Ski Course Permit in Michigan

[mtripper]

Originally Posted by hleepert

So the sinkable and removable courses require permits as well?

Any ski course requires a permit, at least in Michigan.

[mtripper]

Originally Posted by richardsoncd

If you do lose the course, do what we do with complaining neighbors.....stay the required distance from shore and do constant runs in front of there house. Just because the course isn't there doesn't mean you can't still take a pull there That, along with all of the wakeboard boats, bass boats, and tuber's that will use the new open water should make him wish he kept his mouth shut. Good luck!!!

We actually use this as leverage in talking to the people that don't like the course. Our course is kind of out of the way and not near any houses. When they complain for some reason about the course we ask how they like the wakeboarders and tubers running their shoreline and they say they hate it. Then we ask when the last time they saw us doing it was. When they say never we say it's because we have the course and always ski over there. They usually decide the course is a good thing. In the morning we idle out from the docks and try to keep the noise as low as we can when we are near the houses. We also make sure we have a large showing at all association meetings, try to get at least one skier on the board, and volunteer for lots of stuff. This helps a lot.

[hleepert]

Originally Posted by mtripper

We actually use this as leverage in talking to the people that don't like the course. Our course is kind of out of the way and not near any houses. When they complain for some reason about the course we ask how they like the wakeboarders and tubers running their shoreline and they say they hate it. Then we ask when the last time they saw us doing it was. When they say never we say it's because we have the course and always ski over there. They usually decide the course is a good thing. In the morning we idle out from the docks and try to keep the noise as low as we can when we are near the houses. We also make sure we have a large showing at all association meetings, try to get at least one skier on the board, and volunteer for lots of stuff. This helps a lot.

Our problem is that the course is in the only reasonably protected area on the lake. When it was put in there were no houses near it. The Peni$ula was developed and this is where the few complainers live. We have lift pulling party each fall and we make sure to pull the complainers' lifts without asking to try and get on their good side.

We don't have anyone on the board and the biggest complainer is so we are trying to decide who should run against him the next election. Sounds like from the posts I am seeing we will need to find a new location for the course in an area that we can find all the property owners will approve. It's going to be a tough battle I'm afraid.

[James O'Keefe]

mtripper, where in SW, Mi are you located?

[Granite_33]

/Piling on........./
Lets not get started on all the a$$holes out there who want no wake hours.

An old neighbor of ours actually wanted us to sign a petition to go "no wake" before 9AM and after 6PM..........which just happens to be about the only time all the yahoos are not on the lake.

She said......you guys can go have your fun all day, then its time to let others who are afraid to go out on the lake because of all the waves have some fun. They took it to the association meeting and got it shot down.

Irrational type A control freaks with nothing better to do........the same people who don't want ski courses on the lake. The same people who don't know the difference between a Prostar and a Jetbote with pipes sticking out the top of the engine. Its all the same to them, and they could care less.

(no offense to all you fine MC owners out there that actually WANT no wake hours)

[erkoehler]

Exactly what he said^^^^

Our lake in N. WI is 9am-6pm and it SUCKS big time!!!! Glass is gone by 9 and returns at 6:15 just as we finish covering the boat.

I hate it, neighbors will never change it.....

[PendO]

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 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.

Is DNR a state or federal agency? If it is a state agency you probably have what is called an Administrative Procedure Act (for your state) where there are certain processes that have to be followed for a permit to be granted or revoked.

[hleepert]

Originally Posted by PendO

Is DNR a state or federal agency? If it is a state agency you probably have what is called an Administrative Procedure Act (for your state) where there are certain processes that have to be followed for a permit to be granted or revoked.

I believe it is a state agency. I will try to find teh Adminstrative Procedure Act.

Thanks to all for the input.

[mtripper]

Originally Posted by James O'Keefe

mtripper, where in SW, Mi are you located?

Over near Kalamazoo, where are all you guys from?

[James O'Keefe]

I live close to K-zoo, just south of Battle Creek. What lake are you on? I had a course permit on Graham lake... Been on Austin Lake in Portage a few times too...