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Kalkaska County delegates Lower Chain of Lakes authority to Antrim County
Summary
After a presentation on lake-level history and legal processes, the board approved Resolution 2025-20 to delegate authority for Lower Chain of Lakes lake-level matters to the Antrim County Drain Commissioner; counsel said all three counties must agree to move the project forward.
Antrim County Drain Commissioner Leslie Meyers and Kalkaska County Drain Commissioner Seth Phillips briefed commissioners on recent lake-level issues affecting several inland lakes, including Torch Lake, Elk Lake, Skegemog Lake, Intermediate Lake and Lake Bellaire. Counsel Stacey Hisong and consultant Shawn Middleton summarized the legal framework (citing Michigan statutes including Part 307 and the drain code) and advised that county order language should be revisited to protect interests across counties.
The presentation noted that approximately 411 property owners (of about 5,000 affected out-of-county property owners) have interests in the affected area and emphasized that all three counties (Antrim, Kalkaska and Grand Traverse) must agree before a lake-level project can proceed. Commissioners approved Resolution 2025-20 delegating authority to the Antrim County Drain Commissioner for Lower Chain of Lakes lake levels; minutes record consensus approval and direct staff to coordinate with the absent Commissioner Bicum and Clearwater Township representatives.
