The Muskegon Conservation District, with the White Lake Public Advisory Council, is implementing a comprehensive
shoreline habitat restoration project in the White Lake Area of Concern to restore shoreline, wetland, and habitat
corridors at seven (7) sites surrounding White Lake. 5,158 lineal feet of shoreline will be restored, 35 acres of
wetlands and aquatic habitat created, eight acres of riparian and upland habitat corridors reconnected and restored,
and 27,134 cubic yards of shoreline/marine debris removed. Successful completion of this project will delist two
Beneficial Use Impairments, Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat and Degraded Fish and Wildlife Populations.
Expected outcomes for the White Lake AOC Habitat Restoration Initiative for BUI Delisting include restoration and
protection of wetland and wetland-associated uplands, and aquatic and terrestrial habitats in the White Lake Area of
Concern. The project will also produce the following quantitative outcomes in the White Lake Area of Concern: job
creation and improvement of the local economy, increased/ improved fish and wildlife habitat, removal of two of the
Area of Concern’s Beneficial Use Impairments, and increased community awareness.
Clicking on the facebook button on the left will send you to the official facebook page for the White Lake Shoreline
Habitat Restoration Project. From here you will be able to follow the progression of the project and give comments
throughout the process and receive updates and other information dealing with the White Lake Shoreline Habitat
Restoration Project.
WELCOME TO THE WHITE LAKE SHORELINE HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT!
WHAT IS THIS PROJECT ALL ABOUT?
Valuable fish and wildlife habitat will be restored at seven public and private sites on White Lake’s shoreline.
When completed, there will be more and increased diversity of wetland plants, healthier habitat for fish, reptiles and
amphibians, improved water quality, and more aesthetically pleasing shorelines.
It will also address two problems (called Beneficial Use Impairments) identified for White Lake – loss of fish and
wildlife habitat and degraded fish and wildlife populations. This will help to remove White Lake from the list of Great
Lakes Areas of Concern.
WHY IS THIS NEEDED?
White Lake once had diverse shoreline habitats, including coastal wetlands, freshwater marshes, and wetland bays.
Over time, these habitats were lost from hardening of the shoreline by seawalls and other structures, historical
disposal of wastes and materials, filling of wetlands, changes to the lake bottom, and in some areas, by residential
development.
This decreased fish and wildlife populations, limited public access and recreational opportunities that negatively
affected people’s perception of the lake.
WHERE ARE THE SEVEN SITES?
Mill Pond Park, Svensson Park and Tannery Bay (East) in Whitehall, a portion along the causeway between Whitehall
and Montague, the Montague boat launch, Ravenswood in Montague, and the former Hooker Chemical/ OxyChem
site in Montague.
WHAT WILL BE DONE?
Different types of restoration activities are planned for each site, including:
• Removal of non-native invasive plant species
• Removal of hardened shorelines
• Restoration of natural water flows
• Removal of fill and waste materials in the lake
• Establishment of native plant buffers along the shoreline
• Stabilization of stretches of shoreline with lake friendly methods
• Creation of fish and wildlife habitat
WHAT IS THE PROJECT TIME PERIOD?
It began in late fall of 2011 and will be completed in the first part of 2012.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Because this is such an important and exciting project, there are many opportunities planned for area residents and
visitors to learn about what is happening, follow progress and participate in educational activities! Participate in
volunteer activities this summer. Follow us on Facebook!
shoreline habitat restoration project in the White Lake Area of Concern to restore shoreline, wetland, and habitat
corridors at seven (7) sites surrounding White Lake. 5,158 lineal feet of shoreline will be restored, 35 acres of
wetlands and aquatic habitat created, eight acres of riparian and upland habitat corridors reconnected and restored,
and 27,134 cubic yards of shoreline/marine debris removed. Successful completion of this project will delist two
Beneficial Use Impairments, Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat and Degraded Fish and Wildlife Populations.
Expected outcomes for the White Lake AOC Habitat Restoration Initiative for BUI Delisting include restoration and
protection of wetland and wetland-associated uplands, and aquatic and terrestrial habitats in the White Lake Area of
Concern. The project will also produce the following quantitative outcomes in the White Lake Area of Concern: job
creation and improvement of the local economy, increased/ improved fish and wildlife habitat, removal of two of the
Area of Concern’s Beneficial Use Impairments, and increased community awareness.
Clicking on the facebook button on the left will send you to the official facebook page for the White Lake Shoreline
Habitat Restoration Project. From here you will be able to follow the progression of the project and give comments
throughout the process and receive updates and other information dealing with the White Lake Shoreline Habitat
Restoration Project.
WELCOME TO THE WHITE LAKE SHORELINE HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECT!
WHAT IS THIS PROJECT ALL ABOUT?
Valuable fish and wildlife habitat will be restored at seven public and private sites on White Lake’s shoreline.
When completed, there will be more and increased diversity of wetland plants, healthier habitat for fish, reptiles and
amphibians, improved water quality, and more aesthetically pleasing shorelines.
It will also address two problems (called Beneficial Use Impairments) identified for White Lake – loss of fish and
wildlife habitat and degraded fish and wildlife populations. This will help to remove White Lake from the list of Great
Lakes Areas of Concern.
WHY IS THIS NEEDED?
White Lake once had diverse shoreline habitats, including coastal wetlands, freshwater marshes, and wetland bays.
Over time, these habitats were lost from hardening of the shoreline by seawalls and other structures, historical
disposal of wastes and materials, filling of wetlands, changes to the lake bottom, and in some areas, by residential
development.
This decreased fish and wildlife populations, limited public access and recreational opportunities that negatively
affected people’s perception of the lake.
WHERE ARE THE SEVEN SITES?
Mill Pond Park, Svensson Park and Tannery Bay (East) in Whitehall, a portion along the causeway between Whitehall
and Montague, the Montague boat launch, Ravenswood in Montague, and the former Hooker Chemical/ OxyChem
site in Montague.
WHAT WILL BE DONE?
Different types of restoration activities are planned for each site, including:
• Removal of non-native invasive plant species
• Removal of hardened shorelines
• Restoration of natural water flows
• Removal of fill and waste materials in the lake
• Establishment of native plant buffers along the shoreline
• Stabilization of stretches of shoreline with lake friendly methods
• Creation of fish and wildlife habitat
WHAT IS THE PROJECT TIME PERIOD?
It began in late fall of 2011 and will be completed in the first part of 2012.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Because this is such an important and exciting project, there are many opportunities planned for area residents and
visitors to learn about what is happening, follow progress and participate in educational activities! Participate in
volunteer activities this summer. Follow us on Facebook!
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