VAN HORN SKI LAKE
Violating the land — and land regulations
Chad and Jenny Van Horn’s private ski lake and sand dune mine is a classic lesson in the consequences of government officials not holding developers accountable to restoring the land and habitat they’ve destroyed.
In 2018, the Saugatuck Township Zoning Administrator gave the Van Horns a permit to excavate a 4.98 acre pond to build a private ski lake—a size just .02 acres less than what would have required an additional permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
Between 2018 and 2020, the Van Horns:
Excavated a 20 foot-deep pond, which in 2021 measured 6.7 acres—34% greater than what their permit allowed. The excavation ‘short-circuited’ the surrounding groundwater table which lowered water levels in protected wetlands in the Patty Birkholz Natural Area and Saugatuck Dunes State Park destroying a delicate hydrological balance necessary to the thriving of life. Without restoration, the changes to the water levels will be permanent.
Clearcut about 20 acres of mature red pine forest, habitat for a threatened owl species.
Created a 70-foot high sand mound, which created a blowing sand nuisance for their neighbors and resulted in a violation notice from the Allegan Department of County Health.
Began removing and selling sand from the site without a permit. In 2020, EGLE issued a violation notice for sand dune mining without a permit. In 2021, the agency issued a violation of Section 301 Inland Lakes and Waters requirements.
Seeking Hearing of EGLE’s Actions and Inaction
Following an inexplicable after-the-fact permit granted by EGLE in 2022, the Coastal Alliance pressed for a full evidentiary hearing of EGLE’s actions and inactions related to the Van Horn’s ski pond and its impact on the environment. We took this case all the way to the Michigan Supreme Court, which remanded our appeal to the Court of Appeals. In July 2025 the Court of Appeals agreed with us and sent the case back to the Administrative Law Judge.
Despite remand from the Court of Appeals, the Administrative Court denied us a hearing!
In May 2026, the Coastal Alliance board voted unanimously to file an appeal with the Allegan County Circuit Court. Our goal is that the Van Horns be ordered to alter their pond to restore the flow of groundwater in the River Mouth Neighborhood. Stay tuned…
Key dates in the ski lake dispute
2018
The Saugatuck Township Zoning Administrator gives the Van Horns a permit to excavate a 4.98 acre pond to build a private ski lake.
2018 - 2020
The Van Horns clearcut about 20 acres of mature red pine forest, excavate their 6.7 acre pond, create a 70-foot high sand mound, and begin removing and selling sand from the site.
2020
EGLE issues a Section 301 violation notice for sand dune mining without a permit.
2025-2026
The Michigan Supreme Court remanded our appeal to the Court of Appeals. In July 2025 the Court of Appeals agreed with us and sent the case back to the Administrative Law Judge. Despite the remand, the Administrative Court denied us a hearing! We are appealing the decision with the Allegan County Circuit Court.
2021
EGLE holds a public hearing and grants an after-the-fact sand dune mining permit in April 2022. Shortly thereafter, EGLE voids the earlier Section 301 violation.
2023 - 2024
The Coastal Alliance seeks a full evidentiary hearing of EGLE’s actions related to the ski pond permit approval. We submitted our appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court in April 2024.