Of course like all of you I live here on the Blue Planet and everyone knows the facts. 72% of the surface covered in water most of that is salt and

Transcription

1 1

2 Of course like all of you I live here on the Blue Planet and everyone knows the facts. 72% of the surface covered in water most of that is salt and so on and in some parts of the world access to fresh clean water is a problem but today I would like to give you a story from a place in the world where fresh clean water is abundant and taken for granted. 2

3 The Great Lakes.. Home to 20% of the worlds fresh water over 90% of the surface water in the US 3

4 In Michigan convincing people to conserve and protect water is sometimes like trying to convince a high school soccer team to eat light.. at an all you can eat buffet 4

5 5

6 Where I come from is the CR watershed sq miles home to 1.6 million people 6

7 7

8 No story about collaboration about water in SE MI can be told without Judge Feikens. In 1977 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement action case against Detroit for releases of contaminated water from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD). It eventually turned into a case that involved every community within the Rouge River watershed for releases into what was once considered one of the most polluted bodies of water in the country. He retired from the case in 2010 and passed away this past May.. The case is still being presided over by another judge.. 8

9 Through formal orders and regular on the record hearings in his courtroom, Judge Feikens did what nobody else in Michigan not governors, congressmen, state legislators, or state environmental directors was willing to do. He brought leaders from three counties and 48 southeast Michigan communities together to cooperate on a plan to restore the entire 126 mile long Rouge River. Under Judge Feikens stern and steady guidance the lawsuit has produced a governing blueprint applicable in any other watershed in Michigan or the nation for how to manage costly and complex environmental restoration projects across a watershed and, more importantly, how to prevent them in the first place. 9

10 A unique partnership of 48 communities and 3 counties in the Rouge River Watershed in southeast Michigan has approached the federal Phase I National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater regulations through the Michigan General Voluntary Stormwater Permit using a watershed approach. The Rouge River watershed has been characterized by heavy stormwater pollutant loads from urbanized areas downstream, to agriculture and rapidly developing areas in the headwaters. In order to find ways to address these diverse set of stormwater issues, the Rouge River watershed was divided geographically into seven subwatersheds and Subwatershed Management Plans were developed to address the unique stormwater needs in each area. Outcomes of the planning process for headwater areas of the Middle and Lower Rouge River, which focused on both the restoration and protection of the river and its tributaries, illustrate how both rural and developing communities have addressed water resource management within a watershed context. 10

11 11

12 12

13 13

14 14

15 15

16 16

17 17

18 18

19 Based on the nationally recognized Izaak Walton model Physical assessment of streambed and riparian corridor Macroinvertebrate identification and classification Provide volunteers with training (half day workshop) and loan equipment 19

20 As of all 2011 Stream Teams in all 6 major subwatersheds, monitoring at least twice per year Hold annual forums for volunteers to share their results and discuss opportunities to protect and improve their adopted waterways Track water quality improvements based upon volunteer data (can be used to evaluate success of NPDES Phase II). Nearly 400 volunteers monitoring 57 locations. 20

21 Volunteer monitoring activities initiated as part of development of watershed management plan Recruited volunteers from a mailing to all riparian residents, as well as local government staff and other interested individuals Initiated annual Stony Creek Stonefly Search Data used to advocate for better protection of the creek during construction projects 21

22 Partnership between CRWC, Trout Unlimited, & Michigan Department of Natural Resources Michigan Fly Fishing Club Cities of Auburn and Rochester Hills. More than 200 volunteers trained who have logged 1,000 s of hours on the Clinton River and Paint and Galloway Creeks Data is used to develop and implement fisheries habitat improvement projects, Project has already resulted in increased stocking of trout in Clinton River and gear restrictions on Paint Creek. 22

23 23

24 24

25 Mow High ad comes from Huron River Watershed Council Typically its been run in the MetroTimes Metro Detroit s alternative weekly paper Has garnered numerous call and comments. Taller grass is healthier grass able to retain more water and nutrients Basic philosophy of ads is lawns/turf grass in not going to eliminated healthy vegetation is critical to water quality if done correctly you can have a healthy and green lawn while protecting water quality. 25

26 st year effort. Basic graphic is again the Fertilizer Sticker consistent with print ads, restaurant placemats and the billboards. Trying to capitalize on popularity of kids soccer and hockey to communicate/reinforce messages. Cost versus duration of ads seemed reasonable. 26

27 Large size is 14 ft x 48 ft; smaller size is 12 ft x 24 ft. This is the 2003 ad 2004 has been modified consistent with the new Fertilizer Sticker Billboards have been placed in both Wayne and Oakland counties. Summary In 2004, Wayne County will spend approximately $50,000 on its Nutrient Reduction Advertising Campaign. Our 4 th year of paid advertisements. The advertisement effort has been designed to support and compliment other on going educational efforts including the Fertilizer Sticker Program, River Friendly Lawn Care Workshops and the general overall watershed awareness. Retailers participating in the Sticker Program have been appreciative of the advertising efforts and although it is very difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of the ads to date, we believe continued mass media advertising has been and will continue to be a critical element of the overall regional education effort. 27

28 28

29 The low (or no) cost approach! Local interest stories are always in demand and are read by a wide audience Get to know the environmental and local interest reporters that cover your area Develop a fax list of local media and invest in software to run automated mass faxes Send press releases every time you hold an event that involves people (especially kids) doing monitoring or stewardship work in your community Practice your message and key points ahead of time so you have sound bytes Don t do it alone form a partnership and present a united front! 29

30 30

31 31

32 32

33 33

34 34

35 35

36 36

37 37

38 Based on the Earth Force / GREEN nationally recognized student water quality monitoring program and Protecting Our Watersheds curriculum Correlated with Michigan education standards and requirements More than 5,000 students from 30+ schools monitor twice a year (spring and fall) Annual Student Congress Targeted at 8 th grade but spans 6 th 12 th grades Receives significant media coverage 38

39 Have received funding support from General Motors for 8 years Developed a business sponsorship model in 2003 to expand support to other local businesses More than half of schools now have a business sponsor Sponsorship provides funding for monitoring equipment, training, and overall program coordination Sponsor employees receive training and serve as mentors in classrooms and at monitoring sites Presented as a model program by Earth Force / GREEN 39

40 First Wayne County water festival held in 1997 to teach fifth graders about the ways water impacts their lives today 3,000 students attend the event Water Festival Objective: to provide students with activities to help them understand water related issues Classes spend a half day rotating through four 25 minute interactive, hands on presentations and exhibits Topics include soil erosion, conservation, frogs and toads, and the Great Lakes 40

41 41

42 42

43 SEMCOG facilitates the Southeast Michigan Partners for Clean Water. This partnership was formed to engage the public in activities that protect our water resources through continued awareness, knowledge, and action. The partners include representatives from SEMCOG, various counties, communities, watershed councils, the private sector, and water quality professionals in Southeast Michigan. 43

44 Public Works, Health Depts. Parks and Recreation.. Many individual communities 44

45 45

46 Annual event held in early June Coincides with Michigan Free Fishing Weekend More than 30 events held across the watershed Each event is coordinated by one or more local sponsors local governments, businesses, community groups, churches, scout troops, etc. CRWC holds a logo contest and creates posters and event guides, coordinates all media Free T shirts provided to all participants with all sponsors listed on the back 46

47 Held IN september 47

48 48

49 49