Ski Course Permit in Michigan

[hleepert]

So we have had a ski course on our private lake for at least 20 years. A couple of relatively new neighbors to the course object to it complaining about excessive wake eroding their shoreline and too much noise duriing the morning hours. Found out this week one for the neighbors, who happens to be on our association board has contacted the DNR and now the DNR tellls us that our course permit is no longer good and we have to re-apply. Stated on the permit is "valid until revoked." Does anyone know if there should have at least been a local hearing for the permit to be revoked? The permit holder contacted the DNR earlier this week and was told that our permit was good. The complainer apparantly called the DNR officer's boss and in turn the permit holder was told by the boss's secretary that he would have to re-apply. Anyone have any advice on how we can fight this? Sorry for the long post but I needed to vent this morning.

[firstmc]

Id give the new neighbors a nice welcoming basket of C4!

[DonMunro]

I am in a similar situation on Baldwin Lake in Union, MI.

We have had the course in since 1985. Others or myself have always had the required permit from the DNR. The last 2 years we have had excessive vandalism from a landowner near the course. (The course has been on the lake longer than this landowner.) I have filed complaints with the DNR and the Cass County Sheriff's Department. They have done some follow up, but do not have enough evidence as to "who" is doing the vandalism. The circumstantial evidence points to 1 guy. (See Nichols site for "Slalom Course Vandalism")

Long story short--this is the year that my permit needs to be renewed. The DNR is now requiring that I must re-apply instead of the easy renewal I have done in the past. Part of re-applying is to get a letter of "no objection" from adjacent landowners. There is no way that this 1 guy will provide such a letter. I am working with the DNR to resolve the issue, but am very discouraged because I fear this 1 guy will ultimately win, and the slalom course will not be allowed due to the new requirements.

[hleepert]

Sounds like we will be in trouble too then. Do you know if a permit is required for a temporary course or a submersible? Your permit had an expiration date? Keep me posted on your progress and I will let you know how ours comes out. Not looking good for course skiing in April.

[Byrdman]

I would get to the bottom of why the boss tells you to re-apply. I think that as a public official, he can not pull favorites or favors for friends. That guy has a boss as well and I would discuss it with him.

If all else fails, invite everyone you know with a wakeboard boat, X-1, X-2, X, star, etc. over for a "Ski Weekend" and let him see what real beach erosion looks like and how well those sound systems work in those boats.

[hleepert]

The reality in our situation is that the course protects this guy from wakeboarders and we've tried telling him that. If we don't get the course back I'm sure there will be many heavily loaded ski boats in addition to the wakeboard boats just running circles in front of his house.

[James O'Keefe]

I had the same problem on a small lake in Battle Creek, MI. Got a permit one year, few homeowners complained - one in particular. Things died down toward the end of summer, no one seemed to care anymore. Reapplied the next Spring and got denied by DNR - he said there were just too many complaints - bottom line is that he didn't want to deal with it. I made a lot of calls and wrote some letters to different people, but it didn't get me anywhere. At the end of the day, DNR said that there was 1 slalom course in Calhoun County, and that's all that is needed.

I gave up after that year...

It's really discouraging for when you love to ski but have no slalom course to go to.

[Maristar210]

Originally Posted by hleepert

So we have had a ski course on our private lake for at least 20 years. A couple of relatively new neighbors to the course object to it complaining about excessive wake eroding their shoreline and too much noise duriing the morning hours. Found out this week one for the neighbors, who happens to be on our association board has contacted the DNR and now the DNR tellls us that our course permit is no longer good and we have to re-apply. Stated on the permit is "valid until revoked." Does anyone know if there should have at least been a local hearing for the permit to be revoked? The permit holder contacted the DNR earlier this week and was told that our permit was good. The complainer apparantly called the complainer's boss and in turn the permit holder was told by the boss's secretary that he would have to re-apply. Anyone have any advice on how we can fight this? Sorry for the long post but I needed to vent this morning.

Sorry to hear your plight. Sounds like these folks need a lesson in wake size and boat noise. If it fails I could "buzz the tower" with mine for a couple days this year if that offers anything.

Steve

[hleepert]

Originally Posted by Maristar210

Sorry to hear your plight. Sounds like these folks need a lesson in wake size and boat noise. If it fails I could "buzz the tower" with mine for a couple days this year if that offers anything.

Steve

Thanks for the offer but we are already planning a parade in front of this guys house. We're thinking it should start an hour before sunrise and end an hour after sunset on a Sunday morning so we know he is home.

[east tx skier]

There was just a discussion concerning banning ski boats on certain lakes. It referenced/linked scientific data available to support that ski boats do not cause noticeable damage to shorelines by erosion. As for the noise, I don't see that the course itself makes any noise. Anyway, if you can't find the info by searching the forum here, USA Waterski can probably help you find it. Might be helpful when resubmitting your application.