Bloom Sluggett

All of a sudden, you discover that survey stakes have appeared on some undeveloped lake frontage land, not too far from your riparian lot. Although the undeveloped property has some frontage on the lake, the parcel also has asignificant amount of land area away from the lake. All sorts of bad things go through your mind. Is it going to be a mobile home park? Is the property owner/ developer going to develop a large number of lots upland and attempt to "funnel"those lots onto the lake through the limited lake frontage of the parcel? Is someone attempting to put in a marina or commercial operation? It is enough to send a chill up the spine of any riparian property owner.   Read More

"Trespass" is the venturing onto the lands of another without permission. As many riparians well know, trespass is a common problem around lakes.   Read More

An increasing number of people in the state of Michigan believe that urban sprawl and the permanent destruction of farmland, forests and open space will be one of the most pressing problems facing Michigan in the 21st century. Some even label it as Michigan s No. 1 long-term problem. Development is forever. Once a farm is carved up into residential lots, woods are cut down for a shopping center or a wetlands is filled for a parking lot, the natural environment can never be practically reclaimed.   Read More

An amazing number of riparians are underinsured when it comes to liability insurance coverage for their lake property. Many riparians still have liability insurance coverage of only $300,000 to $500,000 for their lake property. Where jury verdicts or even settlements in excess of $1,000,000 (or even more) are not uncommon, prudence dictates that liability insurance coverage below $1,000,000 (and in many cases, even more) is probably unwise.   Read More

The land located under a lake in Michigan is generally referred to as “bottomlands.” Bottomlands can be truly submerged under water at all times, or, can be called “exposed bottomlands” when lake waters have receded and left exposed dry land. Michigan law regarding who owns which particular bottomlands (and can control the same) is confusing at best.   Read More

Michigan Townships Association Releases Manual on Ordinance Enforcement Authored by Cliff Bloom of Bloom Sluggett Morgan  Read More