Beatbox Beverages and other promoters are barred from throwing sandbar parties on Torch Lake for five years, according to a new consent decree resolving a Kalkaska County lawsuit. The settlement is a victory for members of the Torch Lake Protection Alliance, who have sought to curb partying on the south end of the lake over summer holidays.

The consent decree, signed by Circuit Court Judge George Mertz, found that the Sandbar Party Bash of July 2016 violated the Inland Lakes and Streams Act, the Marine Safety Act, and the Michigan Environmental Protection Act, according to lawyers for the citizens group, Kristyn Houle and Karen Ferguson. TLPA also won default judgements against two other defendants, Brooks Ehlert, aka DJ Fade, and LansingParty.com.

Thousands of revelers turned up on foot or by boat at the sandbar last July 4 weekend. Opponents of the party hope the legal resolution and stepped-up police patrols will prompt most of the partiers to go elsewhere this year.

"The message is if you are interested in attending an unregulated rave or party bash, Torch Lake sandbar is not the place to go this year or in the future," TLPA President Greg Payne said in a statement. "TLPA has committed financial support and other resources to ensure increased law enforcement on the sandbar this year."

Photo credit: U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City