ANTRIM COUNTY — Conservation groups, residents, and law enforcement officials are warning the public about worsening environmental damage caused by repeated trespassing on privately owned islands along Torch River.
According to a July 11 news release from the Torch Lake Protection Alliance, Torch Conservation Center and Elk-Skegemog Lake Association, the narrow, ecologically sensitive islands—which play a vital role in protecting wildlife and preserving the river’s navigability—have experienced increasing erosion, litter accumulation, and habitat disruption as recreational users continue to ignore posted “No Trespassing” signs.
“These islands are actually privately owned,” said Sue Kelly, a Torch River resident and former president of the Torch Lake Protection Alliance. “It’s taken years of research, diving into the history and examining property deeds, but we know they belong to homeowners along West Torch River Road, Torch Bridge Court, and Shellway Drive.”
Local property owners, including Kelly and professional photographer Steve Jessmore, have advocated for years to protect the islands. They say that ongoing foot traffic and boat beaching are causing erosion and threatening the delicate balance of native flora and fauna.
In addition to being critical nesting and spawning areas for loons, cranes, and muskellunge, the islands help preserve the flow of the river into and out of Torch Lake. “These islands form what we now call the ‘chute’—they shield the river’s navigation route and help protect the Bayou to the northeast and the Lagoon to the southwest,” Jessmore said.
Jessmore emphasized that while boaters are welcome to anchor in the water without impeding navigation, they should avoid beaching vessels or stepping onto the islands. “If we lose these islands, we run the risk of harming key habitats and potentially making the river unnavigable,” he said.
The growing concerns have united regional organizations, including the Torch Lake Protection Alliance, Torch Conservation Center, and the Elk-Skegemog Lake Association, all of which are calling for stronger education efforts, public stewardship, and enforcement of trespassing laws.
Both Antrim County Sheriff Kevin Hoch and Kalkaska County Sheriff Pat Whiteford have pledged to support homeowners by issuing citations and potential fines for those found trespassing.
“This isn’t only a trespassing issue,” Jessmore said. “It’s a situation where we need to work together to protect critical wildlife habitats. It’s our hope that those who love the area as much as we do will join forces with us to help preserve it.”