Water Protection Activities in Washtenaw County

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Activity #16 Natural River Designation Since 1970, the Country-Scenic Natural Rivers Designation has been enabled by the Natural Rivers Act, now known as Part 305 of PA 451 of 1994. The designation was established for the Huron River from Portage Lake to the Ann Arbor city limits in 1977. Natural River Designation is intended to preserve the natural quality of a stream corridor via overlay zoning. It is the only such designation of this type in southeast Michigan. The townships involved in this area of the river are Dexter, Webster, Scio, and Ann Arbor. Along this portion of the Huron River homes cannot be built within 100 feet of the banks, and brush cannot be cut within 25 feet from the banks. Stream crossings are highly restricted. More information regarding Natural River designation can be found on the Michigan Department of Natural Resources web site. For more information visit: www.michigan.gov/dnr Activity #17 Fish Advisories The issues surrounding fish consumption advisories are important to understand if you plan on eating fish from local water bodies. Low levels of toxins in the ambient environment accumulate in fat and muscle tissue of fish. These same toxins also accumulate in people. Some toxins are potentially hazardous in repeated doses, especially in young children and women who may become pregnant. Certain types of fish found in Washtenaw County, like black crappie, walleye, channel catfish, large and smallmouth bass, bullhead, northern pike, white sucker, and carp, may contain elevated levels of toxins, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and mercury. These toxins are suspected of causing neurological and developmental disorders, cancers, endocrine disruption, reproductive disorders and other serious health problems. 42 The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has issued a statewide mercury advisory for all inland lakes, reservoirs and impoundments. All of Washtenaw County’s lakes are included. The general population is advised to limit consumption of the species included in the advisory to one meal per week. Children under age 15 and women of childbearing age should eat no more than one fish meal per month. Barton Pond and Ford Lake are the only water bodies in the county with advisories for PCBs. Older and larger fish tend to contain the highest percentages of toxins and are given an elevated warning level. By limiting consumption of high toxin fish such as large carp, pike and catfish, it is safe to include local fish in a diet. People can protect themselves and their children by: ● Eating smaller and younger fish. ● Limiting consumption of fish that eat other fish. ● Trimming and cooking fish in ways that reduce the amount of fat ingested. ● Following the recommended consumption of fish found in the Michigan Department of Community Health’s (MDCH) 2004 Fish Consumption Guide. 4 Activity #18 Beach Monitoring Washtenaw County Environmental Services Division staff collects water samples from public beaches throughout the county from Memorial Day through September. To protect public health and to prevent the spread of disease, the samples are analyzed for various water quality parameters, including bacteria levels. Beaches are closed if samples are deemed unsafe to public health. 4 http://www.michigan.gov/documents/FishAdvisory03_67354_7.pdf
Public Beaches Tested in Washtenaw County: ● Bruin Lake Beach, Lyndon Township ● Half Moon Lake Beach, Dexter Township ● Independence Lake Beach, Webster Township ● Silver Lake Beach, Dexter Township ● Sugarloaf Lake Beach, Lyndon Township In addition to public beaches, many other rivers and streams running through the County are sampled by local environmental organizations in order to determine current water quality and to recognize trends over time. Environmental surveys are conducted to evaluate possible pollution sources, safety hazards, depth drop-offs, currents, and hazardous objects. Activity #19 Natural Resource Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) The State of Michigan’s primary rules for protecting and preserving water quality are outlined in the NREPA. The NREPA contains guidelines for inland lake and stream preservation, wetland protection, construction erosion and sedimentation control, natural area preservation, etc. Activity #20 Illicit Discharge Elimination The Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner, as part of the Phase II Storm Water Permit, conducts inspections of all County Drains and identifies possible discharges from sources that should be connected to sanitary sewer, as well as other illegal sources. In 2005, over 150 drains were inspected and 17 illicit connections were identified and corrected. 43 Activity #21 Home Toxics Reduction Program The Washtenaw County Home Toxics Reduction Program provides residents with a disposal option for flammable, poisonous, toxic and corrosive materials. The program addresses the environmental and public health effects resulting from improper handling and disposal of home toxics, and is committed to reducing the use of home toxics and keeping citizens informed about the choices and responsibilities associated with purchasing, handling and disposing of toxic substances. Activity #22 Waste Knot Program The Washtenaw County Waste Knot program aims to develop relationships within the Washtenaw County business community to support waste reduction and recycling activities. The program provides community-wide recognition and organization-based technical assistance along with value-added education to organizations that exhibit leadership in waste reduction and recycling. Activity #23 Water Quality Stewardship Program Water Quality Stewardship Programs including Community Partners for Clean Streams, Homeowners Programs, and the new Riversafe Home Program (implemented in March/April 2007), are all designed to help business, residential and other land owners to evaluate how their activities affect surface water quality, and to develop strategic action plans designed to reduce nonpoint source pollution. These programs provide both technical assistance and community recognition.
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Water Protection Activities in Wash
Page 3 and 4: Acknowledgements Water Protection A
Page 5 and 6: Executive Summary Introduction The
Page 7 and 8: Local Water Quality Information The
Page 9 and 10: TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page # Se
Page 11 and 12: MAPS, FIGURES, AND TABLES Map # Tit
Page 13 and 14: 1.0 Introduction Background In Sept
Page 15 and 16: 2.0 Groundwater Groundwater is a vi
Page 17 and 18: 2.1 Conditions and Trends The prima
Page 19 and 20: 2.2 Groundwater Protection Activiti
Page 21 and 22: Activity #5 Wellhead Protection Cle
Page 23 and 24: Activity #8 Groundwater Withdrawal
Page 25 and 26: 2.3 Groundwater Challenges and Resp
Page 27 and 28: Map 5: Groundwater Arsenic Distribu
Page 29 and 30: Map 6: Groundwater Nitrate Distribu
Page 31 and 32: Challenge # 4: Part 201 Sites Part
Page 33 and 34: Challenge # 5: Landfills The rules
Page 35 and 36: Challenge # 6: Leaking Underground
Page 37 and 38: Gelman Sciences Inc. 1,4-dioxane Re
Page 39 and 40: 2.4 Groundwater Organizations Leade
Page 41 and 42: 3.0 Surface Water Surface water is
Page 43 and 44: Table 2: Michigan’s Designated Us
Page 45 and 46: Table 3: Total Maximum Daily Load S
Page 47 and 48: ● CWA Section 319 Grants - Sectio
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Page 51 and 52: Activity #13 Inland Lake Level Act
Page 53: Table 4: BMP Examples (Continued) P
Page 57 and 58: 3.3 Challenges and Responses Surfac
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Page 69 and 70: Challenge # 15 Point Source Dischar
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Page 77 and 78: APPENDIX A: Local Unit of Governmen
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Page 83 and 84: CCR Table continued 71
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A12: Salem Township Dry holes have
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A14: Scio Township The glacial geol
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APPENDIX B: Watershed Plans and Bes
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B2 - Plan 2: Huron Chain of Lakes W
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B3 Map: 133 B4 Map:
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B5 - Plan 5: Middle One Rouge River
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B6 - Plan 6: Lower One Rouge River
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B8 - Plan 8: Stony Creek Watershed
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B9: Comprehensive Best Management P
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Watershed Plan BMP Title BMP Descri
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APPENDIX C: Acronyms and Abbreviati
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printed on recycled paper July 2008
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Water Protection Activities in Washtenaw County

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