Since 1985, Muskegon Lake has been on the Environmental Protection Agency’s list as an “Area of Concern,” but not for much longer.
“We anticipate having Muskegon Lake officially de-listed sometime this fall.”
Erin Kuhn is the Executive Director of the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission.
Along with the Muskegon Lake Watershed, the commission worked to address nine major issues identified in the 1990’s, completing 20 projects with $112 million of local, state and federal dollars.
“We have been able to restore 84 acres of wetlands. 51 acres of open water wetlands and 5 miles of shoreline while also removing 125 acres of contaminated fill and mill debris.”
Work will continue to sustain the efforts at Muskegon Lake and tackle greater public access to the area, but Kuhn is concerned about the availability of federal dollars for projects amid current cuts.
“Those federal dollars are what's necessary to make the long-term impact that we have had here in Muskegon and there are many other areas of concern around the Great Lakes that aren't in the position that we're in. They still have a lot of work that needs to be done.”
But the groups will take the win in seeing Muskegon Lake de-listed.
“We are a testament that it is possible to take a lake that was deemed an area of concern and labeled as a toxic hotspot, to bring the community together, to bring partnerships at the local, state and federal level to make a positive impact and make a difference.”
