WATERCRAFT RULES AND REGULATIONS • LAWN FERTILIZATION, GREENBELT AREAS ON LAKE LOTS • SEPTIC SYSTEM MAINTENANCE • WATER SAFETY HIGHLIGHTS • STOPPING AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS • JET SKI COURTESY & REGULATIONS • LOON ALERT • DUCKS, SWANS & GEESE • PREVENTING WATER POLLUTION • YOU CAN HELP

Watercraft Rules and Regulations

At our LLA Annual Meeting, August 27, 2007, a member requested an article in the newsletter that addressed some of the rules and regulations pertaining to the operation of watercraft. The emphasis of this request seemed to be focused on personal watercraft (PWC) being operated here on Long Lake. There are approximately 98 laws/ordinances that pertain to the operation of watercraft on the lakes of Michigan according to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff Marine Division. Virtually all of these offenses are considered misdemeanors for which a ticket may be issued or an arrest made. I’ve attempted to list those regulations that seem to concern the membership the most.

1. A person who operates a PWC or a person who is being towed by a PWC shall not operate unless traveling a slow no-wake speed within 100 feet of:
   • A dock or raft
   • A buoyed or occupied bathing/swim area
   • An anchored/moored vessel or a vessel that is drifting or sitting dead in the water (this rule includes fishing boats)
     * This is commonly referred to as the 100 foot Rule. This rule applies to all motorized watercraft (ski boats, pontoons, pleasure boats, etc) not just PWCs.
2. A person shall not operate a PWC during the time period that begins1 hour BEFORE sunset and ends at 8 a.m.
   * Remember – the official time of sunset changes daily. Check the newspaper weather page for the exact time.
   * Skiers/tubes/wake boarders are allowed to remain on the water I hour AFTER sunset.
3. All Watercraft as required by the state of Michigan must be registered – registration must be carried and displayed on request of a peace officer.
4. Age Requirements –
   • No person less than 12 years old may legally operate a PWC
   • A person who is 12 years old and less than 14 years of age may operate a PWC only if he/she has obtained a boating safety certificate prior to 1/1/1999.
   • Persons born after 12/31/1978 may operate a PWC only if they have obtained a boating safety certificate.
   • Persons born 12/31/1978 or earlier may operate a PWC without restrictions.
     * Age requirements for operating a motorized watercraft are quite lengthy and are not listed here. Please refer to Handbook of Boating
     Laws and Responsibilities listed under Sources of Information for this information.
   • Operators of a PWC must carry their boating safety certificate and display it upon request of peace officer.
5. A person shall not operate a/watercraft/PWC carrying more persons than the watercraft/PWC is designed to carry.
   * Watercraft also have weight limits in addition to capacity
6. A person operating a watercraft/PWC and towing a skier/wake boarder/tube must have an observer.
7. A person operating watercraft/PWC shall not disregard the rights or safety of others, nor operate at a rate of speed or in a manner that endangers a person or property.
8. Michigan law prohibits anyone from boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is also unlawful for the owner of a vessel to allow anyone else to operate their vessel if that person is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
   * Under the influence is having a blood alcohol concentration of .10% or greater. I believe there is legislation pending or being considered to lower the limit to .08%
9. Equipment:
   • Each person on board a PWC must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) that is not inflatable.
   • Each person less than 12 years old riding on or being towed by a PWC must wear a Type I or II PFD.
   • Each person riding on or being towed by a PWC must wear a Type I, II or III PFD.
   • All vessels must have at least on Type I, II or III PFD wearable and of the proper size for each person onboard.
   • Vessels 16 feet or longer must have a readily accessible Type IV PFD (Type IV PFD is a throwable device)

Courtesy to Others:

• Do not operate your PWC/Ski Boat for long periods of time in the same area. Please respect the rights of the residents on the water.
• Do not chase or harass any wildlife (Loons, Ducks, Geese, etc). Persons doing so are subject to arrest and/or tickets and fines.
• Use courtesy and common sense when sharing the waterways with other recreational users.

Lawn Fertilization, Greenbelt Areas on Lake Lots

The most prevalent causes of excessive lake plant and algae growth are fertilizers and faulty septic system wastes that seep into the water system.

The dense vegetation that results threatens the natural balance of lake plant and aquatic life, thus accelerating the aging process of the lake.

Here are some important and helpful facts to remember:

• Phosphorus from septic tanks and/or systems can travel as far as 300 ft. through soil to the lake. Soils already saturated with phosphorus from fertilizers cannot efficiently remove this chemical from septage tanks. The result is nutrient pollution. DO NOT use a fertilizer containing any phosphorus or potash unless a soil test indicates a need for these nutrients. Look into using "0" phosphorus fertilizers. Remember that eutrophication is the process of nutrient enrichment of lake waters. Phosphorus is usually the key ingredient in this process.
• Use fescue grass, rather than bluegrass, for establishing your lawn. This type of grass requires less than half the nitrogen of a bluegrass lawn. Water lawns sparingly to reduce lawn nutrient run-off to the lake.
• Avoid fertilizer-herbicide mixtures. If weeds become a problem, apply herbicide treatment in the fall.
• Whenever possible, rake and remove fall leaves from your lawn. This precludes leaves blowing into the lake and increasing nutrients.
• Waterfront property ownership affords riparians an obligation to do what is right for the lake and provides it protection. Planting greenbelts (strips of ground cover with shrubs and trees) can help preserve the cleanliness and clarity of our lakes. Greenbelt buffers can limit nutrient leaching caused by excessive lawn fertilization and faulty septic systems. Greenbelts also control erosion on sloping banks as vegetation roots help prevent soil erosion caused by water run-off, wind and wave action.

Septic System Maintenance

Septic systems are an efficient form of wastewater treatment when properly maintained. When overloaded, neglected or incorrectly maintained, these systems are likely to fail and cause accelerated lake eutrophication.

Know the layout of your septic system in relationship to your home, installation, service and service dates, etc. Use the folder WQ-39 available from the Michigan State University Extension Office for recording relevant information about your septic system.

Tips for keeping your septic system operating properly:

• Inspect tank every two to five years for sludge level.
• Pump tank when sludge level exceeds one third volume.
• Never build, drive on, pave over, or fertilize around your drainfield.
• Consult your septic system pumper to establish how often your particular usage requires service. Follow this schedule.
• Plant shallow rooted plants around drainfield.
• DO NOT dispose of poisons, drain cleaners, bleach, paints, chemicals, disinfectants, grease, cigarette butts, hair, facial tissues, paper towels, sanitary napkins, motor oils, water softener waste, or band-aids into sinks or toilets.

Signs of septic system problems:

• Clogged drains and toilets backing up.
• Foul odors around septic tank or drainfield.
• Wastewater surfacing around drainfield.
• Dark green algae growth on rocks along shoreline.
• Conserving water is a key ingredient to a properly functioning septic system. Heavy water use forces solids and soil particles to clump and pack together. In turn, these clumps will clog drainfields, necessitating replacement of the entire septic system.

Recommended methods to reduce water use:

• Repair dripping faucets and toilet leaks.
• Add a brick to your toilet tank(s) to save a half to one gallon of water per flush. (Each flush will use five to seven gallons of water.)
• Install water conservation devices on shower heads.
• Only use dishwashers and washing machines when fully loaded.
• Minimize use of garbage disposals. Begin a composting program for waste materials and yard leaves.

Water Safety Highlights

Courtesy and common sense are the watch words when sharing Long Lake Township waterways with other recreational users.

Here are some tenets to be mindful of:

• Boat motor noise on the lake is governed by state law and is prohibited above a defined maximum level 90 dBa. (Equivalent of a lawn mower).
• Use boat running lights whenever on the water after dark.
• Remember – sailboats have the right of way over powerboats.
• Watercraft visitors are urged to be mindful of the steps required to keep their vessels free of exotic aquatic species which may have been transported from other waterways.
• It is unlawful to operate motorboats or jet skis within 100 ft. of any dock, raft, buoyed or occupied swimming area, or any moored or anchored vessel.
• "Slow/No Wake" speed must be maintained by any watercraft where water is less than three feet deep.
• Violations should be reported to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Department (phone 231.922.4550)
  or the Marine Patrol Office (231.995.5006). Note that the Marine Patrol Office is not staffed full time,
  so please leave a message. DO NOT call 911. Obtain the following information:
  – Boat MC number
  – Nature of violation, etc.,
  – Description of driver for follow-up of the violation
  – Time of incident

Stopping Aquatic Hitchhikers

Great Lakes Basin waterways have been beset by invasive, non-native species. Common hitchhikers include purple loose strife, zebra mussels, Eurasian water-milfiol, hydrilla, whirling disease, spiny water fleas, round gobies and water hyacinth.

If conditions are right, these species can overwhelm a water resource, reduce game fish populations, ruin boat engines, make lakes and rivers unusable by swimmers and boaters, reduce native species, degrade ecosystems, reduce property values, and affect human health.

These harmful aquatic plants, animals or microscopic organisms can readily be transported to inland lakes via popular recreational activities. They hitch rides on our clothing, boats, and other items used in the water – then are released when we go to another lake or stream.

Here are some things you should do:

• Remove any visible mud, plants, fish or animals before transporting equipment.
• Eliminate water from equipment before transporting.
• Clean and dry anything in contact with water (boats, trailers, equipment, clothing, pets, etc.)
• Never release plants, fish or animals into a body of water unless they came from that same water.

Jet Ski Courtesy and Regulations

Personal watercraft (PW) users are requested to respect the peace and quiet of lakeside residents and fellow boaters.

Following are some basic rules and operator procedures:

• Personal watercraft (PW) shall not be operated during the period that begins one hour before sunset and ends at 8 a.m. This is the law!
• PW shall not cross within 150 ft. behind another vessel, other than a PW – unless the PW vessel is operating at a slow-no wake speed.
• PW shall not operate in water that is less than two ft. deep, unless:
  – The PW is being operated at slow/no wake speed.
  – The PW is being docked or launched.
• PW shall not weave through congested vessel traffic.
• PW should not wait until the last possible moment to avoid a collision.
• PW should not carry more personnel than the craft is designed to accommodate.
• PW operators shall observe the rights and safety of others, and not operate at a speed or manner than endangers a person or property.
• Unless traveling at a slow/no wake speed perpendicular to the shoreline, a person who operates a PW on any of the Great Lakes shall maintain a distance of 200 ft. from the shoreline.
• Unless operating in a navigable channel, canal, river or stream, PW operators or persons towed by a PW shall not operate, unless traveling at slow/no wake speed, within 100 ft. of:
  – A dock or raft.
  – A buoyed or occupied bathing or swim area.
  – A person in or on the water in a personal flotation device.
  – An anchored or moored vessel.
  – A vessel that is drifting or sitting dead in the water.
• A person who operates a PW or who is being towed by a PW shall not operate within 200 ft. of:
  – A submerged diver.
  – A vessel engaged in underwater diving activities.
  – A flotation device displaying the international diving insignia.

Equipment Requirements:

• All persons aboard the PW must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) that is not an inflatable.
• Persons 12 years of age or older, riding or being towed, must wear a Type I, Type II or Type III PFD.
• Each person less than 12 years of age, riding or being towed, must wear a Type I or Type II PFD.
• A lanyard-type engine cutoff switch must be attached to the person, clothing or PFD. The PW manufacturer must equip the lanyard to the engine.
• Each PW must be equipped with one B1 type fire extinguisher.

Loon Alert

Common Loons (Gavia Immer) are integral to the Long Lake waterscape and who hasn't been thrilled by their haunting trills, particularly at sunrise or evening twilight?

"Binocular range" is considered a safe distance for viewing and enjoying these colorful waterfowl. If a Loon is observed flapping its wings wildly and dancing across the water, you're too close. Any such disturbance can cause an adult bird to desert its nest, resulting in a loss of its young.

Lake users should also be aware that it's against state and federal laws to bother or harass Loons or other protected wildlife.

These simple procedures should be observed when sharing the lake with Loons:

• When boating, protect Loons and their chicks by not chasing them.
• Always steer away from Loon family flocks.
• If you suspect Loons are nesting in an area, leave them alone.

Ducks, Swans and Geese

Though cute and irresistible, these waterfowl play a key role in the life cycle of any parasite that causes
"swimmer's itch."

By discouraging unnaturally large waterfowl populations in our lakes, the occurrence of this troublesome skin irritation can be reduced. (See cycle diagram.)

As inhabitants of our lake community, these waterfowl feed on plants and other aquatic organisms. In turn, they eat the plants and remove a portion of the plants' nutrients. When excreted, these nutrients support new plant growth. This is a natural cycle. However, when well-intentioned individuals feed waterfowl their numbers increase, and additional nutrients enter our lakes. This process, in turn, increases the swimmer's itch problem.

Preventing Water Pollution

Over 40% of U.S. waters do not meet standards set to protect public health and aquatic life. This equates to some five million acres of lakes that are damaged by pollution and development, and the list is growing.

Fortunately, Long Lake and its watershed are not yet among these endangered waterways.

However, its care and preservation are no less critical, and all of us have a vested stake in maintaining the quality of this invaluable resource.

Here are some ways you can help:

• Do not feed ducks, geese, swans or sea gulls.
• Do not bathe, wash hair or bathe your pets while in the lake.
• Do not clean boats or lift covers with soap or chemicals, and rinse in lake.
• Use necessary precautions to avoid accidental spills of gas or motor oils. Remember: one quart of motor oil can potentially contaminate 250,000 gallons of water.
• Rake leaves away from the lake. Do not burn leaves or have bonfires close to the shoreline. Ashes contain soluble nutrients which quickly leach into the water.
• Do not dump fish cleanings or any refuse into the lakes.
• REMEMBER – DO NOT LITTER!
• Advise children and/or adults to not defecate in the lake.