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The Rennie Lake Association
(Established April 2021)
By-Laws of the Rennie Lake Association
Overview and Purpose
The inland lakes of the Forest Lakes District of East Bay Charter Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan are a defining characteristic of the community. The major lakes in the Forest Lakes District include Arbutus Lake, Spider Lake and Rennie Lake. These lakes were formed as “kettle” lakes during the last glaciation approximately 10,000 years ago. These lakes are groundwater seepage lakes with small watersheds that have helped preserve their high water quality characteristics over time. However, shoreline development and recreational uses post-settlement, as well as climate change, are affecting water quality and ecosystem services in these lakes.
The Rennie Lake Association was established in 2021 with the purpose of maintaining and enhancing the quality of the lake for today and for future generations in recognition that protecting water quality is critical to sustaining lake health, and the primary driver of lake shore property values.
Mission Statement
The Rennie Lake Association is dedicated to preserve and protect the water quality, ecosystem services, and quality of life in Rennie Lake and its watershed through education, leadership and collaboration.
Vision Statement
The Rennie Lake Association aims to be the recognized leader in evidence-based strategies for protecting Rennie Lake and its watershed while advancing environmental education, sustainable policies, and quality of life.
Goals and Objectives
1. To represent the riparian property owners of Rennie Lake.
2. To preserve Rennie Lake as a natural resource and recreational area through protection and prudent use of its waters and shore-lands, including but not limited to scientific monitoring of significant parameters pertinent to the environmental health of Rennie Lake and its watershed, educating users of Rennie Lake regarding conservation and preservation of water quality and biological integrity, and the protection of Rennie Lake from the effects of aquatic invasive species (AIS).
3. To maintain and enhance the fish community and fish and wildlife habitat in Rennie Lake and its watershed.
4. To develop a Lake Management Plan for Rennie Lake and its watershed. The Rennie Lake Management Plan will be focused on protective lakes management. Initially, the Lake Management Plan will include baseline information (water quality, watershed delineation, geology and soils, climatology, etc.) and a description of ecosystem services (fish, wildlife) for Rennie Lake. Should a lake-wide, or area-specific, problem occur that needs to be addressed, the Plan can be updated to recommend a solution(s). An established Lake Management Plan is also important for obtaining potential state and federal grant funds or assistance
5. To develop and maintain an Association Website and Newsletter.
6. To host an Annual Meeting and intermittent informational meetings as necessary.
7. To be on guard for the health, welfare and safety of the resident community by promoting programs of water and boating safety and publish and otherwise disseminate information of an educational nature encouraging the safe and prudent use of Rennie Lake.
8. To be alert to the best interests of the Membership in fiscal, economic and civic matters which affect the purpose, objectives and activities of the Association; provided that the Association shall not engage in partisan political activities.
9. To serve as a responsible citizen of the community by cooperating and consulting with the Michigan Department of Health, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), Michigan Department of Natural Resource (DNR), Michigan Department of Commerce, Water Resources Commission, Grand Traverse County Health Department, East Bay Township, Union Township, state universities, schools, research and non-profit organizations, other lake associations, and other township, county, state and federal agencies relative to those matters which affect the goals, purposes and activities of the Rennie Lake Association.
10. To do any and all things lawful as a non-profit corporation in the furtherance of these purposes and others as approved by the Association.
11. To affirm the ethical principle that individual rights should be enjoyed and protected without trespassing on the rights of others.
The Association is an organization of riparian property owners who have joined on a voluntary basis and the only “powers” held by the Association are those voluntarily consented by the members
Have questions? Contact us at here.