The MLWP is working to restore and "de-list" Muskegon Lake as an AOC. De-listing does not mean the end of environmental protection. Muskegon Lake is now 73% its original size, due to historic filling of shallow water and wetlands. The south shoreline has been hardened with broken concrete, wood, metal and other material.

We can choose to redevelop Muskegon Lake's shoreline in ways that do not degrade fish and wildlife habitat. In 2007, a habitat guide (below) was created to help community members tackle some of the work needed to restore and improve impairments to fish and wildlife habitat.

For more information, view and download the following PDF document: A Guide to the Restoration of Muskegon Lake Fish and Wildlife Habitat

Lakeshore Trail and Fish and Wildlife Habitat

West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission (WMSRDC) is partnering with the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly, US Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program, Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership, Delta Duckhunters and Michigan Duckhunters to improve stretches of Muskegon Lake shoreline at the mouth of Ruddiman Creek and along Lakeshore Trail near the former Amoco Tank Farm area.  The habitat restoration project will remove shoreline rubble and debris, re-plant native Michigan plants and control invasive species.  Habitat for fish, ducks, turtles, frogs and other wildlife will improve.  The appearance of the shoreline edge and views of the lake along Lakeshore Trail will also improve.  Invasive Honeysuckle shrubs and Phragmites reeds currently block views of the lake and are degrading habitat for native fish and wildlife.  For more information and to volunteer to help, please call Kathy Evans at (231) 722-7878, Ext. 17.

Consumers Energy Partnership Project

The Regional Commission, Consumers Energy, and the Muskegon Lake Watershed Partnership (MLWP) are working together on fish and wildlife habitat improvement projects in the Muskegon Lake Area of Concern (AOC). The MLWP, a multi-stakeholder, volunteer group, produced A Guide to the Restoration of Muskegon Lake Fish and Wildlife Habitat. The guide identifies habitat improvement goals for the lakeshore and river mouth.

As part of a Consumers Energy project to repair a coal ship dock in an existing shipping channel, Consumers is required to restore aquatic habitat. With the help of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, United States Army Corp of Engineers, the City of Muskegon and Muskegon County, the Regional Commission has identified several acres of shallow water aquatic habitat improvements at Heritage Landing and Grand Trunk in Lakeside. Consumers Energy entered into an agreement with the Regional Commission to coordinate this mitigation project to meet community goals.

The coordination of restoration and preservation projects funded by grants, mitigation plans, brownfield redevelopment and private landowner projects is helping the community reach their waterfront redevelopment goals and to restore and de-list Muskegon Lake as an AOC. Please contact Kathy Evans, Program Manager at (231) 722-7878 extension 17 for more information.

RELATED PDF DOCUMENTS:

Muskegon Lake's 1st Annual Shoreline & Shallows Conference Presentation

Muskegon Lake / Ruddiman Creek Ecological Restoration Master Plan