Stop building in wetlands, as in the Narrows, if you can
o Working with boaters and local media to make boating safer with less enviro damange. Just say NO to condos. Keep fighting! Don’t give up! Bad precedent!
o Zoning and water quality
o Discriminatory taxation of non resident
o Keyholing problem
o Less government, more real issues
o Beware the road end issues. Road end hurts riparians. The law supports riparians (Jacob v. Lyon Twp.) Don’t promote road access beyond the specific language of the original dedication
o Safe boating
o N & S Lake Leelanau township zoning effecting lake health
o Over development
o Continue monitoring growth and development
o Control jet skis - eliminating them would be nice!
o More LLLA member participation in zoning as tool to protect the lake
o Development of better zoning - but it is underway
o Yes - noise SCREAMING of jet skiers
o Lake access - how about ‘pay to use’ access arms at all ramps? They have these at Higgin’s Lake/Houghton Lk
o No, but would like more information on cow farming on Lake shore
o I think the narrow’s dock project is the greatest threat to the lake, but I don’t know if LLLA can do more
o Homeowner’s rights
o Controlling private residence rental
o Public sewer
o Good focus on narrows development issue
o A sewer line around the lake
Water Quality
o Continue focus on water quality
o Water quality | Water quality
o Solve the itch
o Water quality is by far the biggest issue for us. Much more important than the Narrows fight
o Cleaning up the itch, maintaining ecological balance of lake, recycling
o Swimmer’s itch | Swimmer’s itch | Swimmer’s itch | Swimmer’s itch | Swimmer’s itch
o Eliminating merganser ducks
o Health of the lake
o Geese - major problem!
o Controlling foam
o Swimmer’s itch still a problem
o Conservation
o Removal of Zebra Mussels
Fishing
o Fish improvement
o Fishing habitat - south lake
o … stunted walleye
o Bass and bluegrass populations - less walleye
o Plant more perch
o Fishing
o Fishing is a great interest – many locals say fishing has recently changed on Lake Leelanau – walleyes way down.
Communications & Member Services
o Just keep it up - wish I could help more!
o Do you still give out the LL Homeowner’s Handbook Guide? It was very informative and helpful to us and I now see so many new properties that go against those suggested guidelines
o The annual meeting should be partially an opportunity to get to know each other
o More interactive website
o Without the internet, we don’t know what the tribal members say about the ____. Your letter did not say
Mixed or Generic
o Merganzers and zebra mussels; keyholing
o You’re doing fine!!
o Youth fishing and swimmer’s itch
o Zoning and water quality
o Halting development of Narrows, fishing & water quality, and swimmer’s itch!
o Just keep it up - wish I could help more!
o Swimmer’s itch, fishing quality
o Generally, we like what you are doing
o Currently cover lake issues well
o Fishing and what more can be done re swimmer’s itch
• Do you favor zoning in the Narrows to preserve as much of the remaining natural area as possible? 242 YES 7 NO
Comments: Yes for safety
reasons
• Do you favor compulsory septic system inspections upon the sale or transfer of lakefront property? 182 YES 42 NO 1 MAYBE
Positive Comments
o Yes, within 100 feet of lake
o Overflow / low liquids from old septic tanks coming from the older cottages directly draining into the lake. There should be a complete inspection of all these old systems (similar as to what they did on Crystal Lake) with mandatory updates to protect the water.
o Was recently in Massachusetts & discovered state law that all sellers of real estate must bring septic tanks up to code before transfer of property. Where was the LLLA on this?
Negative Comments
o Comments: I favor education on the matter and the ability of the private sector to care for our wonderful environment
o Not when alternatives are not available
o Septic systems should require inspections or scrutiny when problems become apparent, i.e. neighbor complaints, odor, etc.
o Buyers should do this.
Mixed or Uncertain
o Concerned about septic systems that are grand-fathered or exist between a house and the lake
o We believe in septic system inspections, but everyone should be inspected - using realistic standards, not eutopian criteria. Doing on sale of property is arbitrary and causes undue hardship for a small number of people with very little overall effect
• Should hours of operation and noise levels of jet skis be regulated? 175YES 63NO
Positive Comments
o Keep them well out from shoreline and docks
o Noise levels, yes, and polluting restrictions
o Noise levels should be regulated - how is a real problem. The good thing is that the newer ones seem to be much better than the old ones The worse noise we have on the South Lake is from several inboards, V/8 that run Dry Exhaust. Also some of these high speed bass boats are very noisy. Since jet skis have no running lights, DNR rules regulate their hours of operation.
o [Regarding hours of operation] Michigan law does this!
o Especially early a.m. & dusk when people are fishing
Negative Comments
o Comments: I do not own a jet ski, but I am NOT in favor of limited hours
o Too hard to regulate
o Unrealistic
o No...in spite of the fact that I hate those things’
o Haven’t seen it as a problem
o I believe state law already restricts them to daylight hours. Further restrictions would be difficult to pass and enforce
o No, the State of Michigan already limits the hours of jet ski use
Mixed or Uncertain
o How will it be policed and who will pay for it?
o I don’t like jet skis...but I also don’t like regulation
o They already are...1 hour after sunrise to 1 hour before sunset
o They already are
o I thought they were
o Daylight only: 9am – dark.
• Should road ends be used for the placement of private multiple docks? 8 YES 217NO
o This is crazy and should be prohibited legally
o If local zoning allows it, yes
o See Jacob: What does original dedication say? Public Use? Public highway?
o Isn’t this keyholing?
o Leland township has docks at most road ends
o Don’t know much about this but probably no.
o Higgins Lake????? No No No No No No
o ??
o Do not understand this quest.? Just limit private multiple docks!
o Depends on where they are
• If LLLA used its web page for questionnaires and reporting results, would you use the web page? 167 YES 47 NO 7 MAYBE
Zone A: North Lake Leelanau
Zone B: Lake Leelanau Narrows
Zone C: Lake Leelanau Narrows to Mebert Creek
Zone D: Mebert Creek to south end of South Lake Leelanau
• Did you experience any swimmers itch summer in 2007?
Zone A: 48YES
36 NO
9 SEVERE 14 AVERAGE 17 MILD/LES
o Always an issue
o We did not get in the water because we did not want to get the itch - we took our family/friends to Lake Michigan
o Always a big problem for children
Zone B: 4
YES 5
NO
0 SEVERE
1 AVERAGE
1 MILD
o Happened frequently to family members.
Zone C: 16 YES
26 NO
3 SEVERE
7 AVERAGE
6 MILD
o Average - it is always there every summer
o Severe, all over the body
o No, and we use the lake nearly every day in several locations
o Was mild, as long as brisk drying of legs/doesn’t affect everybody
o Severe for some of our family, average or mild for most
o We swim in a variety of sandy areas in the north and south lakes and have never been bothered by swimmer’s itch
o We have it every year.
Zone D: 30 YES
43 NO
6 SEVERE
12 AVERAGE
6 MILD
o Instead I experienced a red rash all over me after my first swim
o Severe for many years
o Severe, first time in six years
o Severe after picking up wood debris from sand bottom
o No, but a guest had mild swimmer’s itch
o Average - friends no longer want to come out and swim
o Severe, south of Bingham
o Severe for several grandchildren - very unusual
o No, we don’t swim near shore
o No, however the neighbors two doors down had some
o Great infestation of snails – mergansers very present in season
• Do you have infestations of zebra mussels at your site?
Zone A: 60 YES
22 NO
8 WORSE
27 SAME
13 LESS
o Last summer, 07 -- bad
Zone B: 4
YES 4
NO
2 WORSE
0 SAME
1 LESS
Zone C: 39 YES
12 NO
2 WORSE
22 SAME
7 LESS
o About the same, we have tried to remove all driftwood; several people have been cut bad
Zone D: 59 YES
22 NO
6 WORSE
31 SAME
12 LESS
o Zebra mussels are making our shoreline hazardous...what can be done about them?
o Seems milder than previous years.
• Have you noticed a change in weed beds or algae growth
Zone A: 19 YES
60 NO
o Along shore in shallow water
o Yes, water color has changed to murky and the lake bottom has a coating on it. Not just clean sand any more
o Algae on sand bottom - some increase in deeper water weeds
o More algae We think there is noticeable change in the lake. Clearer water. Lots of zebra mussels, foam on the surface and algae on rocks
o Weed beds smaller.
o Yes – cleaner ... but told “zebra mussels” the cause.
o Slightly muckier bottom. Weed growth in shade areas.
Zone B: 2
YES 6
NO
Zone C: 15 YES
33 NO
o I believe weed growth has increased in just the past few years
o Expansion of weed areas in adjacent, undeveloped lot
o Moved to deeper water
o Over last ten years beds have come closer to shore
o I have a sandy hard bottom frontage south lake over 14 years - it is slightly more muddy looking at times
o Less algae More foam, less weed beds. Need more emphasis on eliminating foam
o Weed beds have gotten bigger, lilly pads expanding
o Weed beds have disappeared.
Zone D: 18 YES
59 NO
o Much more washing ashore - don’t know where it is coming from
o As long as the cattle do not grange in the wetlands, the algae is much better
o More weeds in last ten years
o Much white foam in last few years!
o More weeds
o More broken weeds on shore each morning
o Not as prevalent
o Surface suds problem continues on occasional days, particularly when winds from N-NE. Who is discharging?
o Cedar River is much more overgrown than it use to be decades ago.
o Early spring orange algae – late summer lake greener than past
o Bull rushes are really expanding.
•Additional Comments
Positive
Feedback
o Keep up the excellent work!
o Thank you for your work
o Thanks for this important work
o Thank you for all your hard work
o Great organization with dedicated board
o I think the LLLA is doing a great job. Thanks for the efforts on Narrows Development. They are MOST appreciated! We need to do more to protect water quality
o I fully support your endeavors. Keep up the great work
o Good Job!
o Great work! Need more volunteers to help with all the work that needs to be done. Also, enforce how many docks per lot. Enforce swimming areas closer to shore. Enforce boats no cruising close to shore
o Good job!
o Thank you for your continued efforts!!
o We feel board members have done a very good job over the years. It’s appreciated!
o We join because we like the effort you do to keep Lake Leelanau in good hands
o We do not live on Lake Leelanau but support your efforts
o We live on Lake Michigan but care about Lake Leelanau and boat via public ramps
o Thank you for your efforts!
o Thanks for all those who participate.
o You are doing a great job and we appreciate all your work.
Negative Feedback
o I am disgusted wit the LLLA attempt to control my liberty. Go ahead throw my ‘true american sentiments’ in the trash can, as you have done so well. Please address my concerns in your next issue as I struggle with the sad direction the LLLA has turned towards
o We don’t need water quality police.
o Let’s get off the narrows controversy. There is no problem with a few docks there. I don’t want my dues money used for this frivolous lawsuit!
Fish Related
Concerns & Remarks
o Overall quantity and size of perch, small mouth bass seem to be improving on N. Lake after 5+ years of noticeable decline. Still, few rock bass.
o Like to see more family fishing develop - blue gill or habitat for smaller fish
o What about more volunteer opportunities? I enjoy fishing and am always interested in more information. What about sign-up lists for those looking for fishing companions?
o The walleye have been 13 inches for five years. One of the reasons we love LL is that it is not crowded, it would be a big loss if that were to change
Other Concerns
& Remarks
o It would be helpful if each summer you sent out a flyer telling/reminding residents how and where to recycle and what activities that we might observe that could have a negative impact on water quality / per your letter
o I love our sea planes
o If riparians have to pay (their portion) to maintain the lake via the Leland Dam, then public ramps should be removed
o Conduct a study of the ecosystem of the Narrows and of the interdependence of species found there. Could be a 5 year effort requiring professional help. Map macrophytes in Lake Leelanau. Could use help of DEQ, Tribe, and volunteers (WN)
o Fountain Point has the Fountain - we have the point. Love the place
o More information on use of fertilizers and emphasis on natural shoreline and foliages instead of lawns with regular grass
o Can you get an answer (via e-mail) on the access arms at all access ramps?
o I am concerned about boat and cow pollution. Also the disappointing results of the narrows development. Keep trying and thank you!
o Will be selling house when market improves. LL becoming a boating nuthouse Jul-Aug. No longer a nice place to live/retire
o We have talked with the township about replacing our existing very old septic system with a new system, but the new rules are almost impossible to have anything except a holding tank or a huge mound. Any chance we will get waste lines? Our cottage is one mile down from St. Mary’s Church on South Lake Leelanau
o The Cedar River area should be no wake - no jet skis fishing only, with (no wake)
o Adopt same policy as TC and great lakes regarding people feeding the ducks and birds. They bring all the mess to the shore line. Fish line works great on docks and keeps them out. People around the lake feed them all the time
o I feel that the entire project at the narrows should have been contested instead of just the dockage; the condos do not enhance the area
o The 100' setback from the waters edge seems draconian
o We need to control merganser populations in early spring
o Would someday like to have a lot on the last lot
o Our summer home is at the mouth of the Carp River.
o Should we address the influx of cormorants feeding on the lake?
o LLLA newsletters should be sent to every landowner/resident on Lake Leelanau, to NON members to promote awareness and issues involved with the area. Non members are the best opportunity for new membership.
o Keep up the Excellent work!
o You’ve done a great job fighting development at the Narrows.
o Very concerned with the Narrows & law suit. Have not gotten any updates. We know the hearing by Judge Rogers was “postponed” by DEQ … Now what?
o We live on Lake Michigan -- Houdek Dunes.