Residents living near the Stringy Lakes in Oxford Township were able to openly voice their opinions about marine safety and lake conditions at a public forum held by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Sept. 16.
The public hearing was spurred by residents in the community who are concerned about watercraft safety issues on Tan Lake, Long Lake, Clear Lake, Cedar Lake and Squaw Lake, commonly known as the “Stringy Lakes.”
“This is my first time through this process,” said Township Supervisor Bill Dunn. “We needed to pass a resolution asking the DNR to look into this.”
The resolution passed by the Oxford Township Board of Trustees asked the DNR to conduct the public hearing, and any other necessary investigations, into the need for special local watercraft controls. Watercraft controls regulate the use of vessels, water skis, water sleds, aquaplanes, surfboards or other similar items on Michigan’s bodies of water.
DNR representative Sgt. Al Bavarskas mediated the public hearing. He emphasized to the public present that the goal of the evening was to discuss local watercraft safety issues.
“We are not in a position here today to debate with you, but to hear your comments,” he explained.
During the meeting, 27 area residents came forward to speak. Three primary topics were raised: the possibility of making a portion of Cedar Lake a “no wake” zone, the low water levels due to the damaged dam and the overcrowding, especially of Squaw Lake, due to extensive public access.
Resident Robert Martin mentioned early in the meeting that his comments to the township board may be what led to the public hearing. He stepped forward later in the forum to explain that he was concerned about watercraft traffic on Cedar Lake, which has no housing on it. He explained how smaller crafts, such as jet skis, have begun using the lake as a cut through – steering directly across the lake instead of following the counter-clockwise rule.
“This has always been a passive lake,” he said, “but with personal water craft, it’s anything but passive now. I’m concerned about collisions there.”
“This is like everybody going through a 4-way stop with nobody stopping.”
Martin stated that he would like to see limitations placed on Cedar Lake.
“I would like this to be made a ‘no wake’ lake,” he said. “I would like people to have this lake as a truly passive lake.”
Several residents, such as Robyn Christen, Rick Galbraith, Brad Jacobsen and Russell Huxton, supported the idea. Huxton also emphasized the need to better enforce the existing rules.
“It’s getting worse and worse and something has to be done or someone’s going to be killed,” he stated.
Residents Gary Rogers, Larry Dudley, Tom Chance, Bob Platz, Bob Carson, David Bologino and Gini Button did not necessarily agree with adding more rules, but did agree that the existing rules needed to be better applied. The suggestion was made several times for the Oakland County Sheriff’s Marine Safety Division to come on the lakes more often.
“There are a lot of rules already and we don’t need anymore,” said Rogers. “We need to enforce the ones we have.”
“You have people going out and traveling any direction they want to,” said Dudley, whose lived on the lakes since 1980. “There’s not enough patrol out there and people come from other areas because of that.”
“There’s no statement about the type of watercraft allowed on the lake posted,” said Chance.
“I would just like to see the law enforcement out there more often,” said Platz.
“I hope we don’t invoke a lot of rules or laws,” said Carson.
“The physical constraints of the system make it difficult to enforce the law,” said Bolognino, a Squaw Lake resident.
“There needs to be more enforcement,” echoed Button.
An overwhelming majority of the residents spoke against time sharing or time limitations. Many residents were concerned this would simply create more of a raceway-type atmosphere than is already present.
Tom Ross said people need to use etiquette, “It’s up to you working with me and me working with you to make sure that everyone can enjoy the lake and go home feeling safe.”
“We are all part of the Stringy Lakes,” said Teo McNeil. “I would not want to see extended hours or shared hours.”
Almost every resident who spoke commented on the large amount of public access available to the lakes. A majority asked for some solution to cutting back on the number of users beyond property owners.
“The public access lot was originally purchased with fishing license money and was originally for access to that,” said Margaret King. “And I don’t know how we got to where we are. Lake Orion and Lakeville limit the number of people allowed on the lake, why don’t we have something like that?”
Bill Daneluk spoke about the increased public access in relation to personal watercraft, “The jet skis are out of hand and there are so many of them. They are out there before daylight and out there again after dark.” He added that the lake access for Squaw Lake is twice that of Lake Orion’s.
“We have more boats, more people and more moving into Oxford,” said Robert Czarnowski. “I would challenge the DNR to do something they’ve never done and close the public access site.”
“Based on the new public access recommendations, Squaw Lake should have only nine spaces, not 41,” added Bolognino. “What we do need is a reasonable number of spaces there.”
Tom Downs, who has lived on Clear Lake since 1972, agrees that public access needs to be limited, but was hesitant on how to do that, “It’s not my right to judge you whether you own a jet ski or not. It’s just overcrowded.”
Dominic Pipia suggested possibly charging a toll at the public access ramp. Several other residents echoed this sentiment, but many disputed how this could be done.
Finally, many residents discussed the exceedingly low water levels caused by the poor condition of the Oxford Multi-Lakes Dam. This past July, many residents contacted township officials to complain about the 8-inch drop in water level.
“The water level has caused some hazards,” said Czarnowski. “People are steering closer and closer to the docks and each other.”
“The dam is in bad repair and they just keep patching it,” stated Daneluk.
John Xerri, a 35 year resident, added that the disrepair of the dam was also washing out Drahner Rd. as the water leaves the Stringy Lake area, “This is the first time I’ve seen the water this low.”
After listening to all residents, Sgt. Bavarskas informed those attending that he will write up a report, and then officials within the DNR will have 60-90 days within which to form a recommendation for the township.
“Nothing will be done this boating season,” assured Bavarskas. “Everything must be considered before a recommendation can be made.”
The DNR can only recommend the following options to the township for improving marine safety: shared hours, slow no wake zones, speed limits, prohibit high speed water boating and skiing or lower the existing speed limits.
“I was brought in to hear about marine safety issues,” explained Bavarskas. “(The speakers) didn’t bring up the marine safety issues in relation to the dam, water levels or population problems.”
To address the leaking dam, low water levels and overcrowding, Supervisor Dunn said he plans to contact the Oakland County Drain Commission and the Michigan Parks and Recreation Department. He hopes someone will be able to assist the township with these issues.
“The people understood the purpose of the evening, safety and water level concerns,” said Dunn. “We took this step tonight because I don’t want to stick my nose in their business and do something they don’t want.”