OGL Water Strategy Update: A Summer of Action

Michigan Water Strategy Update – Advancing Goals

Quarterly Update, Summer 2017

A Summer of Action

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MDEQ and Local Partners Protect Inland Lake Beaches with New Technology

State agencies and partners are making progress on the 5 Water Strategy priority measures. Share what’s happening across the state to protect, restore, and sustain Michigan’s water resources.

Ensure Clean and Safe Drinking Water

• To enhance protection of public water supplies, the MDEQ provided nearly $400,000 in grant funding to more than 40 Michigan communities through the Source Water Protection Program.

• MDEQ Drinking Water and Municipal Assistance Division staff have begun the process to work toward establishing a statewide sanitary code.

• Continuing work to revitalize the Huron-to-Erie Corridor Water Monitoring System, a SEMCOG-hosted meeting will be held with the 14 water treatment plant operators and municipal officials to discuss monitoring equipment needs, proposed governance structure and financing.

Achieve a 40% Phosphorus Reduction in the Western Lake Erie Basin

• The Great Lakes Commission received a $750,000 grant to assess the impacts of Great Lakes Restoration Initiative investments on regional farmers to learn what approaches and practices are most successful.

• The MDARD will work to conduct targeted outreach to educate farmers and the public about the Western Lake Erie Basin and good conservation practices.

Prevent and Control Populations of Aquatic Invasive Species

• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a draft plan for the prevention of invasive carp at Brandon Road Lock and Dam. Public comments will be accepted online and by mail through the October 2 deadline.

• The MDNR is planning an Invasive Carp Summit for fall of 2017 and will release a draft of Michigan’s Invasive Carp prevention and control plans.

Invest in Michigan’s Commercial and Recreational Harbors

• The Marine Autonomy Coalition was officially launched by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers to support strategic development of autonomous surface and subsurface vessels. A formal signing ceremony of a joint resolution is scheduled to occur on October 21 in Detroit.  

• The Office of the Great Lakes participated in an industry roundtable in Chicago in August on cruise ship clearance procedures to increase activity at Michigan and other Great Lakes ports.

Develop and Implement a State Water Trails System

• The Krispin Blueway on Harsens Island officially opened to paddlers after extensive habitat restoration. Amphibious marsh buggies were used to remove invasive species and restore flow, creating habitat for fish and wildlife.

• The MDNR is finalizing plans for the Iron Belle Trail trailhead scheduled for construction next year. It is embarking on the design and engineering plans for a loop water trail, the Detroit Heritage River Water Trail, around Belle Isle.