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Marking Six Months of Michigan Water Strategy Progress
Defining Success – Picking up the Torch
 In this first six months after the release of the Michigan Water Strategy, organizations, agencies, governments, and communities have stepped up to find their parts to play by making connections, forging partnerships, and nurturing innovation to protect and sustain our state’s water resources.
Take a moment to explore progress happening at many levels as people pick up the Water Strategy torch to grow water literacy and stewardship across the state.
Yours in stewardship,
Jon W Allan
Director, Michigan Office of the Great Lakes
 5 Priority Areas
Governor Snyder established 5 priority recommendations from the Water Strategy. Here’s what’s happening to achieve real results to protect and sustain quality water resources in Michigan.
Ensure Clean and Safe Drinking Water
- Michigan’s Water Infrastructure Summit was held in Flint on March 9, bringing together more than 400 experts and community leaders to discuss solutions to complex infrastructure issues across the nation.
- The FixMiState campaign has been launched by a coalition of Michigan business, government and policy organizations to share real stories and experiences from Michiganders to highlight the need for infrastructure investments across the state.
- MDEQ’s Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance Division continues to expand source water protection activities and providing guidance in establishing asset management programs for community water systems.
- The MDHHS, under a cooperative agreement with the National Center for Environmental Health, is collaborating with local health departments and the MDEQ to analyze and identify data gaps in Michigan's private well drinking water programs.
- The OGL, with university partners and local units of government, is coordinating efforts to revitalize the Huron-Erie Corridor real-time monitoring system.
Achieve a 40% Phosphorus Reduction in the Western Lake Erie Basin
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MDARD is expanding its MAEAP program to educate and certify farmers on wise management practices that protect water systems, with annual goals of 77 new verifications and 35,000 additional cropland acres under nutrient management plans.
- State agencies are collaboratively developing a Domestic Action Plan with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce nutrient inputs to the Western Lake Erie Basin.
- ErieStat, a pilot of the Blue Accounting program developed by the Great Lakes Commission, is establishing metrics to measure and track progress toward meeting the phosphorus reduction goals in western Lake Erie.
- The 5-year Regional Conservation Partnership Program signed in 2016 is now ready to provide funding to farmers to install best management practices to keep nutrients on fields, improving water quality. The RCPP, formed between Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, provides $17.5 million in federal funding from the USDA to protect water quality in western Lake Erie.
Prevent and Control Populations of Aquatic Invasive Species
 MDNR is implementing the Invasive Carp Challenge to promote innovation in keeping carp out of the Great Lakes.- In 2016, MDARD staff inspected more than 2,000 plant dealers and growers to communicate state regulations as part of prevention efforts.
- In 2016, the Michigan Invasive Species Grants Program awarded $3.6 million to organizations to conduct education and outreach; monitor and detect; respond and eradicate; and advance abilities to manage invasive species. More than $11 million has been awarded since the program's inception in 2014.
Invest in Michigan’s Commercial and Recreational Harbors
- The MEDC has appointed a port advisory committee to the Michigan Strategic Fund to work to develop commercial port projects and increase cargo volumes handled at marine terminals receiving public infrastructure funds by 2020.
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The OGL, MDOT, and other state agencies are working cooperatively to implement the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Maritime Transportation System Strategy.
- MDNR Parks and Recreation's Harbor Coordinator continues to collaborate with harbor communities to address current and future infrastructure needs.
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Michigan Sea Grant, the OGL, and partners will host a May 8 webinar highlighting the Small Harbors Sustainability project, an initiative to boost the long-term well-being of Michigan’s harbor towns. Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8474664373942398467.
Develop and Implement a State Water Trails System
 The MDNR has developed a draft policy for a State Water Trail Designation that is now moving into the review and adoption process. - The OGL’s Coastal Management Program continues to support communities by providing grants and assistance for public access and community planning projects.
Spotlighting Progress
MSU Fountain Challenge
 Michigan State University challenged student teams to design an innovative, functional and aesthetically-pleasing public drinking water fountain that addresses concerns about water quality. The competition linked the student teams with professionals in art and design, engineering, material science, sustainability sciences, architecture and business to develop designs for three types of public drinking water fountains while competing for a $30,000 prize pool. Learn more by visiting http://fountainchallenge.msu.edu/.
Smithsonian Institute’s Water/Ways Coming to Michigan
 The majesty of the Smithsonian Institute is making its way to Michigan in 2018 with the upcoming arrival of its Water/Ways traveling exhibit. The exhibit examines the value of water from ecological, historical, and cultural perspectives. Bring Water/Ways to your community; Apply by the July 2017 deadline. Learn more by visiting http://www.michiganhumanities.org/water-ways/, and contact James Nelson with questions at jnelson@mihumanities.org. In select Michigan locations, the Office of the Great Lakes will partner with the Michigan Humanities Council, Cranbrook Institute of Science, Michigan State University, and the Kalamazoo Nature Center to offer a Great-Lakes specific exhibit as part of its Water Heritage Project, which listen to people share about how they value water through storytelling and personal experience.
Wild Rice Partnership
The MDEQ, MDNR, MDARD, and MDOT and have partnered with Michigan's federally-recognized tribal governments to develop strategies for the protection and conservation of Michigan's native wild rice. The sensitive wetland plant is environmentally and culturally significant, and one variety, river rice, is a state-threatened species.
Michigan Sea Grant Water School
The Water School is a policy-neutral, fact-based pilot program developed to give local and elected officials the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions to protect Michigan's water resources for ecological and economic success. The first session of the 2-day program will be held May 22-23, and will cover topics including water quantity, water quality, economics, finance, planning, and water policy through interactive sessions, in-class presentations, and a field tour.
Emily Finnell of the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes said, "By improving understanding of the way informed water management creates value for communities, we can help to build capacity for integrating water resources into community, economic development, and watershed planning."
Explore how the Office of the Great Lakes protects and sustains Michigan's water resources at www.michigan.gov/deqogl, or contact the office at 517-284-5035.
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