Coming in time for next summer could be a rule that bans swimming at Great Lakes beaches when the conditions are deemed hazardous. Michigan Department of Natural Resources Chief of Parks and Recreation Ron Olson tells WSJM News the agency is reviewing the rule that could mean fines of up to $500 for swimming when the waves are too high, when there’s contamination in the water, or when there’s another situation that imperils swimmers.
“If the waves are getting up near six to eight feet in distance and they were building or if there was a heavy storm coming, this would give us the ability to temporarily close access to the water, which we would hope people would comply with,” Olson said.
Olson says such orders would apply to state designated swimming areas temporarily.
“This is simply an order that would regulate entering the water from the land, but the beach would not close.”
Olson says even just having your feet in the water could be considered a violation of the rule.
“All it takes is somebody to step on a hole or get overwhelmed, topple over, and if the rip currents are going, you could get overwhelmed very quickly. That’s happened too many times.”
The head of the DNR is reviewing the rule now and has indicated he will approve it. Olson says the rule would be enforced by park rangers, DNR conservation officers, and even police officers. There will be an exemption for those engaging in water sports like surfing and kite boarding because they have a floatation device. The rule is likely to take effect in May.
