The days of visiting Lake Michigan’s incredibly vast and awesome beaches now appear to be permanently gone. With continued government restrictions on visiting the Michigan beaches, and the effects of the ongoing pandemic, many people have no choice but to stay away from their beloved beaches for the foreseeable future.
In 2020, the Michigan government ordered all beach closures across the state due to the health and safety concerns posed by the presence of the coronavirus. The stated goal was to encourage people to exercise social distancing while enjoying the great outdoors. While the order eventually allowed for some beaches to reopen, many have remained closed out of an abundance of caution.
The longer the beaches are closed, the harder it will be to open them for recreational use again. According to some experts, the lack of beachgoers has led to an influx of wildlife which may now be too much to handle for the fragile ecosystems. Without people cleaning up their waste and keeping the area sanitary, the ecological impacts could be irreversible.
Even if the Michigan beaches get re-opened, there remains the danger of the lake’s water becoming increasingly polluted. It is possible that the many dams and other water management structures, as well as industry-related runoff and agricultural run-off, have caused a rise in pollution levels in the lake, putting beachgoers at risk.
Experts are also expressing concerns about government-mandated beach closures becoming more permanent fixtures. This could be a serious risk to the local economy of small, tourist-dependent towns, such as Holland, Michigan. Even if the beaches were re-opened, it is uncertain if people would be willing to visit en masse, and the tourism revenue could suffer accordingly.
Despite the current gloomy outlook, there are some promising signs for the future. Studies have thoroughly demonstrated the efficacy of wearing masks and practicing social distancing when outdoors, which could easily be implemented on Michigan’s beaches. Additionally, the current evidence suggests that the coronavirus is not as hardy in outdoor settings and on beach sand, meaning the chances of virus spread from beach visits could be low.
Furthermore, the pollution levels of Lake Michigan could be drastically improved with enforcement of existing regulations and a shift in local industries to remove toxins and enhance water quality. To that end, local authorities have recently committed to efforts to reduce pollution and support ecological sustainability within the lake.
Beach Activities
Michigan’s beach activities range from swimming and fishing, to embarking on boat trips and picnicking. Every year, many visitors come to the Lake Michigan college campuses to take part in these activities. For example, the Marquette campus is one of the most popular college campuses in the state with its scenic shoreline and lovely views. The university also provides some of the best facilities for beach sports such as volleyball and surfing.
In addition to the already established activities, some beaches along the coast have opened up for recreational kayaking and paddle boarding. The Portage Dunes State Park offers a wide variety of water sports that have become increasingly popular, such as kite surfing, wind surfing and kite boarding. The Grand Haven, Frankfort, and Leland beaches also boast of their generous waves, making them excellent and exciting spots for people to go and have some fun in the sun.
There is also some evidence that suggests that beach goers are taking additional safety measures and following rules, such as wearing masks, beating sanitizing, and avoiding crowds. Local beach venders and rentals businesses are encouraging visitors to practice social distancing, which helps to reduce the risk of getting infected.
Economic Impact
Due to current restrictions, beachgoers have proven to be cautious. As a result, the economic impact on businesses and tourism industries has been significant. The combined loss of beachgoers has had a devastating effect on the local economy, with businesses ranging from hotels and motels to restaurants, bars, convenience stores and beach apparel stores, to name a few, feeling the financial burden of the lockdown.
Altogether, these businesses generated approximately $1.2 billion in gross revenues from 2019 beachgoers in Michigan, primarily from location and beach-specific tourist activities. Unfortunately, the beach closures have hurt some of the most vulnerable and marginalized local businesses, which lack essential capital security and international partners.
The Michigan government is aware of this grave financial situation. It has thus responded by ordering a reduction in fees for beach utilization and access by charging a lower daily or monthly rate for visitors. Moreover, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has attempted to include local businesses in the recovery process by launching the “Lake Michigan Watershed Recovery Initiative,” which encourages businesses to support conservation efforts, while also advocating for adequate public access and economic development initiatives.
Environmental Issues
Pollution has become a major issue in the Great Lakes, including Lake Michigan. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported a significant increase in the levels of nitrogen and phosphorous, creating algal blooms which can harm the lake’s flora and fauna. Additionally, nutrient runoff from agricultural and industrial activities have been found to have caused hypoxic zones or “dead zones,” in the lake.
Unfortunately, the beach closures have had an unforeseen, harsh effect on the environment by preventing localized cleaning and waste management activities. As a result, the local wildlife has found more room to spread and grow, with the resultant ecological damage to the beaches. It is even possible that the increased use of burning oil-based fuels by beachgoers has contributed to air and water pollution.
Fortunately, recent efforts have been made to address these issues. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has organized beach clean-ups and created a list of “Rules of the Beach”, which encompass regulations on the use of motorized vehicles, the use of fireworks, and the burning of wood or plastics near the beach. Michigan is encouraging beachgoers to follow these rules, so that endangered species and the environment are safe from further damage.
Conclusion
Although it is tough to determine when the Lake Michigan beaches will re-open, it is clear that the beauty of the beaches is a treasure for everyone. Hopefully, with the cooperation of Michigan’s government and the locals, it won’t be too long until we can get back out there and experience everything that the Great Lakes has to offer. The key to the beach’s continued enjoyment and preservation is education, cooperation, and safety.
