New funding for COVID-19 wastewater monitoring

New funding for COVID-19 wastewater monitoring

by | Jun 24, 2021 | Environmental

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 24, 2021

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

New funding announced for continued COVID-19 wastewater monitoring

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently announced nearly $49 million in grant funding to support 19 local projects that will continue conducting COVID-19 wastewater surveillance and implement COVID-19 variant strain testing of wastewater.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funding will reinitiate COVID-19 wastewater monitoring established during a Fall 2020 pilot project. The state’s SARS-CoV-2 Epidemiology – Wastewater Evaluation and Reporting Network uses locally coordinated projects to conduct wastewater surveillance for COVID-19. Wastewater is tested for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19 disease, that is shed in feces into Michigan public sewer systems. Partners include local health departments, tribal nations, wastewater treatment and environmental engineering agencies, colleges and universities, and public, private and academic laboratories.

Funding for the project will continue through July 31, 2023. As COVID-19 cases decrease across the state, wastewater monitoring can provide useful information regarding disease detection and spread on a larger community level. This can be especially important as clinical testing rates decrease.

“Wastewater surveillance is so important to identifying COVID-19 infections and community transmission early, and is especially important as we move to a new phase of fighting this pandemic,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. “If our rates of infection start to increase, this network may provide an early warning sign and help communities target public health actions to prevent further spread.”

It is also one of the few surveillance methods that can provide information on the virus within populations that are not showing signs of illness or who do not seek health care.

In the pilot project, participating local health departments and universities were able to focus clinical testing recommendations and communication efforts when increased levels of the virus were detected in wastewater. Specific examples of successful outcomes from the pilot project, including how the data was used, are available in the COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance Feasibility Pilot Project Success Stories.

Continued monitoring will provide timely and consistent wastewater data to support COVID-19 public health responses within 33 local health jurisdictions with project sampling sites. This data will include information on SARS-CoV-2 presence, trends and preliminary detections of variant strains found in wastewater.

The funding expands the reach of the established monitoring system to cover a large geographic portion of Michigan. Local projects have proposed over 460 sample sites across a total of 55 counties and the City of Detroit. Over the course of the project, it is estimated that more than 87,000 wastewater samples will be collected and analyzed.

These funds will support sample collection, transportation and testing of wastewater samples; analysis and reporting of results; coordination and communication within local projects and with state agencies; and submission of results to MDHHS and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

Nineteen local projects were funded for the following amounts:

  • $1,750,886 – Dr. Michael Conway’s lab at Central Michigan University.
  • $1,979,848 – City of Traverse City.
  • $1,831,851 – Shimadzu Core Lab at Ferris State University.
  • $1,732,225 – Dr. Richard Rediske’s lab at Grand Valley State University’s Annis Water Resources Institute.
  • $1,910,023 – Health Department of Northwest Michigan.
  • $7,543,073 – Global Water Research Institute at Hope College.
  • $3,278,054 – Kent County Health Department.
  • $2,182,037 – Professor Benjamin Southwell’s lab at Lake Superior State University.
  • $2,673,806 – Macomb County Public Works Office.
  • $3,223,635 – Dr. Joan Rose’s lab at Michigan State University.
  • $2,713,176 – Dr. Irene Xagoraraki’s lab at Michigan State University.
  • $628,935 – Dr. Josh Sharp’s lab at Northern Michigan University.
  • $2,500,000 – Oakland County Health Division.
  • $2,483,851 – Dr. David Szlag’s lab at Oakland University.
  • $2,009,639 – Dr. Tami Sivy’s lab at Saginaw Valley State University.
  • $2,596,012 – Dr. Kevin Bakker and Dr. Krista Wigginton’s lab at University of Michigan.
  • $2,716,317 – Dr. Chuanwu Xi’s lab at University of Michigan.
  • $3,129,407 – Dr. Jeffrey Ram’s lab at Wayne State University.
  • $2,032,102 – White Water Associates Inc.

For this project, MDHHS will provide project coordination, data analysis, health education and project communications. EGLE will provide scientific expertise and data management capacity for the network. Dr. Rose’s lab at Michigan State University will serve as the lead laboratory, responsible for standardizing lab testing and providing technical assistance.

To view data from the pilot project, visit the Michigan COVID-19 Wastewater Dashboard. This dashboard will be updated in the near future to reflect the new data that results from this funding. For more information on wastewater monitoring, visit the Wastewater Surveillance for COVID-19 website.
Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week June 27-July 4

Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week June 27-July 4

by | Jun 23, 2021 | Environmental

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2021
Nick Assendelft, Public Information Officer, [email protected], 517-388-3135
Kevin Walters, Aquatic Biologist, [email protected], 616-250-8637

Boating, fishing outreach events to mark Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week June 27-July 4

More than 64 boat landing events are planned across the state to mark this year’s Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week, June 27 to July 4. Public awareness about the impacts of harmful, nonnative aquatic plants and animals is critical to protecting Michigan’s ecosystems, tourism and economy.

The boat landing events are part of the eighth annual Landing Blitz in which representatives of state departments and local partners such as lake associations and cooperative invasive species management areas give boaters tips to prevent the spread of harmful species and comply with recently-updated laws. The Landing Blitz website 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 Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week and raise awareness about this important issue to help prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants and organisms.

Follow these simple steps to avoid the proliferation of aquatic invasive species:

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 – protect our waters by following these steps

  • 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 of bleach to 5 gallons of water.)

A short EGLE video from a past Landing Blitz shows how easy it is to clean, drain and dry boats and trailers.

“Everyone has a part to play in helping prevent the spread of invasive species,” said Kevin Walters, aquatic biologist with EGLE. “Education is key to protecting Michigan’s incredible natural resources.”

Events at boat launches are contingent on weather and volunteer availability. Contact Kevin Walters at [email protected] 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.

Funding available for electric commercial vehicles

by | Jun 23, 2021 | Environmental

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2021
Nick Assendelft, Public Information Officer, [email protected], 517-388-3135
Debbie Swartz, Environmental Quality Specialist, [email protected], 517-582-1578

Funding available for electric, hybrid or hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles

In support of Governor Whitmer’s priorities for a just transition to a low carbon transportation sector, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced today it is offering a second round of funding for electric, hydrogen fuel cell or diesel-electric hybrid commercial and mass transit vehicles to replace older, diesel-fueled models. Grants can also be used to buy charging stations for the electric vehicles.

The application window opens today and runs through Aug. 20, 2021. A webinar has been scheduled for 1 p.m. July 13 to explain the funding opportunity and to answer questions from potential applicants.

A total of $16 million through EGLE’s Fuel Transformation Program (FTP) has been allocated to replace medium and heavy-duty diesel trucks, shuttle and transit buses (Classes 4-8) and port drayage vehicles. School buses are not eligible for funding. Individual grants range from $50,000 to $3 million.

The request for proposals information is posted on the Fuel Transformation Program website.

Individuals needing language assistance or accommodations for effective participation at the webinar should contact Joel Roseberry at 517-599-9494 [email protected] by June 29 to request language, mobility, visual, hearing, translation and/or other assistance.

EGLE’s Fuel Transformation Program has among its goals reducing nitrogen oxide emissions to improve air quality and increasing the adoption of zero emission vehicles and equipment by removing financial obstacles to replacing older diesel vehicles. The transportation grants help EGLE to leverage available funding for an equitable and clean transportation sector that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and helps businesses transition to a low-carbon future of economywide carbon-neutrality by 2050.

Future rounds of grants will allocate up to $9 million to replace freight switchers, Great Lakes ferries and tugs and install shore power and offer up to $5 million to replace airport ground support equipment, port cargo handling equipment and forklifts. Funding details will be announced in 2022 and 2023.

All the grants are supported with Volkswagen diesel settlement funds allocated to Michigan. The Michigan Volkswagen Settlement Beneficiary Mitigation Plan has details about the various vehicle and equipment replacement options. The settlement money must be distributed by October 2027, a decade after the money was allocated to the states.

For more information about the RFPs, contact Debbie Swartz at [email protected].
Grants available to improve residential recycling

Grants available to improve residential recycling

by | Jun 8, 2021 | Environmental

 

 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2021
Jill A. Greenberg, EGLE spokesperson, GreenbergJ@Michigan.gov, 517-897-4965

Grants available for Michigan communities to improve residential recycling

$575,000 in funding by EGLE, The Recycling Partnership
will build on recent successes combating contamination

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and The Recycling Partnership today announced $575,000 in grants for Michigan communities to dramatically improve residential recycling. The grants are available to introduce communitywide projects aimed at fighting recycling contamination and improve the quality of materials residents recycle at curbside or drop-off locations.

“After the impressive results from previous grant projects, we’re excited to be able to offer this opportunity to additional Michigan communities, in collaboration with The Recycling Partnership,” said Liz Browne, director of EGLE’s Materials Management Division.

In addition to continuing to build on the success of Michigan’s award-winning Know It Before You Throw It recycling education campaign, grantees with curbside recycling service will use The Recycling Partnership’s nationally acclaimed Feet on the Street cart-tagging program. Feet on the Street is designed to improve the quality of curbside recycling by providing residents personalized and real-time education and feedback on their curbside recycling practices. Grantees with drop off recycling services will use a modified version of the Feet on the Street program to combat recycling contamination and illegal dumping at recycling drop off sites, while also improving awareness and participation in the local recycling program.

“Capitalizing on national expertise through engaging The Recycling Partnership as part of EGLE’s grant project was a brilliant strategy,” said Mike Csapo, general manager at Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County (RRRASOC). “Our work is already yielding tangible, unexpected benefits beyond those anticipated when the project was conceived. The project will yield data, strategies and technology that will provide lasting value in addition to accomplishing the original goals and objectives.”

Selected drop-off recycling program grantees will benefit from inclusive signage and site improvements, security upgrades for features such as cameras, increased recycling participation and other opportunities to educate households on what is and is not recyclable.

All Michigan community recycling programs are eligible to submit an application for grants up to $4 per household for curbside programs and up to $3 per household for drop-off programs. Applications are due Aug. 20, 2021, and complete instructions can be found in the request for proposal at recyclingpartnership.org/.

The announcement today follows recent successes, including by the city of Novi – an RRRASOC member community – which successfully reduced drop-off recycling contamination by almost 45 percent during the city’s fall 2020 quality improvement program campaign. In addition, the city of Grand Rapids’ curbside recycling program reduced contamination by more than 40 percent in its residential recycling stream.

This spring, two additional communities – Auburn Hills and Canton – kicked off Feet on the Street with three more programs that start this summer. Auburn Hills and Canton report the program is an experience that draws them closer to the community and their residents.

“The Feet on the Street program has really helped us educate our residents,” said Amy Hamilton of the Downtown Development Authority for the City of Canton, which began targeted efforts to combat curbside contamination in April. “We knew we had a high participation rate, but we didn’t realize how much confusion there was about what can go into the recycling cart. Being able to give residents real-time feedback on what is accepted in your curbside program has been invaluable. Thanks to Feet on the Street, we’ve established an open dialogue with our residents, which has allowed us to target our education efforts and greatly reduce our contamination levels. This program has been a win-win for everyone.”

In addition to cart tagging, selected curbside grantees will benefit from the use of The Recycling Partnership’s new mobile app, while all grantees will implement effective recycling education materials, such as direct mail and targeted digital and social media campaigns.

Michigan’s recycling industry generates nearly 36,000 jobs statewide and an annual payroll of $2.6 billion. Achieving EGLE’s 45 percent recycling goal would support 138,000 new jobs in Michigan’s recycling industry and provide $9 billion in annual labor income and $33.8 billion in economic output, according to a recent study commissioned by EGLE.

“We are thrilled to see measurable results from more than 100 Michigan communities working to improve the quality of their residential recycling streams,” said Jill Martin, director of Community Programs at The Recycling Partnership. “We’re excited to continue our partnership with EGLE and help the Great Lakes State capture more quality recyclables, creating a more circular economy, a less wasteful planet and stronger, healthier Michigan communities.”

To learn more, visit recyclingpartnership.org/
Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week: June 5-13

Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week: June 5-13

by | Jun 3, 2021 | Environmental

 
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 3, 2021
Nick Assendelft, Public Information Officer, [email protected], 517-388-3135
Emily Finnell, Office of the Great Lakes, [email protected], 517-599-1330

Celebrate Michigan’s water resources during Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week June 5-13

Gov. Whitmer issues proclamation marking annual event

Michiganders are drawn to the water, whether it’s the Great Lakes, one of the state’s more than 11,000 inland lakes and ponds or 36,000 miles of rivers and streams. To raise awareness of Michigan’s water resources, Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week – June 5-13 – will celebrate our lakes and rivers around the themes of “Appreciate, Educate and Recreate.”

“From Saugatuck to Saginaw and from Kalamazoo to the Keweenaw, Michiganders treasure their water resources. Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week is a timely opportunity to raise awareness of how much we rely on and treasure this resource that impacts Michiganders in so many ways,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said. “Our MI Clean Water Plan will invest $500 million in water infrastructure from source to tap, and make improvements in wastewater systems to prevent sewage from getting into our lakes and rivers. We are also targeting $80 million to address climate change as we see increasing impacts on the Great Lakes and other water resources around the state, especially in coastal communities.”

Gov. Whitmer also signed a proclamation that highlights the impact lakes and rivers have on the lives of Michiganders.

Throughout Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), along with its partners 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), will offer Michiganders an opportunity to show their appreciation of our state’s lakes and rivers, highlight programs that educate residents to become lifelong water stewards, and provide information about how to recreate responsibly on or near lakes and rivers.

“We all can appreciate the unique resource that we have here in Michigan. Swimming, fishing, boating or just lounging on the beach are treasured pastimes for all Michiganders,” EGLE Director Liesl Clark said. “With that comes the responsibility to be good stewards of our lakes and rivers and to educate future generations about the importance of caring for our water resources.”

Here are ways that you can participate in Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week:

  • Post photos on social media of your favorite lake, river or water experience and use the hashtag #MiGreatLakesWeek.
  • Try your hand at Great Lakes trivia, posted to the DNR’s Mi Nature Facebook page and at EGLE’s Twitter feed.
  • Watch and share themed videos throughout the week: Appreciate our water resources, educate residents about stewardship and recreate responsibly.
  • Fish for free June 12-13. 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 state parks and boating access sites.
  • Take your blanket to the beach and read the 2020 State of the Great Lakes report.
  • Check out the Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week webpage at Michigan.gov/GreatLakesWeek, where you’ll find links to local events, education resources, videos, MiCorps volunteer sign-up, invasive species identification and how to properly dispose of old medications.
  • Open the From Students to Stewards toolkit, which is full of place-based educational resources for teachers that will instill in youth a desire to learn about water resources and how to be protective of lakes and streams.
  • As you decide how to enjoy the outdoors, follow these tips to recreating responsibly on the water, in the water and while fishing, as well as resources to consult regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, June 7, SEMCOG will host a public Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week webinar from 1:30-3 p.m. as part of its One Water Summer Webinar Series. Monday’s webinar features presentations from SEMCOG, EGLE’s Office of the Great Lakes and the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA). Speakers will talk about Southeast Michigan’s drinking water, the state of the Great Lakes and the One Water campaign. You can register ahead of time or watch the presentation live Monday on SEMCOG’s Facebook page.

“Great Lakes and Fresh Water Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Great Lakes and all of Michigan’s freshwater resources,” said Amy O’Leary, executive director of SEMCOG. “It is also an opportunity to celebrate many partners, such as the Great Lakes Water Authority, local watershed organizations, county water resource commissioners, and more for their tireless efforts to protect and improve water resources while also empowering residents to be good water stewards.”

“The Department of Natural Resources is proud to be a partner with EGLE on this celebration of Michigan’s abundant water resources,” said DNR Director Daniel Eichinger. “We are dedicated to protecting and managing the lakes and streams of Michigan so everyone has safe recreational opportunities to enjoy the greatest freshwater resource in the world.”
Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week June 27-July 4

11 grants awarded to restore, protect water quality

by | Jun 2, 2021 | Environmental

 
EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2021
Nick Assendelft, Public Information Officer, [email protected], 517-388-3135
Robert Sweet, Nonpoint Source Grants Coordinator, [email protected], 517-512-9765

EGLE awards 11 grants to restore, protect water quality

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) today announced 11 grants totaling over $4.7 million for watershed management projects that will benefit wetlands, lakes and streams.

Each grant will reduce sediment, nutrients and other contaminants to help restore impaired water bodies and protect high-quality water bodies.

Organizations and projects selected to receive implementation funding:

  • Ottawa Conservation District: $929,061 to use environmental and social monitoring to target enactment of agricultural best management practices and septic system repairs and replacements in the Sand and Crockery Creek Watersheds.
  • West Michigan Environmental Action Council: $781,123 to expand the use of green storm water infrastructure in critical areas of the Lower Grand River Watershed. The project will use outreach and workshops for the business community, community organizations and residents to increase storm water best management practices on private property.
  • Huron Conservation District: $767,004 for an incentive program targeting agricultural producers that includes structural, vegetative and managerial best management practices to reduce sediment, nutrient and pathogen loads to the Pigeon River and Saginaw Bay.
  • Village of Beulah: $519,949 to install rain gardens, bioswales, infiltration structures and inlet filters to reduce urban pollutant loads and stormwater that are having an impact on Cold Creek and Crystal Lake. The project will reduce E. coli and nutrient‑rich sediment while preserving the cold-water fishery.
  • Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy: $455,493 for permanent conservation easements to protect 269 acres of natural uplands and wetlands and 10,000 feet of creek frontage within the Paw Paw River Watershed, ensuring that the land will not be developed.
  • Delta Service Through Detroit Foundation, Inc.: $308,167 to increase urban green infrastructure in the Rouge River watershed using faith/community-based properties for large scale community outreach to reduce urban storm water runoff.
  • Marquette Charter Township: $293,356 to reduce nonpoint source pollutants, improve stream conditions and restore hydrology by replacing four dramatically undersized culverts with appropriately sized bottomless arch culverts in an urban cold-water stream.
  • Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC Network): $257,684 to continue restoration efforts on Peters Creek, a major tributary of the Macatawa River in Ottawa County. The project will use natural channel techniques to restore 1,700 feet of unstable stream channel.
  • Clinton River Watershed Council: $160,590 to retrofit a parking lot within the city of Center Line’s Downtown Development Area using low impact development techniques. Four bioretention cells will be installed to mitigate stormwater runoff in the highly urbanized Bear Creek subwatershed.
  • Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Petoskey: $153,938 to install 1,000 feet of shoreline improvements, promote sustainable riparian practices with targeted outreach and work to strengthen local environmental ordinances.
  • Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, Inc.: $94,866 to repair a failed road stream crossing on Deer Creek, a cold-water tributary of the Yellow Dog River in Marquette County. The project will restore the hydrology and sediment flow of Deer Creek and maintain the cold-water recharge of the Yellow Dog River.

The grants are funded under the federal Clean Water Act – Section 319 and the Clean Michigan Initiative – Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Grants Program. Grants are offered via an annual request for proposals with the next opportunity to apply in mid-July at Michigan.gov/NPS. EGLE’s Nonpoint Source Program helps local stakeholders reduce pollution and excess runoff by supporting efforts to develop and launch watershed management plans.