Where do I start planning a natural shoreline restoration project?

Step 1

Contact a natural shoreline restoration specialist. We recommend Blue Heron Ministries based in Angola, IN. Nate Simons the director will be happy to come evaluate your shoreline, make recommendations, and give you a quote.

Step 2

Get a second quote for an alternative shoreline option. Example: a rock wall. Please keep this quote because you will need the documentation for the grant application.

Step 3

Get a permit! Only grants applicants with a EGLE permits will qualify. Shoreline Permitting Information. Your contractor can do the permitting process for you at an additional cost.

Step 4

Apply for the Rose Lake Association Grant. The application process requires a site inspection and a completed project before approval.

At any point in the process, please feel free to contact Robin Wegman, Lake Health Chairperson at info@myroselake.com for help or question.

Where can I get more information about Natural Shoreline Restoration?

The Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership provides a wealth of knowledge from shoreline basics to site examples. At the Michigan Shoreland Steward website, you can take a quiz to see how your shoreline rates and download a shoreline guide.

What does a natural shoreline cost?

The project shown in the video and on the grant page was done in 2022. The quote for the natural shoreline restoration was $6200. The quote for the rock wall was $5000. This property owner had 40 feet of shoreline to restore which made the cost per foot $155.

Why do another whole lake and watershed survey?

In 2024 Aquatic Enhancement & Survey will update our lake management plan by reviewing the areas of colonization of each invasive plant species. They will also review all the water quality data we have collected and include comparisons of past data. This will provide ongoing information about the state of the lakes plant community, water quality , and appearance of any new invasive species. We will be able to respond with controllable treatment if needed.

How will the treatments affect the fish?

Each treatment option is screened for possible toxicity to fish. It is then diluted down to 100 parts per million so the concentration isn't high enough to affect the fish.

How will the treatments affect the native weeds?

Using selective products and timing help with not killing the native weeds. A timing example works like this. Some invasive weeds, like curly leaf pond weeds, grow early in the spring before the native weeds show up. Treating those at the right time won't bother the growth of our good weeds. A selective example works like this. Invasive milfoil is a broadleaf species and selecting a chemical specifically for broadleaf weeds will not affect the native pond weeds. Now there are some native broadleaf varieties. So some of those might be affected. But, a month or two later they will bounce back while killing the invasive weeds it was targeting. Lilly pads are a broadleaf variety.