Visioning and policy discussions are being held in communities around the lake and the public is welcome to participate.
What does a protected and preserved Lake Charlevoix look like? Three nonprofit partners are working with the jurisdictions around Lake Charlevoix to find out. The communities surrounding the lake have a long history of working together to actively protect water quality, including extensive collaboration around shoreline zoning standards in 2016. But ever-changing conditions such as the recent record-high water levels, accelerating development pressures and even turnover of participants in local governments and commissions can put communities in a reactionary state instead of on a proactive path toward desired goals.
During the fall of 2022 and Spring of 2023, the Lake Charlevoix Association, in collaboration with the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council and the Land Information Access Association (LIAA), met with the local planning commissions around the lake to discuss challenges and opportunities related to water quality and shoreline protection. The sessions were intended to build toward a common future vision for the lake, listen to the challenges that each jurisdiction faces in managing its shoreline, and highlight available tools and strategies that can support each jurisdiction in realizing its vision for a protected and preserved Lake Charlevoix.
Public input meetings took place during the fall of 2022 with nine of the 10 planning commissions along Lake Charlevoix. Follow-up meetings were conducted from February to May of 2023.
Financial support for the project has been provided by the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, the Lake Charlevoix Association and Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. Project information will be shared here on this website, www.lakecharlevoixprotection.org.