LANSING, Mich. — The Lake Michigan shoreline state senators sent a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Tuesday urging her to declare a state of emergency for the entire Lake Michigan shoreline because of near-record-high water levels.
Sen. Roger Victory spearheaded the letter.
“What we have seen firsthand at the shoreline and from pictures and videos is devastating,” said Victory, R-Hudsonville. “Homes have fallen into the lake; businesses have been forced to close; travel has been shut down.
“At this time, declaring a state of emergency is essential to providing access to resources that will help those affected take steps toward recovery.”
High water levels and erosion along the shoreline have caused significant damage to both private and publicly owned property.
Victory said that declaring a state of emergency not only will open state resources to address the impact of the massive shoreline damage but also will allow the state to petition the federal government for additional resources to assist affected communities and property owners.
“While I appreciate the work the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy has done to speed up the permitting process and reduce some regulatory hurdles to address potential future impacts, much of the damage has already been done, and our constituents are now left to literally pick up the pieces of what was once their homes, businesses and infrastructure,” Victory said.
Joining Victory in signing the letter were Sens. Kim LaSata, Senate District 21; Aric Nesbitt, SD 26; Jon Bumstead, SD 34; Curt VanderWall, SD 35; and Wayne Schmidt, SD 37.