As Long Lake supports a population of a state-endangered species of minnow, the pugnose shiner, there are additional restrictions established by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). One of which is the restricted use of weed rollers. 

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The following is an email from Brian Gunderman, Southern Lake Michigan Unit Manager of Michigan Department of Natural Resources – Fisheries Division.

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"Installing and operating a weed roller on Long Lake involves two types of environmental violations. From a DNR perspective, it would be a violation of Part 365 of Public Act 451 of 1994. The last section of Part 365 reads as follows.

 

Sec. 36507. A person who violates this part or who fails to procure any permit required under this part is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or less than $100.00, or both.

 

That said, it is not the goal of the DNR to fine and punish people, especially if they were unaware of the need for a permit. Our primary objective is to have the weed rollers removed so that no further damage occurs to pugnose shiners and their habitat. The escalated enforcement and fines could occur if the problem persists, but we do not plan to jump immediately to that option.

 

The other type of environmental violation would be installation of a structure on the bottomlands without a permit from EGLE. Inland lakes and streams fall under Part 301 of Public Act 451. Section 324.30112 discusses penalties for violations of Part 301. I cannot speak for EGLE. If you want to reach out to them directly, I would start by calling the Grand Rapids EGLE Office at (616)356-0500. I will offer the personal observation that EGLE also tends to focus on site restoration for violations, which in this case would involve removal of the weed rollers."