Status and Needs of Michigan s Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan. Roger Eberhardt Office of the Great Lakes

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1 Status and Needs of Michigan s Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan Roger Eberhardt Office of the Great Lakes

2 Context Statewide planning Invasive species recommendations What you can do

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4 Michigan s Vision It is our collective vision that the Great Lakes and the rivers bringing water to the Great Lakes will be the premier freshwater resource in the world and will sustain a healthy environment, strong economy, and high quality of life long into the future.

5 Purpose of the Effort The expected outcomes are: Development of an integrated collaborative plan to move Michigan forward toward protecting and restoring the Great Lakes. Identification of protection and restoration programs that should be undertaken in Michigan. Identification of Michigan protection and restoration priorities for federal funding.

6 MI Great Lakes Plan The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy reflects the efforts needed throughout the Great Lakes Basin. The MI Great Lakes Protection and Restoration Plan will provide specific direction to address the recommendations of the Collaboration and to take further steps to address the specific needs within Michigan. The Plan will stress that the health of the Great Lakes is dependent on the health of the waters that feed the lakes, and the near-shore areas that buffer the lakes.

7 Michigan Plan Process Internal Action Teams (May-July) background statement goal recommended actions Stakeholder Sessions (Aug-Sep) provide input, expand upon the action frameworks and assist in identifying specific Michigan efforts Local Meetings (Oct-Nov) provide input on plan, identify local priorities Final Michigan Plan (Dec)

8 Eight Watershed Meetings Purpose: Ground truth the draft plan Inform the draft plan, adding missing information and recommendations Identify impediments to restoration and protection efforts and discuss suggestions or solutions can remove those impediments. Identify opportunities for better collaboration Recommendations of local watershed restoration actions Suggestions on prioritization

9 Implementing the Plan An Implementation Team will be developed to assist state and local efforts to implement the recommendations of the Michigan Plan.

10 Framework Development Development of the draft framework took into consideration: Input received from stakeholders The Collaboration strategy recommendations The recommendations of the recently released MUCC report, Michigan s Role in Great Lakes Protection and Restoration; Analysis and Recommendations including the gap analysis Michigan s current activities, programs and policies

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14 Great Lakes Governors Great Lakes Priorities Water Management/Diversions Aquatic Invasive Species Habitat/Species Coastal Health Areas of Concern/Sediments Nonpoint Source Toxic Pollutant Indicators and Information Sustainable Development (including sustainable energy and assuring a strong economy)

15 Priority Area Goals Aquatic Invasive Species - Prevent all new introductions of AIS into Michigan, stop the spread of AIS within the state and clearly identify and organize responsibilities and authorities for AIS prevention, control, monitoring, regulation and outreach/education within the appropriate state agency. Habitat/Species - Conserve, enhance and restore Michigan s fish and wildlife by restoring and protecting natural communities, the diverse habitats they provide and the ecological processes that sustain them.

16 Priority Area Goals Coastal Health - Protect public health through the elimination of pollution sources which can cause closings at beaches due to bacterial contamination to enhance recreation opportunities and support a strong and vibrant Michigan economy. Areas of Concern/Sediments - Restore and protect beneficial uses in 14 Michigan AOCs where human activities have caused or are likely to cause impairment of beneficial human uses or the area's ability to support aquatic life and to serve as an important step toward virtual elimination of persistent toxic substances within the Great Lakes.

17 Priority Area Goals Nonpoint Source - The goal is to control or eliminate NPS pollution in Michigan to provide for healthy and diverse aquatic ecosystems, protect public health, enhance environmentally compatible recreation opportunities and support a strong and vibrant Michigan economy. Toxic Pollutant - Virtually eliminate the release of, and exposure, to persistent toxic substances (PTS) into the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem to protect human health, fisheries and wildlife populations and the aquatic environment.

18 Priority Area Goals Indicators and Information - Standardize and enhance scientifically valid standardized methods by which information is collected, recorded and shared within Michigan to provide high-quality data for managers, scientists, and the public to measure environmental quality status and trends and to evaluate the effectiveness of prevention, remediation, and restoration activities. Sustainable Development - Have human activities support a strong and vibrant Michigan economy, meeting societal and cultural needs while achieving balance with a diverse and resilient Great Lakes ecosystem. This includes development and maintenance of a Great Lakes community that has fully embraced and routinely applies sustainability guideposts in all decisions and actions.

19 Plan Outline For each priority area the plan includes: Success stories Recommendations requiring Congressional action Recommendations requiring MI legislative action Actions that can be accomplished within existing funding constraints through increased collaboration Actions that would need significant new funding to accomplish. Recommendations by watershed

20 Invasive Species Recommendation Examples Success story: Michigan s ballast water regulations Legislative action needs: Rapid response funding Congressional action needs: Development of a screening tool Increased collaboration needs: Organisms in trade educational program

21 AIS Recommendations Establish a screening process for organisms proposed for trade; classifying species into three lists prohibited, accepted, and conditionally accepted by permit. The burden of proof of non- injuriousness should be on the importer. Michigan should establish an early detection and rapid response program for AIS new to the state including a $1 million revolving fund for rapid response actions and collaborating with an interagency Great Lakes Federal Rapid Response Team Work with the Michigan legislature to develop a viable, long-term funding source for AIS prevention and control actions Continue to develop a comprehensive AIS education program prevention and control

22 AIS Recommendations, Cont. State of the Lakes Ecosystem Conference: Phragmites spread Cladaphora spread

23 Your Input Response to the plan by mid- November Specific ideas today Thoughts on prioritizing Implementation

24 To submit comments or request to be added to the distribution list or visit our website: Office of the Great Lakes P.O. Box Lansing, MI