Difference between revisions of "State of the Beach/State Reports/MI"

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Surfrider Foundation has a [http://www.surfriderlakemichigan.org/ Lake Michigan chapter] based in Grand Haven.  If you live or surf in the area and want to help protect Lake Michigan and its waves and beaches, [mailto:lakemichigan@surfrider.org contact the chapter].
 
Surfrider Foundation has a [http://www.surfriderlakemichigan.org/ Lake Michigan chapter] based in Grand Haven.  If you live or surf in the area and want to help protect Lake Michigan and its waves and beaches, [mailto:lakemichigan@surfrider.org contact the chapter].
  
For a list of Surfrider Foundation's latest coastal victories, go [http://www.surfrider.org/whoweare6g.asp here].
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For a list of Surfrider Foundation's latest coastal victories, go [http://www.surfrider.org/campaigns/region-victories here].
  
  
 
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Revision as of 22:58, 19 April 2011

Home Beach Indicators Methodology Findings Beach Manifesto State Reports Chapters Perspectives Model Programs Bad and Rad Conclusion

Michigan

Summary

Michigan has taken steps to improve their existing statewide water quality monitoring program. Development of a statewide inventory of shoreline structures and an accompanying program to monitor the effects of existing shoreline structures would be beneficial. Erosion information is plentiful as is shoreline access information. Approximately 300 miles of Michigan's Great Lakes shoreline is classified as high-risk erosion areas. Although 70% of the Michigan shoreline is privately owned, Michigan ranks fifth nationally in the number of acres of state-owned land available for recreation. This extensive public ownership provides tremendous recreational opportunities for the public. Michigan continues to acquire land and improve recreational facilities and programs in the coastal area.

Michigan Ratings


Indicators

(+) The Department of Environmental Quality increased funding for its Great Lakes beach monitoring program by almost $200,000, from $245,719 in 2008 to $437,986 in 2009. The extra money, from a state license plate fund and dollars for federal water quality monitoring, will go to county health departments and allow beaches throughout the state to be tested for 16 weeks this summer.

(+) The state Supreme Court ruled in July 2005 that the public has the right to walk anywhere between the water's edge and the ordinary high water mark along Michigan's 3,200 miles of Great Lakes shoreline.

(+) There are 118 designated Environmental Areas along the Great Lakes coastline to protect fish and wildlife habitats and approximately 300 miles of shoreline zoned as high risk erosion areas. All areas limit possible degradation by requiring a permit.

(+) The legislature has found that Critical Dune areas of the state are unique, irreplaceable, and fragile resources that provide significant recreational, economic, scientific, geological, scenic, botanical, educational, agricultural, and ecological benefits to the people of Michigan.

(+) $90 million has been allocated to the Clean Water Fund to implement a comprehensive statewide water quality-monitoring program.

(+) The Barry-Eaton District Health Department has a Time of Sale or Transfer (TOST) program to inspect water wells and septic systems. The report for the first three years of the TOST program was released in February 2011. In summary, nearly ¼ of inspected wells and septics were found to be failing. Corrections to these systems has prevented an estimated 26.7 million gallons of sewage from being discharged into local waterways. The photos accompanying the report are very informative (and terrifying).

(+) Michigan law requires that the MDEQ conduct erosion studies to document the long-term rate of shoreline movement.

(0) With coasts on four Great Lakes, Michigan has the world's largest freshwater coastline.

(-) The giant Upper Rouge Tunnel combined sewer overflow control project was canceled in May 2009 by Detroit city officials worried about residents' ability to pay increased sewer fees to build the $1.2 billion project.

(-) Wastewater treatment plants in Bay City and Saginaw dumped more than 333 million gallons of sewage into the Saginaw River in March 2006. Perhaps because of the season, no health advisories were issued by the Bay County Health Department.

(-) Michigan law recommends that bathing-beach water be sampled and monitored, but it does not require local health departments to do it.

(-) 70% of the shoreline is privately owned.

Victories

Surfrider Foundation has a Lake Michigan chapter based in Grand Haven. If you live or surf in the area and want to help protect Lake Michigan and its waves and beaches, contact the chapter.

For a list of Surfrider Foundation's latest coastal victories, go here.



State of the Beach Report: Michigan
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