Our Mission

The sole MISSION of the BLPS is to protect and preserve the ecology of Black Lake, its tributaries and watershed through advocacy and program development; and to operate in a transparent, professional and neighborly manner.  

In addition, we will partner with like-minded environmentally concerned institutions and work to cultivate relationships with local, State and Federal entities in order to further our goals. Our mission and goals are critical to maintaining Black Lake’s natural features, ensuring its sustainability, and the investment in and enjoyment of our lake and its watershed.

Guiding Principles

We have three GUIDING PRINCIPLES that guide our planning and decision-making:

1. Once a lake is impacted by harmful activity, the options for restoration are impractical if not impossible.  The ultimate goal of the BLPS is prevention.  We have a healthy lake and want to keep it that way.
2. Preservation depends on all users and property owners and cannot be delegated to a third party.  We all need to learn about behaviors that impact the lake and to take steps over time to reduce our impact.
3. There are over 1,000 lakes of 100 acres or more in Michigan and similar numbers in Wisconsin and Minnesota.  There are solutions out there for most if not all of our needs.  We need to leverage the learnings and solutions of other organizations that share our mission.

Risks

The Black Lake Watershed Plan that was last updated in 2002 by the Huron Pines Resource Conservation and Development Council with assistance from a long list of government and non-profit organizations lists the following "concerns and threats" to our watershed on page 9 of their report.

As you read through the list, it becomes apparent that very little has been done toward mitigation of these risks in the 16 years since the watershed plan was last published.  That is why the BLPS was formed; to raise awareness and encourage involvement in these issues.

• exotic species (e.g. zebra mussels, phragmites, eurasian milfoil)
• golf course fertilizers and pesticides
• lawn care pollution from fertilizers, pesticides
• agriculture pollution from fertilizers, animal waste, pesticides, and livestock access to streams
• stormwater discharges from increasing urbanization
• sediment loading from exposed soils, construction activity, and stream bank erosion
• local land use decision making and lack of zoning restriction and enforcement
• new construction /subdivision development without adequate regulation and oversight
• parcel splits/fragmentation
• wetland destruction/loss
• forest management planning and logging activities
• chlorides/brine on roads
• improper dumping including household hazardous waste
• increasing nuisance and invasive plants
• pollution from septic systems
• destruction of greenbelt and shoreline vegetation
• loss of wildlife/aquatic habitat
• mercury contamination
• pH problems, acid rain
• boat and wave runner wakes
• lack of natural river designation
  
  

Projects

​The BLPS has defined eight programs that will house our activities toward mitigating these risks.  See the PROGRAMS tab for more information about these programs and how you can get involved in them.

• Lake Level Management
• Invasive Species
• Water Quality Monitoring
• Shoreland Stewardship
• Land Trust Development
• Local Government Interface
• Septic System Health
• Marine Life Studies

A Learning
​Community

In addition to our projects, the BLPS will offer “executive summaries” of information on topics of key interest to our members.  Our website will offer an opportunity to blog as a community about these topics.  The intent of our “Topics of Interest” dialog is to allow our members to share and learn as a community.  A starter set of Topics of Interest will include the following, and will grow over time with member input    

• Water Quality Metrics and Trends
• Invasive Species Prevention Best Practices
• Lake Level Management 
• Weed Control 
• Swimmers Itch
• Fish Populations Metrics and Trends
• Lake Friendly Homes
• Zebra Mussels and Black Lake
• The Invasive Marsh Reed Called Phragmites
• Features of the Black Lake Watershed

Involvement of volunteers and levels of funding will determine the pace of execution of these programs.

Join Us