COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County Administrator Bud Norman explained to the Branch County Board of Commissioners during their work session Tuesday what options they have to help set the legal lake level for the Michigan side of Lake George.
It’s another part of the process involving two states in order to fund repairs to the dam on the Indiana side of the lake.
Norman said commissioners could require a petition be signed by lake residents, or they could appeal to Branch County Circuit Court to set the lake level.
Branch County Drain Commissioner Mike Hard says residents may have to be petitioned again because wording in past petitions did not request a lake level be established.
Norman explained the advantages and disadvantages of both options. If the Circuit Court option is pursued, there would be a resolution requiring a preliminary engineering study and a cash bond of $10,000. But Norman said the court process would be faster.
No decisions were made by Commissioners on Tuesday. Norman said the matter will be brought back during their March 19, 2019 work session for a possible decision.
One issue has been dealt with as a lake board has been established on the Michigan side following a request by property owners. A conservancy district has also been formed in Indiana.
