In 1985, White Lake was designated one of 43 Great Lakes Areas of Concern by state and federal
authorities due to industrial and municipal pollution. The Areas of Concern were identified as part of an
agreement between the U.S. and Canada, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, which directs the
two federal governments to work with state and provincial governments to develop and implement special
cleanup plans, Remedial Action Plans, to restore each Area of Concern and improve environmental quality
across the Great Lakes.
Work has been underway in White Lake for the last two decades to address its environmental problems.
This website provides information about White Lake’s problems and their causes, and what’s been done to
advance delisting White Lake as a Great Lakes Area of Concern.
authorities due to industrial and municipal pollution. The Areas of Concern were identified as part of an
agreement between the U.S. and Canada, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, which directs the
two federal governments to work with state and provincial governments to develop and implement special
cleanup plans, Remedial Action Plans, to restore each Area of Concern and improve environmental quality
across the Great Lakes.
Work has been underway in White Lake for the last two decades to address its environmental problems.
This website provides information about White Lake’s problems and their causes, and what’s been done to
advance delisting White Lake as a Great Lakes Area of Concern.
| Hello and welcome from the White Lake Public Advisory Council! |
Since its establishment in 1992 by local community members, the White Lake Public Advisory Council
(WLPAC) has been working with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency to restore the White Lake Area of Concern. The group meets monthly,
provides educational programs and services that benefit White Lake and the surrounding area, and hosts
public meetings to ensure citizen participation in the restoration effort. The Muskegon Conservation
District provides administrative and technical support.
(WLPAC) has been working with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency to restore the White Lake Area of Concern. The group meets monthly,
provides educational programs and services that benefit White Lake and the surrounding area, and hosts
public meetings to ensure citizen participation in the restoration effort. The Muskegon Conservation
District provides administrative and technical support.
| The White Lake Public Advisory Council |
The problems that resulted in White Lake’s Area of Concern designation caused significant changes to its
ecology, water quality, economic vitality, and recreational use. These changes, termed Beneficial Use
Impairments (BUIs), were considered to be affecting the Great Lakes, which is why White Lake was placed
on the Areas of Concern list.
The following eight Beneficial Use Impairments have been identified for the White Lake Area of Concern:
1. Restrictions on Fish and Wildlife Consumption
2. Degradation of Benthos (aquatic organisms on the lake bottom)
3. Restrictions on Dredging Activities (Removed Sept. 2011)
4. Eutrophication or Excessive Growth of Algae
5. Restrictions on Drinking Water Consumption or Taste and Odor problems
6. Degradation of Aesthetics
7. Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat
8. Degraded Fish and Wildlife Populations
ecology, water quality, economic vitality, and recreational use. These changes, termed Beneficial Use
Impairments (BUIs), were considered to be affecting the Great Lakes, which is why White Lake was placed
on the Areas of Concern list.
The following eight Beneficial Use Impairments have been identified for the White Lake Area of Concern:
1. Restrictions on Fish and Wildlife Consumption
2. Degradation of Benthos (aquatic organisms on the lake bottom)
3. Restrictions on Dredging Activities (Removed Sept. 2011)
4. Eutrophication or Excessive Growth of Algae
5. Restrictions on Drinking Water Consumption or Taste and Odor problems
6. Degradation of Aesthetics
7. Loss of Fish and Wildlife Habitat
8. Degraded Fish and Wildlife Populations
| White Lake’s Problems, or Beneficial Use Impairments |
Much has been done to achieve progress. The Restrictions on Dredging Beneficial Use Impairment was
removed in Sept. 2011, and we are now in the final stages of meeting the criteria for removing the seven
other Beneficial Use Impairments. White Lake is in better health than it has been for decades and is the
final stages of a remarkable comeback, due to years of activism and community support for restoration.
If all projects move forward as expected, White Lake may soon be removed from the list of Great Lakes
Areas of Concern!
removed in Sept. 2011, and we are now in the final stages of meeting the criteria for removing the seven
other Beneficial Use Impairments. White Lake is in better health than it has been for decades and is the
final stages of a remarkable comeback, due to years of activism and community support for restoration.
If all projects move forward as expected, White Lake may soon be removed from the list of Great Lakes
Areas of Concern!
| We are making progress! |
| Great Lakes Radio Consortium |