Traverse City resident, Donald Balcom, 89, admitted guilt in the 13th Circuit Court in Leelanau County Monday to a felony charge related to the repeated sinking of a barge in Lake Michigan.
The charge, ruled on by Charles Hamlyn, pertains to the discharge of injurious substances into the state’s waters, a twoyear felony.
The conviction follows a series of events triggered by the barge’s initial sinking in November 2020, which resulted in the release of oil into Lake Michigan. Sentencing for Balcom has been deferred for 12 months, during which time he must relocate the barge to a legal and permanent location. Failure to comply will result in sentencing for the felony charge. The charge will be converted to a misdemeanor offense if he complies.
