EGLE awards 27 grants for stream cleanups

EGLE awards 27 grants for stream cleanups

by | Apr 26, 2021 | Environmental

EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2021
Nick Assendelft, Public Information Officer, [email protected], 517-388-3135
Tamara Lipsey, Aquatic Biologist, [email protected], 517-342-4372

EGLE awards 27 grants to conduct stream cleanups and monitoring through MiCorps program

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) today announced $75,000 in grants to 27 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 units of government to clean and improve Michigan waterways. Local governments often partner with nonprofits or other volunteer groups 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, available from the Secretary of State’s Office.

 The organizations selected to receive cleanup funding in 2021 are:

  • Benzie Conservation District: $750.20
  • Clinton Conservation District: $1,400.00
  • City of Ecorse: $2,545.00
  • Genesee County Parks: $4,300.00
  • Grand Traverse Conservation District: $1,730.00
  • Missaukee Conservation District: $4,547.71
  • St. Joseph Conservation District: $2,155.00

The MiCorps Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program provides grants to enable local governments and nonprofits 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 groups started with learning and planning, implementation grants fund the first two years of official monitoring and maintenance grants help groups that are already monitoring to replace equipment and continue their programs.

The organizations selected to receive funding in 2021 are:

Startup Grants

  • Detroit Zoological Society: $4,247.43
  • Eaton County Conservation District: $4,965.01
  • Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds: $4,975.53

Implementation Grant

  • Berrien Conservation District: $13,048.02

Maintenance Grants:

  • AuSable Institute: $1,354.50
  • Benzie Conservation District: $2,000.00
  • Flint River Watershed Coalition: $1,920.00
  • Friends of the St. Clair River: $2,000.00
  • Friends of the Rouge: $1,963.37
  • Grass River Natural Area: $1,999.20
  • Kalamazoo Nature Center: $2,000.00
  • Little Forks Conservancy: $1,974.53
  • Macatawa Area Coordinating Council: $1,876.25
  • Manistee Conservation District: $2,000.00
  • Missaukee Conservation District: $2,000.00
  • Muskegon River Watershed Assembly: $1,999.83
  • St. Joseph County Conservation District: $1,583.25
  • Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council: $2,000.00
  • Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay: $2,000.00
  • White River Watershed Partnership: $1,606.00

MiCorps was established in 2004 by EGLE 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, 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 734-769-5123, extension 601, or [email protected]; or Tamara Lipsey, Lake Michigan Unit, Surface Water Assessment Section, Water Resources Division, EGLE, at 517-342-4372 or [email protected].
State Offices Will Procure 100% Renewable Energy by 2025 

State Offices Will Procure 100% Renewable Energy by 2025 

by | Apr 22, 2021 | Environmental

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Banner - headshot with bridge graphic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April, 22, 2020
Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Celebrates Earth Day By Announcing State of Michigan Offices Will Procure 100% Renewable Energy by 2025
The State of Michigan will utilize state property to expand solar energy deployment in Michigan 

LANSING, Mich. –On Earth Day Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that state-owned facilities would utilize 100% renewable energy by 2025. This goal is made possible through partnerships with three major utilities, DTE, Consumers Energy, and Lansing Board of Water and Light. The energy purchased will expand the utility’s renewable portfolio in Michigan, rather than simply rerouting existing renewable energy that is already being generated.

 

“Since my first day in office, we’ve continued to make real, lasting progress on environmental and climate issues across our state,” said Governor Whitmer. “By moving state-owned buildings to 100 percent clean, renewable energy, we are working towards protecting public health and our environment, while attracting more clean energy jobs to Michigan. Actions like this and the MI Healthy Climate Plan will be paramount within the next 10 years to reduce the harmful impacts of climate change. I will continue to work towards building a stronger, more sustainable future for Michiganders and for future generations to come.”

 

In addition to moving towards 100% renewable energy for state-owned buildings, the state is also launching an interagency team across state government departments to identify our potential solar footprint and develop and implement a plan to deploy solar across our state-owned lands and properties.

 

“DTE Energy is proud to play a leading role in helping the state of Michigan achieve its sustainability aspirations through enrollment in DTE’s CleanVision: MIGreenPower voluntary renewable energy program,” said Jerry Norcia, President & Chief Executive Officer of DTE Energy. “As the state’s leading producer of renewable energy, DTE remains committed to increasing clean energy generation, creating a more sustainable future for all Michiganders.”

 

“The Lansing Board of Water & Light has a long history of helping government, residential and business customers to achieve their renewable and clean energy goals, and we’re proud to be partners with the State of Michigan for this project,” said BWL General Manager Dick Peffley. “The BWL is working to become the Utility of the Future, because now more than ever, we have to do our part to keep our community cleaner and greener.”

 

“Like Gov. Whitmer, we at Consumers Energy are bullish on the role clean energy plays in helping Michiganders save energy and money – and there’s no better customer to showcase that value than the state of Michigan itself,” said Garrick Rochow, President and CEO of Consumers Energy. “Consumers Energy is committed to doing good for our customers and the planet. Our new partnership with the state builds on our Clean Energy Plan as we eliminate coal, dramatically increase renewable energy and achieve net zero carbon emissions.”

 

“This action shifts the State of Michigan from being a major consumer of electricity to a major driver of our clean energy economy,” said John A. Kinch, PhD, Executive Director of Michigan Energy Options, a nonprofit solar development consultant to the State. “By doing this, the State accomplishes three things at once: It puts the State on course to meet its carbon goals, in part, through solar generation, it helps the utilities meet their renewable energy commitments and it serves the people of Michigan by catalyzing our public and private sectors to decarbonize our future.”

 

“This is a very exciting proposal for Michigan’s environment,” said Conan Smith, President & CEO of the Michigan Environmental Council. “Through a partnership with our utilities, the governor is honoring her bold commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, and she’s using the buying power of state government to directly expand renewable energy generation right here in Michigan. This is the kind of power move we like to see!”

 

Both initiatives align with Executive Directive 2020-10, which formally sets economic decarbonization in Michigan by 2050. To ensure steady progress toward this goal and prevent irreparable harm to Michigan’s ecosystem, residents, and businesses in the interim, the Executive Directive further provides that Michigan will aim to achieve a 28 percent reduction below 1990 levels in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.

Transitioning to carbon neutrality will mitigate the future harms of climate change and enable Michigan to take full advantage of the ongoing global energy transformation—from the jobs it will generate for our skilled workforce to the protections it will provide for natural resources, to the savings it will bring to communities and utility customers.
Today at 1:00 p.m. EGLE virtual Earth Day event

Today at 1:00 p.m. EGLE virtual Earth Day event

by | Apr 22, 2021 | Environmental

EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2021
Jill A. Greenberg, EGLE spokesperson, [email protected], 517-897-4965
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278

Media advisory

Lt. Gov. Gilchrist, EGLE director to host
virtual Earth Day event today

WHO: Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Director Liesl Eichler Clark will virtually host “Protecting and Restoring Our Environment” to honor the 51st anniversary of Earth Day.

WHAT: In a 40-minute webinar for students and teachers around the state, Lt. Gov. Gilchrist and Director Clark will speak to the important role all Michiganders play in protecting the state’s environment and resources. The webinar also will include presentations by EGLE experts on topics including climate change, drinking water safety and cleanup of contaminated sites in Michigan.

WHEN: 1 p.m. today, April 22, 2021.

WHERE: Register online for the EGLE Earth Day webinar. After registering, an email will be sent with a link to use to log in at the time of the event. Those who register but are unable to attend the live session will be sent a link to the recording following the event.

MORE: Additional information can be found at Michigan.gov/EarthDay.

Also, learn how you can make a difference every day by watching an EGLE Earth Day video.
Michigan Joins USDA in Invasive Species Awareness

Michigan Joins USDA in Invasive Species Awareness

by | Apr 19, 2021 | Environmental

 
 For Immediate Release: April 15 2021
Program contact: Rob Miller, 517-614-0454
Media contact: Jennifer Holton, 517-284-5724

Michigan Joins USDA in Invasive Species Awareness Campaign to Protect State’s Agriculture, Natural Resources

LANSING –The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) declared April 2021 as “Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month”– a campaign aimed at raising public awareness about damaging invasive pests threatening our nation’s crops, forests, and natural resources.

According to the USDA, damage caused by invasive tree and plant pests, coupled with the cost of control and eradication efforts, can reach $40 billion annually. These destructive pests impact agriculture, forest products and even residential landscapes.

“Most pests don’t make it very far on their own. Some non-native, exotic pests made it to the United States on goods and materials from other countries, or even on the ships, planes and trains that transport them. Once here, plant pests can be unintentionally moved to new areas by hitching rides on outdoor gear, vehicles, and untreated firewood,” said Rob Miller, MDARD’s Invasive Species Specialist. “They can also hide in or on fresh produce, soil, seeds and plants. Whether you are shopping, traveling or just spending time outdoors, you can do a lot to prevent the movement of exotic pests.”

These simple steps can help limit the spread of invasive species:

  • Learn to spot invasive pests posing a threat to plants and agriculture in your area. Report signs of invasive plant pests and diseases to MDARD through the Michigan Invasive Species website or at 800-292-3939.
  • Don’t move untreated firewood. Buy heat-treated firewood or buy wood where you burn it to avoid unintentionally spreading species that hide inside untreated firewood.
  • When returning from international travel, declare food, plants and other agricultural items to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure these items are pest-free.
  • Before buying seeds or plants online from out-of-state vendors, contact MDARD at 800-292-3939 to ask if they need to be inspected or meet other conditions to bring them into Michigan legally and without pests.
  • To combat the spread of invasive pests, both the federal government and individual states use quarantines to restrict the movement of materials that might carry plant pests or diseases. Michigan’s quarantine lists, which impact intrastate and interstate movement, is available on its website at MDARD’s plant pest quarantine website. Travelers can learn about pest and disease quarantines in states by checking the USDA-APHIS Pest Tracker at APHIS.USDA.gov.

Visit the Michigan Invasive Species website to find photos and information about invasive plant pests in Michigan and contact information to report pests in your community.

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.
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Public to help Michigan’s goal of carbon neutrality

Public to help Michigan’s goal of carbon neutrality

by | Apr 15, 2021 | Environmental

 
EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2021
Nick Assendelft, Public Information Officer, [email protected], 517-388-3135

Public asked to help guide Michigan’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050

Online listening sessions scheduled for Earth Day and May 5

The Office of Climate and Energy is asking members of the public for their insights about climate and how Michigan can move toward carbon neutrality by 2050. Two online public listening sessions have been scheduled, one on Earth Day, April 22, and the second on May 5.

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) through its Office of Climate and Energy is charged with formulating and overseeing implementation of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, a roadmap to reducing greenhouse gas emissions statewide, with input from the Council on Climate Solutions.

Details of the public listening sessions using the Zoom meeting platform:

  • Thursday, April 22, at 10:30 a.m.; and Wednesday, May 5, at 6 p.m.
  • Links to join either session are posted to the Michigan.gov/Climate webpage.
  • Those who wish to speak should send an email to EGLE-ClimateSolutions@Michigan.gov with “Public Comment Request,” the date of the session at which you would like to speak and your name in the subject line. Those who send an email request will be allowed to speak first.
  • Members of the public who do not submit their names ahead of time will still be allowed to make a comment.
  • Each speaker will be limited to three minutes.
  • Sessions are designed to gather comments and input from the public; organizers will not answer questions posed by attendees.

Individuals needing language assistance or accommodations for effective participation at the listening sessions should contact Kimber Frantz at [email protected] or 517-284-5035 at least seven days before the event to request language, mobility, visual, hearing, translation and/or other assistance.

Each listening session will begin with an overview of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-182 that established the Council on Climate Solutions, an explanation of how it is structured and its role in advising EGLE and OCE on the development of the MI Healthy Climate Plan. The council’s input will be informed by the public comments at the listening sessions and guidance from five workgroups: Energy Production, Transmission, Distribution, and Storage; Buildings and Housing; Transportation and Mobility; Natural Working Lands and Forest Products; and Energy Intensive Industries.

The two scheduled public listening sessions will be recorded and posted in a timely manner to Michigan.gov/Climate.

Those who cannot attend the listening sessions can offer their topical comments at any time by sending an email to EGLE-ClimateSolutions@Michigan.gov.

The council is comprised of 14 state residents as well as representatives from nine state departments and agencies. EGLE Director Liesl Clark is the chair of the council, which is scheduled to meet publicly the fourth Tuesday of each month through the end of the year.

The MI Healthy Climate Plan is an effort to combat the impacts of climate change in Michigan. Climate change is having a detrimental impact on the state’s environment and economy and threatens the health and well-being of residents, with communities of color and low-income Michiganders bearing a disproportionate impact of climate disruptions. Gov. Whitmer has also signed Executive Directive 2019-12, in which Michigan joined the United States Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of governors from 25 states devoted to pursuing the goals of the Paris Agreement.

EGLE does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, color, marital status, disability, political beliefs, height, weight, genetic information or sexual orientation in the administration of any of its programs or activities, and prohibits intimidation and retaliation, as required by applicable laws and regulations.

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EGLE COVID-19 RESPONSE:
For details on EGLE’s work during the pandemic, visit our COVID-19 response webpage. Follow state actions and guidelines at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.
EGLE announces funding for electronics recycling

EGLE announces funding for electronics recycling

by | Mar 18, 2021 | Environmental

EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2021
Steve Noble, Electronics Recycling Coordinator, [email protected], 517‑449-6153
Jill Greenberg, EGLE Spokesperson, [email protected], 517-897-4965

EGLE announces funding for electronics recycling

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announces availability of grants that 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; and provide collection and recycling infrastructure support to registered electronics recyclers.

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 infrastructure funds. The maximum requested amount is $15,000 per collection location and event.

Applications, as well as more information about the EGLE recycling grants program, are available by clicking on the Grants tab at Michigan.gov/MiRecycles. EGLE will accept Electronic Recycling Grant Applications with all supporting documentation that are received on or before May 14, 2021.