environment

Michigan Firefighters Assisting with California Wildfires

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is on its way to California to help fight the massive wildfires with off-road fire engines.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said, “The California wildfires have devastated thousands of families, and Michigan is ready to help in any way we can. The highly trained firefighters from the Michigan DNR regularly assist other parts of the country that are in need. Just like when California sent us ventilators in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re prepared to help our friends on the West Coast protect families, businesses, and wildlife from these fires.”

There is a nationwide cooperative system where DNR firefighters may be assigned to any state in need. The DNR assures that there are plenty of firefighters still in Michigan should their skills be needed.

Multiple blazes are being fought in 15 states right now. Thousands have had to evacuate in California, and over a million acres of land have been burned. The fires are minimally contained with threat of more fires on the horizon.

Michigan is reimbursed for the services and the DNR describes the travel as “valuable to firefighters who want to increase their experience and learn skills they can use to fight fires at home.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Be on the Lookout for Asian Longhorn Beetles

On your next walk or hike in the woods, you can help Michigan’s environment and economy by checking the trees for signs of invasive beetles.

 Any invasive pests should be reported to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, but of particular concern is the Asian longhorned beetle. The beetle has not yet been spotted in Michigan, but if it makes its way here, it could cause trouble for the state’s environment and economy. 

August is “Tree Check Month”, as designated by the United States Department of Agriculture.Over $750 million dollars have been spent nationwide to eradicate the beetle since its arrival in 1996. It is believed to have arrived in wooden packing materials from Asia. 

Tell-tale signs of an Asian Longhorned Beetle infestation are perfectly round holes in trees, about the diameter of a pencil, wood shavings on the ground, and dead branches falling from otherwise healthy-looking trees.

According to MDARD, “Every known infestation of Asian longhorned beetle in the U.S. was discovered and reported by a member of the public who knew what to look for and how to report it.”

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Don’t Open Bags of Seeds from China

If you get a mysterious bag of seeds in the mail, don’t plant them. It worked out well for Jack in the fairy tale, but it won’t be so great for you. Instead of discovering a golden egg, you could end up introducing an invasive species to the ecosystem.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has sent out an unprecedented warning asking people who receive mysterious seeds in the mail to leave them unopened. Mike Philip, Director of MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division warns, “These unsolicited seeds could be invasive, introduce diseases to local plants, or be harmful to livestock.”

The seeds are sent from China and are thought to be part of a “brushing” scam where fake product reviews are generated by “verified owners” to give credibility to online retailers.

The United States Department of Agriculture is currently investigating this situation across the nation. Residents who receive the seeds are asked to call MDARD at 800-292-3939 or go to MDA-Info@michigan.gov. 

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Michigan Fights Back Against EPA Clean Water Act Ruling

Michigan has joined a lawsuit that challenges the Trump Administration in regard to the Clean Water Act and states’ rights. Opposition has been building since April of 2019, but when a final ruling from the Environmental Protection Agency was issued on July 13th of this year, states wasted no time in fighting back.

The Clean Water Act had given states the authority to halt federal projects, but a Trump administration order changed the states’ right to act in their own best interest, according to the Democratic Attorneys General filing the lawsuit. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “Decisions about the well-being of Michigan’s residents shouldn’t be made behind closed doors in Washington D.C.” 

The multi-state lawsuit says that the order makes it harder to protect waters and wetlands nationwide. The federal projects called into question include hydropower and pipeline construction, along with housing and commercial land development. The regulations that were changed have been in effect for decades and across multiple administrations.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in the Northern district of California and asks for the EPA ruling to be declared unlawful.

Reporting for WGRT –  Jennie McClelland

New Rules Hope to Increase Deer Harvest This Year

Deer hunting is a few months away, but the Michigan Natural Resources Commission has announced some new regulations that take effect for the 2020 season. The changes are intended to provide additional opportunities and cost savings for hunters, as well as offer flexibility for the pursuit of deer.

Statewide, the new regulations qualify deaf hunters for the Liberty and Independence hunts, which are hunt periods generally reserved for disabled veterans and youth. The statewide limit has been increased to ten per hunter for private land where property owners are trying to manage a deer overpopulation. Additionally, there are changes to quotas and licenses in the Lower Peninsula.

Chad Stewart, the DNR’s deer, elk, and moose program leader, said, “These recommendations are aimed at making it easier for hunters of all ages and experience levels to enjoy a Michigan outdoor tradition, while at the same time facing the present and future challenges of managing the state’s abundant deer population.”

The full list of changes in regulations can be found at Michigan.gov/DNRDigests.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Boaters Reminded to Stop Spread of Invasive Species

Port Huron, MI — This week is “Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week” for all the Great Lakes states and bordering Canadian Provinces. According to Kevin Walters, aquatic biologist at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, “Millions of dollars are spent each year in Michigan to control the impacts of aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussels, sea lamprey and Eurasian watermilfoil. It only takes a few minutes to do a walk-around of your watercraft and trailer and drain water to make sure everything is clear of material that doesn’t belong.”

Part of the awareness campaign is to remind boaters to clean, drain, and dry watercraft and trailers to prevent the spread of animal and plant species that can cause harm to the Great lakes.

Boaters are asked to make sure all watercraft and trailers are free of aquatic organisms and plants before transporting or launching. They also need to remove drain plugs and drain all water from bilges, ballast tanks, and live wells before moving watercraft. Anglers should release fish only into the same water body where they were caught, and avoid releasing unused bait into the water. Boaters can be fined for failing to adhere to the rules.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland