Elk-Skegemog Lakes Association
ESLA Purpose
Achievements
ESLA Committees
Environmental Protection Committee
Communications Committee
Government Relations Committee
Recreation and Safety Committee
Governance and Membership Committee
ESLA Gift Giving and Endowment Fund
ESLA's By-Laws

Elk-Skegemog Lakes Association

ESLA is a non-profit organization, and is one of the oldest, largest, and most effective riparian associations in Michigan. Formed in 1950 by four property owners on Skegemog Point, the association has grown from the initial 15 charter members to over 700.

ESLA’s focus is in protecting the environment, monitoring development, tracking water quality and following trends in boating, fishing, and other uses of our lakes. ESLA has worked closely with other environmental organizations to sustain high water quality, responsible shoreline development, and safe recreational use.

As the waters of ESLA become more popular and more crowded with increased boat traffic and shoreline development, it is imperative that a watchful eye is kept to protect our environment. If you are interested in joining ESLA, contact the ESLA Membership Committee at rjkingon@prodigy.net. ESLA Membership is open to all interested parties.

Purposes:

Promote an understanding and appreciation of the rights of and responsibilities of owners of riparian lands.

Do all things and take such actions as may be necessary or desirable to protect and preserve the environment of the area of the Elk-Skegemog watershed, including connecting lakes, streams, and wetlands.

Help solve problems common to the members, involving lake level, water safety, water pollution and indiscriminate or over development of the waterfront which could lead to overuse of the waters or deterioration of their quality.

Cooperate and otherwise interact with federal, state, and local government bodies and other organizations concerned with water quality and environmental issues, and to advance their programs to the extent they shall improve, develop, benefit or serve the area.

Undertake periodic scientific tests of the quality of the water in Elk and Skegemog Lakes and take actions, and encourage others to take actions, which preserve the clean and pure waters contained therein.

Assist in the acquisition, establishment, maintenance and protection of nature preserves, wilderness, and other protected areas in the general vicinity of Elk and Skegemog Lakes and their connecting lakes and streams.

Achievements:

Purchase of Kewadin Wetlands
Support for the Sand Lakes Quiet Area
Partners in the Skegemog Wildlife Area
Support for the Grass River Natural Area
Partners in the Elk River Watershed Council
Navigational improvements
Newsletter publication
Periodic maps and directories for riparians
Fish plantings and fish shelters
Water quality studies
Water pollution case investigation
Legal actions to establish lake levels
Riparian education programs
Partnering with Elk Rapids Schools

ESLA Committees

In the Fall of 2004, ESLA Board of Directors adopted a committee structure in order to make governance more flexible and to give Board members the opportunity to concentrate on a certain area of interest. Each committee has its own charge. If you wish to help on a certain committee, or have a question pertinent to a certain committee, please contact one of the members of that committee.

Environmental Protection Committee
Responsible for conducting research on environmental issues and drafting positions and recommending ESLA actions for the Board to consider.  Members are responsible for conducting specific environmental protection programs and activities, as well as responsible for maintaining relationships with the Tip of the Mitt and other organizations related to ongoing water quality issues.  The committee works closely with the government relations committee to set an agenda for items to be pursued with the four townships and county/state agencies.

Communications Committee
Responsible for establishing an ESLA Communications Plan, which lays out specific long range goals to be accomplished through communications. Assists other committees in developing education messages, identifying appropriate channels to use in reaching desired audiences, and provide assistance in publication and distribution.

ESLA administrative assistant (membership)
Al Wagner (ESLA past President, special projects as needed)

The newsletter is published three times a year for members only, and published and sent to all lakefront property owners once a year, in January, with membership/dues information.

Government Relations Committee
Organizes and assures ESLA representation with each of the four townships. A member of the committee is designated as the liaison with a single township. That person attends all township meetings that pertain to ESLA concerns and represents ESLA positions to township officials. Working with the other ESLA committees, this committee establishes a unified agenda to pursue across all four townships. Similarly, members of this committee are responsible for developing ongoing relationships with specific county and state officials.  A committee member is the liaison for each or combination of the following:

• Sheriffs of the three counties
• Drain commissioners of the three counties
• Erosion control officers of the three counties
• State/regional DEQ officials
• State/regional DNR officials

This committee is also responsible for monitoring issues related to residential and commercial development as it may adversely affect our membership.

Recreation and Safety Committee

Governance And Membership Committee
This committee is comprised of the President, Vice President, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, and other members. This committee is responsible for the oversight of ESLA programs, management and organization efficiency, election of Officers and Directors, Bylaws, member meetings, and other governance issues related to accomplishing the ESLA mission and purposes. This committee is responsible for promoting the increased membership of ESLA and increasing services to members. This committee is responsible for the process of collecting dues and maintaining the ESLA databases of ESLA properties, riparians and appointed members. Members of this committee represent ESLA in meetings with other non-governmental organizations concerned with issues affecting ESLA lakes and rivers.

ESLA Gift Giving and Endowment Fund
ESLA is a non-profit volunteer organization and is pleased to accept funds to help support our activities. You may send your contribution directly to ESLA for our ongoing work. These funds are managed by our Treasurer and Board of Directors and used along with our dues collected. You may specify a congratulatory or memorial designation for your donation. Funds received in this manner to ESLA contain tax advantages for the donor. Checks should be made to ESLA and designated to honor appropriate individuals as you desire.

You may also choose to donate to our endowment fund, which is managed by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. Contributions to this fund also contain tax advantages for the donor. Checks to this fund should be made to the GTRCF and should also designate the honoree. ESLA gratefully accepts donations to support our work or of a congratulatory or memorial nature. For more information please contact the Community Foundation at 231 935-4066.

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