Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grants Awarded To Michigan Projects

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants for projects in Michigan to improve water quality and reduce excess nutrients that contribute to harmful algal blooms in Great Lakes watersheds, including Lake Erie, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. The restoration projects in Michigan are:

• $350,000 to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality For Nutrient Reduction in the River Raisin and Lake Erie Basin: This project will reduce agricultural sources of nitrogen and phosphorus by 30 -50% through the installation of 133 water control structures on 4,000 – 5,000 acres of tilled cropland. Environmental benefits will include a reduction in nitrate and dissolved reactive phosphorus loadings from the treated areas to the River Raisin watershed and the Western Lake Erie Basin. This project builds on an earlier GLRI project which promoted voluntary best management practices designed to reduce nutrients from agricultural operations in the Raisin River watershed.
• $265,980 to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to Reduce Sediment and Nutrients Entering the Western Lake Erie Basin: The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development will use this funding to increase implementation of effective conservation practices on farm fields to significantly reduce the quantity of sediment and nutrients discharged into the Western Lake Erie Basin. The project will prevent 30,400 tons of sediment, 42 tons of phosphorus and 67 tons of nitrogen from entering Lake Erie tributaries; 176 acres of wetlands will be restored.
• $499,741 to the Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Initiative for the Kids Creek Stormwater Reduction Project: This project will improve water quality on a major tributary to Kids Creek, an impaired stream in the Grand Traverse Bay watershed, by replacing underground culverts and channelized ditches with a natural meandering channel. The new stream channel will eliminate 73,000 square feet of impervious area, establish 27,000 square feet of floodplain and create a 15- to 30-foot-wide buffer. Green infrastructure will also be installed to further reduce stormwater and sedimentation impacts to Kids Creek.
• $995,204 to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for Kawkawlin River Targeted Phosphorus and E. Coli Reduction: This project will implement best management practices (BMPs) identified in the Kawkawlin River Watershed Management Plan. The BMPs include installing six miles of agricultural buffers, 1,700 acres of wind barriers, 1,000 feet of livestock exclusion fencing and planting 6,000 acres of cover crops. This project is expected to prevent E. coli, 15,491 pounds of phosphorus (30 % of the load reduction goal for the watershed) and 10,921 tons of sediment from reaching Saginaw Bay each year.
• $798,282 to the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly for Restoration of Riparian Areas in the Muskegon River Watershed: This project will reforest more than 400 acres of riparian land, restore 150 acres of streambank using native vegetation, put 150 acres of revegetated or natural riparian land into conservation easements, develop 14 forest stewardship plans and implement proper erosion control best management practices at four riparian sites in high priority sub-watersheds of the Muskegon River. This project is expected to prevent 100 tons of sediment, 1,000 pounds of phosphorus and 6,000 pounds of nitrogen from reaching the Muskegon River, the Muskegon Lake Area of Concern and Lake Michigan each year.
• $189,376 to Michigan State University for Locating and Targeting High-Impact Farm Fields to Reduce Phosphorus Discharges: This project will provide electronic mapping technology to agricultural conservation technicians (such as federal and state natural resource agency employees) that will help the technicians identify and target farm fields that are especially prone to high rates of phosphorus discharge. The technicians can then begin working with the owners of these targeted fields and encourage the implementation of conservation practices such as cover crops and improved management of phosphorus and drainage water. As a result of this project, conservation practice implementation can be focused on farm fields having the greatest impacts on water quality, ultimately resulting in a reduction of soluble phosphorus loading in the Saginaw basin.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs. For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Revised Great Lakes Agreement Signed

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Canada’s Minister of the Environment have signed the newly amended Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement The agreement, first signed in 1972 and last amended in 1987, is binational effort to protect the world’s largest surface freshwater system and the health of the surrounding communities.

The revised agreement will facilitate United States and Canadian action on threats to Great Lakes water quality and includes measures to anticipate and prevent ecological harm. New provisions address aquatic invasive species, habitat degradation and the effects of climate change, and support continued work on existing threats to human health and the environment in the Great Lakes Basin such as harmful algae, toxic chemicals, and discharges from vessels.

The overall purpose of the Agreement is “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the waters” of the Great Lakes and the portion of the St. Lawrence River that includes the Canada-United States border. Both governments sought extensive input from stakeholders before and throughout the negotiations to amend the Agreement. Additionally, the amended Agreement expands opportunities for public participation on Great Lakes issues.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs. For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Michigan Projects To Improve Stormwater Quality and Reduce Bacteria

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded six Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants, totaling over $1.6 million, to improve water quality at Great Lakes beaches in Michigan. Projects awarded grant funding include:

• $179,700 to the City of Marquette, Michigan, to lower health risks and to improve water quality at two Lake Superior beaches in Marquette by using green management practices to reduce contamination.
• $500,000 to the City of Marysville, Michigan, to install rain gardens and other green infrastructure to reduce contaminated stormwater runoff and to deter geese at Chrysler Beach on the St. Clair River.
• $500,000 to the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority for green infrastructure to reduce contaminated stormwater runoff at Lake St. Clair Metropark (Metro Beach.)
• $217,015 to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to construct rain gardens, plant native grass and install a filtration system to improve water quality and reduce health risks at Sherman Park and Four Mile beaches in Sault Ste. Marie.
• $263,188 to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to build a green stormwater infiltration system at New Buffalo City Beach to reduce bacteria and nutrient levels.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs. For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website
 

New Water Quality Standards For Carbaryl

In the May 22, EPA released its final national recommended ambient water quality criteria for carbaryl-2012. The final document establishes pollutant levels for carbaryl in relation to aquatic life. EPA published the draft national recommended water quality criteria for carbaryl in November 2011 and provided the public an opportunity to comment. The Agency developed the aquatic life criteria based on EPA's Guidelines for Deriving Numerical National Water Quality Criteria for the Protection of Aquatic Organisms and Their Uses.

EPA's national recommended final acute and chronic ambient water quality criteria (AWQC) for protecting freshwater organisms from potential effects of carbaryl is 2.1 mg/L. For the protection of estuarine/marine organisms from potential effects of carbaryl, EPA is recommending a final acute AWQC of 1.6 mg/L. At the present time, there are insufficient data to calculate a chronic AWQC for estuarine/marine organisms.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.
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Grants To Michigan Organizations Under Great Lakes Restoration Initiative

The U.S. Environmental Protection has awarded organizations, agencies, and universities working in the Detroit area more than $2.2 million in grants under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The funded projects in the Detroit area include:

• $254,406 – Macomb County (Eliminating E. coli Sources Impacting Beach Closures).


• $534,689 – The Nature Conservancy (Detroit River-Western Lake Erie Cooperative Weed Management Area and Phragmites Control).


• $500,000 – Wayne County – Department of Public Services (Toxics Reduction within the Rouge and Detroit River Areas of Concern).


• $1,000,000 – Huron Clinton Metropark Authority (Reducing the Impact of Stormwater on Metro Beach).
  

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

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Draft Guidance On Corps of Engineers Wetlands Rules

The US Corps of Engineers and US EPA have issued “Draft Guidance on Identifying Waters Protected by the Clean Water Act”. The Guidance interprets two key Supreme Court decisions on the applicability of the Clean Water Act to wetlands. The Draft Guidance addresses both wetlands and waterbodies and is limited to whether the federal Clean Water Act applies; it does not determine what state laws or regulations might apply. Following the 60-day public comment period, EPA and the Corps intend to finalize the Guidance and then initiate formal rulemaking.

Under the Draft Guidance, federal jurisdiction would apply to wetlands that are 1) adjacent to either traditional navigable waters or interstate waters; 2) directly abut relatively permanent waters; or 3) are adjacent to jurisdictional tributaries to traditional navigable waters or interstate waters if there is a “significant nexus”

The federal jurisdiction would apply to waterbodies that are 1) traditional navigable waterbodies; 3) interstate waterbodies; or 3) non-navigable tributaries to traditional navigable waters that are relatively permanent tributaries to traditional navigable waters or interstate waters if there is a “significant nexus”

The applicability to the category of “other waters”, including some that are physically proximate to other jurisdictional waters and some that are not, will be based on fact specific circumstances

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

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Michigan Great Lakes Restoration Grants

Nearly $2 million in federal grants will be given to five Michigan organizations by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. A total of 99 grants for an estimated $63 million are expected to be awarded in Michigan.

The five grants are:


•Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, $856,046 for implementing state and regional mercury control and prevention strategies to help shield pregnant women, children and subsistence populations from the toxic effects of mercury.
•Saginaw Bay/Lake Huron Land Policy Project, Michigan State University, $399,287 for technical assistance to local governments and land owners to implement land use planning, protection and restoration strategies.
•Michigan State University, $65,001 for a project to improve forecasting of beach and nearshore health effects, and protect public health by informing people when beach water is clean enough for swimming.
•Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, $295,000 for development of a sustainable hazardous waste collection program to serve tribal and non-tribal community members in Baraga County, and help prevent toxic contaminants from entering Lake Superior.
•Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa, $196,148 to improve habitat and water quality in the Bear River Watershed, which directly affects waters flowing into Little Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grants in Michigan

U.S. EPA will provide more than $2 million in grants to three southeast Michigan organizations under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. A total of 99 grants for an estimated $63 million are expected to be awarded in Michigan. Funded projects advance the goals and objectives of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan which released in February.

Southeast Michigan Council of Governments was awarded $500,000 for its "Restoring the Lake Erie Corridor Through Green Streets" program. The funds will pay for construction of bioswales, tree trenches and grow zones to manage road runoff; reduction of annual stormwater runoff volumes, sediment and nutrient loading; development of a Great Lakes Green Streets Guidebook transferable to municipalities; and installation of Green Streets signage for public education benefits.

Wayne State University was awarded $519,564 for "Verification of Ballast Water Treatment Technology." This project is designed to develop technology that will help assess the effectiveness and durability of shipboard ballast water treatment systems.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment will receive $1,028,548 for "Rapid Response to Invasive Species." This project will use the best known methods to eradicate and control several invasive aquatic plant species that harm the Great Lakes.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

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Wet Weather Pollution Report Issued By DNRE

Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) has released its report “Wet Weather Pollution in Michigan” (Report No. MI/DNRE/WB-10/020). DNRE formed five work groups to evaluate issues related to wet weather pollution and develop a strategy to more effectively protect water quality: Wastes to Land, Earth Change, Urban Living, Monitoring, and Water Quality Based Effluent Limits and Standards Applicability. Each work group report is included as a chapter of the report.

The conclusions and recommendations made by the Work Groups include:

1. Increased E. coli concentrations are the most documented effects from wet weather pollution discharges.
2. Urban streams are heavily impacted by flow modifications from wet weather pollution discharges, due to unnaturally high runoff volumes.
3. A large amount of subjectivity exists in many of the existing wet weather pollution programs.
4. A lack of consistent terminology exists across programs that deal with wet weather pollution.
5. Measuring the impacts of wet weather pollution is problematic, primarily due to sampling difficulty, a lack of methods to monitor pollutants, and established means to evaluate the impacts of wet weather pollution discharges.
6. Based on available records, animal wastes are the largest, by volume, wastes that are applied to land in Michigan.
7. Good regulatory mechanisms exist for biosolids, septage, CAFO permits, combined sewer overflow (CSO), storm sewer overflow (SSO), Industrial Storm Water, Municipal
Storm Water (those under permit), Construction Storm Water and soil erosion and sedimentation control (SESC).
8. Urban infrastructure in Michigan is currently in need of a clearly defined adequate maintenance program.
9. Effective best management practices (BMP) need to be identified and BMP standards established.
10. It is difficult to understand and address total maximum daily load (TMDL) obligations for wet weather pollution discharges.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at

info@calthacompany. or the Caltha LLP Website