Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week, June 4-12

Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week, June 4-12

by | Jun 2, 2022 | Environmental

EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2022
Jeff Johnston, public information officer, [email protected], 517-231-9304

Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week, June 4-12, celebrates Michigan’s ‘water champions’

Commemorations include water use webinar, grant announcements, free fishing weekend

The Great Lakes and Michigan’s abundant freshwater resources have tremendous value to Michiganders. Coming up June 4-12, the annual celebration of Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week focuses on becoming “water champions” – inspiring people to champion the health of this vital ecosystem and to enjoy, appreciate, and safeguard it for current and future generations.

Michigan is home to more than 3,200 miles of coastline along four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes and ponds, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, and enough groundwater to fill Lake Michigan over again. More than 30 million people in the U.S. and Canada rely on the Great Lakes for their drinking water.

“Michiganders share a special bond as stewards of the world’s largest freshwater system,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who dedicated the week in a proclamation. “Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week reminds us that this irreplaceable resource powers our lives, our livelihoods, and the ecosystems around us. Being a Michigan water champion means understanding our responsibility to work together to find solutions and overcome challenges such as aging infrastructure, invasive species, extreme weather, and climate change.”

This year’s Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week follows the April 21 release of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, a broad vision for Michigan’s prosperous clean energy future and economywide carbon neutrality by 2050. Gov. Whitmer commissioned the plan, which calls for protecting state land and water.

More recently, Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) hosted a virtual Great Lakes Water Infrastructure Conference, May 10-11, focused on solutions to challenges faced by the Great Lakes region. Recorded sessions from the conference are available on the website.

These latest actions harken back to the MI Clean Water Plan released in 2020 and providing $500 million in funding to help local municipalities upgrade drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

“By building a shared understanding of how water conservation, water infrastructure, energy, and climate are connected, we can strengthen our collective efforts and protect the health and sustainability of our water resources,” said EGLE Director Liesl Clark. “We want future generations to enjoy the same experiences we do in the Great Lakes State: swimming, boating, fishing, sightseeing, and more.”

EGLE and its Office of the Great Lakes (OGL) partner with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), and the MiSTEM Network at the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) to sponsor Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week.

“The celebration of Fresh Water Week takes on even more meaning this year, as we mark the 75th anniversary of the Michigan State Waterways Commission and all of the work done to make the state’s Great Lakes, rivers, and inland lakes more accessible for better boating adventures,” said DNR Director Dan Eichinger. “Michigan’s freshwater resources, in large part, define what it means to live in this state, and the DNR remains committed to protecting and managing these resources that provide the backdrop for amazing recreation experiences you won’t find anywhere else.”

SEMCOG Executive Director Amy O’Leary agreed.

“Southeast Michigan’s Great Lakes shoreline and our inland lakes and streams are among our most prized regional assets,” O’Leary said. “The health and sustainability of our waters are supported by an army of water champions, including our state and federal partners, the Great Lakes Water Authority, local governments, educators, gardeners, anglers, paddlers, nature lovers, nonprofit partners such as watershed organizations, and so many more. If you want to learn more about how to be a water champion in your Southeast Michigan community, visit miOneWater.org.”

There are many ways to participate in Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week:

  • Visit EGLE on Facebook for news and info from the department. A video June 6 by EGLE Director Liesl Clark will highlight Michigan water champions and the opportunity to share how you and those you know live out water champion principles.
  • Virtually attend a webinar titled “Water: We are the Champions,” part of SEMCOG’s One Water webinar series, at 1 p.m. Monday, June 6. Presenters from SEMCOG, EGLE, and the Great Lakes Water Authority will discuss what it means to be a water champion. Register on SEMCOG’s website or watch the presentation live on SEMCOG’s Facebook page.
  • Virtually attend an EGLE webinar titled “How Michigan’s Water Use Program Preserves and Manages our Water Resources” at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, to learn why Michigan has water use regulations, how they work, and what they mean for the state’s residents, industries, and future generations. Register on EGLE’s website.
  • Tease your brain with daily Great Lakes trivia, posted to the DNR’s Mi Nature Facebook page and at EGLE’s Twitter feed June 6-10.
  • Fish for free June 11-12. On these two days, the DNR will waive the need for a fishing license, as well as off-road vehicle license, trail permit, and the Recreation Passport requirement for admission to state parks and boating access sites.
  • Settle in at the beach with a great summer read like the 2021 State of the Great Lakes report.
  • Enjoy the outdoors safely and sustainably by following tips for responsible recreation in and around Michigan waterways.
  • Teachers, explore the From Students to Stewards toolkit for place-based educational resources that will instill a desire to learn about water resources and protect our lakes and streams.
  • Public officials, study up on issues around drinking water infrastructure investments and resources available to your communities. Check the Michigan Municipal League Foundation’s MI Water Navigator website as a guide to navigating infrastructure funding opportunities.
  • Watch the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s (LEO) MiSTEM Network website June 8 for the announcement of grant recipients from a combined $200,000 allocated by LEO and EGLE in February. The grants, a continuation of the 2020 From Students to Stewards Initiative and 2021 MiSTEM Transformative Playbook grants, will boost freshwater literacy programs and access to real-world STEM experiences for Michigan K-12 students.   

More details about the week are available on the OGL’s Stewarding the Great Lakes webpage, including links to local events, videos, educational resources on topics such as invasive species identification and proper disposal of old medications, and information on how to volunteer with the Michigan Clean Water Corps.
EGLE awards 23 grants to conduct stream cleanups

EGLE awards 23 grants to conduct stream cleanups

by | May 17, 2022 | Environmental

 
EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 17, 2022
Jeff Johnston, Public Information Officer, [email protected], 517-231-9304 Tamara Lipsey, Aquatic Biologist, [email protected], 517-342-4372

EGLE awards 23 grants to conduct stream cleanups and monitoring

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) today announced $108,228 in grants to 23 local governments and nonprofit organizations for stream cleanup and monitoring through the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) Program. These annual grants help foster local stewardship and a sense of community while providing valuable data used to protect Michigan’s waters.

The MiCorps Volunteer Stream Cleanup Program provides grants to local governments to clean and improve Michigan waterways. Local governments often partner with nonprofits or other volunteer organizations for the cleanups, which include removal of trash and other manmade debris from streams and stream banks.

The cleanup grant program began in 1998 and is funded by fees from the sale of Michigan’s specialty water quality protection license plates that are available from the Secretary of State’s Office.

The local governments selected to receive cleanup funding in 2022 are:

  • City of Ann Arbor, $4,210.
  • City of Battle Creek, $3,839.
  • Benzie County Conservation District, $750.
  • Berrien County Conservation District, $2,051.
  • City of Dexter, $979.
  • Grand Traverse County Conservation District, $2,550.
  • Muskegon Conservation District, $2,888.
  • Newaygo County Conservation District, $5,000.

The MiCorps Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program provides grants to enable local governments and nonprofit organizations to conduct volunteer-based water quality and stream habitat monitoring through benthic macroinvertebrate surveys and habitat assessments. Three types of monitoring grants are available: startup grants get organizations started with learning and planning, implementation grants fund the first two years of official monitoring, and maintenance grants help organizations that are already monitoring replace equipment and continue their program.

The organizations selected to receive funding in 2022 are:

Startup Grants

  • Antrim County Conservation District, $5,000.
  • Gogebic County Conservation District, $4,261.
  • Hillsdale County Conservation District, $4,703.

Implementation Grants

  • Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds, $18,530.
  • Olivet College, $16,391.
  • West Michigan Environmental Action Council, $20,000.

Maintenance Grants

  • Alger County Conservation District, $1,958.
  • Clinton River Watershed Council, $2,000.
  • Friends of the Rouge, $2,000.
  • Grass River Natural Area, Inc., $1,127.
  • Kalamazoo Nature Center, $1,991.
  • Manistee County Conservation District, $2,000.
  • The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, $2,000.
  • Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, $2,000.
  • Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, $2,000.

MiCorps is a network of volunteer water quality monitoring programs established by EGLE in 2004 to engage the public in collecting water quality data for use in water resources management and protection programs. MiCorps is administered for EGLE by Michigan State University Extension, in partnership with the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association and Huron River Watershed Council.

Questions about the grant award process should be directed to Dr. Paul Steen, Huron River Watershed Council, at 734-519-0449 or [email protected]; or Tamara Lipsey, Lake Michigan Unit, Surface Water Assessment Section, Water Resources Division, EGLE, at [email protected] or 517-342-4372.

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EGLE COVID-19 RESPONSE: For details on EGLE’s work during the pandemic, visit this webpage. Follow state guidelines at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.
EGLE application deadlines for electronics recycling grants

EGLE application deadlines for electronics recycling grants

by | May 10, 2022 | Environmental

 
EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2022
Steven Noble, Electronics Recycling Specialist, [email protected] 517-449-6153
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278

EGLE announces funding and application deadlines for electronics recycling grants

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announces $250,000 in available funding for Rural Electronics Grants. The deadline for grant applications is July 2, 2022.

This grant opportunity will support increased access to proper electronics recycling in the rural areas of the state. Grants can be used to support improvements to current collection facilities; support electronics recycling events leading up to the establishment of new permanent collection locations; support the collection, handling and proper recycling of consumer electronics; provide education to residents on the proper collection, handling and recycling of household batteries; and upgrade operations to provide increased efficiency at registered electronics recyclers.

The funding is made available through the Renew Michigan Fund. Eligible entities include cities, villages, townships, charter townships, counties, tribal governments, conservation districts, municipal solid waste or resource recovery authorities, non-profit organizations, health departments, colleges or universities, and regional planning agencies. For-profit Michigan-based registered electronics recyclers are eligible for operational improvement funds.

The maximum request amount per collection location and collection event grants is $20,000 per location. Other grants are available at lesser amounts. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposal with the Electronics Program staff in EGLE’s Materials Management Division prior to submittal. Funds are available on a first-come first-served basis.

To view the Request for Proposal and for more information about the EGLE recycling grants program, go to Michigan.gov/MIRecycles. Click on the Grants tab and scroll down to the electronics section.

Stay up to date on other EGLE news at Michigan.gov/MIEnvironment.

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EGLE COVID-19 RESPONSE: For details on EGLE’s work during the pandemic, visit this webpage. Follow state guidelines at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.

92 projects to collect, recycle scrap tires

by | Mar 15, 2022 | Environmental

 
EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2022
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278
Kirsten Clemens, Scrap Tire Program Coordinator, [email protected], 517-614-7431

EGLE awards funding for 92 projects to collect, recycle scrap tires

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced today that it has awarded $674,000 in grants to fund 92 community scrap tire drop-off events and other tire cleanups across the state.

Community events provide affordable, convenient, tire recycling opportunities to residents, including the creation of yearlong collections sites and roadside pickups.  Additionally, eight grant projects will fund the removal of old scrap tire piles at private properties.

Improperly dumped, scrap tires pose a fire hazard and create mosquito breeding grounds.  Recycled scrap tires can be used in asphalt to pave roads, as mulch in gardens and playgrounds, and in manufacturing processes.

The full list of grantees includes:

COUNTY GRANTEE AMOUNT
All Upper Peninsula Counties Superior Watershed Partnership 50,000
7 counties Van Buren Conservation District 72,000
Alcona Alcona County 2,000
Allegan Private Property Cleanup 4,000
Alpena Northeast Michigan Council of Governments 8,220
Antrim Antrim Conservation District 6,150
Antrim Banks Township 2,039
Arenac Private Property Cleanup 16,000
Arenac Arenac Conservation District 8,000
Barry Barry County 6,000
Bay Bay City 4,000
Bay Bay County Mosquito Control 8,000
Benzie Benzie County Solid Waste & Recycling 8,052
Calhoun Calhoun County 14,000
Charlevoix Charlevoix County 12,575
Chippewa City of Sault Ste Marie 4,278
Clare Clare County Conservation District 6,000
Clinton Bath Charter Township 4,000
Dickinson Breitung Township 10,000
Genesee Private Property Cleanup 1,000
Genesee City of Flint 10,000
Genesee Flushing Township 2,000
Genesee Genesee County Metropolitan Planning Commission 8,000
Gogebic City of Wakefield 12,360
Gogebic Gogebic Conservation District 2,065
Grand Traverse Grand Traverse Co Resource Recovery Dept 6,048
Gratiot Private Property Cleanup 2,000
Gratiot Private Property Cleanup 6,000
Gratiot Seville Township 2,000
Hillsdale Hillsdale Conservation District 16,000
Hillsdale Somerset Township 2,000
Houghton Calumet Township 2,150
Ingham Bunkerhill Township 8,000
Ingham Onondaga Township 2,000
Ingham Stockbridge Township 2,000
Iosco Burleigh Township 2,000
Iosco Grant Township 4,000
Iosco Iosco Conservation District 4,000
Iosco Plainfield Township 8,000
Iron Iron River, City Of 2,000
Isabella Village Of Lake Isabella 2,000
Jackson Jackson County Conservation District 14,000
Kalamazoo Pavilion Twp 2,000
Kalkaska Kalkaska Conservation District 4,000
Lake Webber Township 2,021
Lapeer Almont Township 2,000
Lapeer Burnside Township 2,000
Lapeer Elba Township 2,000
Lapeer Goodland Township 2,000
Lapeer Hadley Township 2,000
Lapeer Marathon Township 4,000
Leelanau Leelanau County 4,188
Lenawee Lenawee County 6,000
Livingston Cohoctah Township 2,000
Livingston Livingston County DPW 4,000
Mackinac Portage Township 4,488
Macomb Private Property Cleanup 6,000
Manistee Private Property Cleanup 2,077
Manistee Manistee Conservation District 8,000
Midland Midland County Mosquito Control 4,000
Midland Warren Township 2,000
Monroe London Township 4,000
Monroe Monroe County 12,000
Montcalm Montcalm Conservation District 8,000
Montcalm Reynolds Township 4,000
Montcalm Richland Township 4,000
Muskegon Muskegon County 32,000
Muskegon Sullivan Township 2,038
Newaygo Newaygo County 8,164
Oakland Springfield Township 2,000
Oceana Hart Township 6,000
Oceana Oceana Conservation District 4,020
Ogemaw Cumming Township 2,000
Ogemaw Mills Township 4,000
Osceola Middle Branch Township 10,000
Osceola-Lake Osceola-Lake Conservation District 4,000
Oscoda Big Creek Township 2,025
Otsego Otsego Conservation District 4,276
Ottawa Ottawa County Environmental Health 4,000
Saginaw Bridgeport Charter Township 4,000
Saginaw Buena Vista Township 2,000
Saginaw Saginaw Conservation District 6,000
Saginaw Saginaw Mosquito Control 6,000
Sanilac Flynn Township 4,000
Schoolcraft Schoolcraft Conservation District 2,168
Shiawassee Shiawassee Farm Bureau 4,000
St Clair China Township 2,000
St Joseph St Joseph County 6,000
Washtenaw Washtenaw County Public Works 14,000
Wayne Greater Detroit Resource Recovery 75,000
Wayne Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision 6,000
Wexford South Branch Township 2,000
  TOTAL: 674,000

For more information, call the EGLE’s Environmental Assistance Center at 800-662-9278, or visit Michigan’s Scrap Tire Program:  Mi.gov/ScrapTires.

Stay up to date on other EGLE news at Michigan.gov/MiEnvironment.

Save water and money during Fix a Leak Week

by | Mar 14, 2022 | Environmental

EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2022
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278

Kristina Donaldson, Clean Water Public Advocate, [email protected], 517-285-8140

Save water and money during Fix a Leak Week

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) kicked off Fix a Leak Week today, which is aimed at educating residents on the importance of fixing plumbing leaks to save money on water and energy bills.

Fix a Leak week is an annual event created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and supported by WaterSense partners across the U.S. and Canada. During this week, EGLE’s Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate will provide some practical tips on finding and fixing household leaks and spotlight free home energy efficiency programs offered by some utilities within the state.

“Fixing water leaks in home plumbing can reduce consumer water bills and prevent water damage within the home,” said Kris Donaldson, EGLE’s Clean Water Public Advocate. “Investments in water conservation are essential to reducing energy consumption and the associated costs while striving toward environmental sustainability.”

Residents are encouraged to get involved and track down leaks in their home using the EPA’s at-home checklist or by watching our previous Clean Water Public Advocate demonstrate some quick and easy tips to find leaks. Share a photo and tag your post with #FixALeakWeek and #IFixLeaks!

Some energy utilities within the state offer free at-home energy efficiency assessments to qualifying customers. These can include a basic home walkthrough and installation of energy-efficient products, such as faucet aerators, lightbulbs or showerheads. Contact your energy utility to find out what programs they offer.

More information about Fix a Leak Week is available at Michigan.gov/FixALeakWeek. For more information about the Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate visit Michigan.gov/CleanWater.

To stay up to date on other EGLE news follow us at Michigan.gov/MIEnvironment.
State of the Great Lakes report topics

State of the Great Lakes report topics

by | Mar 1, 2022 | Environmental

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2022
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278

Clean water investments, algal blooms, fisheries among annual State of the Great Lakes report topics

Significant issues affecting the Great Lakes from algal blooms to the historic MI Clean Water investment are covered in the 2021 State of the Great Lakes report released today by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) Office of the Great Lakes (OGL).

Topics include the current state of knowledge on harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes; collaborative efforts to restore valuable fisheries like native whitefishes; new tools that hold promise to better understand groundwater resources; and an emphasis on the connectivity of all water resources.

“With 20 percent of the planet’s fresh surface water, Michigan has a special relationship with water,” said Liesl Clark, EGLE director. “As part of our stewardship role, this State of the Great Lakes report focuses on the activities and programs that will help protect our world-class water resources for future generations. It is vital that we respond to current issues and get ahead of challenges that must be met head-on. From resilient communities to sustainable water use and groundwater challenges, the report emphasizes the interconnectivity of Michigan’s waters.”

Emily Finnell, the OGL’s Great Lakes senior advisor and strategist, notes the report highlights the state’s historic investments in water infrastructure; opportunities for advancing water conservation and energy savings through water infrastructure improvements; collaborative partnerships that are advancing innovation in energy efficiency, mobility and autonomous water technologies; the importance of increasing equitable access to Michigan’s abundant water resources; and ways the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team is working to protect public health.

It also includes the accomplishments of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, which marked its 50th anniversary, and the state’s Areas of Concern program.

The Office of the Great Lakes, which is part of EGLE, works to protect and restore Michigan’s waters. It works with partners to support sustainable communities, restore degraded waters, manage water quality and quantity, and prevent aquatic invasive species. Its mission is to ensure a healthy environment, strong blue economy and high quality of life for Michiganders.