Mackinac Bridge Walk starting location announced for 2024

by orionontv | Jul 30, 2024 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT
James Lake
906-250-0993
[email protected]

New St. Ignace Mackinac Bridge Walk starting location announced for 2024

ST. IGNACE, Mich. – For the safety and convenience of participants who start from the St. Ignace side for the 2024 Mackinac Bridge Walk, the walk will begin from Bridge View Park on the west side of I-75 rather than at the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) administration building.

As most participants who start in St. Ignace already park at Bridge View Park, starting the walk from that side reduces the number of people crossing the interstate before the event begins. Participants who park on the east side of I-75 will now be guided across the road before and after walking the bridge.

“Far more parking is available in Bridge View Park and there is also more room for gathering before the start of the event,” said MBA Bridge Director Kim Nowack. “Starting the walk from that side of I-75 will be more convenient and safer for most participants.”

Based on the success of the recent events, the MBA will again start the 2024 Bridge Walk from both St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, which eliminates the need for busing and offers additional options for participants. A video, posted on the MBA website at www.MackinacBridge.org/Walk, explains the bridge walk schedule and the choices people have whether they start from the north or south end of the bridge.

Walkers essentially have three main options, outlined in the video:

Starting from either end of the bridge and walking toward the center, turning around at the midpoint and returning to the city they started from, where their transportation is located. The turnaround points will move toward the ends of the bridge beginning at 10 a.m., but walkers can walk at least a portion of the bridge if they start by 11:30 a.m. Walkers must be on the side of the bridge they wish to return to before 10 a.m.
Walking the entire length of the bridge starting from either end. Those who choose this option must reach the midpoint before 10 a.m. or they will be turned back. Anyone who walks the entire bridge must arrange their own transportation back to the side they started once the bridge reopens to public traffic at noon.
Crossing the bridge, starting from either end, and then turning around and walking back to the side they started from. In this option, walkers will need to cross the midpoint on their return trip by 10 a.m. or they will be turned back and need to find their own transportation back across the bridge after it reopens at noon.

As for the last several years, because walkers can start from either end of the bridge when they arrive, there will be no buses transporting participants across the bridge. Participants must plan accordingly to ensure they end their walk on the same side of the bridge as their transportation. The MBA does not provide any shuttle service after the walk and cannot guarantee outside shuttle services will be offered.

The bridge will again be closed to public traffic during the 2024 walk, from 6:30 a.m. to noon on Labor Day, Sept. 2, based on recommendations from the Michigan State Police and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Emergency vehicles will still be permitted to cross the bridge, but no public vehicles until the walk concludes and participants are off the bridge.

The bridge walk has been an annual event since 1958, with the exception of 2020. The 2024 walk will be the 66th event. Between 20,000 and 35,000 people have participated in recent years; 35,000 participated in the 2023 event.

New invasive plant added to state’s watch list

by Becky Andrus | Jul 30, 2024 | Uncategorized

Michigan Invasive Species Program banner

News Release

July 30, 2024
Contact: Katie Grzesiak, 231-492-7811, or Joanne Foreman, 517-284-5814

Look out for lesser celandine: New invasive plant added to state’s watch list

Five other plants get new common names

Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna), an invasive plant that has been cropping up in floodplain forests in mid-Michigan, has been added to the state’s invasive species watch list. The designation recognizes the threat the plant poses to native habitats and encourages public reporting of lesser celandine sightings.

The addition was part of an annual review of the watch list, which also provided Michigan’s Invasive Species Program the opportunity to update the common names of five terrestrial (land-based) plants, opting for descriptive names over those referring to places of origin.

Lesser celandine

Lesser celandine (pronounced seh·luhn·dine) is a non-native, low-growing perennial plant in the buttercup family, most often found along streams and in forested floodplains. Characterized by heart-shaped leaves and glossy yellow flowers, it can spread by seeds, tubers (underground stems) and bulbils (tiny bulblike structures where the leaf meets the stem). These three methods of reproduction allow the plant to spread rapidly in areas with disturbed soils, including banks scoured by flooding, paths and open areas, crowding out native plants like spring beauties and trilliums, which inhabit similar spaces.

As a spring ephemeral – a short-lived species that sprouts early in spring, flowers, goes to seed and then completely dies back and disappears well before summer begins – lesser celandine is particularly difficult to control.

“Lesser celandine isn’t a regulated species in Michigan, and it’s not commonly sold today, but it was first brought here as a spring interest species for gardens,” said Susie Iott, invasive species program specialist for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

It recently has been identified in some areas of the Grand River watershed, but lesser celandine may be in other locations as well.

Lesser celandine plants cover the ground beside a paved trail near the Grand River in Michigan.

“With the prioritization afforded by the watch list, we’re hoping reports by partners and the public can help us understand how far the invasion extends so we can make the best decisions about how to steward our resources – both financial and natural,” said Katie Grzesiak, terrestrial invasive species coordinator with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Sightings of lesser celandine, visible in early spring, can be reported through the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network or on the free MISIN app. Note that Michigan’s native marsh-marigold can be confused for lesser celandine, but it is often two to four times the size of lesser celandine, growing up to 2 feet tall, with larger flowers and leaves that last throughout the summer.

More information on identifying, reporting and preventing the introduction or spread of watch list species is available at Michigan.gov/Invasives/ID-Report/Watchlist.

Name changes

As part of a broader effort to improve naming of invasive species to better communicate their descriptions while avoiding place-based or potentially derogatory terms, five terrestrial plants are getting updated common names on Michigan’s invasive species website.

Calligraphy sedge will replace Asiatic sand sedge as the common name for Carex kobomugi, a species not known to be present in Michigan.
Chaff flower will be used instead of Japanese chaff flower to refer to Achyranthese japonica, an invasive floodplain plant not known to be present in Michigan.
Cinnamon vine will be used as the common name for Discorea polystachya. Formerly referred to as Chinese yam, this fast-growing vine with potatolike tubers is found in several locations in Michigan.
Purple jewelweed will be used in place of Himalayan balsam as the common name for Impatiens glandulifera, an invasive flowering plant found in areas of the Upper Peninsula.
Stiltgrass will replace Japanese stiltgrass as the common name for Microstegium vimineum, an invasive annual grass found in some areas of southern Michigan.

Small bulbils grow where the leaves meet the stem on lesser celandine.

“Each known plant and animal species has a single scientific name, usually in Latin, which is used as its primary identifier. Common names are the nicknames we give to species,” said Grzesiak. “Sometimes they are descriptive of the plant, and other times they might relate to a species’ perceived origin or qualities.”

Many plants, especially those considered weeds, can have several common names. For example, common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is also known as golden buttons, bitter buttons and cow bitters.

“In choosing appropriate common names, we look first at what other states and countries are calling these plants,” said Grzesiak. “If there isn’t a good candidate, we think about identifying characteristics, historic uses or in what kind of habitat they’re found.”

The scientific, Latin names of the species won’t be changed, and the previous common names will remain as references on State of Michigan webpages for the foreseeable future to assist with the transition. The Michigan Invasive Species Program plans to work with regional and national partners to continue evaluating common names of watch list species.

What is the watch list?

Michigan’s watch list identifies species that pose an immediate or potential threat to the economy, environment or human health. Watch list species have limited known distribution or have never been confirmed in the wild in the state. Michigan’s Invasive Species Program prioritizes watch list species and encourages the public to report potential sightings and take precautions to prevent establishment or limit their spread.

Several factors are considered in evaluating species for watch list status, including risk assessments, proximity of populations to Michigan, harmful characteristics and availability of control methods.

Michigan’s Invasive Species Program is cooperatively implemented by the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; the Department of Natural Resources; and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.

Celandine plant: Lesser celandine is a spring ephemeral plant with shiny green leaves and glossy yellow flowers. Photo courtesy of Michigan DNR.

Celandine trail: In early spring, lesser celandine covers the ground beside a paved trail near the Grand River in Michigan. Photo courtesy of Michigan DNR.

Bulbils: Small bulbils, capable of producing new plants, grow between the leaf base and stem on a lesser celandine plant. Photo courtesy of Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org.

Flight Delays and Cancellations: New USDOT Rights and Rules

by orionontv | Jul 29, 2024 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 29, 2024

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

AG Nessel Reminds Michigan Residents Impacted by Flight Delays, Cancellations of New USDOT Rights and Rules

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reminding residents of the rights afforded to airline passengers as a result of the new U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) rules that went into effect on June 25th. A video highlighting the new rules can be found on the Michigan Attorney General’s YouTube page. Attorney General Nessel chairs the USDOT Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee that evaluates existing aviation consumer protection programs and recommended these changes to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in January of last year.

“The recent IT systems outage that severely disrupted air travel underscores the need for strong passenger protections,” Nessel said. “These new DOT regulations hold airlines accountable for fair treatment and timely refunds, restoring confidence in air travel and ensuring the rights of passengers are protected. I encourage any Michigan resident who has faced issues receiving a refund after a delay or cancellation to file a complaint with my office.”

The USDOT states that passengers are entitled to a refund for:

Canceled or significantly changed flights: Passengers will be entitled to a refund if their flight is canceled or significantly changed, and they do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits offered. For the first time, the rule defines “significant change.” Significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival times that are more than 3 hours domestically and 6 hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at different airports or flights on different planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability.
Significantly delayed baggage return: Passengers who file a mishandled baggage report will be entitled to a refund of their checked bag fee if it is not delivered within 12 hours of their domestic flight arriving at the gate, or 15-30 hours of their international flight arriving at the gate, depending on the length of the flight.
Extra services not provided: Passengers will be entitled to a refund for the fee they paid for an extra service — such as Wi-Fi, seat selection, or inflight entertainment — if an airline fails to provide this service.

The rules also require the airlines to provide automatic, prompt and complete refunds in the same method of payment used by the consumer to purchase their tickets.

The USDOT has launched a new online consumer dashboard (flightrights.gov) to help track airline compliance with the new rules and their customer service commitments to their customers, including a dashboard dedicated to current service members and their families.

Earlier this year, AG Nessel announced a new partnership with the USDOT that streamlines how the Michigan Department of Attorney General will work together with the federal agency to review consumer complaints and identify violations of federal aviation consumer protection requirements.

Further information about the new rules and passenger rights can be found on the USDOT Aviation Consumer Protection website.

Any resident who faced recent delays or cancellations at the airport, and has yet to receive a refund in compliance with the new rules, is encouraged to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team or with the USDOT directly.

A library of consumer alerts created by the Department of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team is available online and organized by a number of categories.

Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form

Grants to make Michigan’s National Parks More Accessible

by orionontv | Jul 29, 2024 | Recreation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 29, 2024

Contact: [email protected]

Lt. Governor Gilchrist Announces Grants Under Federal Partnership to make Michigan’s National Parks More Accessible

National Park Mobility Challenge grants will enhance access and visitor experience

LANSING, Mich.— Today, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II joined the National Park Service (NPS) to announce the first round of grant funding under the National Park Service Mobility Challenge Program, a partnership with the Biden-Harris Administration. The funding will support three innovative projects to improve access, visitor experience, and environmental conservation in Michigan’s state and national parks.

“Every Michigander should be able to enjoy the incredible natural resources we are blessed to steward,” said Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “These grants represent a key milestone in our efforts alongside the National Park Service to pioneer future mobility in our state and national parks. We will keep working hard to build on our historic investments in Michigan parks, improve our park experiences, grow our economy, and preserve our natural landscapes for decades to come.”

Grant recipients are as follows:

ADASTEC received $250,000 to deploy an automated, electric full-size bus that will transport passengers around the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. ADASTEC, together with Vicinity Motor Corp and ARIBO, an AV advisor supporting the project, previously deployed its automated bus technology at Michigan State University. The State of Michigan and the National Park Service are bringing this team to Sleeping Bear Dunes to study how the next generation of automated bus technology performs in an outdoor recreational setting. ADASTEC will demonstrate how automated, electric buses can enhance traffic safety and reduce congestion in areas with lots of visitors.
Superior Watershed Partnership and Land Conservancy received $240,000 to install multi-modal chargers in NPS gateway communities to the Keweenaw National Historical Park (Hancock) and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Munising and Grand Marais), as well as in Marquette. The charging hubs will be deployed in partnership with FLO Charging, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), as well as local municipalities and utilities.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received $10,000 to deploy off-road track wheelchairs at Muskallonge Lake State Park, near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The track chairs will help to improve access to outdoor recreation for persons with disabilities. The project is part of a larger statewide campaign through the DNR to provide off-road wheelchairs at Michigan State Parks.

National Park Service Mobility Challenge

The National Park Service Mobility Challenge is a challenge issued to the global mobility industry to identify and deploy advanced mobility and electrification technologies in and around Michigan’s state and national parks, improving safety, sustainability, and equitable access through new mobility technology.

This challenge builds on a pre-existing partnership between NPS and Michigan to improve access at National Parks using mobility technologies. Governor Whitmer first announced the partnership in 2022 between the National Park Service and multiple departments within the state of Michigan including the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, the Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Department of Labor and Economic Development (LEO), and the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME) with the goal of implementing safe, innovative technology to increase accessibility and equity in parks.

The NPMMC directly supports the goals and initiatives outlined in the MI Healthy Climate Plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition the State toward economy-wide carbon neutrality. The challenge also ladders back to broader sustainability goals outlined in the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification’s MI Future Mobility Plan, which entails providing safer, greener, and more accessible transportation infrastructure for Michiganders.

“The National Park Service is looking forward to the exciting innovations the Michigan Mobility Challenge will bring to the transportation needs of our visitors and gateway communities.,” said Bert Frost, National Park Service Midwest Regional Director.

“At ADASTEC, we are honored to collaborate with the National Park Service, the U.S. DOT Volpe Center, Michigan Department of Transportation, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation—Office of Future Mobility and Electrification to bring our advanced automated bus technology to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore,” said Cemre Kavvasoğlu, Product Management Director, ADASTEC North America. “This project underscores our commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and innovation in public transportation. By working alongside Vicinity Motor Corp and ARIBO, leveraging our extensive deployment experience, we aim to enhance the visitor experience while preserving the natural beauty of the national parks.”

“Our mission at ADASTEC is to solve modern city mobility problems with automated public transportation,” said Dr. Ali Peker, Chief Executive Officer of ADASTEC. “This project highlights our focus on providing clean, 24/7 available, accessible, sustainable transportation for all. Together with our partners, we are bringing the first low-floor, automated bus that meets FMVSS and ADA requirements to the market. This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to advancing mobility in a way that benefits both the environment and the community.”

“I am incredibly excited about the progress we have made in advancing sustainable mobility within our national parks,” said Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer for the State of Michigan. “These new initiatives not only reflect Michigan’s innovative capabilities but also significantly contribute to our broader mobility ecosystem, propelling us toward a more interconnected and sustainable future.”

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.

About the National Park Service Emerging Mobility Initiative

Since 2018, the U.S. DOT Volpe Center has worked with the National Park Service (NPS) to develop a strategy to help national parks adapt to and proactively address emerging mobility trends, including electric vehicles and charging, micromobility, traveler information technologies, ridehailing, and automated driving systems.

The U.S. DOT Volpe Center is supporting NPS in exploring emerging mobility projects with dozens of parks across the country. The U.S. DOT Volpe Center provides NPS with extensive technical assistance at all stages of the projects, including assessment, planning, deployment, and evaluation. Findings from these demonstration projects will support future efforts related to the safe integration of these new technologies. Emerging mobility project opportunities include:

Implementing electric vehicle charging stations in partnership with gateway communities.
Using technology to display enhanced roadway, transit, or parking information in parks, online, or through mobile apps.
Establishing designated pick-up/drop-off zones for ridehailing.
Partnering with gateway communities and transportation providers to establish bike share or scooter share opportunities.
Testing low-speed, electric automated shuttles in park settings

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EGLE announces $9.7 million in MI Clean Water grants

by orionontv | Jul 29, 2024 | Environmental

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2024
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278

EGLE announces $9.7 million in MI Clean Water grants to help Michigan communities upgrade water infrastructure, protect health, environment

Combined sewer separation in Dearborn, protection from PFAS near Cadillac, and work toward lead service line removals in 13 communities are among $9.7 million in state grants recently awarded to Michigan cities, villages, and townships to protect public health and Michigan’s water resources.

The MI Clean Water Plan grants through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), and support from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) aim to help communities upgrade aging infrastructure, ensure healthy drinking water, and protect Michigan’s environment.

Seventy percent of Michiganders are served by more than 1,000 community wastewater systems and a similar percentage get drinking water from community water systems. Those systems often struggle to find resources to address legacy issues like aging drinking water and storm water facilities and emerging challenges like new standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) “forever chemicals.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan Legislature, and federal agencies have ramped up funding for aging water infrastructure – a critical move to help ensure those water systems continue to protect public health and the environment, including Michigan’s unmatched freshwater resources.

More than half of EGLE’s budget has traditionally passed through to Michigan cities, towns, villages, and other local government agencies to finance critical improvements that help them better protect residents and our natural resources.

“Working with Michigan’s villages, towns, and cities to improve critical water systems is incredibly gratifying,” said Phil Roos, EGLE director. “We’re helping fill a critical need that will help protect people and ease the financial strain on communities.”

Grant roundup

Grants through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund:

City of Dearborn Heights for $2,487,500. The project is for separation of combined sewers associated with Combined Sewer Overflow Outfall L-41. This includes construction of approximately 6,125 linear feet of storm sewers ranging from 12 to 36 inches in diameter.

Grants through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund:

City of Garden City for $445,495. This project will replace approximately 9,200 linear feet of water main along Marquette Street and install approximately 3,600 linear feet of water main for looping along Radcliff Street and Cherry Hill Road. The project will also replace an estimated 20 lead service lines (LSL) on Marquette Street, in addition to an estimated 180 LSLs throughout Garden City, focusing on areas west of Merriman Road and south of Marquette Street.

Technical, Managerial, and Financial grants:

Eight water systems received grants for work in identifying or verifying lead service lines in preparation for replacement. The process to accomplish this effort includes hydrovacing on either side of each curb stop and performing in-building investigation to document service line materials. These projects include restoration to original condition of hydrovaced locations. Hydrovacing involves a piece of equipment using high-pressure water to cut and liquefy the soil, while simultaneously using a high-volume vacuum to remove the soil from the excavation.

Recipients and their respective amounts:

Carrollton Township: $600,000
City of Cheboygan: $570,000
Village of Maple Rapids: $130,300
City of Pontiac (through Oakland County): $580,700
Bergland Township: $89,035
Village of Mayville: $479,349
City of Ecorse: $600,000
City of Utica: $512,500
Detroit Water and Sewerage Department: $600,000
Village of Paw Paw: $137,500
Village of St. Charles: $597,327
City of Ironwood: $598,000
Village of Chesaning: $507,000

Affordability and Planning grants (assisting communities in planning and affording water infrastructure improvements including lead service line replacements):

Summit Township: $39,000
City of Hamtramck: $183,829
City of Highland Park: $500,000

***(Reminder: Register for EGLE’s Great Lakes Drinking Water Conference, September 25-26 in Novi.)

Descriptions of funding sources

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund: Low-interest loan program to help public water systems finance the costs of replacement and repair of drinking water infrastructure to protect public health and achieve or maintain compliance with federal Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. The DWSRF provides loans to water systems for eligible infrastructure projects. As water systems repay their loans, the repayments and interest flow back into the DWSRF to support new loans. ARPA funding operates as a grant and may be used in combination with loan dollars to reduce the financial burden on communities to pay for capital improvement debt. ARPA funded grants awarded this fiscal year: $218,398,719.

Clean Water State Revolving Fund: Used by local municipalities to finance construction of water pollution control projects. These projects include wastewater treatment plant upgrades and expansions, combined or sanitary sewer overflow abatement, new sewers designed to reduce existing sources of pollution, and other publicly owned wastewater treatment efforts that improve water quality. The CWSRF can also finance storm water infrastructure projects to reduce nonpoint sources of water pollution caused by things like agricultural runoff to lakes, streams, and wetlands. As with the DWSRF, ARPA funds can be used in conjunction with CWSRF loan dollars, thereby reducing the debt communities pay for infrastructure improvements. ARPA-funded grants awarded this fiscal year: $137,982,009.

Drinking Water Asset Management Program: Provides grant funding to assist drinking water suppliers with asset management plan development and updates, and/or distribution system materials inventories as defined in Michigan’s revised Lead and Copper Rule. Awarded this fiscal year: $19,695,817.

Consolidation and Contamination Risk Reduction Program: Established to aid drinking water systems to help remove or reduce PFAS or other contaminants. Awarded this fiscal year: $20,336,215.

Substantial Public Health Risk Project Program: Protects public and environmental health by removing direct and continuous discharges of wastewater from surface water or groundwater. Awarded this fiscal year: $8,000,000.

Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program: Provides states and territories with grants to public water systems in small or disadvantaged communities to address emerging contaminants, including PFAS.

Technical, Managerial, and Financial Grants: Funds for work related to the physical verification of service lines at properties where lead is suspected but not confirmed or where service line material is unknown but likely contains lead.

Affordability and Planning Grants: These grants are designed to assist communities in planning and affording water infrastructure improvements including lead service line replacements.

Additional Background

Since January 2019 the State of Michigan has invested over $4 billion to upgrade drinking water, storm water, and wastewater facilities across the state, supporting over 57,000 jobs.
In 2022, Governor Whitmer signed a package of bills to help communities access funding for water infrastructure.

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