As they navigate a pandemic, Michigan residents will also be increasingly impacted by high lake levels this year.
The US Army Corps of Engineers is projecting that already record high lake levels may rise even more within the next 6-12 months.
Lauren Fry is with the Corps.
“Just by the fact of being at very high water levels and above water levels from last year we’re forecasting water levels will continue to be above average and we’ll see similar to potentially higher water levels next year.”
Nick Assendelft is with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. He said the Governor’s proposed budget set some funding aside to address climate change impacts - but it’s unknown if that funding will pass.
“FEMA or even the federal agencies that are around wouldn’t necessarily have money available and I’m not aware of anything at the state level besides the Governor’s proposal that would be available for property owners.”
Assendelft said during the first half of the fiscal year the state saw one-thousand shoreline protection permit requests.
They saw roughly 750 permit requests for the entire 2019 fiscal year.
“It’s certainly something that is front of mind and a lot of people are looking at this to figure out what can be done to help out property owners.”
Assendelft said homeowners that can afford it may want to consider moving their homes back from the shoreline altogether.
He said boaters and swimmers will also have to be aware - as the weather starts getting nicer - of avoiding debris that will likely be in the water from increased erosion.