Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness June 30 – July 6

Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness June 30 – July 6

by | Jul 1, 2024 | Environmental

 
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News Release
The following news release was issued earlier today by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. 

June 28, 2024
EGLE Media Office, EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov, 517-284-9278
Kevin Walters, Aquatic Biologist, WaltersK3@Michigan.gov, 616-250-8637

Boating, fishing outreach events to mark Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week June 30 – July 6

Over 50 boat landing events are planned across the state to mark this year’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Awareness Week, June 30 to July 6. Public awareness about the impacts of harmful, nonnative aquatic plants and animals is critical to protecting Michigan’s ecosystems, tourism, and economy.

At a landing blitz, two men standing near the motor of a trailered small boat in a parking lot. A woman and a child are standing behind the boat.The boat landing events are part of the 11th Annual AIS Landing Blitz in which local partners such as lake associations and cooperative invasive species management areas (CISMA) give boaters tips to prevent the spread of AIS and comply with laws for recreational boating. The regional Landing Blitz web site allows you to search for an event near you. Similar AIS Landing Blitz events will be held in each of the Great Lakes states and Canadian provinces.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has issued a proclamation to mark AIS Awareness Week raising awareness about this important issue to stop the spread of invasive aquatic plants and organisms.

What you can do

All boaters and anglers can help prevent the spread of AIS by following some simple steps.
Required actions – it’s the law in Michigan:

  • Remove all aquatic organisms, including plants, from watercraft and trailers before launching or transporting.
  • Remove all drain plugs and drain all water from bilges, ballast tanks, and live wells before transporting a watercraft.
  • Dispose of unused bait in the trash, not in the water.

Recommended additional actions to protect our waters:

  • Clean boats, trailers, and equipment by removing plants, debris and mud before leaving the access area. Dispose of the material in a trash receptacle or otherwise away from the water body, if possible.
  • Wash boats and trailers before leaving the access area, if possible, or at a nearby car wash or at home.
  • Dry boats and equipment for five days before launching into a different water body.
  • Disinfect live wells and bilges with a bleach solution (1/2 cup bleach to 5 gallons water).

An illustration of a boat on a trailer with labels indicating areas to look for and remove aquatic plants and debris.An EGLE NotMISpecies webinar titled, “Clean it Up, Drain it Out, Dry it Off: Boating Hygiene for the 21st Century,” (recorded earlier) shows how easy it is to clean, drain, and dry boats and trailers to help prevent the introduction and spread of AIS.

“Partners around the state are reminding boaters and anglers about the simple steps they can take to prevent the spread of AIS,” said Kevin Walters, Aquatic Biologist, Water Resources Division, EGLE. “If we all clean, drain, and dry our boats, trailers, and gear, we can reduce the likelihood of inadvertently moving AIS when we recreate.”

Events at boat launches are contingent on weather and volunteer availability. Contact Kevin Walters for a list of events.

AIS Awareness Week is sponsored by EGLE’s Water Resources Division, in partnership with the departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development, federal agencies, and private and nonprofit organizations. For more information about AIS Awareness Week or the AIS Landing Blitz visit Michigan’s invasive species Web site at Michigan.gov/Invasives.

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

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

Landing blitz: Volunteers at an AIS landing blitz in Manistee show owners where to check for and remove aquatic plants and debris from a boat and trailer.

Zebra zapper: After trailering a boat, check these locations for aquatic plants and debris, and drain all bilges and live wells before leaving the launch area.

 
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EGLE $12.6 million in MI Clean Water grants

EGLE $12.6 million in MI Clean Water grants

by | Jul 1, 2024 | Environmental

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2024
EGLE Media Office, EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov, 517-284-9278

EGLE announces $12.6 million in MI Clean Water grants to help communities upgrade water infrastructure, protect health & environment

A new water well in the Upper Peninsula and grants to assist 28 communities with planning for water system upgrades including lead service line replacements are among $12.6 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.

“Surrounded by 20 percent of the planet’s fresh surface water, Michigan is blessed to have quality streams, lakes, and groundwater providing drinking water for 10 million residents,” said Phil Roos, EGLE director. “Maintaining modern, efficient treatment systems is vital to ensuring that Michiganders’ health is protected. These grants help communities meet that challenge.”

 

Grant roundup

Recent grants through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF): 

  • Negaunee/Ishpeming Water Authority for $930,000. This involves constructing a new drinking water production well. The project also includes constructing a new wellhouse with supervisory control and data acquisition and an associated control system, installing a potassium permanganate treatment system, and installing approximately 5,400 feet of transmission piping to connect the new well to the existing system. The water authority will abandon the existing well once the new well is operational.

 

Affordability and Planning Grants:

 These grants provide funding to assist communities in planning and affording water infrastructure needs statewide.

  • City of Saline: $81,000
  • City of Muskegon: $122,500
  • City of Detroit: $500,000
  • Village of Hillman: $ 90,000
  • City of Ecorse: $500,000

 

Technical, Managerial, and Financial grants:

Twenty-three 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. This project includes applicable 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.

The recipients and their respective amounts:

  • City of Munising: $319,830
  • City of Eaton Rapids: $564,000
  • Village of Romeo: $334,100
  • Village of Grosse Pointe Shores: $342,700
  • City of Galesburg: $600,000
  • Village of Beverly Hills: $350,900
  • City of East Jordan: $537,189
  • City of Marysville: $589,900
  • City of Gaylord: $252,163
  • Village of Kalkaska: $372,049
  • City of North Muskegon: $599,680
  • City of Southfield: $555,700
  • Clair Township: $366,764
  • City of South Lyon: $384,530
  • City of Northville: $600,000
  • City of Ludington: $600,000
  • Village of Augusta: $404,600
  • Village of Blissfield: $483,000
  • City of Clawson: $600,000
  • City of Sylvan Lake: $264,900
  • City of Manistique: $423,617
  • Village of Waldron: $292,550
  • City of Berkley: $570,900

 

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.
Registration open for MDHH Suicide Prevention Commission

Registration open for MDHH Suicide Prevention Commission

by | Jul 1, 2024 | Health and Wellness

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 28, 2024

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, WuthC@michigan.gov

Registration open for MDHHS Michigan Suicide Prevention
Commission Summit to be held in August

LANSING, Mich. –The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission is opening registration for the Suicide Prevention Commission Summit taking place Aug. 6-7 at the Lansing Center, located in downtown Lansing.

This event will bring together professionals, researchers, policymakers, advocates and community members dedicated to advancing suicide prevention efforts across Michigan.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

  • Learn about the latest evidence-based strategies and interventions in suicide prevention.
  • Network with peers and experts from diverse fields to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Gain practical skills and tools to implement effective suicide prevention practices in their communities.
  • Explore the future of suicide prevention in Michigan and contribute to shaping its direction.

The Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission was established in 2019 through Public Act 177 in response to the urgent need for coordinated state efforts in suicide prevention. Since then, the commission has made significant strides in raising awareness, mobilizing resources and developing comprehensive strategies aimed at reducing Michigan’s suicide rates.

This summit represents a crucial step in the mission to continue developing a comprehensive and statewide approach to suicide prevention.

Registration for the event is free, but please note that space is limited. Interested individuals should register now to secure entry.

For additional information about the conference, email James Bell III, DSW.
Protect yourself during wildfire season

Protect yourself during wildfire season

by | Jul 1, 2024 | Environmental

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Dear constituent,

With wildfire season underway, here is some important information about reducing your exposure and protecting your health. Summer wildfires are becoming increasingly more common in the U.S. and Canada. Even though large wildfires may occur hundreds or thousands of miles away, last summer showed us that we need to be prepared for severe smoke here in Michigan.

As of June 24, 2024, Canada reported 179 active wildfires, and the smoke from these fires has already prompted health warnings in multiple states. Similar to last year, we expect smoke from Canada to affect Michigan, leading to poor air quality.

While most symptoms of wildfire exposure are mild, exposure can weaken the immune system and may also exacerbate or increase the risk of asthma, lung cancer, and other chronic lung diseases.

Here are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from wildfire smoke and air pollution:

  • Stay informed: Monitor local air quality and follow air quality forecasts. You can use free resources like the AirNow Fire and Smoke map or the AirNow website, and receive real -time alerts through EnviroFlash.
  • Seek shelter: When air quality in your area is low, stay inside as much as possible. If you do not have air conditioning and it’s too warm to stay indoors with the windows closed, seek shelter with family or friends, or in a public building with air conditioning such as a library or designated clean air shelter.
  • Use respirators: Keep N95 or P100 respirators on hand to wear if you must go outside when air quality is unhealthy.
  • Consider air cleaners: Use a portable air cleaner or make a DIY air cleaner.
  • Adjust HVAC systems: Learn how to adjust your HVAC system or air conditioner to keep smoke out. Use high-efficiency filters (for example, those with a MERV-13 rating) and replace them regularly.
  • Prepare supplies and medical action plans: Some individuals are at a higher risk, including those with asthma or other lung/heart conditions, children, older adults, and pregnant women. Ensure you have at least 5 days’ worth of medication and food on hand. Consider developing a medical action plan with your healthcare provider.

Lastly, you can visit the EPA and CDC websites for more detailed information and tips on how to stay safe if wildfire smoke ends up affecting us here in Michigan this summer.

– Office of Rep. Elissa Slotkin
Learning with Lex

Learning with Lex

by | Jun 27, 2024 | Feature Writers

Learning with Lex: Surviving College Classes During a Pandemic 101

By Lexi McKinney | June 27, 2024

Welcome back to the second edition of Learning with Lex. I am grateful for my avid readers who enjoy hearing about my raw take on all aspects of my college experience. Today’s topic is the most debated area for many students or former students.

I often receive questions about the classes I’ve completed, and honestly, the past two years have been phenomenal. From news editing to in-field reporting, receiving a college degree is just a bonus for completing required classes. However, it was not always this much of a breeze. My first semester of prerequisites was tedious. The courses were formatted like high school classes, and the homework load was unbearable for a student with a job. Most of the time, I was working the night shift to complete a math project or humanities essay, and the lesson I learned then was how the beginning of college was essentially a senior year of high school 2.0.

For the tuition alone, I understand why students are skeptical about choosing college to begin a career. The courses were saturated, and the exams were daunting; I felt like a recluse while trying to maintain all A’s. At this point, taking another required science or math elective was like sitting at the dentist for two hours getting a root canal. Unbearable, and counting down the seconds for it to be over.

If I am being honest, for the price point and time invested, I felt like the beginning of college was expensive, boring, and time-consuming. Most days began to feel like a hassle, and coordinating a proper schedule without classes filling up was nearly impossible. My greatest wish is for requirements to shift from core classes to adult-based life courses.

College students panic while debt is fearless. Understanding how important it is to be frugal with expenses could alter the next decade for young adults. It would also be beneficial to consider a course that teaches students about home improvement, survival skills, how to negotiate salaries at work, etc.

If I understood the concept of loans at 18 years old, could you imagine how differently I would have dispersed my Christmas money, graduation gifts, and additional income? Even saving a thousand dollars would have been a valuable resource with buying textbooks, or having more money to spend while attending school.

Overall, college has prepared me for the workspace, and I have received some of the most valuable knowledge. However, I fully support alternative routes after graduating high school. Whether it be trade school, or taking time to experience entry-level jobs and saving money before deciding, I think any route is productive and resourceful.

I would never say I regret attending college, but just like life, some moments made me doubtful, and while I am happy to earn multiple degrees, take time to map out a plan before throwing yourself in a classroom. Do the extra research, save money, and find the career path that makes you eager to wake up every morning!