Legislation from state Representative Joey Andrews would allow certain erosion control measures taken in 2020 to prevent the loss of property along the Lake Michigan shoreline to remain in place indefinitely, and he’s feeling optimistic about the plan’s chances of success this year.
Last week, the Michigan House Natural Resources and Tourism Committee heard from Andrews that the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is asking many shoreline property owners to remove sandbags they installed in 2020. Andrews tells us that would be expensive, and possibly a waste.
“We had a number of constituents all throughout the district — I mean, Saugatuck, Bridgman, New Buffalo, South Haven — approach us over the last couple of years about the amount money they spent putting the sandbags in,” Andrews said.
Andrews says since we know the water level fluctuates over time, it’s only a matter of time before those sandbags will be needed again. Therefore, he’s proposing they be allowed to stay under the right conditions.
“The thing is, as long as they’re covered, which are bill requires, they’re not going to break down because it really it takes exposure to sunlight and the elements to break them down. So, we said if you can keep them covered, then we should be able to keep them. If they’re exposed, that’s a different story.”
Andrews says the bags could prove useful the next time the Lake Michigan water level gets high.
Andrews introduced similar legislation last year, but says the session ended before it could get anywhere. He’s hoping second time’s a charm.
