At its latest meeting, Ottawa County Commissioners supported the allocation of over $563,000 from the General Fund and the Monsanto reserve, money the county received through a multi-million-dollar pollution settlement.
The northeastern lake, which contains a public boat launch from Grose Park, has been plagued with poor water quality for years due to runoff from nearby farm fields and septic drain fields.
Some of the grant funding will help farmers prevent soil runoff, establish a lake-wide septic management system, and other pollution preventative measures.
Critics of the plan say other Ottawa County lakes with similar water problems are being ignored, alleging it could open the door to legal action by citizen groups representing other contaminated bodies of water.
Proponents of the project say they hope it serves as an example to help improve other lakes in Ottawa County and throughout Michigan.
Chester Township will oversee the project.
