On April 10, 2023, the Ottawa County Parks Commission received information from a concerned kayaker that an undetermined amount of suspected oil was observed on the water and shoreline of a lake in the Bend Area Open Space. The information was shared with Ottawa County Emergency Management and numerous agencies responded including: The Georgetown Twp. Fire Department, Ottawa County Parks Commission, Ottawa County Hazmat Team, Ottawa County Emergency Management, and the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office. Also responding was the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). Oil sheen on the water was observed and approximately 300 yards of lake shoreline and some low lying, flooded and wooded areas to the northeast were impacted. EGLE’s Remediation and Redevelopment Division secured a clean-up contractor to mitigate impacts to the area, and the majority has been resolved.

Oil sheen on the lake at Bend Area Open Space.

Bend Area Open Space Re-opened

On April 28, the area and access to the lake was re-opened for recreation. Visitors should be mindful to stay away from areas bordered by orange snow fencing. Ongoing monitoring will continue of the site and ongoing minor clean-up is likely to occur as needed. Out of an abundance of caution, it is advised that fishing on the affected lake should be catch and release at this time.

Source of Oil Spill

EGLE’s Oil, Gas and Minerals Division (OGMD) investigated the active and historical oil operations in the Bend Area Open Space. The OGMD determined that the source of the oil release was from abandoned oil wells that were inundated by floodwater. Action has been taken to secure the wells and funding will be requested by OGMD to permanently address the abandoned oil wells.