You are invited to participate in one of several workshops intended for anyone interested in learning about Michigan’s new water withdrawal laws and how those involved with stewardship of our water resources can play a part in the water withdrawal decision making process.  These workshops are designed for three audiences: 1) local water-resource advocates (watershed groups, lake associations, environmental groups, etc.); 2) local governmental planning and zoning practitioners; and 3) community/economic development officers in local governments.

A brief review of water law in Michigan will be followed by a tutorial on some key hydrologic terms and concepts. The Water Withdrawal Assessment Process, the use of state-of-the-art online tools, and how to avoid adverse resource impacts will all be covered. An overview of the regional groundwater and surface water resources will be presented specifically for each workshop location. Lastly, we will review several example uses of the Assessment Tool for sustainable community planning and development. Dr. David Lusch (MSU Geography and Institute of Water Research) will be the primary presenter.

Michigan Trout Unlimited joins litigation against Golden Lotus for failure of dam at Song of the Morning Ranch on the Pigeon River.

On March 20 2009, Michigan Trout Unlimited and Pigeon River Country Association filed a motion to intervene in the State of Michigan’s lawsuit against Golden Lotus, Inc. – the owner of Song of the Morning Ranch, located along the Pigeon River in Otsego County.  By stipulation of counsel, an order granting Michigan TU’s intervention is expected to be entered by the Honorable Dennis Murphy in the Otsego County Circuit Court in Gaylord, MI in the next few weeks.  The action arises out of the June 2008 failure of the dam at the Song of the Morning Ranch, which is owned and operated by Golden Lotus. Michigan TU filed its motion to intervene bringing additional claims of public nuisance and violation of the Michigan Environmental Protection Act that were not asserted by the State of Michigan. By joining this lawsuit, Michigan TU hopes that Golden Lotus will be held accountable for removal of the dam and remediation of the environmental damage to the river including associated costs. 

This dam also failed in 1984, and Michigan TU was a party to litigation at that time.  The Court’s opinion, dated June 8, 1987, specifically stated that:  “…should the dam become a nuisance again, because of Defendant’s … noncompliance with this Court’s order, the Court will require removal of the dam”.  Michigan TU and PRCA are being represented in the present case by Peter L. Gustafson of Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, Grand Rapids, Michigan ((616) 752-2121 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

• Disaster Strikes the Pigeon River Again
• Pigeon River Dam Failure Update