State Rep. Greg VanWoerkom this week participated in a roundtable discussion with several colleagues coordinating ideas to address the soil erosion disaster along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, which was triggered by record high water levels.

VanWoerkom, of Norton Shores, said this is a problem for which we need a coordinated plan.
“Significant damage already occurred for people that enjoy and who live along the Lake Michigan shoreline,” VanWoerksom said. “All of us need to focus on how we can yet preserve our dunes and restore them and how to prevent delayed efforts in the future.”

VanWoerkom is supporting legislation allowing people to immediately begin the process of protecting their property without having to obtain an individual permit, if Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declares a state of emergency along the shoreline.

Lawmakers wait for the governor’s response after sending a letter with the request for an emergency declaration at the end of 2019.

Along with making the permitting process easier, VanWoerkom also supports a plan calling on Canada to stop redirecting water into the Great Lakes.

PHOTO INFORMATION: State Rep. Greg VanWoerkom discuses ways to help people living along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, which has been experiencing record high water levels for the past year.