December 2022 News
- Giving Tuesday - Thank you for considering a donation!
- Announcing Keynote Speaker for 2023 Conference
- Understanding and Monitoring Your Well for Safe Water
- MiCorps CLMP Enrollment now open for 2023
- Ask the DNR Live on Thursday night
- 3rd Annual Great Lakes PFAS Summit next week
- $5 million to support rivers and streams in Michigan
- Still time to Apply for Clean Boats Clean Waters grant money
- Save the Date for TSN Conference
- Intro to Lakes reimbursement is back for 2023
- Save the Date for the Shoreline and Shallows Conference
- Happy Holidays from MLSA
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mymlsa.org/donate-to-mlsa/
MLSA is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization, EIN 38-6159369. All donations are deemed tax-deductible absent any limitations on deductibility applicable to a particular taxpayer. Your annual membership, magazine subscriptions, and donations help MLSA to continue protecting Michigan's lakes and streams since 1961.
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Announcing 2023 Conference Keynote Speaker, Ted J. Rulseh
Ted is a freelance writer, book author, and advocate for protecting and preserving our inland lakes. Growing up in the Lake Michigan community of Two Rivers, Wisconsin, he acquired a fascination with water resources. Family vacations in the Northwoods instilled a love for the abundance and diversity of lakes in his home state and elsewhere. For the past decade Ted has devoted time to helping others better understand and appreciate the lakes they love, and to promoting proper care and respect for these irreplaceable treasures.
Learn more about Ted's work:
https://www.thelakeguy.net/
Registration for the Annual Conference will open in January, stay tuned for details!
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Understanding and Monitoring Your Well to Make Sure Your Water Is Safe!
By: Ashley Mark, MDHHS; Sara Pearson, EGLE; Lon Nordeen, MLSA
There are over 1 million private residential wells in the state of Michigan, serving over 2.6 million people statewide. That is over 30% of Michigan residents! A private residential well supplies water to a single-family home. Water is pumped from groundwater using a water well. To learn more about the types of private wells, well components, and well construction visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency website.
As a private residential well owner, you are responsible for the quality of your drinking water. It is important to monitor your well system and your drinking water to protect the health of you and your family. Maintaining your well involves regular inspections, testing, and if required, treatment. For more information about how to properly maintain your private residential well system, view the Drinking Water Well Maintenance Fact Sheet.
Proper well maintenance is a great way to protect the quality of your drinking water. However, testing your drinking water for contaminants is the only way to know for sure what is in your drinking water. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommends testing annually for Coliform Bacteria, E. coli, Nitrate, and Nitrite. Visit the Care for MI Drinking Water Drinking Water Testing page for more information about what to test for and how to have your drinking water tested.
In addition to MDHHS recommendations for testing, sometimes it is appropriate to consider testing for other contaminants. If you are a private residential well owner, it is important to understand what natural and human-made contaminants may be in the groundwater that you use for drinking water. For example, if your home is near a potential source of contamination, you might consider expanding what to test for. Learn more about what might be in the groundwater you drink, or contact your Local Health Department to learn about local concerns or recommendations.
Still have questions or want to learn more? The MDHHS Care for MI Drinking Water website is where you can find more information about drinking water contaminants, testing, how to understand test results, treatment options, and more. Here you can also subscribe to receive the Drinking Water and Health newsletter in order to stay up to date on new initiatives happening through the MDHHS Division of Environmental Health’s Statewide Drinking Water Campaign.
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In addition to understanding how your well works, maintenance needs, and monitoring that needs to be done to ensure that your well is properly functioning and provides safe drinking water, protecting source water is another important part in maintaining the quality of your water.
Water is constantly being recycled as it moves through the hydrologic cycle. The water in rivers, lakes and streams evaporates and condenses in the atmosphere to become clouds that eventually release the water back to the ground in various forms of precipitation. Precipitation replenishes our lakes, rivers and streams and also seeps into the ground recharging the groundwater supply. Groundwater discharges into some surface water bodies and some surface water bodies recharge the groundwater. This is a very generalized description of the hydrologic cycle as there are many ways that the water may be used throughout this cycle. For example, rainwater may be collected and used for watering a garden surface water and groundwater may be used in homes, businesses, and industries for many purposes. In your home it is commonly used for drinking, cooking, and washing.
Once the water is used for these purposes, it is discharged either to a sanitary sewer system for treatment or to a septic system. The septic system is designed to collect solids in the tank and discharge the liquids to the ground. The soils in the subsurface act as a filter removing bacteria like coliforms from water as it moves through the soil and eventually recharges the groundwater. Groundwater may discharge to a surface water body, it may be drawn into a well for use again, or it may remain in the aquifer for quite some time. Overall, it is constantly reused for many purposes. Therefore, Michigan’s Public Health Code and local sanitary codes specify minimum separation distances between a well and a septic tank, septic tanks and wells from surface water bodies and floodplains, and specific construction materials and specifications for both wells and septic fields. A well that is too close to a septic tank may draw in water that is not adequately filtered and pose a health risk from the presence of bacteria. Septic tanks that are too close to surface water bodies can result in unfiltered waste being discharged to the water body causing a health risk to swimmers from elevated coliform bacteria and can also result in the growth of harmful strains of algae that can be lethal. Wells that are too close to surface water bodies may draw in surface water that is not as well filtered as the groundwater and is likely to have other types of harmful bacteria and parasites like Giardia that cause illness in people and pets.
As water is used and is constantly being recycled, it may be mixed with detergents, hazardous substances, or may even be in contact with naturally occurring hazardous substances like arsenic. Water mixed with some of these substances can be odorless, tasteless, colorless and require more treatment than the typical septic or sanitary treatment offers. Therefore, source water, which is the water that you drink, protection practices become important. Contaminants released to the ground have a high probability of affecting the groundwater and surface water bodies which is why proper disposal of wastes is critical. Some everyday actions that can be taken to protect surface water and groundwater. The US Environmental Protection Agency offers some great suggestions you can take to protect your water.
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The CLMP has been an important component of Michigan’s inland lakes monitoring program for over 40 years, which makes it the second oldest volunteer monitoring program for lakes in the country. The primary purpose of this cooperative program is to help volunteers monitor indicators of water quality and habitat in their lake and document changes in lake quality over time.
Visit Become a Volunteer to enroll your lake for the 2023 season.
If you have any questions, please contact
Erick Elgin (elgineri@msu.edu, 218-340-5731)
or Jean Roth (jean.roth@mymlsa.org).
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DNR staffers to answer questions live on 'Ask the DNR' Thursday night
on WNMU-TV13
By John Pepin, DNR
Upper Peninsula staffers from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will appear live on television Thursday night to answer viewer questions on “Ask the DNR” on WNMU-TV13.
The hour-long program, hosted by Mike Settles, will air live at 8 p.m. EST, Thursday, Dec. 1. The program will be available later online, where WNMU-TV13 archives past shows.
The broadcast will be underwritten by the North Woods Chapter of Safari Club International. Some of its members will be available to answer phones.
Panelists will include DNR conservation officer Mike Olesen, who patrols Chippewa County, Upper Peninsula trails coordinator Ron Yesney, Marquette, fisheries biologist George Madison, Baraga and wildlife biologist Heather Shaw, Shingleton.
With the firearm deer hunting season wrapped up, some questions are expected to focus on early impressions from the season and welcoming winter sports activities, but the discussion is typically wide-ranging based on viewer interests.
Viewers are reminded to leave their name, city and phone number when calling in questions. Those questions not answered on the air will be answered by DNR staffers in returned phone calls following the program.
To phone questions in during the live telecast, call 1-800-227-9668. Questions may also be submitted via email at dtv13@nmu.edu.
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MLSA Exhibits in Annual Event Next Week
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is hosting the third annual virtual Great Lakes PFAS Summit on December 5-7, 2022.
The Great Lakes PFAS Summit will bring together environmental program managers, policy experts, researchers, and contractors from around the Great Lakes region to share new methods of addressing this contamination and present innovative technical solutions developed to address these “forever” chemicals. Participants will include local, state, and federal government officials; environmental consultants and vendors; academic researchers and students; industry managing PFAS contamination; and community organizations.
Keynote speakers just announced:
- Zach Schafer, Senior Advisor to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Water and PFAS Council member, will speak on the EPA’s progress under their Strategic Roadmap.
- Rebecca A. Higgins, PG, Hydrogeologist at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, will speak about Minnesota’s 3M Settlement, the Project 1007 Feasibility Study Progress, and Pilot Study Start-up.
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DNR secures $5 million grant
from National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s America the Beautiful Challenge
By Patrick Ertel, DNR
Michigan is one of six applicants to get maximum funding; the grant will support critical conservation and connectivity work on rivers and streams in 14 counties.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation recently announced the recipients of the inaugural America the Beautiful Challenge, a $1 billion grant program launched in May to fund diverse, landscape-level conservation projects. Michigan has been awarded $5 million, to be administered by the state’s Department of Natural Resources.
“Michigan’s natural resources are some of the best in the nation, and we will work with anyone to preserve them for future generations,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “These federal grants for our inland waterways will help us protect several at-risk species, reduce risks to public safety and improve climate resiliency. Let’s keep working together to ensure that all our waters, from the Great Lakes that define us to our thousands of inland waterways, are safe for decades to come.”
Michigan’s award will fund removal of 27 stream barriers to restore the passage of fish and other aquatic organisms. Additionally, this work will benefit several at-risk species, such as the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, pickerel frog, and freshwater mussel species including the fluted shell and elktoe.
The DNR will partner with local organizations and federally recognized tribes to reconnect nearly 200 upstream miles of rivers and streams, working toward improved climate resiliency and river connectivity and easier passage of aquatic organisms between and within waterways. Such restoration projects also help eliminate risks to public safety, especially for those sites that have road traffic moving over the waterways.
Partners include the Conservation Resource Alliance, Huron Pines, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Michigan Trout Unlimited, the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly, the Superior Watershed Partnership and Land Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service.
The streams that will benefit from the America the Beautiful Challenge grant are located in 14 counties across Michigan:
- Twin Lakes Creek (Cheboygan County)
- Au Sable River (Crawford County)
- Carr Creek (Delta County)
- Dana Lake (Delta County)
- Little Bay de Noc (Delta County)
- Wycamp Creek (Emmet County)
- Two Mile Creek (Gogebic County)
- Boardman/Ottaway rivers (Grand Traverse County)
- North Branch Cole Creek (Lake County)
- Spring Creek (Luce County)
- McAlpine Creek (Mackinac County)
- Silver Lead Creek (Marquette County)
- Little Muskegon River (Mecosta County)
- Buckhorn Creek (Mecosta County)
- Stony Creek (Oceana County)
- East Branch Big Creek (Oscoda County)
- Au Sable River (Oscoda County)
- Hayden Creek (Van Buren County)
DNR Director Dan Eichinger said the America the Beautiful Challenge support will go a long way toward improving water and fish flow, critical to healthy rivers and streams.
“Put simply, fish and other organisms in the water need to move,” Eichinger said. “Throughout their many life stages, whether they’re seeking food, reproducing, hiding from predators or seeking shelter from extreme conditions, fish have to be able to easily move within their waters, as well as between bodies of water. Removing barriers to such movement means we can better protect fish populations.”
Earlier this year, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation established the America the Beautiful Challenge with a vision to streamline and centralize a nationwide grant-funding opportunity that would leverage federal conservation and restoration investments with private and philanthropic contributions to accelerate land, water and wildlife conservation efforts across the country.
More information about this National Fish and Wildlife Foundation program – including a full list of grants awarded to states, U.S. territories and tribal nations, and project descriptions – is available at nfwf.org/programs/america-beautiful-challenge.
To learn more about how Michigan manages fisheries for current and future generations, visit Michigan.gov/Fishing.
Photo Below: Carr Creek Dam is located in the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan's Delta County, the Carr Creek Dam has structurally failed yet inhibits fish passage. Removal of this dam would reconnect over 10 miles of Carr Creek.
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MLSA Sponsors TSN Conference 2023!
Each year since 2008, The Stewardship Network has assembled a fantastic gathering of regional and national caretakers of nature to share ideas, challenge our thinking, and leave energized for the seasons ahead, bolstered by the knowledge that none of us are doing this vital work alone. Mark your calendars now and visit the conference site to peruse the stellar presenter lineup so far!
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Join Michigan State University Extension this winter for the award winning Introduction to Lakes Online course taking place January 10 - March 8!
Course topics include:
Lake Ecology
Lakes and their Watersheds
Lakes and their Shorelines
Introduction to Aquatic Plants
Lakes and the Law
Community Involvement
Each topic is explored weekly through pre-recorded video lectures, interactive activities, and discussion forums. On average, participants spend around two hours a week diving into the course topics. A complete schedule and syllabus is available on the Introduction to Lakes Online website.
In addition to the course website, participants can also join on Zoom for three Ask-an-Expert webinars. The webinars feature experts from Michigan State University, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
Participants can receive 16 Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Pesticide Applicator Re-Certification credits and credits in the MSU Extension Master Citizen Planner, Master Gardener, and Master Naturalist programs.
Registration Details
Registration is open now through January 8. The cost of the course is $115 per person. Register by December 19 for an early bird price of $95 per person. Scholarships are available to those experiencing a financial hardship.
Special Pricing for MLSA Members:
Current individual members of the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association are eligible to receive a $95 reimbursement upon successful completion of the course. Not an MLSA member? Join as an Individual Member prior to completing the course and you can also take advantage of this opportunity.
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Join us in person in 2023 at Kellogg Center in
East Lansing, details coming soon!
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We hope you have time to enjoy
Michigan's beauty this holiday season.
The board and staff of MLSA wish you a
cozy and healthy December!
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Michigan Lakes and Streams Association, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, statewide organization dedicated to the preservation, protection, and wise management of Michigan's vast treasure of inland lakes and streams.
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