A Story of Coordination, Collaboration, and Cooperation

Transcription

1 A Story of Coordination, Collaboration, and Cooperation Jennifer Johnson, Aquatic Biologist Department of Environmental Quality Water Resources Division

2 Water Defines Michigan 4 Great Lakes surrounds us 20% of the world s freshwater 90% of the nation s freshwater 11,000 inland lakes 36,000 river miles 5 million acres of wetlands Photo: Todd Marsee 2

3 DEQ Water Resources Division Tasked with protecting and monitoring all surface water resources. In particular, focus is on three pillars: 1.) Water quality 2.) Water use 3.) Invasive species 3

4 Definition Invasive species: A species that is not native and whose introduction causes, or is likely to cause, economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. 4

5 Why care about invasive species? Compete with native species for food and habitat or indirectly harm native species. Affect diversity and abundance of native species Alter foodweb Economic effects Decreased commercial and recreational fisheries Decrease property values Decreased tourism Effects on utilities and other industries Harbor Island near Grand Haven in Ottawa County. (Photo courtesy of John Koches GVSU) 5

6 Costs of Management & Control Total = over $2.5 billion over 20 years 6

7 State of Michigan AIS Team/Program Department of Environmental Quality Water Resources Division Office of the Great Lakes Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division Wildlife Division Parks & Recreation Division Law Enforcement Division Department of Agriculture & Rural Development Pesticide & Plant Pest Management Division Animal Industry Division Others Department of Transportation DNR Forestry Attorney General 7

8 The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative 8

9 AIS State Management Plan Goal I: Prevent new introductions of AIS into Michigan waters. Goal II: Limit the spread of established populations of AIS into uninfested waters of the state. Goal III: Develop an early detection and rapid response program to address new AIS invasions. Goal IV: Manage and control AIS to lessen the harmful ecological, economic, social and public health impacts resulting from infestation of AIS. 9

10 Current AIS Funding for Michigan $26, FEDERAL STATE $3,749,809 10

11 State General Funds Governor Snyder s Budget Proposal FY $4 million with an additional one time allocation of $2 million. FY $4 million with an additional one time $4 million allocation. Budget passed the Senate but still has to pass the House so funds aren t guaranteed just yet. 11

12 Recent Michigan Efforts Planning and Preparation Finalized and implemented the Response Plan for AIS in Michigan - an interagency decision support tool for new invasive infestations. Asian Carp field exercises on the St. Joseph River. Developing an interagency protocol for decontamination of all types of equipment. Reduces the risk of invasive species transfer between locations. Asian carp exercise. Photo: David Kenyon. 12

13 Recent Michigan Efforts Detection and Response Created an Invasive Species Watch List to help identify priority AIS. Enhanced AIS identification training for agency staff. Incorporated AIS monitoring into routine lake & stream surveys. Developed Best Control Practice sheets for invasive plant species. Early detection & response-dnr Wildlife Division efforts- Kile Kucher. Red swamp crayfish 13

14 Recent Michigan Efforts Outreach and Education Interstate Billboards 14

15 Inaugural Landing Blitz June 6 and 7, 2014 at 12 boat landings across the state Partnering with local organizations, the DEQ, DNR, and MDARD will reach out to boaters Basic steps to help prevent the spread of invasives. 15

16 Pilot Snorkel Study GLRI funded project- one year. 16 lakes surveyed for a variety of AIS using snorkeling and near shore wading methods. Objectives: Evaluate the snorkeling method for possible incorporation into an AIS monitoring strategy. Increase collaboration with local organizations. 16

17 Lake Selection Lakes to be sampled Ausable Lake Beaver Lake Big Lake Chicagon Lake Cisco Chain Lake Duck Lake Eagle Lake Klinger Lake Lake Cora Lake Lansing Little Glen Lake Paradise Lake Pickerel Lake Rounds Lake Thornapple Lake Whitmore Lake County Ogemaw Alpena Osceola Iron Gogebic Muskegon Kalamazoo St. Joseph Van Buren Ingham Leelanau Emmet Emmet Lenawee Barry Washtenaw 17

18 Michigan Has Momentum! Since 2010, we have expanded our efforts in invasive species management. In particular: Planning & Preparation Detection & Response Outreach & Education Future efforts include increases in: Partnerships with local groups Research projects Monitoring Response and control Photo: Asian carp field exercise. Photo: David Kenyon. 18

19 Questions Jennifer Johnson- DEQ Water Resources DEQ Website: DNR Website: 19