Officials survey lakefront erosion in Mount Pleasant: "I've seen it over the years; never to this extent"



MOUNT PLEASANT -- Homes along Lake Michigan in Mount Pleasant are losing ground faster than anyone has ever seen. Lakefront erosion has threatened several homes, and officials with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources were out at the scene, surveying the situation.

"I have seen erosion over the years -- but never to this extent," Jerry Garski, Mount Pleasant Village Board president said.

Mount Pleasant erosion



High lake levels have resulted in the water eating away at the bank -- threatening a dozen lakeside homes.

"From January until now. It's been devastating for these homeowners," Garski said.

One house had to be torn down.

On Wednesday, May 18th, Garski gave the Army Corps of Engineers a tour of the eroding lakefront.

Mount Pleasant erosion



"The erosion is significant. I'm surprised this is the first we heard of it," Robert Stanick, chief of operations and maintenance with the Army Corps of Engineers Lake Michigan area office said.

Stanick wasn't alone.

"We brought down some of our construction folks as well. Because one of the things we look at is constructability of a repair," Stanick said.

Mount Pleasant erosion



Stanick said Wednesday it was just too early to know whether a large-scale repair is realistic.

Much of the land at risk is privately owned, and therefore, homeowners may not automatically qualify for any government assistance to replace the lost ground.

"I may have to say I have to talk to the governor and see if he can declare this a state of emergency to see if we can get some federal funding that way," Garski said.

Mount Pleasant erosion