Natural fish kills may be common during spring thaw

Natural fish kills may be common during spring thaw

by | Mar 17, 2025 | Recreation

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DNR News
March 17, 2025
Contact: Jeremiah Blaauw, 906-235-7679 or Aaron Switzer, 231-383-2565

Natural fish kills may be common during spring thaw

A fish floating on the water's surface, likely a result of winterkill.As ice and snow cover melt on Michigan lakes this spring, you may see dead fish or other aquatic animals. Given the return to a more “normal” Michigan winter this year — with more cold days and near-average snowfall across the state — you may notice more dead fish than you have in the past few years. While such sights can be startling, the Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone that it is normal for winter conditions to cause some mortality of fish and other creatures such as turtles, frogs, toads and crayfish.

“Winterkill is the most common type of fish kill,” said Aaron Switzer, DNR Fish Production Program manager. “It can be particularly common in shallow lakes, ponds, streams and canals during seasonal changes. It’s a natural phenomenon, and these kills are localized. They typically do not affect the overall health of fish populations or fishing quality.”

Shallow lakes with a large amount of aquatic vegetation and soft bottoms are more prone to winterkill, particularly when a deep snowpack reduces sunlight for the plants. Canals in urban areas also are quite susceptible, due to the large amounts of nutrient runoff and pollution from roads, lawns and septic systems that flow into these areas, especially after large storm events.

Fish also may be affected by rapid changes in water temperature due to unseasonably warm or rapidly warming temperatures, leading to stress and, sometimes, mortality. Fish can become easily stressed in winter due to low energy reserves because feeding is at a minimum in winter. They are then less able to handle low oxygen and temperature swings. That could be the case this year with the record or near-record cold temperatures and large snowfalls Michigan experienced, and potential rapid warming in the coming months.

Fish and all forms of aquatic life need dissolved oxygen to survive. When ice and snow cover reduce the daylight that reaches the water depths, aquatic plants stop producing oxygen, and many die. Bacteria use the remaining oxygen in the water to decompose the dead plants and other organic materials on the lake bottom. With available oxygen reduced, more aquatic animals die and start to break down, speeding up the rate that oxygen is used for decomposition. This further decreases dissolved oxygen levels in the water, creating a cycle of increased winterkill.

Fish and other aquatic life that die in late winter may not be noticed until well after the ice leaves lakes, as the cold water may temporarily preserve them.

“If you see dead fish as a result of winterkill, the fish may appear fuzzy. This is because of secondary infection by fungus, but the fungus was not the cause of death,” said Switzer. “The fish actually suffocated from a lack of dissolved oxygen from decaying plants and dead aquatic animals under the ice.”

Visit the DNR website for more information on fish kills in Michigan. You can report fish kills at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField; these reports are valuable to the DNR’s management of aquatic resources in Michigan. If you suspect a fish kill is due to non-natural causes, call the nearest DNR office or Michigan’s Pollution Emergency Alert System at 800-292-4706.

Note to editors: The accompanying photo is available below for download. Caption information follows.

  • Winterkill: While such sights can be startling, the Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone that it is normal for winter conditions to cause some mortality of fish and other creatures such as turtles, frogs, toads and crayfish.
AG Nessel Charges Two in Alleged Gift Card Scam

AG Nessel Charges Two in Alleged Gift Card Scam

by | Mar 17, 2025 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 17, 2025

Media Contact:
Danny Wimmer

ICYMI: AG Nessel Charges Two in Alleged Gift Card Scam Targeting Metro Detroit Meijer Stores, Thousands of Altered Gift Cards Seized

Attorney General Nessel released a video alerting Michiganders to the gift card scam, detailing how the scam is believed to operate, and offering tips to avoid becoming a victim.  

LANSING – On Friday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that her FORCE Team arrested two Chinese nationals at a Dearborn hotel on March 5, and last week charged each with one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony, and two counts of Possession of a Fraudulent or Altered Transaction Device. Guangji Zhang, 46, of Irvine, California, and Huachao Sun, 35, of Los Angeles, were each arraigned in the 51st District Court in Waterford before Judge Richard Kuhn on Friday March 7, and are accused of conducting a large-scale fraud scheme.

It is alleged these men were conducting a fraud scheme that begins with the theft of empty, unsold gift cards from retail stores. The cards are then tampered with to reveal their unique redemption numbers, recorded by the scammers, then concealed once again with an adhesive to appear as though they have not been tampered with. It is alleged that the scammers then return the altered gift cards to their original intended retail point of sale and use computer programs to monitor when any card is activated with a balance of funds. As soon as a shopper places a balance on the card, the scammer is able to transfer the balance into another digital account. The gift card, when given as a gift and redeemed, is already depleted.

Attorney General Nessel released a video alerting Michiganders to the gift card scam, detailing how the scam is believed to operate, and offering tips to avoid becoming a victim.

This investigation was initiated by a special agent of the United States Postal Inspection Service, a federal partner of the Attorney General’s FORCE Team. A package determined to be suspicious by the USPIS agent was found to contain more than 1,500 gift cards and was addressed to the two defendants at a hotel in Dearborn. The FORCE Team, alongside detectives from the Michigan State Police Fraud East team, surveilled the package recipients who, allegedly, visited Meijer locations in White Lake, Waterford, Auburn Hils, Southgate, Allen Park, and Taylor over two days placing altered gift cards back among store stock. On March 5th, the men were arrested at their hotel and search warrants were executed on their vehicle and hotel room. In all, the Attorney General alleges, the men possessed more than 3,000 gift cards.

“Sophisticated fraud schemes undermine consumer trust and can cause significant financial harm, and I am proud of my FORCE Team for their efforts to shut down these operations and hold bad actors accountable,” Nessel said. “They will continue to pursue and prosecute those who engage in scams targeting Michigan residents and businesses. I urge everyone to stay alert and be cautious when buying gift cards. Taking a few extra moments to check for tampering can save you from becoming a victim.”

Each defendant will next appear before the 51st District Court on March 18 at 2:30 p.m. for a probable cause conference.

The FORCE Team and the Organized Retail Crime Unit were established in January 2023 by the Attorney General to target criminal organizations that steal products from retailers to repackage and sell for a profit. Two assistant attorneys general serve the unit full time, working with special agents within the Department of Attorney General and Michigan State Police detectives to investigate and prosecute these crimes. The FORCE team also partners with the FBI’s Detroit Fraud and Financial Crimes Task Force and the Postal Inspection Service. This is a first-in-the-nation unit, unique in the 50 states as being the first such unit with embedded, dedicated staff from the Department of Attorney General.

The FORCE Team is dedicated to working collaboratively with retailers and local law enforcement agencies to combat organized retail crime. FORCE is an acronym that stands for Focused Organized Retail Crime Enforcement. Recent corporate partners on investigations have included Sam’s Club/Walmart, Meijer, Target, Home Depot, TJ Maxx, Rite-Aid, Lululemon, Ulta Beauty, Amazon, and Lowe’s.
EGLE offers grants for repurposing of scrap tires

EGLE offers grants for repurposing of scrap tires

by | Mar 17, 2025 | Environmental

 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2025
Jeff Johnston, EGLE Public Information Officer, [email protected], 517-231-9304
Kirsten Clemens, EGLE Scrap Tire Coordinator, [email protected], 517-614‑7431

EGLE offers grants for repurposing of scrap tires

Material uses include paving, manufacturing, energy production

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is pleased to announce the availability of grants that promote and support the cleanup and reuse of scrap tires in Michigan.

Scrap tires pose a fire risk and a human health risk as mosquito breeding grounds. Scrap tires can be collected, processed, and used for various purposes, including paving products for roads, manufactured products, and energy production.

Scrap Tire Market Development Grants are available to fund up to 50% of the total eligible costs for projects that demonstrate new or increased uses for scrap tires in manufactured products and paving projects. EGLE will prioritize proposals based on the amount of scrap tire material used in developing the project or product, demonstration of a new or improved use of scrap tire material, and demonstration of viable markets.

To receive an application package for a grant, visit Michigan.Gov/Scraptires, and select the appropriate link under “Grants,” or contact [email protected].

EGLE will accept Scrap Tire Market Development Grant Applications with all supporting documentation received on or before Friday, April 18, 2025.

To stay up to date on other EGLE news, follow us at Michigan.gov/MIEnvironment.
Weekend construction MDOT Metro Region

Weekend construction MDOT Metro Region

by | Mar 14, 2025 | Transportation

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Friday 03/14-Monday 03/17/25                                 WEEKEND WORK for MDOT (I, M, US roads)

This is weekend construction, in addition to on-going projects other than these locations. Always check Michigan.gov/drive for this info and for ALL projects and follow @MDOT_MetroDet.

WEATHER AFFECTS ALL WORK AND MAY CAUSE DELAYS OR CANCELLATIONS.

 I-75:

Oakland – NB I-75, M-15/Ortonville to Saginaw/Dixie Hwy, 1 LANE OPEN, Fri 9pm-Mon 5am, for pavement marking removal/replacements and intermittent ramp closures:

  • Oakland – NB I-75 CLOSED to M-15/Ortonville
  • Oakland – NB I-75 CLOSED to US-24/Dixie Hwy
  • Oakland – NB I-75 CLOSED to E Holly Rd
  • Oakland – NB I-75 CLOSED to Grange Hall
  • Oakland – NB I-75 CLOSED to Saginaw/Dixie Hwy

Oakland – Crossroads closed at I-75 intermittently, Fri 9pm-Mon 5am.

  • SB Dixie Hwy
  • EB/WB E Holly Rd
  • EB/WB Grange Hall Rd
  • NB/SB Ortonville Rd

Oakland – SB I-75 RAMP CLOSED to EB I-696, Sat 7am-3pm, for pavement markings.

 I-94:

Wayne – EB I-94, Middlebelt to Ecorse, 2 LANES OPEN, daily 9a-3p thru 5/4, median utility work.

Wayne – EB I-94, Middlebelt to Inkster, 2 LANES OPEN, left closed, Sun 5am-2pm, cable crossing.

Wayne – WB I-94 CLOSED intermittently, US-24/Telegraph to Middlebelt, Sun 6am-10am, cable crossing.

 I-96:

Wayne – EB I-96 ramp to EB/WB I-94, 1 ramp lane open, Mon 9am-Tue 5pm, drainage work.

 I-696:

Oakland – WB I-696, Ryan to Couzens, 2 LANES OPEN, Fri 9am-noon-ish, rumble strips.

Oakland – WB I-696, Orchard Lake to I-275, 2 LANES OPEN, Fri 9am-noon-ish, for rumble strips.

Oakland – EB I-696, I-275 to Orchard Lake, 2 LANES OPEN, Fri noon-ish-3pm, for rumble strips.

 M-3: (Gratiot)

Macomb – NB/SB M-3, Masonic Blvd to Quinn Rd, 3 lanes open, Sat 9am-Wed 3pm, for utility work.

Wayne – NB M-3, M-59/Hall to Cass Ave, 1 LANE OPEN, Fri 9am-3pm, manhole work.

 M-10: (Lodge)

Wayne – SB M-10 RAMP CLOSED to Larned, Mon 6am-late May, for bridge work

 M-85: (Fort Street)

Wayne – EB/WB M-85 at Livernois Ave, 1 LANE OPEN, Mon-late April 9am-3pm, utility/lighting work.

 M-102: (8 Mile)

Wayne- EB 8 Mile Rd, M-3/Gratiot to Brock St, 3 lanes open, Fri 9am-3pm, utility work.

Wayne – WB 8 Mile Rd near Lahser, 3 lanes open, Fri 9am-3pm, utility work.

 Telegraph:

Oakland – NB Telegraph Rd Lincoln Dr to Maple Rd, 2 LANES OPEN, Sat 9am-3pm, sewer maintenance.

 US-12: (Michigan)

Wayne – WB US-12, Beech Daly to Middlebelt, 1 LANE OPEN, Mon 9am-Sat 4/5 5pm, watermain.

 US-24: (Telegraph)

Wayne – SB US-24, Joy Rd to Warren Rd, 2 LANES OPEN, Fri-Thu daily 7am-5pm, utility work. 

 Corktown Races and St Patrick’s Parade –

Sun 9:30am-5pm CLOSED:

  • NB/SB 14th St, Michigan Ave to Dalzelle St,
  • EB/WB Bagley St, Brooklyn St to Rosa Parks Blvd
  • EB/WB Bagley St, 3rd St to 1st St
  • EB/WB US-12/Michigan Ave, Cass Ave to 17th St
  • NB/SB Rosa Parks Blvd, Howard St to US-12/Michigan Ave

Sun 6am-9:30am for race prep:

EB/WB US-12/Michigan Ave, 14th St to 17th St, 1 LANE OPEN for race prep.

 REMINDERS:

EB 696 CLOSED M-10 to I-75

EB M14/96, Sheldon-Newburgh, 1 LANE OPEN

NB 275 ramp CLOSED to WB M-14

Conservation Officer Appreciation Day is Saturday

Conservation Officer Appreciation Day is Saturday

by | Mar 14, 2025 | Recreation

 
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DNR News
March 13, 2025
Contact: Katie Gervasi, 517-290-0679

Conservation Officer Appreciation Day is Saturday

Training Academy No. 13 is underway; follow the conservation officer recruits’ week-to-week journey

officer checking a duck on the back of a truckAs fully licensed law enforcement officers who serve a unique role in our state’s law enforcement community, Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers receive additional training to protect fish and wildlife, state parks and forests, rivers, lakes and streams – and the people who enjoy them.

In honor of the 250 men and women who currently patrol all 83 counties of Michigan and who swore under oath to faithfully enforce the laws of Michigan and the rules and regulations related to Michigan’s natural resources, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed Saturday, March 15, as Conservation Officer Appreciation Day.

The proclamation, in part, shares that:

  • The State of Michigan considers the protection of its citizens, environment and cultural and natural resources to be among its highest priorities.
  • Conservation officers continuously adapt to successfully meet emerging challenges, accept new missions and deliver premier customer service.
  • These officers serve with bravery, honor and distinction in locations ranging from urban communities to the deep woods and the Great Lakes.

“DNR conservation officers work hard every day to protect Michigan’s natural resources and the millions of visitors who value them. Their work is as much a calling as it is a job,” said DNR Director Scott Bowen.

These officers serve as front-line protectors, helping to ensure that the next generation can safely, successfully enjoy hunts that put food on the table, camping trips, hikes and other adventures on scenic public lands, and responsible participation in boating, off-road vehicle riding, snowmobiling and other outdoor pursuits.

In 2024, DNR conservation officers connected with more than 453,000 people through their patrols and outreach, in a job that is anything but predictable. A shift might begin at 3 a.m., gearing up in green with hunter orange and silently leaving home to ensure they are in the woods before the first shots of opening day, or responding to reports of ORV trespassing, illegal hunting from vehicles with loaded and uncased firearms, and hunters or hikers who didn’t return home on time. Sometimes it’s about celebrating an angler’s first catch or rewarding young boaters for properly wearing their life jackets.

“Conservation officers respond where they are needed, when they are needed,” Bowen said.

Michigan conservation officers are fully licensed law enforcement officers who provide natural resources protection, ensure recreational safety, and protect residents through general law enforcement and conducting lifesaving operations in the communities they serve.

Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers and follow our weekly blog with updates from the conservation officer recruits in Training Academy No. 13, underway now in Lansing.

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

Duck: Conservation Officer Sydney Griffor verifies a northern pintail, successfully taken in St. Clair County.

Officers: Sgt. Kyle Bucholtz and Conservation Officer Marissa Sturtevant check for anglers on a spring day in Huron County.

Teaching: Conservation Officer Anna Cullen presents a fur kit to a group of young students in Muskegon County.