Monday, March 28, 2016 |
Metro Detroit's 'Area of Concern' waterways—the Raisin, Rouge, Clinton and St. Clair rivers— have known their fair share of problems resulting from industry and urbanization.
But despite it all, local waterways have gotten steadily cleaner. People are fishing, paddling and swimming again. Many critical habitat areas have been preserved and restored in recent years.
Significant challenges remain. Beach closings. Contaminated sediments. Diminished fish and wildlife populations.
Cleaning up local waterways is key to Michigan's 'blue economy.' Clean water could mean more economic and community development and tourism for communities across southeast Michigan.
But getting there will require plenty of dedication and continued funding.
In this issue, we take a look at the U.S. EPA's Great Lakes Areas of Concern program in Michigan and how it has played out in metro Detroit. We also talk to some of the area's longtime advocates on why they've stayed dedicated to the clean water game. |
Nina Ignaczak
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Michigan's 'blue economy' presents plenty of opportunities for Michigan's economic future. But first, the state must clean up the sins of its economic past.
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Kirk Haverkamp
Thursday, March 24, 2016
From urbanization to legacy industrial contamination, many of metro Detroit's waterways are designated as "Areas of Concern." But thanks to the efforts of dedicated volunteers and some federal funding, these areas are on their way to restoration.
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Annamarie Sysling
Thursday, March 24, 2016
The Clinton River is both Michigan's most populous watershed and an Area of Concern. That means lots of volunteers to help with the cleanup effort, which is encouraging to Clinton River Watershed Council director Anne Vaara.
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Anna Sysling
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Richard Micka left Monroe, Michigan once in his life—to serve in the air force. Since then, he's stayed close to home, devoting much of his energy to working on cleaning up the River Raisin for future generations.
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Annamarie Sysling
Thursday, March 24, 2016
After a career working at the Port Huron wastewater treatment plant, Fred Kemp is still hard at work restoring the blue waters of his hometown.
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Annamarie Sysling
Thursday, March 24, 2016
When Bill Craig heard about a golf course coming to a local wetland, he started getting active. And he's been that way ever since—which has been a great boon to the Rouge River and its communities.
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