The era following the Civil War
was a time for exhibition of the undeveloped regions and resources of the State of
Michigan and intent to their early occupancy and development. The following excerpts
describe the challenge of the frontiers of the Michigan Territory. .” (D. Bethune,
Duffield, The Undeveloped Regions and Resources of the State of Michigan, with Some
Practical Suggestions in Reference to Their Early Occupancy and Development, a lecture
prepared for the Michigan State Agricultural Society, and delivered at Lansing, at
Lansing, January 17, 1865, J.A. Kerr & Co., Lansing, 1865.)
“The Western slope, embracing the territory north of the mouth of the Muskegon river,
and along its waters, including all that region already referred to as watered by
the Manistee and other rivers emptying into Lake Michigan, is by far the best portion
of northern Michigan for agricultural purposes.”
“Its favorable position in respect to the ridge running north and south, and dividing
the waters of lakes Huron and Michigan, whose surrounding waters afford to it a peculiarly
mild and even tempered climate, together with its rich soil and large tracts of hard
timber, interspersed with pines, combine to make it a peculiarly desirable region
for all settlers devoting themselves to the cultivation of the ground.”
“From Traverse City, in a south-westerly direction, a chain of beautiful lakes is
found, forming the head waters of the Aux Bec Scies river. West of these are several
quite large lakes lying near the coast, the principal of which is Crystal Lake, covering
an area of 15 square miles, with deep, pure and cold water, surrounded by high banks,
and capable of readily floating the immense quantities of timber now standing round
about it, to points of shipment near the coast of Lake Michigan, and from which it
is securely separated by a narrow strip of high sand banks, about a half a mile in
width.”
(Note: This is the predrawdown period before the Outlet was breached during the "Tragedy".)
“Upon the banks of this beautiful sheet of water, and about seven miles from the
Aux Bec Sies river, a settlement composed of stirring citizens of Ohio has latterly
been made. These men, while opening the country on which they have planted themselves,
have taken care to provide substantial institutions of learning for their children,
and provisions for the foundation of a college have already been made.”
“The communication of this settlement (which bears the name of Benzonia,) with Lake
Michigan, is by the waters of the river just mentioned; yet, in the improvement of
the country, Crystal Lake may be made largely available, as its western limits are
only two miles from the harbor at the mouth of the Aux Bec Sies river, where a town
under the name of Frankfort has been organized, and where substantial improvements
have been commenced, with a view of securing not only to that region but to the marine
of the entire coast, a superior and permanent harbor of refuge.”
(Note: The idea of navigable access to Crystal Lake from the west directly to Lake
Michigan was subsequently replaced by access from the southeast through the Outlet
to the Betsie River in 1873.)
The Crystal Lake Watershed is a
valuable natural resource. Protecting the integrity of its high quality waters and
unique environment is a worthy objective. Management of the Crystal Lake Watershed
is important for three reasons: (1) to determine what we know about our Watershed
from the past, (2) to plan to use our Watershed in an environmentally sustainable
manner today, and (3) to implement projects to protect our Watershed for the future.
The Fish
Contaminant Monitoring Program (FCMP) administered by MDEQ is designed to assess chemical contamination of
persistent toxic substances (PTS's) that bioaccumulate in fish. Contaminant data
are used to determine whether fish from waters of the state are safe for human and
wildlife consumption, and as a surrogate measure of other bioaccumulative contaminants
in surface water.
The levels of PCBs in fish from Crystal Lake were near the threshold of the fish
advisory. Recent data values were less than those for previous sampling periods and
showed declines in concentration (which is consistent with the broader geographical
trends in the Lake Michigan basin).
In Crystal Lake, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, and Yellow Perch were caught in 1989; White
Suckers and Lake Trout were caught in 1997; and Lake Trout were caught in 2000. Edible
portions (fillet with skin on) of fish were analyzed for total PCB's, mercury, and
several pesticides. With the exception of total PCB's in trout and suckers, fish
from Crystal Lake were below "trigger levels" (defined by the USFDA) for
all other contaminants. Crystal Lake is not unique in having an advisory for PCB's.
Other large lakes with fish advisories include: Lake Michigan, Charlevoix, Elk, Glen,
Higgins, Houghton, Manistee, and Torch.
Ozone Nonattainment
Benzie County was identified by
the U.S. EPA as an ozone (O3) nonattainment area (see this Web page). The 8-hour level occasionally exceeded the National
Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 80 parts per billion. O3 is a
photochemical oxidant and the major component of smog. In the upper atmosphere, it
is beneficial to life by shielding the earth from harmful UV (ultraviolet) radiation
from the sun, but high concentrations at ground level are a major health and environmental
concern. O3 is not emitted directly into the air but is formed through
complex chemical reactions between volatile organic compounds (VOC) and oxides of
nitrogen (NOx). These reactions are stimulated by sunlight and temperature
so peak O3 levels occur during the summer months. NOx are emitted
by transportation and industrial sources. VOCs are emitted from autos, chemical manufacturing,
dry cleaning, painting, and other sources. O3 causes health problems by
damaging lung tissue, reducing lung function, and sensitizing the lungs to other
irritants. Ambient O3 affects people with impaired respiratory systems
and healthy adults and children as well. This decision may impact future air emission
controls.
"In the earth's lower atmosphere
(also known as the troposphere - the layer of the atmosphere nearest the earth's
surface), ground level ozone is considered bad. Ground-level ozone pollution causes
human health problems, damages crops and other vegetation, and is a key ingredient
of urban smog. Ground level ozone is created by photochemical reactions involving
nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or hydrocarbons
in the presence of sunlight. These reactions usually occur during the hot summer
months as ultraviolet radiation from the sun initiates a sequence of photolytical
reactions. Ground level ozone can also be transported hundreds of miles under favorable
meteorological conditions. Ozone levels are often higher in rural areas than in cities
due to transport to regions downwind from the actual emissions of ozone forming air
pollutants. Shoreline monitors along Lake Michigan often measure high ozone concentrations
due to transport from upwind states."
Click here
for Air Quality Index (AQI): Real-time data including Benzonia, MI, for Ozone (O3)
(seasonal) and particulate matter (PM2.5).
Redesignation to Attainment for Benzie County
Based upon cumulative monitoring
data and projected estimates of 8-hour ozone levels, the Michigan Department of Environmental
Quality (MDEQ) petitioned the U.S. EPA on May 6, 2006, to redesignate eleven counties,
including Benzie Co., to attainment status.
The consequences are that Benzie Co., historically reknown for its climate and pure
air, will no longer be designated as failing to meet the ozone standard.
"A field of water betrays
the spirit that is in the air. It is continually receiving new life and motion from
above. It is intermediate in its nature between land and sky. We shall, perhaps,
look down thus on the surface of air at length, and mark where a still subtler spirit
sweeps over it." -- H.D. Thoreau, Walden, Chapter 9, The Ponds, 1854.
Road
Ends Legislation
On June 27, 2007, the Michigan
House passed legislation increasing the scope of public access to bodies of water
from the ends of public roads. House Bill 4463 states that a marina can be built
by a local government at the end of any public road which terminates at a body of
water of over 2,500 acres. A companion Bill 4464 establishes recreational presumption
for road end dedications. Of the ~35 large inland lakes potentially impacted,
more than half (including Crystal and Platte Lakes) are located in NW lower MI. Local
townships would have the option to adopt ordinances allowing docks of up to 250 feet
in length and five feet in width to be installed at each road end to allow seasonal
overnight moorings from boat slips or hoists from May 1 to September 30 to be allocated
through a lottery or fee system. The legislation now is in the Michigan Senate Committee
on Government Operations & Reform.
Recognizing that Crystal Lake was subject to possible regulation, the CLWA
Board determined that these bills would neither protect nor improve the water quality
of Crystal Lake, but to the contrary will negatively impact the water quality and
be detrimental to the Lake and its Watershed. The Board of Directors for the CLWA
publicly stated their opposition to House Bills 4463 and 4464; and urged its representatives
in the Michigan Senate and Michigan House of Representatives to oppose the current
version of the road end bills. The complete resolution sent to local and state officials
on October 16, 2007, which contained nine reasons for this determination.
Concerns for Property
Owners and Visitors to the Watershed
Perhaps almost unspoken for each
of us is that special “place near the Lake” where we live, work, play, and think.
Lake and Watershed properties might seem to be the prime responsibilities of government,
institutions, or individual property owners. These properties, however, are also
the responsibilities of visitors and summer renters to insure that they are used
wisely and maintained appropriately. There are many ways that we may look at the
Crystal Lake Watershed -as a student, a visitor, an owner of watershed property (a
“lakie,” a “townie,”, a “fudgie,” etc.). All of us have slightly different perspectives,
but we all share the benefits -the use and enjoyment of our Watershed for fishing,
boating, swimming, recreation, working, and living. We also share the same concerns
for maintaining a proper balance between reasonable environmental protection and
sustainable development. Together, we are all stewards of the environment that makes
up Crystal Lake and its surrounding Watershed.
The supplemental brochures accompanying this “Walkabout ” Interpretive
Manual describe concerns
that are common to all watershed property owners and users. "Watersheds: Where
We Live" (U.S.Geological Survey) describes the importance of living in a watershed."Your
Lake and You"(North American Lake Management Society, Michigan Lake and Stream
Associations, and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality) describes steps to
take to protect a watershed. Much of this advice is just good "common sense"
in recognizing that a pristine watershed is different from an urban streetscape.
Many of the best management practices (BM s) are directed at protecting a watershed,
i.e. preventing "pollution" from whatever source that might despoil the
environment and adversely affect aquatic ecosystems. It is much more difficult to
repair damage to the environment from unknowing or uncaring activities.
This discussion is specific to the Crystal Lake Watershed. Several unique features
and aspects of the Crystal Lake Watershed make it alternately very resistant or potentially
vulnerable to environmental impacts. Concerns that you as property owners and watershed
stewards should consider:
Septic Systems, Holding Tanks,
and Sewers
Lawns, Gardens, Fertilizers, and
Pesticides
Natural Greenbelts, Land Conservancies,
and Scenic Vistas
Boating, Swimming, and Fishing
Litter, Trash, Garbage, and Household
Hazardous Materials
Planning & Zoning
Land Use and Water Access
Construction and Development
Land Cover,Trees, Other Vegetation
- the Viewshed
Critical Areas - Steep Slopes,
Wetlands, Dunes, and Other Critical Habitats
Erosion and Shoreline Protection
Soil, Sediment, and Nutrient Runoff
Atmospheric Deposition & Ozone
Aquatic Vegetation, Fish, and
Waterfowl
Algae, Bacteria, and Mold
Nonindigenous Plants, Animals,
and Microorganisms
Aesthetics and Noise
Natural, Economic, and Social
Challenges
These concerns (*) range from those
affecting the entire Watershed to those within individual properties. Assessments
of risk to human health and the watershed environment can be qualitative and quantitative.
Decisions for risk control are rather subjective, but are ultimately based on the
“bottom line ” -how much will it cost to prevent or to control. Management practices
for risk control must be evaluated for effectiveness rather than assuming that problems
are cured. Problems and solutions must be prioritized.
(*) This list of concerns is based upon an earlier publication focused on the Crystal
Lake Watershed: Decker, R. William, Chair, Ad Hoc Committee, Benzie County Board
of Public Works,“Crystal
Lake - Life or Death," A Lake Owners’ Manual, Benzie County, Michigan, 1987, 32 pp+8 figures.
It is also based on related publications.
Please feel free to contact the CLWA is you have any questions or comments regarding
any of these concerns. See our contact
information at the top
of this page.
