Great Lakes for whom? Community outcomes in the Muskegon Lake and White Lake areas of concern

Abstract

We use social science survey methods to evaluate the extent to which residents in Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOC) experience social gaps in accessing benefits of AOC restorations, comparing post-restoration outcomes in two AOCs with differing socioeconomic profiles in Muskegon County, Michigan: Muskegon Lake and White Lake. We find that survey respondents engage in similar types of recreational activities with similar rates of frequency across sites, but Muskegon residents have more pessimistic perceptions of the environmental and community outcomes of the Muskegon Lake restoration. On closer inspection, significant differences in post-restoration assessments exist within the City of Muskegon, with residents from neighborhoods where environmental (in)justice risk factors are high reporting continuing concerns about environmental quality and social problems. We highlight the relevance of these observations to community redevelopment in Great Lakes AOCs that share Muskegon’s historic context and present-day demographic profile, pointing to a potential for equity gaps that require conscientious planning.