DNR will move forward with 'red flag' swimming ban at state parks next year, surfers exempt
Arpan Lobo
HOLLAND — Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Dan Eichinger will sign an order that will ban swimming on days with hazardous conditions at state parks in the near future.
On Thursday, Sept. 16, the DNR Natural Resources Commission gave its informal approval to the order, which the DNR director has authority to implement at their own discretion under Michigan law.
Starting May 1, 2022, visitors at Michigan's state parks will not be allowed to swim on "red flag" days, or days when water and wave conditions are considered to be most dangerous.
Eichinger had proposed the order earlier this summer, although it's actual implementation has been delayed after groups representing water sports enthusiasts pushed back on a uniform ban from entering the water.
Under the amendment — which Eichinger still has yet to officially sign, according to a DNR spokesperson — people will still be allowed to enter the water on red flag days for activities like surfing and wake boarding, just not swimming. The rationale behind allowing water sports to still take place is that surfers and others are tethered to a board or other floatable device.
“Surfrider Foundation supports the state’s objective of drowning prevention, and is pleased that the state has seen fit to amend its order to help achieve this objective while trying to minimize access impacts to capable water-people,” said Sarah Damron, Great Lakes Manager for Surfrider Foundation, in a statement.
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More:Under proposed order, swimming at state parks would be banned on 'red flag' days
Damron also said she hopes state officials work with water sports enthusiasts while crafting policies.
Natural Resources Commission Chair Carol Rose said over the phone Thursday she commended interest groups which provided public comment on the proposed order.
According to date collected by the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, 77 people have drowned in the Great Lakes so far in 2021, including 35 in Lake Michigan.
— Contact Arpan Lobo at alobo@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @arpanlobo.