In the 1970's, a dedicated group of property owners from the Gull Lake Area set a goal of having a public sewer system installed around Gull Lake. These property owners, public and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and many other individuals actively pursued this goal. From 1975-1980, engineering studies were completed. Federal and State grants were sought and obtained and the Gull Lake Sewer and Water Authority was established by the four townships around Gull Lake. In 1981, $4,450,000 in bonds were sold by Kalamazoo County and $550,000 sold by Barry County. Funds for repayment of the $5,000,000 in debt came primarily from 20-year assessments upon 1,365 parcels around Gull Lake. The Federal Government contributed $4,720,840 and State Government contributed $236,042 as construction began on the $10-million dollar project. In 1983, after two seasons of dirt, mud, and general mayhem, the project was placed “on-line.” Twenty years later, we retired the original bonds, recognized, and memorialized those individuals and groups who contributed to the effort.
